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MartinLogan Motion 40i Review
MartinLogan Motion 40i

Main Features

  • 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Tweeter
  • 5.5" aluminum cone Midrange
  • 2 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer
  • 40-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 92 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range: 20-300watts
  • Weight:45.00 lbs / 20.40 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 41-1/2"x7-9/16"x13-1/16" / 1055.0 x 193.0 x 332.0mm
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MartinLogan 40i Review
MartinLogan 40i MartinLogan 40i
See at AMAZON

MartinLogan Motion 40i is a 3-way Passive Bass Reflex Floor-standing speaker by MartinLogan. It features a 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Tweeter, 1 x 5.5" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 40-25k Hz and a sensitivity of 92 dB. MartinLogan 40i has an MSRP of 2600$ per pair but can often be found around 2080$ per pair.

Room Size Suitability

The size of the room where you plan to use the MartinLogan 40i is a crucial factor in your decision. We have assessed its suitability for various room sizes based on its dimensions and maximum power output:

Listening Environment* Suitability
Near-fieldBad
Small RoomPoor
Mid-size RoomAverage
Large RoomGood
Very Large RoomAverage

(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2. Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)

MartinLogan 40i  Lifestyle
MartinLogan 40i Lifestyle

MartinLogan's Motion Series of Loudspeakers

Motion 40i is a member of MartinLogan's Motion series of Passive speakers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

MartinLogan Motion Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
MartinLogan 15i
Compare
60-25k Hz 92 dB5Ω 1 x 5.25"
MartinLogan 35XTi
Compare
50-25k Hz 92 dB4Ω 1 x 6.5"
MartinLogan 60XTi
Compare
35-25k Hz 94 dB4Ω 2 x 8"
MartinLogan 50XTi
Compare
50-25k Hz 94 dB4Ω 2 x 6.5"
MartinLogan LX16
Compare
60-25k Hz 92 dB5Ω 1 x 5.25"
MartinLogan 40i
40-25k Hz 92 dB4Ω 2 x 6.5"
MartinLogan 20i
Compare
46-25k Hz 90 dB4Ω 2 x 5.5"
MartinLogan 30i
Compare
65-25k Hz 91 dB4Ω 1 x 5.25"
MartinLogan 6i
Compare
120-23k Hz 89 dB6Ω 2 x 3.5"
MartinLogan 8i
Compare
70-23k Hz 89 dB4Ω 2 x 4"
MartinLogan Motion Series Speakers
MartinLogan Motion Series Speakers


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Frequency Response of the MartinLogan 40i Speaker

MartinLogan 40i has a Frequency response range of 40-25k Hz at ±3dB and Power Range of 20-300 watts. With a minimum frequency of 40 Hz, Motion 40i delivers deep bass that will likely satisfy most listeners, especially those who enjoy music. However, movie enthusiasts and music fans who prefer a full range of sound may still benefit from adding a subwoofer.

To focus on the subwoofers that are in a similar price range with MartinLogan 40i, check out the Powered Subwoofers under $3000. Alternatively, find the Full list of Powered Subwoofers regardless of the price.
Here we have a comparison of how Motion 40i's Low and High frequency values compare with the average, max and min Low and High frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
MartinLogan 40i
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
MartinLogan 40i
Min
Average
Max

Among the speakers in our database with a max MSRP price of 3000$ (Pair), these are the 5 Passive Floor-standing speakers that have the deeper bass levels than the MartinLogan 40i's 40Hz:

  • KLH Kendall with Low Frequency of 25 Hz (Compare w/ Motion 40i)
  • GoldenEar Triton Five with Low Frequency of 26 Hz (Compare w/ Motion 40i)
  • KLH Concord with Low Frequency of 28 Hz (Compare w/ Motion 40i)
  • SVS Ultra Tower with Low Frequency of 28 Hz (Compare w/ Motion 40i)
  • GoldenEar Triton Seven with Low Frequency of 29 Hz (Compare w/ Motion 40i)

MartinLogan 40i Tweeter
MartinLogan 40i's Folded Motion Tweeter

Crossover frequency of the MartinLogan 40i?

Motion 40i is a 3-way speaker and its crossover frequency between the woofer and the midrange set to 500Hz and the Crossover frequency between the midrange and the tweeter is set to 2600Hz.

MartinLogan 40i Crossover
MartinLogan 40i Crossover is set to 500Hz and 2600Hz

Impedance and Sensitivity

MartinLogan 40i's nominal impedance level is 4 ohms and has a sensitivity of 92 dB.

Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
MartinLogan 40i
Min
Average
Max

Nominal Impedance of the 4 Ohms means that the MartinLogan Motion 40i is a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective, make sure that you choose an amplifier than can provide 4 Ohms for this speaker.
Many AVRs (audio/video receiver) in the market may have difficulty when the speakers dip below the 4 Ohms levels (this may cause clipping or even physical damage), so we recommend to not pair the MartinLogan Motion 40i with an AVR but use an Integrated Amplifier instead.

Sensitivity

92dB of the MartinLogan Motion 40i is considered a high sensitivity compared to average stereo speaker which makes Motion 40i an easy to drive from Sensitivity perspective. If you are planning to power your speaker with a Tube amp which are generally very low power, the MartinLogan 40i will be a good choice.

Check the amplifiers that are in a similar price range to the MartinLogan 40i:

  • Integrated Amps under 2000 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 3000 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 5000 USD
  • All Integrated Amplifiers

Input Type

Motion 40i has Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts type connectors and lets bi-amping/bi-wiring. Bi-wiring can enhance the overall transparency of your loudspeakers by using separate speaker wires for the low and high-frequency drivers from a single amplifier. Bi-amping, on the other hand, involves using separate amplifiers for the high and low-frequency drivers, potentially resulting in a greater dynamic range and reduced distortion.

MartinLogan 40i Back View
MartinLogan 40i Back View

MartinLogan 40i Terminals
MartinLogan 40i's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Recommended Break In

Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB.

MartinLogan 40i External Dimensions and Weight

MartinLogan 40i has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 41-1/2 x 7-9/16 x 13-1/16inch (1055.0 x 193.0 x 332.0mm ).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of MartinLogan 40i is approximately 640.8cm2 / 99.3inch2.

To get a better perspective on the real life size of MartinLogan 40i, let's compare it with a standard size Compact Disc which has a diameter of 4.7inch (120mm).

MartinLogan 40i Real Life Body Size Comparison
MartinLogan 40i Speaker Size Compared to a Compact Disc

Here we place the MartinLogan 40i virtually next to a standard width amplifier and turntable on a media center to get a better idea about the size.

MartinLogan 40i placed next to a Media Stand
MartinLogan 40i Floor-standing Speaker next to a Media Stand

Weight

The MartinLogan 40i weighs 20.40kg / 44.9lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how Motion 40i's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
MartinLogan 40i
Min
Average
Max
Weight
Floor-standing Speakers under $3000
MartinLogan 40i
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet type and Materials

MartinLogan 40i has a Bass Reflex type cabinet and a MDF/Lacquer finish. Bass Reflex type loudspeakers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.

MartinLogan 40i  - Side View
MartinLogan 40i - Side View

Speaker Feet

MartinLogan 40i comes with the parts below which you can use to secure your loudspeaker on the surface that you are putting on:
  • 4 Rubber feet (pre-installed)
  • 4 Spike feet (w/ nuts attached)
  • It is always recommended to use some kind of feet under all types of speakers. Besides limiting the movement of the speakers, it also compensates for non-flat surfaces and limits the contact surface area of the speaker. Rubber based feet also help isolating the vibrations within certain frequency ranges.

    Port Position

    MartinLogan 40i is a rear-firing port speaker so you have to make sure you leave enough space between the back of the speaker and wall or bookshelf so that it has room to breathe.

    MartinLogan 40i  Port
    MartinLogan 40i Port

    Available colors

    MartinLogan 40i is available in Gloss Black, Matt White and Red Walnut.

    MartinLogan 40i  Colors
    MartinLogan 40i Colors

    Does the MartinLogan 40i come with a Grille?

    Motion 40i comes with magnetic grilles. The purpose of the grille is to protect the delicate driver elements from external impacts while still allowing the sound to pass as clearly as possible. Since the included grille of the Motion 40i is magnetic type, it is very easy to put it on and off.

    MartinLogan 40i  with Grille
    MartinLogan 40i with Grille

    What's in the Box of MartinLogan 40i?

    Here are the items that are included inside the box of Motion 40i:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • 2 Grilles
  • 4 Rubber feet (pre-installed)
  • 4 Spike feet (w/ nuts attached)
  • Users Manual
  • Warranty/Registration Information
  • Recommended Accessories

    Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the MartinLogan Motion 40i.

    • Speaker Cable and Connectors
      • Speaker Cables with Banana Plugs: If you know the lenght of the cable you need, this is the easier option to connect your speakers with your amp.
      • Speaker Cables without Connectors: If you are not sure about the lenght or need longer than standard cables with plugs, choose this option.
      • Banana Connectors and Plugs: If you chose the cables without connectors option or already have some cable around, pick the banana plugs separately.
    • Vibration Isolators: IsoAcoustics isolators more affordable options too.
    • Acoustic Panels and Treatments: Your room is as important as your stereo equipment so acoustic treatments goes a long way in improving the overall performance.

    User's Manual

    For more information about how to setup, use and maintain the MartinLogan Motion 40i, use the direct link below to download the official manual document:
    Download User Manual for MartinLogan 40i

    Official Brochure

    Here is a link to download the official brochure for the MartinLogan Motion 40i speaker:
    Official Brochure for MartinLogan 40i

    Official Product Page

    Official manufacturer's product page for the MartinLogan Motion 40i speaker can be found below:
    Official Product Page for MartinLogan 40i

    Warranty

    5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

    MartinLogan Motion 40i Alternatives in Passive Floor-standing Speakers
    Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
    MartinLogan 60XTi
    Compare
    3-way 94 dB 4 ohms 35-25k Hz
    B&W 603
    Compare
    3-way 88.5 dB 8 ohms 48-28k Hz
    MartinLogan 20i
    Compare
    2-way 90 dB 4 ohms 46-25k Hz
    Wharfedale EVO4.4
    Compare
    3-way 89 dB 8 ohms 44-22k Hz
    Polk R700
    Compare
    3-way 88 dB 8 ohms 38-38k Hz
    MartinLogan 35XTi
    Compare
    2-way 92 dB 4 ohms 50-25k Hz
    Klipsch RP-8000F II
    Compare
    2-way 98 dB 8 ohms 32-25k Hz
    GoldenEar Triton Three+
    Compare
    3-way 90 dB 8 ohms 21-35k Hz
    Frequently Asked Questions about MartinLogan Motion 40i
    What is the External Dimensions of MartinLogan Motion 40i
    What is the Speaker Sensitivity of MartinLogan Motion 40i
    is the MartinLogan Motion 40i an easy to drive speaker?

    MartinLogan 40i Detailed Specifications

    General
    BrandMartinLogan
    Full Model NameMartinLogan Motion 40i
    Speaker Type3-way Floor-standing
    Suggested Break-in PeriodAllow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB
    Power Range20-300 watts
    Sensitivity92 dB
    Impedance4 ohms
    Frequency Response40-25k Hz
    DRIVERS
    Woofer Size6.5-inch
    Woofer CompositionAluminum
    Woofer SurroundRubber
    Tweeter Size1.0 x 1.4-inch
    Tweeter TypeFolded Motion
    Midrange Size5.5-inch
    Crossover freq500Hz and 2600Hz
    Port Positionrear

    CONNECTIONS
    Connector TypeCustom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts
    Biamp InputsYes
    Port Positionrear
    PHYSICAL SPECS
    Height1055.0mm ( 41-1/2-inch)
    Width193.0mm ( 7-9/16-inch)
    Depth332.0mm ( 13-1/16-inch)
    Height1055.0mm ( 41-1/2-inch)
    Weight20.40kg ( 45.00 lbs)
    EnclosureBass Reflex
    FinishMDF/Lacquer
    Available ColorsGloss Black, Matt White, Red Walnut
    Mounting BracketNo
    GrilleYes
    Moisture ResistanceNo
    OTHER
    Handheld RemoteNo
    Parts Warranty5 Years
    Labor Warranty5 Years
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