SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS
    • By Type
      Passive Bookshelf Speakers Passive Floor-standing Speakers Passive Center Channel Speakers Passive In-wall Speakers All Passive Speakers Powered Subwoofers Powered Stereo Speakers
      By Brand
      Acoustic Energy Audio-Technica Audioengine Bluesound Bowers Wilkins Buchardt Cambridge Audio DALI Definitive Technology Dynaudio ELAC Emotiva Fluance Focal Genelec GoldenEar Jamo JBL Kanto KEF KLH Klipsch Leak Mackie MartinLogan McIntosh Mission MoFi Monitor Audio Nuvo Onkyo OSD Paradigm Polk Audio PSB Q Acoustics REL Revel Russound Sennheiser Sonos Sonus faber Sony SVS Technics Triangle Velodyne Victrola Wharfedale Wilson Audio
  • AMPLIFIERS
    • By Type
      All Amplifiers Integrated Amplifiers Stereo Receivers Streaming Amplifiers Power Amplifiers
      By Brand
      Advance Paris Anthem Arcam AudioControl Audioengine Audiolab Bluesound Bose Buchardt Cambridge Audio Denon Devialet ELAC HiFi Rose Integra JBL LEAK Marantz Mark Levinson McIntosh Michi MISSION NAD Naim Onkyo OSD Parasound Peachtree Primare PS Audio Rega Roksan Rotel Sonos Sony SVS TEAC Technics WiiM Yamaha
  • SMART FIND
  • AMP MATCHER
  • BLOG
  1. Home
  2. MartinLogan Speakers
  3. Passive On-wall Speakers
MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 Review
MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 - Front View

Main Features

  • AMT Tweeter
  • 6 x 4" Aluminium Woofer
  • 120-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 93 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range: 20-140watts
  • Weight:13.01 lbs / 5.90 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 6-3/8"x48-1/16"x2" / 162.0 x 1220.0 x 51.0mm
MSRP: $1,300 (list price)
CHECK PRICE

Compare To

x
Add a Speaker for comparison
MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 Review
MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 MartinLogan Motion S...
See at AMAZON

MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 is a 2-way Passive Bass Reflex On-wall speaker by MartinLogan. It was released in 2021. It features a AMT Tweeter and 6 x 4" Aluminium Woofer.

A on-wall speaker with 3 x Folded Motion tweeters and 6 x 4 inch woofers. 93 dB sensitive, 4 ohms, 20-140 W recommended, 120 Hz to 25 kHz. Motion uses MartinLogan's Folded Motion tweeter - a pleated diaphragm that squeezes air rather than pushing it, so it moves far less mass than a dome.

The speaker has a frequency range of 120-25k Hz and a sensitivity of 93 dB. MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 has an MSRP of 1300$.

Room Size Suitability

The size of the room where you plan to use the MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 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-fieldGood
Small RoomGood
Mid-size RoomAverage
Large RoomPoor
Very Large RoomNo way

(* 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's Motion Series of Loudspeakers

Motion SLM X3 is a member of MartinLogan's Motion series of Passive speakers. The Motion range are MartinLogan's popular speakers using the brand's Folded Motion tweeter in conventional cabinets. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

See all 10 MartinLogan Motion models compared »

MartinLogan Motion Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
MartinLogan 60XTi
Compare
35-25k Hz 94 dB4Ω 2 x 8"
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 40i
Compare
40-25k Hz 92 dB4Ω 2 x 6.5"
MartinLogan 50XTi
Compare
50-25k Hz 94 dB4Ω 2 x 6.5"
MartinLogan 20i
Compare
46-25k Hz 90 dB4Ω 2 x 5.5"
MartinLogan LX16
Compare
60-25k Hz 92 dB5Ω 1 x 5.25"
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 Motion SLM X3 Speaker

MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 has a Frequency response range of 120-25k Hz at ±3dB and Power Range of 20-140 watts. With a minimum frequency of 120 Hz, it is hard to expect a strong bass response from Motion SLM X3 so depending on your use case, using a subwoofer will significantly help to widen the response range.

To focus on the subwoofers that are in a similar price range with MartinLogan Motion SLM X3, check out the Powered Subwoofers under $1500. Alternatively, find the Full list of Powered Subwoofers regardless of the price.

Here we have a comparison of how Motion SLM X3's Low and High frequency values compare with the average, max and min Low and High frequency values in its class.
Low Frequency
On-wall Speakers
MartinLogan Motion SLM X3
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency
On-wall Speakers
MartinLogan Motion SLM X3
Min
Average
Max

Crossover frequency of the MartinLogan Motion SLM X3?

The Crossover frequency of the Motion SLM X3 is set to 3,000 Hz. This is the threshold frequency where the higher frequency signals over this level are sent to the tweeter and the lower-frequency signals are sent to the woofer by the crossover component.

Impedance and Sensitivity

MartinLogan Motion SLM X3's nominal impedance level is 4 ohms and has a sensitivity of 93 dB.

Sensitivity
On-wall Speakers
MartinLogan Motion SLM X3
Min
Average
Max

Nominal Impedance of the 4 Ohms means that the MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 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 SLM X3 with an AVR but use an Integrated Amplifier instead.

Sensitivity

93dB of the MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 is considered a high sensitivity compared to average stereo speaker which makes Motion SLM X3 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 Motion SLM X3 will be a good choice.

Check the amplifiers that are in a similar price range to the MartinLogan Motion SLM X3:

  • Integrated Amps under 1,000 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 1,500 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 2,000 USD
  • All Integrated Amplifiers

Input Type

Motion SLM X3 features Binding post type connectors. Bi-amping and Bi-wiring are not possible.

MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 External Dimensions and Weight

MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 6-3/8 x 48-1/16 x 2inch (162.0 x 1220.0 x 51.0mm ).

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 Motion SLM X3 is approximately 622.2cm2 / 96.4inch2.

Weight

The MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 weighs 5.90kg / 13lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how Motion SLM X3's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All On-wall Speakers
MartinLogan Motion SLM X3
Min
Average
Max
Weight
On-wall Speakers under $1500
MartinLogan Motion SLM X3
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet type and Materials

MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. 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.

Does the MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 come with a Grille?

Motion SLM X3 comes with 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.

Recommended Accessories

Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the MartinLogan Motion SLM X3.

  • 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 are our favorite isolators but you may find 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.

Official Product Page

Official manufacturer's product page for the MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 speaker can be found below:
Official Product Page for MartinLogan Motion SLM X3

MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 Alternatives in Passive On-wall Speakers
Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
Frequently Asked Questions about MartinLogan Motion SLM X3
What is the External Dimensions of MartinLogan Motion SLM X3
What is the Speaker Sensitivity of MartinLogan Motion SLM X3
is the MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 an easy to drive speaker?

MartinLogan Motion SLM X3 Detailed Specifications

General
BrandMartinLogan
Full Model NameMartinLogan Motion SLM X3
Speaker Type2-way On-wall
Power Range20-140 watts
Sensitivity93 dB
Impedance4 ohms
Frequency Response120-25k Hz
Release Date2021
DRIVERS
Woofer Size4-inch
Woofer CompositionAluminium
Tweeter TypeAMT
Crossover freq3,000 Hz

CONNECTIONS
Connector TypeBinding post
Biamp InputsNo
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height162.0mm ( 6-3/8-inch)
Width1220.0mm ( 48-1/16-inch)
Depth51.0mm ( 2-inch)
Height162.0mm ( 6-3/8-inch)
Weight5.90kg ( 13.01 lbs)
EnclosureBass Reflex
GrilleYes
Moisture ResistanceNo
OTHER
Handheld RemoteNo
Parts Warranty
Labor Warranty
LATEST BLOG POSTS

Bluesound's New PULSE SUB: 350 Watts, Two 6.5in Drivers, and No Frequency Spec
Every Buchardt Speaker Is Now in Our Database, With Full Specs and Comparisons
KEF Speakers With the 12th Generation Uni-Q Driver: The Full List
EISA Hi-Fi Awards 2026-2027: All 37 Winners, and the 7 You Can Compare Here
Wharfedale EVO5 Series Speakers are added to our Comparison Database
Klipsch La Scala AL6 and Klipschorn AK7 Speakers are Unveiled


Latest Passive On-wall Speakers
MartinLogan Motion SLM X3
MartinLogan Motion SLM X3
2-way On-wall | 93 dB | 4 ohms
Sonus faber Sonetto Wall
Sonus faber Sonetto Wall
2-way On-wall | 87 dB | 4 ohms
Sonus faber Olympica Nova W
Sonus faber Olympica Nova W
2-way On-wall | 89 dB | 4 ohms
DALI Sonik On-Wall
DALI Sonik On-Wall
2-way On-wall | 87 dB | 6 ohms
DALI Rubikore On-Wall
DALI Rubikore On-Wall
2-way On-wall | 88.5 dB | 4 ohms
DALI Oberon On-Wall
DALI Oberon On-Wall
2-way On-wall | 87 dB | 6 ohms
Monitor Audio Silver On-Wall 8G
Monitor Audio Silver On-Wall 8G
2-way On-wall | 88 dB | 8 ohms
ELAC Debut 2.0 OW4.2
ELAC Debut 2.0 OW4.2
2-way On-wall | 87 dB | 6 ohms
DALI Opticon LCR MK2
DALI Opticon LCR II
3-way On-Wall | 89 dB | 4 ohms
Revel Concerta M8 SP2
Revel M8 SP2
2-way On-wall | 88 dB | 8 ohms


Copyright © 2026 by SpeakerDecision
About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision
Compare List

    Add a speaker to the List