All the Martin Logan speakers described below come with the brand Folded Motion Tweeters that have low mass diaphragms to allow for very high output with low distortion and to provide the fast response time. The tweeters are rectangular that help escape undesired reflections on the ceiling and floor.

They are small but not tiny and have enough power and features to upgrade large home theater and stereo systems.

The following Martin Logan audio speakers comparison deals with passive devices without built-in amps. So, they can be adjusted via AVR or stereo receiver to make them balanced with the other audio system’s components.

You can also look through the best bookshelf speaker reviews that cover the best speakers from all leading brands.

Best Martin Logan Bookshelf Speakers Reviews

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MartinLogan Motion 15 – High-quality Design and Sound Reproduction

MartinLogan Motion 15
The speakers designed in the MDF cabinet with high-gloss real-wood veneer in white, cherry, or black. They have 5.25-inch aluminum-cone woofer (dynamic driver) and removable magnetic metal grilles to protect the woofer and tweeter. The thumbscrews provide a super-tight connection when using cables tipped with spade lugs.

The speakers deliver high-quality sound with extremely clear vocals and acoustic music, they also create a very big soundstage. The sound is smooth even from the tracks that are sibilant in other speakers and headphones. The Motion 15’s lows are not powerful enough for rap or hip-hop, but they are perfect for rock, jazz or orchestral music, in other words, for vocal-oriented music.

To enhance lows and low, the sub and crossover are required. This will help achieve a wide frequency response from a 2.1 or 3.1 setup of these speakers. The speakers are the 5-ohm model that means they can suck a cheap amp dry. It will do its best to output clean sound at high volumes affecting the speakers.

Pros

  • Produce a perfect sound as back speakers in the 9.2.4 surround system.
  • High sensitivity rating – 92 dB – to play loud.

Cons

  • Hard to find wall mount brackets that would match up.
  • A bass hump around 140Hz that can be removed if choosing the right stand and placement.

MartinLogan LX16 – Expansive Soundstage and Perfectly Balanced Sound

MartinLogan LX16
The LX16 should be mentioned in the best Martin Logan bookshelf speakers reviews due to its excellent build and sound quality. It has the dimensions of 3.8 x 2.6 x 4.4 inches, a brand tweeter, and 5.25-inch woofer the on the front behind the perforated metal grill attached to the speaker’s baffle via four neat magnetic posts. The bass port is on the back. Either black or cherry finish looks luxurious. The veneer is made of real wood and the MDF cabinet has the right thickness to provide acoustical inertness.

The model is noted for amazing treble and transient response to deliver articulated, highly textural, and realistic sound. The speakers’ high sensitivity makes the sound loud enough without a sub, subject to connecting to the amplifier with the power from 20 to 200W. The unit produces balanced, detailed, and crisp midrange and at high volumes. All the frequencies are well separated. Sometimes treble is overpowering, but a bit of EQ work can solve this issue.

Pros

  • A threaded insert to mount the speakers.
  • Despite the declared 5 Ohms, the speaker works with 4, 6 and, 8-ohm Amps.

Cons

  • Accurate positioning is necessary to make the speakers produce good bass.

MartinLogan Motion 35XT – Great Soundstage in Any Space

MartinLogan Motion 35XT
The Motion 35XT has a gorgeous design with tapered corners, 16.5cm aluminum cone driver, 6.5-inch woofer, and tweeter’s large surface area intended to escape distortions at highs. The unit comes with a removable grill. The sound is a little better without them, but the grille protects speakers from damages.

The speakers’ frequency response is in the range of 50 Hz–25 kHz and their efficiency is 92 dB that require amps delivering from 20 up to 250W. They are able to create an assertive soundstage, but no more than a song’s introduction requires. Either drums, violins, clarinets or pianos sound authentically. One could hear tiny details on the high-resolution DSD tracks. The Motion 35XT performs flawlessly even under bad conditions. However, consider the size of the room to place the speakers close or a bit far from the sidewalls to enhance bass performance.

Pros

  • Natural vocal sibilants that are sharp moderately.
  • Adhesive pads to place the speakers on the stand or shelf.

Cons

  • Dynamics would flow more subtle or far-reaching.
  • Extremes harmonics darken slightly at the upper frequency.