Short answer: the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2. It ranks #92 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $269; the MartinLogan Motion 4i ranks #123, rated 2.8/5, and costs $439.98, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Affordable compact bookshelf speakers with a front port for near wall placement, useful bass and a response that takes EQ well. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.02 against 2.73 for the MartinLogan Motion 4i. Its bass reaches about 60Hz before falling 3dB, against 159.7Hz for the MartinLogan Motion 4i. Watch for: Erin measured a broad +3dB step beginning around 1.5kHz; the resulting elevated upper range sounds tonally uneven even though it is not a narrow, sharp resonance.
What the MartinLogan Motion 4i does well: A small bookshelf satellite with a Folded Motion tweeter and easy-to-drive sensitivity, made for 2.1 or home theater setups with a subwoofer. The tradeoff: Bass-shy to the point of needing a subwoofer: the measured -3dB point is 159.7Hz, so on its own it produces almost nothing below roughly 160Hz.
Buy the ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the MartinLogan Motion 4i and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ELAC Debut 2.0 B5.2 | MartinLogan Motion 4i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 per pair | $439.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #92 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #123 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | about 67.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 159.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 13.4”H x 7.1”W x 9.2”D (341 x 180 x 234 mm) | 12.6” x 5.6” x 5.7” (320 x 143 x 145 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | About 83dB after recommended EQ (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 87.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aramid-fiber woofer, 1” cloth-dome tweeter | 1” x 1.4” Folded Motion tweeter, 4” paper cone woofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | 6 lbs (2.72 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.02 | 2.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.27 | 6.36 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Configuration | - | Passive 2-way bookshelf speaker |
| Enclosure | - | ported, rear |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2,900 Hz |
| Coverage | - | 80° x 80° |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 23kHz (±3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 20-150W |
| Country | - | United States (design) |
| Measurement Source | - | Audio Science Review |
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