Short answer: the MartinLogan Motion 4i, if you are buying new, though neither ranks well in its class. The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) measures as well as it (#122 vs #123 of 179 bookshelf speakers, 2.8/5 vs 2.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the MartinLogan Motion 4i is still sold new at $439.98. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 179 bookshelf speakers; for better sound, the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2 ranks #7 at $368.
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. Watch for: 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.
The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A DIY tweeter and crossover upgrade that turns a budget bookshelf speaker into a much flatter, more accurate small monitor. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.07 against 2.73 for the MartinLogan Motion 4i. Its bass reaches about 78Hz before falling 3dB, against 159.7Hz for the MartinLogan Motion 4i. The catch: Some directivity error appears near the crossover frequency.
Buy the MartinLogan Motion 4i new; the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
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Specifications Side By Side
| MartinLogan Motion 4i | Pioneer SP-BS22-LR (Philharmonic AAM Mod) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $439.98 per pair | $168 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #123 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #122 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 67.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way bookshelf speaker | - |
| Enclosure | ported, rear | - |
| Drivers | 1” x 1.4” Folded Motion tweeter, 4” paper cone woofer | 1x 4” curvilinear-cone woofer (stock Pioneer), 1x Peerless BC25TG15 1” silk dome tweeter (replacement) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,900 Hz | 3000Hz |
| Coverage | 80° x 80° | - |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 23kHz (±3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 159.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review via spinorama.org) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal (approx. 5 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Recommended Power | 20-150W | - |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 5.6” x 5.7” (320 x 143 x 145 mm) (H x W x D) | 12.6”H x 7.1”W x 8.5”D (320.0 x 180.0 x 215.0 mm) |
| Weight | 6 lbs (2.72 kg) | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) |
| Country | United States (design) | - |
| Measurement Source | Audio Science Review | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.73 | 5.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.36 | 7.82 |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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