Short answer: the MartinLogan Motion XT C100. It ranks #44 of 131 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $1,279.99; the Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX ranks #51, rated 3.8/5, and costs $1,400, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the MartinLogan Motion XT C100: Flagship 2.5-way center channel featuring larger Gen2 FMT XT tweeter with 40% more surface area and dual 6.5-inch Nomex-reinforced Kevlar woofers. Watch for: Large 24-inch cabinet depth and width require substantial shelving.
What the Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX does well: The center of the THX Ultra certified 1723 series, using the same 28mm waveguide tweeter as the measured 1723 Monitor THX between two 8” woofers. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured 1723 Monitor THX and the measured Arendal Sound 1961 Center.
Buy the MartinLogan Motion XT C100. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: MartinLogan Motion XT C100 3.7 to 4.1; Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX 3.4 to 4.1). Treat this verdict as provisional.
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Specifications Side By Side
| MartinLogan Motion XT C100 | Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,279.99 | $1,400 each |
| Ranked | #44 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #51 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) | 48Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1.25” x 2.4” Gen2 Obsidian FMT XT, 2 x 6.5” (165mm) Nomex-reinforced Kevlar woofers | 28mm tweeter, 2 x 8” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 25kHz (±3dB) | 35Hz - 20kHz -6dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 93dB (2.83V/1m) | 89dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 8”H x 24”W x 14.5”D (203 x 610 x 368 mm) | 10.8”H x 25”W x 15.7”D (275 x 635 x 400 mm) |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) | 58.9 lbs (26.7 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 27Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.5kHz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported (port plugs included) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to MartinLogan Motion XT C100:
- KEF R2 Meta vs MartinLogan Motion XT C100
- Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G vs MartinLogan Motion XT C100
- MartinLogan Motion XT C100 vs MartinLogan Motion C10
- Monitor Audio Silver Centre 8G vs Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX
- Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX vs Dynaudio Evoke 25C
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
MartinLogan Motion XT C100: $1,279.99 Estimated Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the MartinLogan Motion XT B100 (bookshelf, rated 3.6/5), the MartinLogan Motion XT F100 (smaller floorstanding, estimated 3.9/5) and the MartinLogan Motion XT F200 (larger floorstanding, estimated 4/5). See every MartinLogan Motion generation.
Pros: Flagship 2.5-way center channel featuring larger Gen2 FMT XT tweeter with 40% more surface area and dual 6.5-inch Nomex-reinforced Kevlar woofers. High 93dB sensitivity and extended low-end response down to 42Hz.
Cons: Large 24-inch cabinet depth and width require substantial shelving. 4-ohm nominal impedance demands robust amplification. Rating estimated from Motion XT testing.
Full MartinLogan Motion XT C100 review and specifications →
| Released | 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 8”H x 24”W x 14.5”D (203 x 610 x 368 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.25” x 2.4” Gen2 Obsidian FMT XT, 2 x 6.5” (165mm) Nomex-reinforced Kevlar woofers |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 25kHz (±3dB) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 93dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX: $1,400 each Estimated Arendal Sound eBay
Same family: the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX (smallest bookshelf, rated 4.2/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (bookshelf, rated 4.1/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX (largest bookshelf, rated 4.2/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Tower S THX (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.2/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5) and the Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX (smaller center, ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5).
Pros: The center of the THX Ultra certified 1723 series, using the same 28mm waveguide tweeter as the measured 1723 Monitor THX between two 8” woofers. Arendal rates it to 35Hz (-6dB) with 89dB sensitivity, so it matches the towers for dynamics in a large home theater.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured 1723 Monitor THX and the measured Arendal Sound 1961 Center. With a woofer either side of the tweeter, dispersion narrows for seats far off-center. It is 635mm wide and 26.7kg.
Full Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 27Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.8”H x 25”W x 15.7”D (275 x 635 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm tweeter, 2 x 8” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 20kHz -6dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 58.9 lbs (26.7 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (port plugs included) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons