The MartinLogan Motion 4i is rated 2.8/5 for sound quality, #123 of 179 Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.
Prices on this page were last checked November 2, 2026 at 11:36 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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Brand: MartinLogan
#123 MartinLogan Motion 4i: $424.46 per pair Amazon $212.23 Crutchfield $219.99 eBay
Pros: 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. Best treated as a satellite: crossing it to a subwoofer lifts its predicted preference score from 2.73 to 6.36, so the shallow bass matters far less in a 2.1 or home-theater setup. Directivity is the strong point, with sound-power deviation (NBD 0.426) lower than its on-axis figure (0.547), meaning the off-axis output tracks the front more evenly than most budget cabinets and the image stays stable around the room. The Folded Motion tweeter measures cleanly for the price, and 87.5dB measured sensitivity (2.83V/1m) means modest amplifiers drive it easily. Measured bass extension of 159.7Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.5dB.
Cons: 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 balance is bright and uneven, deviating 2.7dB across 300Hz-5kHz with a clear upward tilt, leaving it light in bass and bright. A port resonance near 850Hz and high woofer distortion add audible roughness through the midrange, and impedance dips below 3 ohms, so it wants an amplifier comfortable with low-impedance loads.
Is the MartinLogan Motion 4i right for you?
Skip it if
- you will not add a subwoofer: bass rolls off below about 159 Hz.
- you want the best value: the higher-rated XMechanik Mechano23 DIY costs about $224 less.
| Released | May 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 67.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 159.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review via spinorama.org) |
| Configuration | Passive 2-way bookshelf speaker |
| Country | United States (design) |
| Coverage | 80° x 80° |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,900 Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 5.6” x 5.7” (320 x 143 x 145 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Drivers | 1” x 1.4” Folded Motion tweeter, 4” paper cone woofer |
| Enclosure | ported, rear |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 23kHz (±3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Measurement Source | Audio Science Review |
| Recommended Power | 20-150W |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.73 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.36 |
| Weight | 6 lbs (2.72 kg) |
Price history (per pair)
$424.46 is the lowest price we have tracked since Sep 2026.
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