Home Theater Setup | MartinLogan 2019 Motion Series Review | Motion 40i, 30i and 4i

[@JonMoralesLA]

Interesting. I am trialing Martin Logan speakers tor the first time. I’m coming from ELAC Unifi UB5s and the ELAC Unifi UC5 center channel. I have an SVS Sub. I first bought the Motion 4is and trialed as my front LR and I was quite blown away with music listening. Never heard the folded tweeters in a speaker before. So I went and bought a Motion 30 center and the predecessors to the Motion 15i ...the Motion 16s for front LR. I agree with this video when he says that there is just some detail missing in ambient sounds in scenes. It’s weird and hard to place but my ELACs I can hear the scene with suddle sounds going on in the background that somehow just wasn’t coming across well with the ML Motion setup. So I’m doing some more A/B testing. With music though I think the Martin Logan speakers sound fantastic. Especially since I have a normal Pioneer AV receiver that can’t really push the system the way it wants to be pushed on the ELAC side of things. The ELACs definitely want more power to really wake up. But the ELACS do really sound amazing when you give them the power to wake up. With the ELACs I can hear where individual sounds are coming from in a space very vividly. Quite fun to be able to hear and pick out instruments and such. With the Martin Logins...the high end just really opens up and it just sounds really good in a totally different way. With just 2 channels with the Martin Logan’s it almost sounded 3 dimensional at times. The soundstage is really something. So I’m torn between the unique pros of each of these setups. The ELACs have a great rich bass which I miss on the Martin Logan’s. The ELACs given good power sound amazing. I’ve got a tough decision to make as to which speakers I’ll keep. Even going to test keeping the ELAC center with Martin Logins for LR.

[@mycol8455]

Thanks for this video, I just purchased a pair of M20's and a M6i center. I got a chance to hear them in a sound room at Best Buy, the Magnolia rep gave me a great deal on all three. Will save up for rear and surround later.

[@mark32123712]

I own the Martin Logan motion 30. They can not be beat,period

[@gsmd770]

Nice speakers for the price. Great review!

[@therealshanelee]

They sound really good.

[@vorpane]

Heared 60is, fantastic speakers for the price.

[@adamdjd7882]

Sweet video as always mate. I just watched "unbroken" the other day. And the bomber plane scenes in it are next level for sourounds and dolby atmos. Would be a great tester for you, if you havnt seen it already

[@therealshanelee]

I’ve heard it, it’s a great scene for sure.

[@ryankosowsky2189]

Would love to see you add some matching M&L AFX and test Atmos with this setup :)

[@therealshanelee]

Maybe in a future video.

[@kazeone1000]

The ML Electro Motion FX2 are phenomenal. Might be too much for that front stage. The AFX are great and would match perfectly.

[@kaamilarshad5249]

I heard the demo.at magnolia in best buy , they sounds so good, but the 15i and 35xti in a 5.1 is a better value than using the 40i or 20i as fronts...it sounded the exact same...

[@keithsoisson1797]

You can't go by how they sound . He just unpacked the brand new speakers. What untill there broken in. Should have used the 35xts for the rear.speakers.

[@jackrosati1438]

Actually looking at adding surround backs between the 4i and the 15i... This helps thanks

[@Memoarod]

Excellent review. I'd love to know how these compare to your EslX speakers. I'm considering them but mostly need them for theater so I'm now leaning towards these Motion 40i. Which would you prefer for 80/20 movie/music?

[@therealshanelee]

ESL for music Motions for movies.

[@hddanman7263]

Shane Awesome review as always but i got to know what song was playing in background

[@adsfghyy69]

Have the Rel1508’s with motion 40i’s and motion 30 center and same surrounds, Rotel amps only thing different Marantz av8805. Your to much of an influence lol, keep the videos coming. Picked up the atmos fronts from Martin Logan pretty impressed so far

[@therealshanelee]

Awesome speakers. Congrats.

[@Zoranurai13]

I’m so curious about the new arendal sound 1961 line. Smaller cheaper but same tweeter

[@therealshanelee]

I may get it in. Maybe next year.

[@justinjacob8255]

Great Review!

[@therealshanelee]

Thanks!

[@DUDETHEATER]

These are some beautiful speakers

[@therealshanelee]

Yes they are.

[@nonametofame]

Great, review, a lot of really helpful information. I'm guessing they won't replace your Arendals. How do they compare to your current setup? Anything the Motions do better than the Arendals?

[@therealshanelee]

They’ve got some great bass.

[@nonametofame]

@@therealshanelee I was quite enamored with your review, so I went out and purchase a set of the older models on closeout at a local Best Buy. I'll be demoing a pair of motion 40s, motion 60xts, and the motion 30 center speaker in my own home theatre. The 60xts are quite massive, and though I haven't listened to them, my gut tells me they'll be going back, as the motion 40s sound good so far, and are better matched to the center. I haven't tested the motion 30 center yet, so that will be the deciding factor if I keep this set or stick to my current def tech setup. Thanks for the review and follow up vids.

[@therealshanelee]

@@nonametofame they'll probably ask why your returning the 60's. Tell them they cost to much and I almost guarantee they'll take more money off to try and get you too keep them. If they take enough off I'd move the 40's to the back if you have room and keep the 60's up front.

[@nonametofame]

@@therealshanelee haha, thanks for the suggestion. I did return to Best Buy and was able to finagle a discount on the bigger Motion 50XT center channel since I had purchased so much from them. I'm now leaning towards keeping the 60XT since it has a wider soundstage, which better matches the Def Tech Bipolars I'm replacing them with, and they're a better match the bigger center. But I like the slim profile and punchier, faster bass of the 40's. I am loving the folded motion tweeter though. Much smoother and less harsh, especially at louder volumes. Unfortunately, not enough room to keep them both.

[@benny3822]

@sparechange i bought the martin logan motion 60xt towers and the 50xt center channel replacing the polk rti A9 and csi A6 center they will be here this week looking forward and i thank you for the help

[@therealshanelee]

Awesome. I'm sure you'll like them better.

[@nonametofame]

Brian, what are your thoughts on the upgrades?

[@LuisRodriguez-su2qv]

Great video! Can you review the Tekton Double Impact. I heard that they are great speakers but I can’t find any reviews in a home theater setup.

[@therealshanelee]

I hear there's a crazy long wait to get since they're handmade.

[@bullpup33]

I know Andrew Robinson did a Pendragon HT review many years ago. He said it was best ever. I wisj I could follow up with him and ask if it's still true.

[@Lafiro]

Thank you for the video. What do you think of these compared to the SVS Ultra towers? Also, do you plan on getting any in ceiling Martin Logan speakers?

[@therealshanelee]

I like the sound of the ribbon tweeters over the SVS.

[@Real.Estate.Motivate]

I've had the 40i's and even though I kind of liked the presentation...they really needed a sub to roll off at 50hz....alone you'll be WAY disappointed. Personally, I chose the older 35XT's as my front, 50XT as my center and the ML 15's for my back surrounds...5.1 AMAZING! And luckily I found a mint Definitive Technology Reference 14" Sub and OMG WOW!!! Personally, I'd love to see a 2021 sub anywhere near $1000+ to outperform this DefTech 14" Reference BEAST!!!

[@srinivassarsani1490]

Great review, what theater seating did you use?

[@TheSonyGuru]

Great review! Thanks!

[@juapgarciadrone6843]

Hi dude, excelent Video!!! ,I´m wondering if I can setup 2 Martin Logan Electromotion ESL towers, with this Center Speaker (motion 30i) , what do you thing about this?? , obviously I know that the electromotión ESL C is best option but it cost too much for me

[@billybob2025]

should be interesting

[@dregm]

Waiting for your review on the optoma p1,

[@therealshanelee]

Soon

[@Hotobu]

What do you think about pairing the 50txi with the motion 40is instead of the 30?

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

That was an amazing review good job . I'm a reviewer also but in the 2ch music listing category , I was wondering how does the Motion 10 compare to tje newer models ? I saw a local post thats someone has for sale for 275.00US

[@therealshanelee]

Can't really say. I've never heard the M10's.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

@@therealshanelee thanks for reply

[@johnwhite2576]

so how did this system compre to the Arendal system youve reviewed this year ?

[@therealshanelee]

They’re in a different price bracket but they hold their own.

[@johndaddabbo9383]

@@therealshanelee I'm confused... The MartinLogan speakers cost every bit as much as the Arendal speakers. What am I missing?

[@therealshanelee]

@@johndaddabbo9383 your right I was using the wrong conversion.

[@kurthanke1230]

I just bought the Motion 40’s and already own 8 for the center. Should I upgrade the center to the 50?

[@kazeone1000]

Kurt Hanke absolutely. It is the most important speaker for dialogue. 50XT $549 black cherry @ Crutchfield.

[@JT-hk1np]

Should of done Motions 60xti and Motion 50xti and motion 35xti surrounds

[@therealshanelee]

Thought about it. But then I’d have to lug these things up a flight of stairs and move them around. I tried to keep it relatively mobile.

[@Sackaification]

How much for the whole package?

[@therealshanelee]

I think about 4300

[@JohnSeitz]

do you feel the 30i Center is enough for dialog in movies? And way different - but how would they fare with a SVS Ultra Tower and Ultra Center

[@therealshanelee]

They'd be too light to pair with those

[@JohnSeitz]

@@therealshanelee I think I miss typed -- I meant do you think the Ultra Towers and Center would be better than a set of Motion 40 and 30 Center?

[@benny3822]

@sparchange would this be an upgrage from the polk rtia9 rtia3 csia6 fsxia6 ? I have been incotact with @arendalsound for there 1723 tower set up

[@therealshanelee]

You’ll be happy with the Arendals. The MartinLogans are no slouch either.

[@michaelstephens41]

What kind of speaker stands are you using for your surrounds and center stand?

[@therealshanelee]

They’re Sanus.

[@eja35oz]

I was stuck between these and the b&w 600 towers and center. Went with B&w and although I think they sound incredible they are too harsh for my sensitive ears ..I should have returned them in time to give these Martin Logan’s a try but I missed the return window for Best Buy... I think the culprit is the metal dome tweeter. Martin Logan’s ribbon tweeter may be better for sensitive ears.. wish there was like a speaker club where you can trade speakers lol

[@therealshanelee]

Surprised they didn’t let you return them.

[@eja35oz]

SpareChange once I missed the return window I didn’t even try honestly. It’s been 6 months and they’re pretty much flawless. I guess it doesn’t hurt to ask . I’d be exchanging for a more expensive speaker

[@therealshanelee]

@@eja35oz oh didn't know it was 6 months. 1 month sure but not 6.

[@eja35oz]

SpareChange at the time I wanted to return them I had just missed the window so I didn’t even try... but I guess I can try to sell them but I just don’t feel comfortable selling something like this online or meeting up in person with 3 giant speakers lol

[@nonametofame]

I feel as I'm getting older, I'm also getting more sensitive to harsh treble. The was the primary reason for the upgrade, and I can tell you that these ML motion tweeters are much smoother than anything I've heard before, which has always been dome tweeters (silk and metal). Consider them on your next upgrade. I'm really digging them so far.

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

He said frequency response was from 40,000Hz to 25,000Hz but obviously he meant 40 Hz.

[@therealshanelee]

🤦🏻‍♂️

[@ImportLenz]

Last spring I picked up the 60xts, 50xt center and 35xt for surround back. I’m still trying to find the right avr receiver and AMP to power them. If these speakers are brand new out the box, what about the break in period?

[@therealshanelee]

50hrs.

[@ImportLenz]

SpareChange ok thanks. Keep up the great work!

[@nonametofame]

What combo are you using now? I'm getting quality sound and output from the same speakers (minus the 35xt) with the Audiocontrol M5 and Emotiva XPA5.

[@kstl3148]

The martin Logan vs the arendel ?

[@moveezy5591]

I'm thinking the same thing the 60xti vs the arendals 1723 towers

[@ReanimatedShad0w]

for movies, how would you compare the 40i to ESL X that you also have?

[@therealshanelee]

ESL's for sure.

[@ReanimatedShad0w]

@@therealshanelee same choice if 60i instead of 40i? thanks for your reply

[@Kurtonebay]

Can the motion 4i also be used as fronts. Cant use tower speakers.

[@therealshanelee]

Yes. You could do 11 of them if you wanted to do 7 lower channels and 4 height channels. I think that’d sound great.

[@interestedtech1]

Like metal grills better I have a cat lol

[@imaxvision2488]

Hai brother how are you (( Plz help.)) PLEASE REVIEW PIONEER AV RECEIVER .. VSX-LX 304. 9. 2 channel

[@derrickmcpherson44]

Martin Logan vs klipsch rf7 iii

[@therealshanelee]

ML

[@dadevastator24_77]

where is the Rel 1508 review

[@therealshanelee]

Soon

[@sarfrazally6575]

Hey I have a svs pb 16 ultra and two towers will give a good deal to anyone who want it

[@myhomeaudio8751]

dont replace arendal please

[@therealshanelee]

These were just loaners.

[@myhomeaudio8751]

@@therealshanelee OK :)