Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Motion Foundation B1
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Frequency Response: 48 Hz - 23 kHz ± 3 dB
- Tweeter Dispersion (horizontal x vertical): 90° x 90°
- Recommended Amplifier Power: 15 - 100 watts
- Sensitivity: 89 dB
- Impedance: 5 ohms
- High Frequency Driver: 0.94" x 1" (2.4 x 2.5cm) Gen2 Folded Motion® Tweeter S with 3.5 in2 (22.6 cm2) diaphragm
- Crossover Frequency: 3,400 Hz (2-way)
- Mid-Frequency Drivers: 5.5" (14cm) aluminum cone with cast aluminum basket
- Cabinet: Rear Ported
- Binding Post Inputs: 5-way Binding Posts (Non Bi-Wire)
- Weight: 11.5lbs / 5.2kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 13-11/16" x 7-1/4" x 9-1/2" (34.6cm x 18.4cm x 24.05cm)
Description
Small in size but not sound, the most compact Motion Foundation model offers unheard of performance from such a versatile size. The Gen2 Obsidian Folded Motion Tweeter S, Folded Motion Waveguide, and 5.5" aluminum midbass driver work together here to create a completely unexpected and engaging experience from a compact footprint. Foundation B1 is ideal for small spaces, especially when combined with a subwoofer, to create a highly musical, detailed experience wherever high quality sound is desired.
Small in size but not sound, the most compact Motion Foundation model offers unheard of performance from such a versatile size. The Gen2 Obsidian Folded Motion Tweeter S, Folded Motion Waveguide, and 5.5” aluminum midbass driver work together here to create a completely unexpected and engaging experience from a compact footprint. Foundation B1 is ideal for small spaces, especially when combined with a subwoofer, to create a highly musical, detailed experience wherever high quality sound is desired. Foundation B1 is also threaded to work with our STAND25 to create a stable stand mount solution.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- MartinLogan's defining CLS (Curvilinear Line Source) electrostatic panel technology provides exceptionally wide horizontal high-frequency dispersion, exceeding that of traditional flat panels and offering a more immersive soundstage.
- The brand uniquely integrates powered dynamic woofers with its electrostatic panels, employing custom DSP engines and advanced crossover designs to achieve seamless blending and extended, well-defined bass response.
- MartinLogan's commitment to full-range sound reproduction, even in smaller models, results in a "large" sound that defies the speaker's physical size, projecting height and scale often unmatched by comparably sized speakers.
- They provide Anthem Room Correction (ARC) as an option, allowing users to tailor the bass response to their specific listening environment and achieve optimal integration between the speakers and the room's acoustics.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Motion Series
- Positioning: The entry-level lineup, offering a balance of performance and affordability.
- Description: Uses the Gen2 Folded Motion Tweeter, which provides clear and detailed sound. Compared to the Motion XT Series, it uses Woven Fiberglass midrange drivers, making it more budget-friendly while still delivering quality sound for small to medium-sized rooms.
Motion XT Series
- Positioning: A step up from the Motion Series, offering enhanced performance and features.
- Description: Stands out with its high-performance Nomex-Reinforced Kevlar midrange drivers and Gen2 Folded Motion XT Tweeter, delivering more detail and power than the standard Motion Series.
ElectroMotion Series
- Positioning: Positioned as a mid-range option, combining advanced technologies for a superior audio experience.
- Description: Features advanced thin film transducer technologies, including electrostatic and Folded Motion designs, offering greater accuracy and style compared to the Motion XT Series.
Masterpiece Series
- Positioning: The flagship lineup, representing the pinnacle of MartinLogan's electrostatic loudspeaker design.
- Description: Renowned for its groundbreaking electrostatic loudspeakers, which provide the most immersive and detailed sound experience in the lineup. It surpasses the ElectroMotion Series with its larger soundstage and advanced engineering.
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Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
467
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
5
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
81
Founding Year
1982
Our take on the brand
Martin Logan is one of the most established names in high-end audio, best known as a pioneer of electrostatic panel speakers. Electrostatics offer a unique, tactile transient response that many audiophiles find addictive—once people hear them, they often become lifelong fans. In some ways, these speakers are comparable to Magnepan’s dipole designs. However, Martin Logan also offers more traditional cone-driver speakers, providing something for a range of tastes and setups.
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Used
Martin Logan
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
Martin Logan
Motion XT B100
799
799
/
8
Reviews
Our best bookshelf speaker, for those wanting maximum performance without moving to a tower speaker. The Gen2 Folded Motion® XT Tweeter and Nomex®-Reinforced Kevlar® woofer deliver exceptional clarity and precision, making B100 ideal for 2-channel or home theater setups. For those desiring a stand mount option, the B100 is threaded to securely attach to our matching STAND25 speaker stand (sold separately) for maximum stability.
Martin Logan is one of the most established names in high-end audio, best known as a pioneer of electrostatic panel speakers. Electrostatics offer a unique, tactile transient response that many audiophiles find addictive—once people hear them, they often become lifelong fans. In some ways, these speakers are comparable to Magnepan’s dipole designs. However, Martin Logan also offers more traditional cone-driver speakers, providing something for a range of tastes and setups.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptionally clear and lively highs with remarkable detail are delivered by the Folded Motion tweeter
- The midrange sounds natural and balanced thanks to the Nomex-reinforced Kevlar driver
- Clean and modern aesthetic design
- Efficient, and should go loud with relatively little power
- A wide and immersive soundstage with precise imaging
Product Considerations
- The highs might be a little too lively for some listening settings due to a slight boost in the high frequencies
- Relatively narrow horizontal sweet spot
- The bass, while tight and controlled, lacks the deep, visceral impact of larger speakers or subwoofers due to the driver size
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the PSB Passif 50, the XT B100 makes the piano appear more realistic, with a purer and more natural tonality, and vocals are smoother and more tightly controlled
- Compared to the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3, the XT B100 boasts superior high-frequency performance
- Compared to the Focal Aria EVO X N°1, the Focal provides a warmer midrange and a slightly smoother high end
Takeaway: The MartinLogan Motion XT B100 speakers offer a fantastic listening experience thanks to their clear highs and balanced sound. They also look great and can fit well into any room.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Martin Logan is one of the most established names in high-end audio, best known as a pioneer of electrostatic panel speakers. Electrostatics offer a unique, tactile transient response that many audiophiles find addictive—once people hear them, they often become lifelong fans. In some ways, these speakers are comparable to Magnepan’s dipole designs. However, Martin Logan also offers more traditional cone-driver speakers, providing something for a range of tastes and setups.
Product Page
Product Page
Martin Logan
Motion B10
599
599
/
4
Reviews
Motion® B10 offers impressive performance from its Gen2 FMT and Woven Fiberglass mid-bass, delivering musicality and scale not typical of its size. Being less than 10" deep, the Motion® B10 is a practical option for placement on a shelf, desk, cabinet or other flat surface. For those desiring a stand mount solution, our optional (sold separately) STAND25 speaker stand can bolt directly into the bottom of the speaker for maximum stability.
Martin Logan is one of the most established names in high-end audio, best known as a pioneer of electrostatic panel speakers. Electrostatics offer a unique, tactile transient response that many audiophiles find addictive—once people hear them, they often become lifelong fans. In some ways, these speakers are comparable to Magnepan’s dipole designs. However, Martin Logan also offers more traditional cone-driver speakers, providing something for a range of tastes and setups.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The Martin Logan Motion B10 uses a folded motion tweeter that creates incredibly detailed, airy sound that excels with vocals and acoustic instruments
- Offers more refined sound for critical music listening, especially with acoustic and vocal performances
- Premium finishes and construction (thick front baffle)
- More compact
- Good at reproducing subtle details and creates a deep soundstage
Product Considerations
- More expensive
- Elevated high frequency can lead to sibilance
- Requires more powerful amp (90dB sensitivity)
- Enclosure resonances
- Needs a subwoofer for deep bass
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Klipsch RP-500M II: Motion B10 has more refined sound, the Klipsch is more dynamic
- Vs Klipsch RP-500M II: Klipsch is better for home theater use, the Motion B10 excels in dialogue clarity
- Vs Emotiva B1 Plus: The Emotiva B1 Plus has better neutrality
- Vs Martin Logan Motion XT-B100: The B10 has better linearity and less boosted high frequency than the XT-B100
Takeaway: The Martin Logan Motion B10 is a speaker that provides refined sound and is good for critical listening, especially to acoustic music. The Motion B10's premium build and detailed sound make it great for someone wanting a quality listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Martin Logan is one of the most established names in high-end audio, best known as a pioneer of electrostatic panel speakers. Electrostatics offer a unique, tactile transient response that many audiophiles find addictive—once people hear them, they often become lifelong fans. In some ways, these speakers are comparable to Magnepan’s dipole designs. However, Martin Logan also offers more traditional cone-driver speakers, providing something for a range of tastes and setups.
Product Page
Product Page
Wharfedale
Evo4.2
899
899
/
22
Reviews
Wharfedale’s new EVO4 has grown out of the extensive research and development that produced the ELYSIAN flagship loudspeakers and borrows much of the technology involved in ELYSIAN.
Wharfedale is a speaker brand known for making high-end audio accessible to budget-conscious audiophiles, particularly through their Heritage Series and Diamond line which offer premium sound at affordable prices. Their speakers feature curved cabinets and are celebrated for their rich, full-bodied sound with excellent tonal balance, notably in their Linton 85s and Dovedale models.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent focus and separation, with the speakers 'disappearing' to create a natural soundstage
- Impressive low-end performance, adding authority to the music
- Cohesive driver integration, with no perceivable handover between the AMT tweeter, midrange dome, and woofer
- Remarkable neutrality in the midrange, with a detailed yet smooth treble—avoiding harshness even at higher volumes
- Clear and detailed sound reproduction, extracting nuances and levels of information outstanding for its price
Product Considerations
- Vertical off-axis performance of the AMT tweeter is not good, so correct speaker height and toe-in are important
- Soundstage is not super wide, with the presentation mostly between the speakers
- Some reviewers found the aesthetics or proportions to be awkward or not to suit all tastes
- Bass may be a bit polite for some listeners wanting subwoofer-type rumble
- The midrange can be fatiguing if the listener's ear is at the midrange driver level
Takeaway: The Evo4.2 is a well-rounded speaker that delivers excellent sound quality with impressive imaging, detail, and tonal balance. It is capable of providing an audiophile experience at an affordable price.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Wharfedale is a speaker brand known for making high-end audio accessible to budget-conscious audiophiles, particularly through their Heritage Series and Diamond line which offer premium sound at affordable prices. Their speakers feature curved cabinets and are celebrated for their rich, full-bodied sound with excellent tonal balance, notably in their Linton 85s and Dovedale models.
Product Page
Product Page
Q Acoustics
5020
899
899
/
18
Reviews
Q Acoustics, a popular entry-level hifi brand among professional reviewers, offers excellent performance at affordable prices.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Attractive design with rounded cabinet edges and multiple finish options (Satin Black, Satin White, Santos Rosewood, Holme Oak)
- Good midrange reproduction—clean and uncolored—especially for the price
- Clear and detailed sound with good separation of instruments
- Taut and agile bass performance
- Internal bracing (P2P) stiffens the cabinet, reducing vibrations and improving stereo image
- Connectivity options such as binding posts
Product Considerations
- Can tend towards brightness, potentially causing fatigue during longer listening sessions—especially with the wrong equipment pairing
- Cabinet size is relatively large for a bookshelf speaker
- Bass response is somewhat subdued
- Some reviewers noted imaging issues, with vocals lacking a firm presence in the center
- Grilles muddle the sound
Takeaway: The Q Acoustics 5020 is a great-looking speaker that offers a rich and musical sound, making it a very entertaining listen for the price. With its ability to reveal details from recordings, it's a wise choice for those looking for a well-built and sonically pleasing speaker.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Q Acoustics, a popular entry-level hifi brand among professional reviewers, offers excellent performance at affordable prices.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
Martin Logan
Motion Foundation B2
299
/
Released
2023
The largest Motion Foundation bookshelf speaker serves up impressive detail and scale completely unexpected in its class. The versatility and relatively compact size of bookshelf speakers have long made them a popular choice. Those looking for a fuller sound stand or shelf mounted solution would be hard pressed to find a better value than the Foundation B2. Its 6.5" aluminum midbass driver offers impressive bass while the Gen2 Obsidian Folded Motion Tweeter S works within the Folded Motion Waveguide to blanket your listening area with beautiful sound.
Martin Logan is one of the most established names in high-end audio, best known as a pioneer of electrostatic panel speakers. Electrostatics offer a unique, tactile transient response that many audiophiles find addictive—once people hear them, they often become lifelong fans. In some ways, these speakers are comparable to Magnepan’s dipole designs. However, Martin Logan also offers more traditional cone-driver speakers, providing something for a range of tastes and setups.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Build quality is surprisingly good for an entry-level speaker, the veneer is decent, especially in the walnut finish
- Cabinet is quite solid and dense for an entry-level speaker
- Produces really good, punchy, fast bass due to the well-built cabinet and aluminum woofer
- Mid-range is really good, neutral, and smooth
- Has a really good three-dimensional soundstage with precise imaging
Product Considerations
- The waveguide is made of hard, cheap plastic, which may cause some harshness in the treble
- The speakers initially sounded harsh and sibilant on the top end, requiring a burn-in period of about 72 hours to settle down
- Measurements showed a bump in treble response around 2700–3000 Hz, likely due to the hard plastic waveguide material, this was less pronounced in a real listening scenario
- The ELACs have a little bit more bass, and play a little bit deeper
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs ELAC: Martin Logan Motion Foundation has more precise imaging and better detail up top, bass is a tradeoff as ELAC has more bass, but it's sloppier, whereas the Martin Logans have punchier, faster bass, mids are very similar
- Vs Klipsch RP600Ms and JBL Studio 630s: Martin Logan Motion Foundation is a better buy, according to the reviewer
Takeaway: The Martin Logan Motion Foundation speakers offer surprisingly good build quality and a detailed, punchy sound for their entry-level status. If you're looking for precise imaging and a good-looking speaker for a two-channel stereo setup or a home theater system, these could be worth considering.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Martin Logan is one of the most established names in high-end audio, best known as a pioneer of electrostatic panel speakers. Electrostatics offer a unique, tactile transient response that many audiophiles find addictive—once people hear them, they often become lifelong fans. In some ways, these speakers are comparable to Magnepan’s dipole designs. However, Martin Logan also offers more traditional cone-driver speakers, providing something for a range of tastes and setups.
Product Page
Product Page
Martin Logan
Motion MP10
499
/
Released
2023
Motion® MP10's innovative shape and mounting system allows it to be used as a shallow depth bookshelf speaker or wall mounted using the included mounting bracket making it one of the most versatile speakers in the Motion® range. It can be mounted parallel to the wall surface or flipped upside down to angle downwards into the room, perfect for when installation above ear level is desired. MP10's Gen2 FMT and Folded Motion® Waveguide ensure that your listening area is blanketed in clear, detailed sound wherever you decide to install it.
Martin Logan is one of the most established names in high-end audio, best known as a pioneer of electrostatic panel speakers. Electrostatics offer a unique, tactile transient response that many audiophiles find addictive—once people hear them, they often become lifelong fans. In some ways, these speakers are comparable to Magnepan’s dipole designs. However, Martin Logan also offers more traditional cone-driver speakers, providing something for a range of tastes and setups.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Small, lightweight design makes it suitable for small surround or height speaker applications
- Versatile mounting options, due to the angled cabinet and bracket design, allow for placement in corners or on walls
- High sensitivity (92 dB) allows it to be driven with a wide range of amplifiers
- Good design for its intended purpose, especially when paired with the Martin Logan Motion series
- Quality construction, despite being made of all plastic
Product Considerations
- Port turbulence can be audible if pushed too hard with a lower crossover
- Plastic cabinet construction, though functional, might not be preferred by all users
- The smaller AMT tweeter in the regular Motion series is a significant difference compared to the XT series
- If space is not a concern, a larger bookshelf speaker is recommended—especially for crossovers lower than 100Hz
Takeaway: The Martin Logan Motion MP-10 is a well-designed, compact speaker that works great as a surround or height speaker, especially when space is limited. If a small speaker is needed that performs well with the Martin Logan Motion series, this is a good choice.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Martin Logan is one of the most established names in high-end audio, best known as a pioneer of electrostatic panel speakers. Electrostatics offer a unique, tactile transient response that many audiophiles find addictive—once people hear them, they often become lifelong fans. In some ways, these speakers are comparable to Magnepan’s dipole designs. However, Martin Logan also offers more traditional cone-driver speakers, providing something for a range of tastes and setups.
Product Page
Product Page
Q Acoustics
M20
499
/
Released
2021
Designed to deliver stunning wireless high-resolution stereo sound, the flexible M20 HD audio system is the most powerful and immersive way to enjoy music, movies and gaming sound anywhere in the home.
Q Acoustics, a popular entry-level hifi brand among professional reviewers, offers excellent performance at affordable prices.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Effortlessly detailed and balanced sound
- Excellent stereo imaging and dynamics
- High-quality Bluetooth streaming
- Simple setup and control
- Multiple connection options, including subwoofer output, digital input for TV, and analog inputs
Product Considerations
- No HDMI ARC for seamless control with TV remote
- No dedicated app for adjusting settings
- Bass output may be lacking for some listeners, potentially requiring a subwoofer
- Grilles are non-removable
- Speakers power down after 20 minutes at rest, requiring manual Bluetooth pairing each time
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2, the Q Acoustics M20 sounds fuller, louder and less compressed
Takeaway: The Q Acoustics M20 HD speakers offer detailed, balanced sound and are easy to set up with various devices. They're a versatile audio solution for upgrading sound, whether for music, movies, or gaming.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Q Acoustics, a popular entry-level hifi brand among professional reviewers, offers excellent performance at affordable prices.
Product Page
Product Page
SVS
Prime Bookshelf
299
/
Released
The Prime Bookshelf speakers are sonic overachievers on all levels. Stunningly dynamic, pinpoint accurate and utterly transparent, they deftly serve as reference monitor loudspeakers in a two-channel system, or as high performance front, center, or side/rear surround speakers in a multi-channel home theater.
SVS is a hifi brand known for its subwoofers that feature dual 8-inch voice coils and 17-inch drivers, delivering deep bass with precise control through their force-balanced woofer array design. Their Ultra Evolution series uses diamond-coated aluminum dome tweeters and acoustically centered time alignment cabinet architecture to ensure all sound reaches listeners' ears simultaneously for a coherent soundstage.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Good ability to get loud, clean sound without distortion or compression issues above 80 Hz when paired with a subwoofer
- Really good build quality cabinet
- Very clear, immediate, vivid sounding speaker
- Ultra-focused sounding, clean, and nicely balanced vocals
- A lot of treble liveliness combined with quality clarity and crispness
Product Considerations
- Treble is a little bit bright
- Not the most neutral speaker
- Leaner sound in terms of bass delivery
- Very tight, tuneful, and on-point bass, but the perceived amount of bass is less substantial than other speakers reviewed
- Some port noise or chuffing can be heard when setting the speakers to deliver as much bass as the Klipsch RP600M
Takeaway: The SVS Prime bookshelf is a sweet little speaker that delivers clear and vivid sound and has great build quality. It's also versatile, as it can be used in a stereo setup or as part of a home theater system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
SVS is a hifi brand known for its subwoofers that feature dual 8-inch voice coils and 17-inch drivers, delivering deep bass with precise control through their force-balanced woofer array design. Their Ultra Evolution series uses diamond-coated aluminum dome tweeters and acoustically centered time alignment cabinet architecture to ensure all sound reaches listeners' ears simultaneously for a coherent soundstage.
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Sonos
Era 100
230
/
Released
2023
Featuring next-gen acoustics and new levels of connectivity, Era 100 transforms any room with the finely tuned stereo sound and rich bass your music deserves.
Sonos pioneered multi-room wireless audio with their proprietary SonosNet mesh network, which ensures synchronized streaming across multiple speakers without relying on traditional Wi-Fi. Their products feature Trueplay technology that automatically tunes speakers to room acoustics, while supporting multiple voice assistants and streaming services across their platform-agnostic ecosystem.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers stereo sound, unlike the Sonos One, due to angled tweeters
- Has a larger woofer, resulting in deeper bass
- Features Bluetooth connectivity, in addition to Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2, offering more flexibility
- Easy to set up and use with the Sonos app, which integrates many music sources
- Includes Trueplay room tuning, now available for Android users, which optimizes the speaker's sound based on its placement in the room, and adjustable EQ
Product Considerations
- The Apple HomePod 2 provides more natural warmth of human voices
- A separate adapter is needed for a wired connection, and it's not included in the box
- Lacks Google Assistant support
- Android users may find the Quick Tuning feature is not as capable as the iOS version
- Isn't designed for outdoor use
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Era 100 has better sound quality with cleaner bass and can playback stereo content without downmixing to mono, compared to Sonos One/One SL
- Era 100 is more affordable and compact but lacks Dolby Atmos support, compared to Sonos Era 300
- Era 100 is cheaper but doesn't have a built-in battery for portability, compared to Sonos Move 2
Takeaway: The Sonos Era 100 is a versatile wireless speaker with great sound, enhanced bass, and easy integration with streaming services. It's a solid choice for anyone seeking a compact, all-in-one speaker that delivers both convenience and quality audio for an immersive listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sonos pioneered multi-room wireless audio with their proprietary SonosNet mesh network, which ensures synchronized streaming across multiple speakers without relying on traditional Wi-Fi. Their products feature Trueplay technology that automatically tunes speakers to room acoustics, while supporting multiple voice assistants and streaming services across their platform-agnostic ecosystem.
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