MartinLogan Motion XT C100 walnut
Overview
The MartinLogan Motion XT C100 is a high-end center speaker designed to deliver exceptional sound clarity and crystal-clear dialogue in the most demanding home theater setups. The result of decades of acoustic expertise, this speaker combines cutting-edge technology with refined design to satisfy the most discerning audiophiles.
A design combining aesthetics and functionality
The Motion XT C100 stands out with its sleek and modern appearance, blending seamlessly into any contemporary interior. Its generous dimensions (20.3 cm in height, 61 cm in width, and 36.8 cm in depth) give it a commanding presence, while its weight of 15.4 kg reflects the solidity of its construction.
The speaker is available in three luxurious finishes: satin walnut, satin white, and gloss black. These options allow it to match your decor or other elements of your audio system.
A particularly innovative feature of the XT C100 is its tiltable cabinet. This functionality allows the speaker to be slightly angled upward, optimizing sound dispersion when placed on a low piece of furniture or under a television. This clever detail enhances dialogue clarity and overall sound immersion.
Cutting-edge sound technology
At the heart of the Motion XT C100 is the Folded Motion XT Gen2 Obsidian tweeter, a true technological marvel from MartinLogan. This 3.2 cm × 6.1 cm folded ribbon transducer offers an impressive membrane surface area of 79.8 cm². Its operating principle involves folding a thin membrane, enabling air to move with remarkable efficiency and precision.
This unique design offers several advantages:
- Exceptional transient response, reproducing the subtlest details
- Controlled sound dispersion, minimizing unwanted reflections
- Reduced distortion, even at high listening levels
Complementing the tweeter are two 16.5 cm midrange drivers with Kevlar-reinforced Nomex cones. These high-performance materials combine lightness and rigidity, ensuring precise reproduction of midrange frequencies. The cast aluminum frames contribute to the mechanical stability of the assembly, while the non-resonant asymmetrical chamber format optimizes acoustic performance.
Benchmark acoustic performance
The Motion XT C100 impresses with its wide frequency range, spanning from 42 Hz to 25 kHz (±3 dB). This range allows faithful reproduction of both voices and sound effects, without necessarily requiring a subwoofer.
The high sensitivity of 93 dB highlights the speaker’s efficiency, making the most of your amplifier’s power. With a recommended power range of 20 to 300 watts, the XT C100 is compatible with a wide variety of electronics, while offering substantial dynamic reserves for the most intense moments of your movies.
The 2.5-way anti-lobing crossover is another notable technical innovation. This sophisticated design optimizes phase coherence between the different drivers, enhancing sound imaging precision and dialogue clarity.
A significant evolution from previous generations
The Motion XT C100 represents a major step forward compared to earlier MartinLogan models. The most notable improvement lies in the Folded Motion XT tweeter, now in its second generation. This evolution results in increased power and reduced distortion, particularly benefiting dialogue clarity and sound effect precision.
The cabinet and midrange driver design have also been optimized, leading to superior overall performance in terms of dynamics and sound neutrality.
Technical Specifications
Transducers
- Folded Motion XT Gen2 Obsidian Tweeter
- Dimensions: 3.2 cm × 6.1 cm
- Membrane surface: 79.8 cm²
- Midrange Drivers
- 2 × 16.5 cm Kevlar cones reinforced with Nomex
- Cast aluminum chassis
- Asymmetric non-resonant chamber design
- One-piece cone construction
- 2.5-way anti-lobing crossover design
Acoustic Performance
- Frequency response: 42 Hz - 25 kHz ± 3 dB
- Dispersion: 45° (vertical) × 90° (horizontal)
- Sensitivity: 93 dB
- Impedance: 5 ohms
- Crossover frequencies: 1300 Hz, 2500 Hz (2.5-way)
Amplification and Connections
- Recommended power: 20 - 300 watts
- Connectors: Custom 5-way binding posts
- Compatible with bi-amping / bi-wiring
Physical Characteristics
- Enclosure type: Rear bass-reflex
- Dimensions (H × W × D): 20.3 cm × 61 cm × 36.8 cm
- Weight: 15.4 kg
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Folded Motion XT Gen2 tweeter and conventional tweeters?
The Folded Motion XT Gen2 tweeter uses an accordion-folded membrane instead of a traditional dome. This design allows air to move more efficiently, resulting in better transient response and reduced distortion. The large effective surface area of the membrane also contributes to more controlled sound dispersion.
Is this speaker suitable for a small room?
The Motion XT C100 is a relatively large speaker, designed to deliver optimal performance in medium to large rooms. In a smaller space, its dynamic capabilities might be underutilized. It is recommended to consider your room size and listening distance before choosing this speaker.
How important is the break-in period for this speaker?
As with many high-quality speakers, the Motion XT C100 benefits from a break-in period. During the first several dozen hours of use, you may notice a subtle evolution in performance, with improved bass response and overall coherence. It is recommended to wait for this period before making fine adjustments to your setup.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: MALO-XTC100WNT
- GTIN / EAN: 810123026012
