Martin Logan Motion XT-B100

The PML group offers endless catalogs that can satisfy virtually any need, from the neophyte to the most demanding enthusiast. Behind each of the group’s brands are research laboratories that explore every possible technology: from the electrostatic one that made Martin Logan famous worldwide, to the Hi-End dynamics of Paradigm, to the refined Anthem electronics, most famous for the ARC (Anthem Room Correction) system, a proprietary room correction system developed completely in-house.

Not only electrostatics

Martin Logan, whose history you can read about here is historically associated with electrostatic technology-here is the Electromotion ESL test we did, and the one that made the brand legendary. Beginning in 2010, however, the company embarked on a parallel path that proved successful: alongside the pure electrostatic and hybrid lines of loudspeakers was a range of dynamic products called Motion, featuring the innovative Folded Motion tweeter. This technology, perfected by MartinLogan over the years, but which we have also seen on loudspeakers from other companies, sets a benchmark for performance in the high and ultra-high range.

Relatively original

The first element that catches the eye is the design, which is neat and original thanks to the slightly inclined top and the horn loading of the tweeter. The woofer’s sealing rings stand out for their elegant color coordination with the central logo, creating a pleasing visual harmony. The black baffle (also available in white for the clear finish) is not only an aesthetic element: inside it is in fact carved by turning the horn; it can be removed quite easily for service (component replacement). Available finishes are black lacquer, satin white, and natural walnut with black woofer ring on black and gold on white and wood.

The Obsidian Folded Motion Gen2 Tweeter

The Obsidian Folded Motion Gen2 Thin Film Tweeter, underwent a meticulous development process: MartinLogan engineers examined more than 50 different design iterations to optimize every aspect of performance: timbral consistency, sound dispersion and, of course, inherent sound quality. The result is a tweeter that can be considered the most sophisticated currently available in its class. The horn loading ensures uniform performance over a wide range of listening positions, a key feature for a bookshelf loudspeaker that can be used in very different contexts and configurations. The dimensions are 3.2×6.1 cm, for a total area of 79.8 square cm with a horn loading that allows a very wide dispersion, quantified as 45° in the vertical plane and 90° in the horizontal plane, features that guarantee a particularly extended listening point (sweet spot) and a wide and engaging soundstage.

The 16.5-cm midwoofer has also undergone a major redesign compared with the old series. It now has a non-resonant structure basket with thin spokes that avoid close reflections, and reinforced Kevlar and Nomex cone. Last technological treat, but certainly not least, is the McCracken-Vojtko crossover. This filter is the result of an extremely complex optimization process, the result of thousands of measurements made in an anechoic chamber, real room tests and countless listening tests. It is not a simple crossover “calculated on paper,” but a component optimized through an iterative process that involved objective measurements and subjective evaluations until the perfect balance between the different sections of the sound spectrum was achieved. The XT-B100 is the only bookshelf model in the XT series, and with a frequency response starting at 45 Hz and, above all, an efficiency of 93dB and 4 Ω impedance, it is suitable for a wide range of amplifiers, from relatively low-powered tube amplifiers to the most muscular transistors.

Above are two videos by Prof. Vojtko, PML Group consultant explaining some key concepts about the speakers. The Motion XT-B100s, as indeed are all loudspeakers, are sensitive to the placement and environment in which they operate. Being bookshelf, they are designed to be used on dedicated stands, possibly of adequate quality, their Stand 25s but we used Solidsteel’s 60cm SS6s to bring the tweeter to the height of the listener’s ears in a seated position. The distance from the rear wall significantly influences bass performance: placements that are too close will tend to emphasize the bass, while more widely spaced placements (50-80 cm) will provide a more neutral tonal balance and greater soundstage depth. Orientation toward the listening point (toe-in) is another important parameter: a slight convergence of the speakers toward the listener can improve stereophonic image focus and tonal coherence, while more parallel placements will tend to widen the soundstage at the expense of central imaging accuracy.

The Listening Test

From the very first minutes of listening, what immediately strikes you is the exceptional level of detail returned by the Obsidian Folded Motion Gen2 tweeter. The high range is crystal clear, airy, and extremely refined, without ever being aggressive or fatiguing even during extended listening sessions. Drum cymbals decay naturally, the harmonics of acoustic instruments unfold naturally in space, and the human voice is reproduced with a rich texture of micro-information that contributes greatly to the overall realism. The tweeter’s particularly wide dispersion results in a generous sweet spot: it is not necessary to sit in a millimeter position to fully enjoy the soundstage. Even when moving sideways or up from the ideal axis, the listening quality remains high, a feature that makes these speakers particularly versatile and suitable even for less “ritual” music listening use. The midrange is extremely natural and free of noticeable coloration. Voices, both male and female, are reproduced with body, presence and a remarkable richness of timbre. For a bookshelf of this size, the low-end performance is remarkable. Of course, one should not expect the sound pressure and deep extension of a large floorstanding speaker or a dedicated subwoofer, but the 16.5-cm Kevlar woofer performs admirably, delivering a defined, fast, controlled bass. The woofer’s control is particularly evident in complex passages, where multiple instruments overlap in the lower end of the spectrum: the XT-B100s manage to maintain clarity and separation, avoiding the muddled effect that often characterizes less refined speakers. This is due both to the excellent design of the transducer itself, with its cone made of high-rigidity composite materials, and to the carefully tuned reflex that extends the bass response without introducing parasitic resonances. The XT-B100s demonstrate remarkable genre versatility, although they wink more at pop and rock that are served with energy and groove, without sacrificing the cleanliness and detail that allow even the most layered productions to be appreciated. Electronic music finds an ideal partner in these speakers, which manage to combine bass extension, speed and rhythmic precision. Even more extreme genres such as metal are handled with dignity, maintaining readability and control even in the most chaotic passages. This is not to say that I cannot listen to classical or Jazz with satisfaction, we would miss it, but it is undoubtedly not their ultimate terrain of choice.

A good deal !

For those looking for a reference bookshelf speaker capable of audiophile performance without requiring the footprint and financial investment of a large floorstanding speaker, the Martin Logan Motion XT-B100 are definitely worth considering. The price/quality ratio is attractive, considering the level of technology and performance offered, and the presence of the Martin Logan brand guarantees reliability, service and significant residual value over time. In a market increasingly crowded with proposals, the XT-B100s manage to stand out for their personality, design consistency and, above all, their ability to convey the emotion of music, which remains, ultimately, the ultimate goal of any quality audio reproduction system.

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