Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to share my experience with the MartinLogan Motion speakers. I had listened to the Motion 15's and 40's the other day in a show room and compared them to B&W speakers. The amplifier was a Mcintosh MA5200 integrated hooked up to an Arcam CD37 player. The sales person only had to press a button to instantly change between speakers.
I first listened to the MartinLogan Motion 40's. They were a very impressive set of tower speakers. Strong bass and interesting treble characteristics. Smooth and detailed without being forceful. Wide sound stage and exciting. I then asked the sales man to change over to the B&W 683 S2 (new version). He pressed the button and ahhh wow! I said to the sales man "are you kidding me?" I said these are horrible compared to the Motion 40's. He said they definatley were not as good. The sound stage had collapsed, there was less bass, and it sounded all muffled and muddled in comparison. If one used the 683's on their own then I am sure they would sound just fine but compared to the Motion 40's it was quite an embarrassment for them.
Granted there is a price difference here between the two in the U.S. and the U.K., $1500 for the B&W's and $1799 for the MartinLogans. But for only $300 usd more they are worth it! In the U.K. these two speakers are in different price categories, 1149 vs. 1799 pounds, so I suppose they don't really compete with each other.
Next I compared the ML 40's to the B&W CM9. This was a much better comparison but still they didn't sound as good. The CM9's had a certain boxy bass coloration that was hard not to miss. The speakers sounded pleasant enough but was a little thinner sounding and not as exciting. Not a bad speaker at all just not as good as the 40's.
I then listened to the Motion 15's, small bookshelf model, and again I was very impressed. They were detailed without that detail being forced or highlighting anything. Very natural with a huge sound stage. A bit direct sounding with a thick sound stage and this made it an exciting listen.
Next I compared them to the B&W CM5's. They were about 1/3 larger than the ML 15's and more expensive so I was expecting a lot. from them. I ended up being surprised. The bass didn't go that much lower as I would have though from the the larger cabinet. The excitement level diminished greatly and the sound stage sounded thin. They were quite boring sounding next to the Motion 15's.
The most interesting part for me is that here in the USA the CM5's sell for $1500 while the Motion 15's are only $799! Quite the bargain. I understand that the ML 15's are more expensive in the U.K. at 799 Pounds and priced the same as the B&W CM5's but I know which ones I would still choose.
For me it was a no brainier and I bought the ML Motion 15's! I am still keeping my Proac Signature 2000's because they are an overall complete package. But these little Martin Logans are a very fun listen! The folded tweeter gives a level of detail and delicacy that even my Proacs cant match. I actually hear more in the recording with them over the Proacs. They are still breaking in and sounding better and better. I spent an extra $100 and got the black cherry wood. Very nice.
Well, this is just one man's opinion here. Try to listen to the Motion lineup if you have the chance because I think you might be impressed like I was.
Cheers everyone
Just wanted to share my experience with the MartinLogan Motion speakers. I had listened to the Motion 15's and 40's the other day in a show room and compared them to B&W speakers. The amplifier was a Mcintosh MA5200 integrated hooked up to an Arcam CD37 player. The sales person only had to press a button to instantly change between speakers.
I first listened to the MartinLogan Motion 40's. They were a very impressive set of tower speakers. Strong bass and interesting treble characteristics. Smooth and detailed without being forceful. Wide sound stage and exciting. I then asked the sales man to change over to the B&W 683 S2 (new version). He pressed the button and ahhh wow! I said to the sales man "are you kidding me?" I said these are horrible compared to the Motion 40's. He said they definatley were not as good. The sound stage had collapsed, there was less bass, and it sounded all muffled and muddled in comparison. If one used the 683's on their own then I am sure they would sound just fine but compared to the Motion 40's it was quite an embarrassment for them.
Granted there is a price difference here between the two in the U.S. and the U.K., $1500 for the B&W's and $1799 for the MartinLogans. But for only $300 usd more they are worth it! In the U.K. these two speakers are in different price categories, 1149 vs. 1799 pounds, so I suppose they don't really compete with each other.
Next I compared the ML 40's to the B&W CM9. This was a much better comparison but still they didn't sound as good. The CM9's had a certain boxy bass coloration that was hard not to miss. The speakers sounded pleasant enough but was a little thinner sounding and not as exciting. Not a bad speaker at all just not as good as the 40's.
I then listened to the Motion 15's, small bookshelf model, and again I was very impressed. They were detailed without that detail being forced or highlighting anything. Very natural with a huge sound stage. A bit direct sounding with a thick sound stage and this made it an exciting listen.
Next I compared them to the B&W CM5's. They were about 1/3 larger than the ML 15's and more expensive so I was expecting a lot. from them. I ended up being surprised. The bass didn't go that much lower as I would have though from the the larger cabinet. The excitement level diminished greatly and the sound stage sounded thin. They were quite boring sounding next to the Motion 15's.
The most interesting part for me is that here in the USA the CM5's sell for $1500 while the Motion 15's are only $799! Quite the bargain. I understand that the ML 15's are more expensive in the U.K. at 799 Pounds and priced the same as the B&W CM5's but I know which ones I would still choose.
For me it was a no brainier and I bought the ML Motion 15's! I am still keeping my Proac Signature 2000's because they are an overall complete package. But these little Martin Logans are a very fun listen! The folded tweeter gives a level of detail and delicacy that even my Proacs cant match. I actually hear more in the recording with them over the Proacs. They are still breaking in and sounding better and better. I spent an extra $100 and got the black cherry wood. Very nice.
Well, this is just one man's opinion here. Try to listen to the Motion lineup if you have the chance because I think you might be impressed like I was.
Cheers everyone
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