Martin Logan Motion 60XTi Review
Electrostatics from Martin Logan are legendary. However, the Motion series is also interesting as an entry-level into the Logan world, which relies on high-quality sound reproduction using different means. We have secured the new top model 60XTi.
by Tom Frantzen
An outstanding feature of the XTi models, recently introduced as successors to the XT series, is still the Air Motion Transformer, a tweeter that goes back to the German physicist Dr. Oskar Heil, which can indeed rival the electrostatic principle.
Here, a very low-mass ribbon is used as a membrane, which is folded accordion-like to both enlarge the surface area and increase acceleration. Heil himself liked to illustrate the principle with a cherry pit that, pressed between two fingers, can be effortlessly and yet more quickly ejected than one could “throw” it with the same effort. At first glance, the AMT equipped with a powerful neodymium drive has a surface area of 3.2 x 6 centimeters, but actually, due to the construction, it is 11.4 x 7 centimeters. This means a significantly enlarged surface and thus more power and dynamics. Of course, it’s not a cherry pit that’s being compressed here, but the air between the folds; this compression requires far less mechanical excursion of the membrane, less distortion, and more sound pressure.
We actually measured 91 dB efficiency. Thus, the 30-kilogram and 1.22-meter-tall floor-standing speaker is an excellent “feed converter.” With such an exceptional chassis, which we also encountered in the Sonoro compact box also tested in this issue, the transition to the other drivers is of enormous importance. Because they, too, must be unusually fast to couple as seamlessly as possible to the in this regard outstanding AMT. In the case of the Motion 60XTi, the crossover frequencies are at 2,200 Hertz for the AMT and at 400 Hertz, where the midrange driver, housed in a resonance-poor polypropylene basket, is flanked by the two long-throw, lightweight 20 cm aluminum woofers.
TEST EQUIPMENT
CD Player: Musical Fidelity M3 SCD
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Integrated Amplifiers: Audionet WATT, Magnat MC400, Musical Fidelity M8xi
Speakers: Apertura Stela, Canton Karat GS Edition, DALI Epicon 6
Cables: Silent Wire, Supra Cables
2.5 Instead of Three Ways
The 60XTi, like all Motion floor-standing speakers, is constructively a two-and-a-half-way loudspeaker. What does that mean? Well, if we look at the design, one can see that the upper part looks like a compact box and the lower part with the bass drivers looks like a subwoofer integrated into the same enclosure. And that’s exactly the case. While in a three-way design the midrange driver would be separated both above and below, here the “compact box” actually works with its mid-bass driver over the full range, but is additionally and exclusively in the lower registers supported by specialized bass drivers. So, for the bass, three drivers are in use. By the way, besides the crossover, the driver arrangement also ensures that with
WE LISTENED WITH
Supertramp: Crime Of The Century
Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes
All bass potency without exaggeration. The Motion is intended to be characterized by an extended yet precise, but tightly controlled foundation with high impulse fidelity. Designers who otherwise deal with electrostats naturally place particular emphasis on this.
The two woofers are faster than a single larger one, while the diaphragm areas for bass work add up. Thus, they can share the excursion work and therefore stay “longer” in the linear range, i.e., the design’s “comfort zone.” Torsion-resistant aluminum baskets ensure enormous stability; the drivers also work on asymmetrical chambers and have particularly low-resonance, “break-up” preventing dust caps. The rigidly constructed housing provides bass-reflex support via a double tunnel, which allows both fast and noiseless pressure equalization and low-frequency extension down to nominally about 35 Hertz.
Also, with the 16 cm midrange driver, it is a cone with a light aluminum membrane, which, however (almost self-evidently), operates in a closed chamber. The entire suspension (spider and surround) is “stiffened” here to achieve gentle response behavior, which raises the resonance frequency and is intended to produce a favorable roll-off towards the lower end.
The previously mentioned crossover, responsible for the “work preparation,” is equipped with low-loss components such as air-core coils and film capacitors; the tweeter is additionally protected against overload and heat. Martin Logan calls it the “Vojtko” crossover after its developer Joe Vojtko, who is also significantly responsible for the characteristic sound impression in the design of the company’s legendary electrostats with his crossovers.
In the 7Review listening room, the large Martin Logan Motion was effortlessly able to illuminate even a steadily increasing, extremely dynamic, and complex sonic painting like Supertramp’s “School” from the successful album “Crime Of The Century” extensively and in detail, making the protagonists followable and displaying the finest textures, for example, in the bass runs. That is really fun!
It outstandingly brings out characteristic facets of a voice like Tori Amos’s or of natural instruments like guitar or piano, delivering a rarely seen perfection of coherent energy balance in this form and at this price. An overwhelming experience of the highest class. Super!
You can hear in the first bars that this Martin Logan is something special in terms of musicality and coherence.
Martin Logan Motion 60XTi Specs
White, Black, Red Walnut
Dimensions: 23 x 115 x 37 cm (WxHxD)
Warranty: 5 years
The largest floor-standing speaker of the Motion series is reminiscent of Martin Logan’s famous electrostats at a much lower price. With spectacular resolution, but extremely musically coherent tuning and great bass, it’s a real gem. Outstanding!
Measurement Results
Laboratory Comment
With 91 dB efficiency (1 kHz), it is above average efficient; the frequency response is balanced.
Very good timing, low distortions. An impedance of 2.23 Ohms at 281 Hertz should be matched with particularly good/stable amplifiers.
Features
2.5-way bass reflex construction with Air Motion Transformer and special bi-wiring terminal
Technical Specifications
- DC Resistance: 4 Ohm
- Minimum Impedance: 2.23 Ohm at 281 Hz
- Maximum Impedance: 6.37 Ohm at 66 Hz
- Sound Pressure Level (2.83 V/m): 91 dBSPL
- Power for 94 dBSPL: 5.16 W
- Lower Frequency Limit (-3dBSPL): 54 Hz
- Harmonic Distortion at 63/3k/10k Hz: 0.378/0.094/0.242 %
Verdict
- Sound Level: 82% (8.2/10)
- Price/Performance: Outstanding (Überragend)
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