Potato score: 88.6

89%

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MartinLogan Motion 4i

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Stylish and Compact

Inspired by MartinLogan's ultra-high-end electrostatic loudspeakers, the Motion® Series was created to provide stunning sound for your ultimate-performance home theater or stereo. MartinLogan's dedicated in-house engineers carefully crafted the Motion Series to create an extremely affordable and compact product line that seamlessly blends our exquisite Folded Motion® transducers with powerful, compact bass technology. The result is a smooth, refined sound with stunning dynamic range and jaw-dropping clarity.


Motion 4i Compact Bookshelf Speakers

Audiophile performance without an audiophile price. Inspired by the clarity and detail of MartinLogan's ultra-high-end electrostatic loudspeakers, Motion 4i features a Folded Motion tweeter, 4-inch paper cone woofer, and a proprietary Vojtko crossover network in a compact and affordable package. Low-frequencies are enhanced by a rear-firing Cascading Bass Reflex Port, a unique, long-volume port that delivers surprisingly big bass from a remarkably compact loudspeaker. Flexible installation options allow table top or on-wall installation. Motion 4i can also mount upside down to facilitate placement high on a wall. Available in gloss black.


Engineering, Without Compromises

What makes the Motion Series sound so amazing? MartinLogan's dedicated in-house engineering and design team started by utilizing and refining the most advanced, compact technologies and combining them with innovative engineering and time-honored cabinet construction techniques. The result is an emotionally engaging sound that rivals (and most times trounces) traditional loudspeakers of similar size and price. Our 'no compromise' philosophy gives Motion Series a unique sound you won't find anywhere else.


Sound Inspired by Electrostatic Speakers

The success of the Motion Series is directly attributed to its close relation to MartinLogan’s legendary ultra-high-end electrostatic loudspeakers. The desire to transmute that level of performance into a more traditional loudspeaker at a more affordable price drove the initial design imperatives that created the Motion Series.


Folded Motion® Tweeters

MartinLogan's signature Folded Motion tweeter utilizes an extremely low mass diaphragm that "squeezes" air, thus demanding significantly less excursion than the typical 1-inch dome tweeter. Its folded design allows for a much larger surface area (compared to that of a regular 1-inch dome tweeter), controlled dispersion characteristics, and vanishingly low distortion. It's a miracle of audio engineering that's able to deliver much of the high-frequency detail and speed of a large, dynamic electrostatic panel in a small space.


Proprietary Vojtko ™ Crossover Networks

Compact Motion Series speakers feature proprietary Vojtko crossover networks using custom air core coil inductors, low DCR steel laminate inductors, and polyester film and low-DF electrolytic capacitors for a seamless sonic presentation.


Vojtko crossovers are named after MartinLogan's chief audio technologist, Joe Vojtko. His unique approach to crossover design is as big of a part of the "MartinLogan Sound" as are electrostatic and Folded Motion thin-film driver technologies. A Vojtko crossover isn't so much a set of design requirements as it is a philosophy. Vojtko crossovers are designed in such a way that all drivers are kept within their optimal frequency range and balanced with one another. The drivers themselves are as much a part of a Vojtko crossover as are capacitors and resistors. Before the design of any crossover begins, drivers are carefully selected or designed to operate within a very intentional frequency range and with precise and predictable performance parameters. Vojtko crossovers are always built from high-quality parts, and care is taken to avoid overly complex topologies—a straightforward objective due to the careful selection of woofers and tweeters. The final (and most critical) aspect of a Vojtko Crossover is that final voicing is conducted in a space that is indicative of a real-world environment. This pragmatic approach allows MartinLogan speakers to sound their best in real-world rooms.


Modern Curves and Luxurious Finish

After refining the perfecting the acoustic details, MartinLogan designers focused on elegant yet understated styling that complements flat-panel televisions and other high-end components. To achieve this, we gave compact Motion bookshelf and center channel speakers a flawless gloss black finish and compact, slender enclosures. Subtle curves, along with MartinLogan's signature perforated grille, add to the elegant and timeless look.


Versatile Placement—On a wall, Shelf, or Stands

Not only do the curves on the compact Motion bookshelf speaker Series look great, but they also serve a purpose—allowing them to mount at two different angles with the included wall bracket. This means you can point sound directly toward the desired listening area for high or low wall mounting applications. Motion 2i and 4i speakers don't have to be mounted. In fact, they look and sound great on speaker stands, or sitting next to your TV on a shelf.


Easy Hookup

Convenient, high-quality, push-style binding posts are recessed into the speaker's cabinet along with curved guides that allow wires to slide into place effortlessly. These binding posts are also designed to facilitate the use of banana plug connectors.


Cascading Bass Reflex Port

MartinLogan engineers were faced with a daunting task—create a compact speaker with low-end bass reproduction found in speakers much, much larger. After many sleepless night and a myriad of prototypes, they created the Cascading Bass Reflex Port. This brilliant solution allows a long tuned port, which is folded over itself (think of a trombone's tuning arm) to be compacted and squeezed into the Motion 4i. The result is amazingly detailed low bass that can play at high volumes with minimum distortion—all thanks to the elegantly simple cascading fold that slows down and controls the air motion of the bass waves.


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Overall Score 89/100

Rating for [object Object]

Nicely Roasted

The Motion 4i’s Folded Motion transducer delivers exceptional, airy treble and razor-sharp clarity, while a surprisingly large soundstage and wide dispersion make placement forgiving. Reviewers note low distortion and articulate mids for strong vocal presence; the compact, well-finished cabinet suits desks or wall-mounting. Bass is tight but rolls off near 70Hz, so a subwoofer completes full-range listening.

Audiophile Style

"The Motion 4i is highly recommended and might just be the most articulate small speaker one can buy for the money."

Pros

  • Exceptional, detailed high-frequency performance from the Folded Motion transducer, giving airy, low-distortion highs and extended treble.
  • Wide dispersion and strong imaging produce a large, convincing soundstage that often images beyond the cabinets.
  • Tight, well-controlled bass for a 4" woofer—textured and fast even if it lacks deep extension.
  • Strong value and versatile installation: compact, nicely finished cabinets with included wall-mounting hardware make them flexible for desks, small rooms, or wall use.

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Cons

  • Limited low-frequency extension—bass falls off around 70Hz, so a subwoofer is recommended for full-range listening.
  • 4-ohm nominal impedance and recessed/spring-style terminals can challenge low-current amps and make bare-wire connections fiddly for some setups.

Sound Quality

89/100

Bass

83/100

Limited extension (around 70 Hz) is repeatedly noted, but reviewers praise the bass as taut, well controlled, and textured for a 4" woofer. Multiple reviews say a sub is recommended for full-range listening while still acknowledging surprisingly good definition for the speaker's size.

Mid

89/100

Reviewers consistently highlight clarity and vocal presence, with voices described as floating free and vibrant. One review noted a slight midrange depression versus some competitors, but overall the midrange is praised for transparency and articulation.

Treble

94/100

The Folded Motion transducer receives uniformly high praise — described as close to MartinLogan's ESL voice, headphone-like resolution, very smooth and refined. Multiple reviewers call the highs exemplary, open, and airy with excellent detail retrieval.

Soundstage Imaging

92/100

Several reviewers report wide dispersion, excellent imaging, and a large, well-defined soundfield that often 'disappears'. The speakers image beyond their cabinets and produce convincing placement and separation, even in larger rooms.

Dynamics

88/100

Dynamics are noted as strong for the form factor: low distortion, fast low-frequency transients, and good slam when partnered with a sub. Reviewers also observed good headroom and low fatigue during extended listening.

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Build Quality

88/100

Well-finished piano-black cabinets, curved rear panels, magnetic grille, and quality connectors are mentioned positively. Some practical notes on recessed terminals and lack of spade accommodation were raised, but overall craftsmanship is considered high for the price.

Features Connectivity

81/100

Passive bookshelf baseline applied (80) with +1 for included wall-mount bracket/engineered placement flexibility and usable banana-style terminals. No DSP/streaming present (appropriate for a passive design) and terminals may complicate bare-wire connections for some users.

Value for Money

93/100

Across reviews the Motion 4i is repeatedly called a bargain at ~$249 each and excellent value relative to competitors; several reviewers strongly recommend them at this price. Strong language ('bargains that punch above their weight', 'can't think of a better recommendation') supports a high value score.

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