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MartinLogan Motion 8i Center Channel Speaker
PREOWNED – FULLY TESTED – COMPLETE AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION
Motion i Compact Speakers
Inspired by the clarity and detail
of MartinLogan’s ultra-high-end electrostatic loudspeakers, Motion 8i feature
exquisite Folded Motion tweeters and powerful bass technology in compact and
affordable packages.
Folded Motion Tweeter
Key to performance is the lightning fast response of the tweeter’s
light-weight diaphragm combined with a large surface area (much larger than a
typical one-inch dome tweeter) which together achieve a smooth, refined sound
with stunning dynamic range and jaw-dropping clarity—certain to inspire envy in
audiophiles and non-audiophiles alike. Precision Vojtko™ crossover topology
features custom air core coil inductors, low DCR steel laminate inductors, and
polyester film and low DF electrolytic capacitors for a seamless sonic
presentation.
Engineered Curves
Flexible installation options allow table top or on-wall installation. The
Motion 8i mount horizontally or vertically around a wall-mounted flat screen
television.
Frequency Response
70–23,000 Hz ±3dB
Dispersion
80° x 80°
Sensitivity
89 dB/2.83 volts/meter
Nominal Impedance
4 Ohms. Compatible with 4, 6 or 8 ohm rated amplifiers.
Recommended Amplifier Power
20-180 watts per channel
Crossover Frequency
3,000 Hz
Crossover Components
Custom air core coil and low DCR steel laminate
inductors. Polyester film capacitors in series and low DF electrolytic
capacitors in parallel. Overall system thermal/current protection.
High Frequency Transducer
1″ × 1.4″ (2.6cm × 3.6cm) Folded Motion
Transducer with 5.25″ × 1.75″ (13.3cm × 4.4cm) diaphragm
Low Frequency Driver
Two 4″ (10.2cm) paper cone with stamped steel
basket. Non-resonant asymmetrical chamber format. Rigid structured dust cap
to reduce cone break-up modes. Sealed.
Binding Posts
Push style with banana jacks
Weight
8.5lbs. (3.85kg) each
Overall Dimensions
(HxWxD)
5.6 x 22.25 x 5.2 (14.2cm x 56cm x 13.2cm)
At USD350, this Motion 8i center channel is a fair ask, landing squarely in the typical used market range of USD250-400 for clean examples. New ones retailed around USD475, with open-box deals dipping to USD340 recently, so it's no steal but reasonable if cosmetically solid—no fire sale, but not ambitious either for MartinLogan's Folded Motion clarity.
Before biting, verify the Folded Motion tweeter for any diaphragm tears or distortion, as those panels can degrade over time from humidity or overdriving. Confirm both 4" woofers move freely without scraping, and check for the original grilles, wall-mount brackets, and binding post caps—missing bits add up quick.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
MartinLogan emerged in the late 1970s from Lawrence, Kansas, when Gayle Martin Sanders and Ron Logan Sutherland, sharing a passion for electrostatic loudspeakers, united their engineering and design expertise. The duo, whose middle names inspired the brand, unveiled their breakthrough at the 1983 CES with the Monolith—the world's first practical hybrid electrostatic speaker, blending a curved panel for mids and highs with a dynamic woofer for bass. This American innovation addressed longstanding electrostatic limitations like fragility and poor low-end response, propelling the company from a high-end audio store collaboration to a dedicated manufacturing powerhouse.
The brand specializes in electrostatic and hybrid speakers, from flagship floorstanders like the CLX and Summit X to more accessible Motion Series designs, alongside complementary powered subwoofers and select electronics. Their proprietary thin-film transducers, advanced panel assembly, and room-optimized engineering define a lineup that prioritizes transparency and precision over conventional dynamic drivers, eschewing amplifiers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, MartinLogan commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its unwavering commitment to electrostatic purity, delivering ethereal soundstaging and timbral accuracy that make cabinets vanish. Now part of the PML group alongside Paradigm and Anthem, it blends Kansas heritage with rigorous innovation, appealing to buyers seeking reference-level realism in home audio and theater systems.
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