Elac SUB1010 vs. MartinLogan Motion 40i

Elac SUB1010 120W 10” Powered Subwoofer MartinLogan Motion 40i Tower Speaker
MSRP
$150 $2600
Dimensions (H × W × D)
13.25” × 12.19” × 12.19”
337mm × 310mm × 310mm
42.50” × 7.60” × 12.80”
1080mm × 193mm × 325mm
Power Type
Powered Passive
Frequency Response
37-200 Hz 40-25,000 Hz
Amazon.com
Amazon.com

Key Takeaways

TLDR Summary: In the realm of immersive sound, the Elac SUB1010 subwoofer, with its 120W and 10-inch driver, offers deep bass at a budget-friendly price, bringing cinematic thrills to small-to-medium spaces. Contrastingly, the MartinLogan Motion 40i is an elegant floor-standing tower that blends refined, room-filling sound with a detailed midrange and crisp highs, courtesy of its Folded Motion tweeter. While the Elac provides the punch for your home theater, the MartinLogan delivers a full-range, high-fidelity experience, perfect for both movies and music connoisseurs seeking clarity and depth. Choosing between them hinges on whether your priority is foundational rumble or detailed soundstage.

Speaker Comparison

Immersing oneself in the intricate world of audio components is akin to a never-ending quest for the perfect acoustic experience. Today, we dive into the depths of low-frequency prowess and high-fidelity clarity as we juxtapose two commendable pieces: the Elac SUB1010 120W 10” Powered Subwoofer and the MartinLogan Motion 40i Tower Speaker. While both cater to the audiophile's dream of an enveloping soundscape, they serve distinct roles in the pursuit of aural nirvana.

The Bass Beneath: Exploring the Elac SUB1010

The Elac SUB1010 is a befitting addition to any home theater setup that craves the rumble and depth that only a dedicated subwoofer can provide. With its 120 watts of amplification driving a 10-inch bass driver, the SUB1010 confidently occupies the low-end territory, bringing explosions and bass lines to life. Its robust build and minimalist design ensure that it focuses purely on performance, delivering a tight and controlled bass response that can be tuned to one’s preferences via its built-in crossover and phase adjustment.

Elac SUB1010 120W 10” Powered Subwoofer
Elac SUB1010 arrow (at Amazon.com)

The Towering Clarity: MartinLogan Motion 40i's Acoustic Excellence

On the other hand, the MartinLogan Motion 40i Tower Speaker is a full-range speaker designed to articulate the finest details in the midrange and treble frequencies. The Motion 40i doesn’t just speak; it sings, courtesy of MartinLogan's renowned Folded Motion Tweeter and dual 6.5-inch aluminum cone woofers. These components work in beautiful synergy to produce sound that is both dynamic and precise, with a soundstage that seems to extend beyond the physical confines of the room. The Motion 40i, with its sleek cabinet and high-gloss finish, stands as much as a statement of audio excellence as it does a piece of craftsmanship.

Integration and Synergy: Pairing With A System

While the Elac SUB1010 is a specialist, designed to augment the lower frequencies often missing from bookshelf speakers or less endowed floor standers, the MartinLogan Motion 40i can stand-alone, delivering full-spectrum sound that captivates even in the absence of a subwoofer. However, integrating the SUB1010 with the Motion 40i can result in an audio landscape that is richer and more immersive. The key is in the calibration – ensuring that the subwoofer fills in just enough to empower the Motion 40i without overwhelming its nuanced performance.

MartinLogan Motion 40i Tower Speaker
MartinLogan Motion 40i arrow (at Amazon.com)

From a technical standpoint, the SUB1010’s focus is on depth and vibration, while the Motion 40i's is on transparency and detail. The former’s 120-watt amplifier and 10-inch driver are specifically designed to move a lot of air, making physical the lowest octaves of the sound spectrum. This capability is something that the Motion 40i, despite its exceptional performance, simply isn't designed to replicate.

Price and Value Considerations

Considering the investment, there's a notable price difference between the two. The Elac SUB1010 offers an affordable route to enhancing the bass in your system, while the MartinLogan Motion 40i commands a premium, justified by its audiophile-grade components and superior full-range performance. Deciding between the two often comes down to the needs of your current setup and the type of listening experience you are after.

In conclusion, while both the Elac SUB1010 and the MartinLogan Motion 40i are commendable in their right, they serve different purposes. The SUB1010 is the workhorse of low-end frequencies, designed to add power and depth to your home cinema or music sessions. The Motion 40i, conversely, offers a complete and exquisite listening experience. Whether used in tandem or alone, these components are capable of transforming your auditory environment and taking you closer to the music you love.

Ultimately, the choice between these two stellar audio components should be guided by personal preference, existing equipment, and the sonic textures you wish to explore. In the intricate dance of audio frequencies, the Elac SUB1010 and MartinLogan Motion 40i are both partners and soloists, depending on the melody you choose to play through them.


Check Current Prices:

Elac SUB1010 120W 10” Powered Subwoofer
Elac SUB1010 120W 10” Powered Subwoofer
MartinLogan Motion 40i Tower Speaker
MartinLogan Motion 40i Tower Speaker
Amazon.com
Amazon.com

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Disclaimer: the speaker data listed on this website are correct to the best of our knowledge, but we do not guarantee the accuracy of the data. Please double-check any measurements with the manufacturer before making a final purchasing decision.