About the MartinLogan Motion® 50XTi

Powerful center channel sound
Powerful center channel sound
MartinLogan's Motion 50XTi center channel is an exceptionally immersive center channel speaker that helps draw you right into the on-screen action. It delivers clear, accurate dialogue and robust sound effects for an exquisite home theater experience. This speaker improves upon the performance of the popular Motion 50XT center channel, adding drive-stabilizing dust caps and stiffened motor suspension on its woofers.
The Motion 50XTi is a perfect speaker to build a home theater surround sound system around. It's voice-matched to MartinLogan 60XTi floor-standing speakers and MartinLogan 35XTi bookshelf/surrounds.
A solid mid- and low-frequency foundation
MartinLogan uses aluminum cones for their unique blend of lightness and rigidity. The Motion 50XTi uses two low-distortion 6-1/2" woofers to supply fast, clean midrange and powerful bass performance that blend in seamlessly with the Folded Motion XT tweeter. A low-turbulence rear-firing port extends bass performance, but keeps it tight and tuneful.
Folded Motion XT® tweeter for detailed sound
MartinLogan's acclaimed Folded Motion XT tweeter uses a pleated diaphragm that works similarly to an accordion by "squeezing" air to create sound. Because it requires almost 90% less excursion than the typical 1" dome tweeter, response time is drastically reduced along with distortion.
The diaphragm's increased surface area also provides wide, yet controlled sound dispersion to create a realistic and highly accurate soundstage. Music sounds amazingly detailed, but smooth and effortless, without a trace of harshness. And the XT tweeter boasts a 40% larger radiating surface area than MartinLogan's standard Folded Motion design, for even greater bandwidth and efficiency.
Unique crossover network
Motion Series speakers feature proprietary Vojtko™ crossovers, named after MartinLogan's chief audio technologist, Joe Vojtko. "A Vojtko crossover isn't so much a set of design requirements as it is a philosophy," the company explains. Each speaker's drivers are carefully selected or designed to operate within an intentional frequency range and specific performance parameters. That allows the crossover networks — built from high-quality capacitors and resistors — to be clean and uncomplicated.
Part of a complete MartinLogan surround sound system
The MartinLogan Motion Series features an array of speakers that are voice-matched for compatibility in an immersive surround sound system:
- floor-standing speakers for front left and right channels
- bookshelf speakers for front, rear, or surround channels
- center channel speakers for clear dialogue
- Dolby Atmos® toppers and surround speakers for effects channels
Got wire?
Most speakers don't include any. Read our article about choosing and installing speaker wire.
Shop our selection of speaker wire.
Product highlights:
- 1.25" x 2.4" Folded Motion® XT tweeter for exceptional detail with low distortion
- two 6-1/2" aluminum-cone woofers with cast polymer baskets
- bass-reflex (ported) cabinet with rear-firing port
- proprietary high-performance Vojtko™ crossover network
- frequency response: 50-25,000 Hz (±3dB)
- sensitivity: 94 dB
- nominal impedance: 4 ohms
- recommended amplifier power: 20-300 watts
- dual five-way binding post speaker terminals allow bi-amping or bi-wiring
- fabric-wrapped magnetic grille
Dimensions and warranty:
- 22-13/16"W x 7-5/8"H x 12-13/16"D
- weight: 30.5 lbs.
- warranty: 5 years (with product registration)
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- MFR # MO50XTIMW
What's in the box:
MartinLogan Motion® 50XTi owner's manual
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- User's Manual
- Warranty/Registration Information
Scratch & Dent items may be missing non-essential accessories. In some cases the manufacturer's accessories have been replaced with generic equivalents.
See the difference between "Open Box" and "Scratch & Dent" Outlet items
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More details on the MartinLogan Motion® 50XTi

Features & specs
Enclosure | Ported | |
Color | White | |
Tweeter Type | Folded Motion XT | |
Tweeter Size (inches) | 1.25 x 2.4 | |
Midrange size (inches) | N/A | |
Woofer size (inches) | 6-1/2 | |
Connector Type | Binding post | |
Power Range | 20-300 | |
Sensitivity | 94 dB | |
Impedance (Ohms) | 4 | |
Frequency Response | 50-25k Hz | |
Height (inches) | 7-9/16 | |
Width (inches) | 23 | |
Depth (inches) | 13-5/8 | |
Weight | 30.5 lbs | |
Wall-mountable | No | |
Bracket Included | No | |
Parts Warranty | 5 Years | |
Labor Warranty | 5 Years |
Product Research
Features
Folded Motion XT Tweeter: MartinLogan's signature 1.25" x 2.4" Folded Motion XT tweeter utilizes an extremely low mass diaphragm that "squeezes" air, thus demanding significantly less excursion than the typical 1" dome tweeter. Its folded design also allows for a much larger surface area than compared to that of a regular 1" dome tweeter for controlled dispersion and low distortion characteristics. MartinLogan's Folded Motion XT tweeter is engineered to deliver much of the same high-frequency detail and speed of their large, dynamic electrostatic panel in a small space. This Folded Motion XT tweeter with advanced thin-film transducer technology offers a 40% larger radiating surface and 80x30 degree controlled dispersion for an increased audible bandwidth without sacrificing any detail and minimizing distortion to an unprecedented level, while also increasing efficiency and the tweeter's already lightning-fast response time. The result is a natural, realistic, and dynamic sound.
Dual Aluminum Cone Woofers: Two custom built, 6.5" low-distortion drivers pair a high-power magnet structure with an aluminum cone diaphragm to deliver massive excursion and sound output, while preserving bass details and maximizing power handling capability - all without a hint of distortion. A unique concave dust cap design reinforces the strength and rigidity of the cone, while also reducing break up modes. The use of aluminum for the cone maximizes rigidity and strength of the driver without adding excessive weight. This, along with the exceptional damping properties of aluminum, ensures the smooth, non-resonant response necessary for seamless blending with the high-resolution Folded Motion tweeter. An added benefit of aluminum is its outstanding thermal conduction capability which allows cones to serve as efficient heat sinks for the voice coil. To deliver accuracy in the critical midrange, one of the aluminum cone woofers feature a specially engineered "stiff" suspension. Stiffening the suspension (the spider and surround) raises the driver's resonant frequency and optimizes its performance to achieve a natural roll-off and inherently operate within an ideal range for a mid-frequency reproduction.
Proprietary Vojtko Crossover Network: The MartinLogan Motion Series speaker features a proprietary Vojtko crossover network network using polypropylene and low-DF electrolytic capacitors, custom-wound inductors, and thermal and current protection. 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 its final voicing is conducted in a space that is indicative of a real-world environment, so the MartinLogan Motion Series speakers will sound their best in real-world rooms.
Bass Reflex MDF Cabinet: The MartinLogan Motion Series loudspeaker utilizes a solid built cabinet design to eliminate fidelity robbing vibrations. The speaker cabinet is constructed from 18mm (0.7") MDF with 31mm (1.2") thick front baffles and additional internal bracing to further reduce cabinet resonance. On the back of the cabinet is a rear-firing port which helps the speaker be more efficient and have better bass performance. The speaker enclosure comes with a fabric wrapped magnetic grille. The cabinet is available in three finishes - gloss black, matte white, and red walnut.
Dual Gold-Plated Binding Posts: The Motion 50XTi is outfitted with two sets of gold-plated binding posts allowing you to bi-amp or bi-wire the center-channel speaker. These binding posts ensure a secure connection to many types of cable and connectors. The binding post terminals will accept banana plugs (single only), pin-connectors, spade-lugs, and bare wire (up to 10AWG). The binding posts are gold-plated for excellent audio signal transfer and resistance to corrosion.
- Bi-Wiring: Bi-wiring can provide noticeable improvements in the overall transparency of your loudspeakers. Run separate speaker wires to the low & high frequency drivers from a single amplifier (the upper set of binding posts are for the high frequency drivers; the lower set of binding posts are for the low frequency drivers).
- Bi-Amping: Bi-amping allows you to use separate amplifiers for the high & low frequency sections of your loudspeaker for greater dynamic range & lower distortion. We recommend that your separate amplifiers have identical gain to preserve the speaker's voicing balance.
Note: If you decide to bi-wire or bi-amp, you must remove the jumpers between the terminal posts (failure to do this could result in damage to your amplifier and loudspeakers).
Mounting Options: The Motion 50XTi center-channel loudspeaker can be mounted on a speaker stand (sold separately - see Accessories Tab), shelf, tabletop, or other flat surface. Self-adhesive rubber feet are included to isolate the speaker from the mounting surface and to protect the mounting surface and speaker from scratches. Although the speaker is designed to deliver a superb sonic performance when placed close to a wall, you may notice improved imaging and detail if you are able to place the speaker 2' to 3' from the rear wall and 2' or more from the side walls.
- The height of speaker cabinet is 7.5625" at the front and 7.0625" at the back, due to its sloped design.
- The included rubber feet add approximately 0.125" to the overall height of the speaker at the front and back.
Note: The Motion 50XTi does not offer any threaded-inserts, key-hole slots, or brackets to wall-mount the speaker.
Motion Series: MartinLogan's Motion Series incorporate Folded Motion tweeter technology, high performance aluminum cone woofers, custom tune crossovers, and solidly built MDF cabinets to deliver refined sound with an ultra-wide dynamic range for stunning clarity and low distortion. The Motion Series consists of three floor-standing loudspeakers (MO20i / MO40i / MO60XTi), two bookshelf loudspeakers (MO15i / MO35XTi), and two center channel loudspeakers (MO30i / MO50XTi).
Optional Powered Subwoofer: Add on an optional MartinLogan powered subwoofer (sold separately - see Accessories Tab) for bigger and deeper bass response when listening to your movie and music soundtracks.
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Customer Q&A
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Replaced an Air motif C2+ center with this MartinLogan 50XTi. For 3 weeks now has meant or exceeded my expectations- clear dialogue, better positioning and placement, better dispersion. Excellent.
Jerome from TUMWATER, WA