Great center channel speaker. I wrote a full detailed review on the ML slimline speakers I bought as part of my fell system, and talk about my entire system, so look that up if you want more details. This speaker is a dedicated center channel speaker and the sound is crisp and clean. I've very happy with how it fits with my full system.

What else to say. Awesome speakers

Really impressed with this center speaker. At first I was skeptical given the physical size of it, but it outperforms its form. Dialogues are crystal clear and loud. Paired this with Martin Logan motion 40 speakers sold by the same vendor, Denon receiver and Definitive sub woofer.

I will start with a little background, the positive side of my review - and then discuss where this speaker fell short.I have a background in the design and production of audiophile speakers dating back to my engineering internship with Dunlavy Audio Labs in the mid-90s. We earned the coveted Stereophile product and speaker of the year while I was employed with DAL.While I have not put this particular speaker through any rigorous testing (I do not have a new home lab setup as of yet), I gave it hours of listening and compared it with one of my other mid-fi center channel speakers (Polk LSiM 706C), and spoiler alert… the two speakers could not be more different.As for the positives: this speaker is constructed of high quality materials, and the finish is very good. It’s a visually attractive design. The drivers used appear to be of good quality and well constructed.This was unfortunately a very short list.The tuner used for my setup: Denon AVR-X8500H - It’s the predecessor to Denon’s current flagship receiver, the AVR-X8500AHThe not so positive notes based on very experienced, but nonetheless subjective measures:… this speaker is just barely there, and is unfortunately incapable of handling even modest power levels before suffering breakup distortion. The room the 8i is being used in is a medium-sized listening room at 18’ (W) X 13.5’ (D) and the center channel is barely heard - even when you are situated precisely in front of the speaker. I’ve owned other speakers with ribbon-style/electrostatic tweeters and I am fully aware of how finicky they can be with respect to their tighter ‘sweet spot’, but this speaker (after a faithful break-in period, and a few hours of dedicated listening) has unfortunately proven to not perform at a level you would expect from such a respected manufacturer. There is zero musicality to this speaker, zero impact from a home theater standpoint, and voices are lost to the point you get up and put your ear directly in front of the speaker to confirm it’s actually producing anything. It completely falls flat (grill on and off). The listed sensitivity rating is arguably inflated (by a lot) as the sound produced seems to only barely be there. I isolated the speaker and played numerous tracks from vinyl to blue ray audio, and this speaker is just barely there. When I swap out with the center channel from my living room (Polk LSiM706C), the difference is night and day. The Polk is a much more substantial speaker than the ML 8i - and boy does it show. Nevertheless, it should not be as dramatic a difference - especially when using the exact same power levels on the same tracks and same movie passages. Yes the Polk can handle more power based on the spec sheet - but the ML 8i’s dynamic range through the mid to upper frequencies is just not there. It plays sounds, but with the effort of work that unfortunately mirrors our society at this point in time. It also makes the use of the word Motion in the product’s name almost ironic.In conclusion, while the Martin Logan Motion 8i is visually attractive and is stylish, it fails to deliver where it matters - acoustically. And that is a shame.Unless you’re looking for a paperweight or odd knick-knack shaped like a speaker (rather expensive for that purpose at $400-$500)… I do not recommend this speaker, or any of the ML lineup which utilize the same driver architecture.

I purchased the Martin Logan Motion 8i Center Channel Speaker to complete my home entertainmentsystem.I have the following setup:1)Sony ES STRD A3400 ES A/V Receiver. This is a 7.1 channel receiver with excellent performance.I purchased it at Crutchfield. I highly recommend that company. They have excellent products,prices and service.2)My front channel speakers are two Martin Logan Preface floor speakers.3)My sub-woofer(s) are two Martin Logan Dynamo 700 powered sub-woofers.4)My 4 surround channel speakers are Bose 161 speakers (2 rear speakers and 2 rear-side speakers)5)I finally completed my system with the Martin Logan Motion 8i Center Channel Speaker.The center channel speaker gave me the much needed center dialog location controlwithout sacrificing the stereo from the front speakers. To me, I now have theperfect entertainment system.Notice:Having two sub-woofers does not in any way muffle the bass. It is verypowerful and precise,even though I have them positioned on the outside of the front channel speakers (normallyyou would place the two sub-woofers side-by-side right up to each other).Please see the diagram I uploaded.Feel free to ask me questions.freddy.jensen@pacbell.net

Great speaker with audiophile sound.Changed all my 5.1 speakers to Martin logan

Great center channel, does exactly what is supposed to which is keep the dialog clear while your other speakers handle the music, sound effects. The 8i delivers in a big way. The quality of the speaker keeps everything fairly balanced, my center seems at times to overpower my front channel however, I am sure I need to move my right/left a bit further apart. I am very satisfied with the purchase, by far the best center channel speaker I have ever owned.

Sound motion getting off sometimes

I have two Martin-Logan Preface floor standing front speakers and needed a compatible center channel speaker. Given that the Preface speakers are a little older (2008), finding a compatible center channel was more difficult that one might imagine. I had tried different speakers from Polk, Definitive, KLH, M&K, and even the Martin-Logan Encore-TF speaker, but was dissatisfied with the results. In most cases the sound was muddy or did not adequately maintain stage presence. The Martin-Logan Motion 8i speaker turned out to be an outstanding option. The center channel is responsive and maintains the stage presence I demand. I highly recommend this center channel speaker.

Awesome center channel. Completes the set with motion 4’s for the mains and fx’s for the surrounds. Just waiting on the dynamo 700 for the sub.