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Experts recommend Polk Audio T50 more than MartinLogan Motion 40

As of 5 Mar 2024, experts prefer Polk Audio T50 over MartinLogan Motion 40, but both Speakers have solid expert endorsements.

As per this month's meta ranking, Polk Audio T50 received 3 recommendations: from BestReviews (1 Jul 2023), The Sound Junky and Gadget Review (14 Nov 2023). By contrast, MartinLogan Motion 40 received only 2 recommendations from The Sound Junky and Music Critic (7 Jan 2023).

Rank Change Price Speakers
BestReviews
The Sound Junky
Gadget Review
What Hi-Fi
ZD Net
The Master Switch
Music Critic
Popular Mechanics
stereocheck.com
ABT
5
+2 $179
Polk Audio T50
The Polk Audio T50 floor-standing tower speakers offer high-quality sound, a sleek design, and versatile connectivity options, making them a great choice for small to medium-sized spaces.
4
8
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
18
+1 $600
MartinLogan Motion 40
The MartinLogan Motion 40 speakers offer clear, dynamic, and precise sound with minimal distortion, making them ideal for audiophiles and home theater setups.
-
5
-
-
-
-
7
-
-
-

Curious to see this month's entire Floorstanding Speakers ranking? It's here

About our ranking methodology

Endorsement summary:

  • The Sound Junky ranked MartinLogan Motion 40 as #5 and Polk Audio T50 as #8
    Rank Speakers Comment
    ... ... ...
    #5 out of 9 MartinLogan Motion 40
    Best Tower Speakers Under $2000
    ... ... ...
    #8 out of 9 Polk Audio T50
    Best Dolby Tower Speakers
    ... ... ...
  • On 7 Jan 2023 Music Critic ranked MartinLogan Motion 40 as #7
    Rank Speakers
    ... ...
    #7 out of 10 MartinLogan Motion 40
    ... ...
  • On 1 Jul 2023 BestReviews ranked Polk Audio T50 as #4
    Rank Speakers Comment
    ... ... ...
    #4 out of 5 Polk Audio T50
    Shines at Movies
    ... ... ...
  • On 14 Nov 2023 Gadget Review ranked Polk Audio T50 as #2
    Rank Speakers Comment
    ... ... ...
    #2 out of 7 Polk Audio T50
    Honorable Mention
    ... ... ...

After counting and adding up the 82 expert endorsements of the March rankings, Polk Audio T50 outranks MartinLogan Motion 40. This is not to say that MartinLogan Motion 40 is a bad option. Like Polk Audio T50, it is recommended by experts, but less.

Customers like MartinLogan Motion 40 somewhat more

At ReviewFinder we prefer to focus on professional product reviews, because customer reviews can be disproportionately affected by unrelated factors such as delivery, specific seller listing problems, and, of course, fake reviews. With that said, below is the summary of consumer sentiment.

MartinLogan Motion 40
Polk Audio T50
Consumer score (CS) is a normalized computed representation of customers' sentiment towards a product.
CS of 10 is similar to a 4.8 star review, CS of 0 is similar to a 2 star review.

MartinLogan Motion 40, the pricier option, tends to get more favorable reviews than Polk Audio T50.

As can be seen in the chart above, median best-selling speakers receives a consumer score of 9.0 (great). Both MartinLogan Motion 40 and Polk Audio T50 receive customer reviews that average out above that median threshold.

MartinLogan Motion 40
In comparison:
MartinLogan Motion 40 ranks #3 out of 80. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
10.0
Amazing
Polk Audio T50
In comparison:
Polk Audio T50 ranks #27 out of 80. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.4
Amazing
Median best-selling Speakers
In comparison:
Q Acoustics 3050i ranks #41 out of 80. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.0
Great





Polk Audio T50 is more popular than MartinLogan Motion 40

It's fairly safe to say that Polk Audio T50 are more popular speakers than MartinLogan Motion 40, based on their 10,000+ reviews. Popularity is determined based on product sales. Note that older and cheaper products tend to sell more.


To consider

Customers who view MartinLogan Motion 40 and Polk Audio T50 often consider Dayton Audio T652, a cheaper option.
Table: Top compared alternatives for MartinLogan Motion 40 and Polk Audio T50
Dayton Audio T652 $170
In comparison:
Dayton Audio T652 ranks #45 out of 80. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
8.8
Great
4 expert recommendations Cheaper
Sony SSCS3 $228
In comparison:
Sony SSCS3 ranks #24 out of 80. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.6
Amazing
5 expert recommendations
Klipsch R-610F $168
In comparison:
Klipsch R-610F ranks #22 out of 80. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.6
Amazing
No expert recommendations Cheaper
Klipsch Synergy F-200 $237
In comparison:
Klipsch Synergy F-200 ranks #20 out of 80. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.6
Amazing
No expert recommendations
Find the best speakers in Speakers Finder
Critic Consensus Common points from expert reviews summarized.
As can be seen below, Polk Audio T50 outranks MartinLogan Motion 40 by 13 positions. This indicates that, as of 5 Mar 2024, Polk Audio T50 is more critically acclaimed than MartinLogan Motion 40.
Rank Change Price Speakers
BestReviews
The Sound Junky
Gadget Review
What Hi-Fi
ZD Net
The Master Switch
Music Critic
Popular Mechanics
stereocheck.com
ABT
1
- $228
Sony SSCS3
The Sony SSCS3 floor-standing speakers offer decent sound quality, strong imaging, and respectable bass for a small tower speaker, making them a great budget-friendly option for music and movie enthusiasts.
3
-
5
-
5
2
-
2
-
-
2
+3 $1000
SVS Ultra Tower
The SVS Ultra Tower speakers offer exceptional sound quality, sleek design, and compatibility with various audio systems, making them a top choice for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.
-
1
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
3
-1 $170
Dayton Audio T652
The Dayton Audio T652 tower speakers are a budget-friendly and versatile option for those looking for clear and dynamic audio reproduction with a sleek and modern design.
2
-
7
-
-
9
4
-
-
-
4
+2 $1499
Q Acoustics 5040
The Q Acoustics 5040 speakers receive high praise for their exceptional sound quality, compact size, and versatile compatibility, making them a recommended choice for those seeking powerful home theater sound in a compact package.
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
5
-
-
Show all rows
Expert Reviews There are people on the Internet whose job is to review products. Below are their opinions.

Expert reviews [6]

80
Total expert reviews: 6
  • with a score: 1
  • without a score: 5

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20

Expert reviews [17]

83
Total expert reviews: 17
  • with a score: 5
  • without a score: 12
Highest score by Lifewire
96
Average score based on 17 reviews
83
Lowest score by CNET
70

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
From Seller:
  • Folded Motion Tweeter "squeezes" air and requires almost 90% less excursion than the typical 1" dome tweeter, drastically minimizing distortion while providing a lightning fast response time
  • The innovative Folded Motion Tweeter is engineered with a large surface area (8-times that of a typical 1" dome tweeter) to create clear, highly dynamic and precise sound
  • Read more
From Seller:
  • GET SUPERIOR HOME THEATER EXPERIENCE WITH IMMERSIVE SURROUND SOUND & HI-RES AUDIO. Featuring a 1" tweeter, a 6.5" Driver and (2) 6.5" Bass Radiators. The 2 bass radiators augment the main woofer and produce a well-balanced, natural warm sound reaching the far corners of the room
  • Read more
Video Reviews Most popular unboxing/review videos.
MartinLogan Motion 40 Floorstanding Speaker – Audio Advisor
Review by Audio Advisor
Popular! 40K views!
Play video review
Martin Logan Motion 40i Floorstanding Speakers | The Listening Post | TLPCHC TLPWLG
Play video review
MARTIN LOGAN motion 40
Review by #loft 32
Popular! 11K views!
Play video review
No video reviews linked yet for Polk Audio T50.
From Manufacturer Manufacturer-provided product description, urls and documents.
EAN Numbers: 0877929007157, 0877929007430, 0877929007447
UPC Numbers: 877929007157, 877929007430, 877929007447
EAN Numbers: 0667649346182, 0747192125509
UPC Numbers: 667649346182, 747192125509
General Info
Number of Speakers How many speakers come in the package?
1 Speaker(s)
1 Speaker(s)
Sound Quality
Speaker Design Speaker design is a term used to describe the number drivers in the speaker. Drivers are the cones that actually create sound. These cones come in three types: tweeters, midranges (sometimes called mi ... Show more
no data Know this info? Contribute!
Two-Way
Sensitivity Measured in decibels, or dB, sensitivity measures a speaker’s ability to convert power to volume. Lower sensitivity speakers require more power from the amplifier to achieve higher volumes. Higher sen ... Show more
92 dB
90 dB
Frequency Response Range Given as a range in Hertz (Hz), frequency response is a measurement of the range of sound a speaker can reproduce. For reference, the human ear can hear a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (shorte ... Show more
40–25,000 Hz
38Hz → 24kHz
Impedance Impedance is a key electrical measurement, provided in ohms. This number describes the electrical resistance provided by the speaker to the power signal sent by your amplifier. A common analogy used f ... Show more
4 Ohms
86 Ohms
Maximum Power Handling Power handling, or peak power, is the highest wattage a speaker can accept from an amplifier before it burns out or becomes damaged. This number is given in watts. It’s recorded by measuring how loud ... Show more
300 Watts
150 Watts
Physical Features
Enclosure Type The type of enclosure, or cabinet, plays a key role in determining the focus of your sound. Do you prefer accurate bass or loud, “boomy” bass? There are three types of enclosures to consider when purc ... Show more
Bass Reflex
Bass Reflex
Enclosure Material The material used to make the speaker enclosure, also called baffle, plays a big part in the sound quality of the speaker. The best materials are stiff and resistant to extra vibrations (which would c ... Show more
no data Know this info? Contribute!
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)
Finish The type of finish describes the material used on the exterior surface of the cabinet. There is no recommended material; it is purely aesthetic and dependent on your tastes and style. The most importa ... Show more
Piano finish
no data Know this info? Contribute!
Dimensions
Loading product dimensions...
Loading product dimensions...
Weight

49 lbs
 

20 lbs
 
Tweeters
Number of Tweeters
1 Tweeter(s)
1 Tweeter(s)
Tweeter Size Tweeters produce the highest frequencies in sound, typically anything above 2,000 Hz. Usually located at the top of the speaker, tweeters come in different shapes and sizes. Generally speaking, the si ... Show more
no data Know this info? Contribute!
1 inches
Tweeter Type For the true audiophile, choosing the right tweeter shape is key to getting the best out of your speaker. Different tweeter styles distribute sound more effectively throughout the room, and because hi ... Show more
Other
Folded Motion tweeter
Dome
Tweeter Composition In addition to the shape of the tweeter, the material has a big impact on the type of sound emitted. The two most popular materials are metals (aluminum, titanium, beryllium etc.) and soft textiles (s ... Show more
Advanced resolution Folded Motion tweeter
Silk Dome, Wave Guide - Tweeter
Mids
Number of Midranges
1 Mid(s)
no data Know this info? Contribute!
Midrange Size Speakers with midrange drivers (i.e., at least three-way speakers) have a distinct advantage over two-way speakers. Adding a midrange driver to the mix allows tweeters and woofers to focus on the soun ... Show more
5.5 inches
no data Know this info? Contribute!
Woofers
Number of Woofers
2 Woofer(s)
1 Woofer(s)
Woofer Size A critical element of a floor standing speaker is its woofer. This is the driver responsible for low frequency sounds and bass. It is the biggest driver in size and is usually shaped like a cone. When ... Show more
6.5 inches
6.5 inches
Woofer Composition Woofers are built with a variety of materials, such as paper, plastic, polypropylene, Kevlar, or metal. Some are even made with more unique materials like wood. They key to quality in a woofer materia ... Show more
Dual 6-1/2" aluminum cone woofers
(Round) Dynamic Balance - Mid/Woofer
Powered Subwoofer Some floor standing speakers contain a built-in powered subwoofer as part of the overall speaker design. Typically when you’re building a home theater system, the subwoofer is purchased as a separate ... Show more
Yes
Yes
Connections and Controls
Receiver Inputs The type of connectors or terminals on the speaker determine how you connect the speaker to your receiver. There are two main types: spring clips and binding posts. Spring Clips: Spring clips are desi ... Show more
Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts
Set of 5-Way Binding Posts
Banana Plug Compatible Banana plugs are a type of connector for speaker wire. They are often regarded as more beneficial than bare wire, which can fray and degrade over time. Banana plugs allow you to insert the bare wire i ... Show more
No
No
Inputs Some speakers have other inputs in addition to the binding posts or terminals. This may include HDMI, auxiliary jack, and/or optical inputs. An example of how this may be beneficial is the auxiliary c ... Show more
Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts
Set of 5-Way Binding Posts
Bi Amp/Bi Wire Capable For the more sophisticated listener, you may want to bi-wire or bi-amp your speakers. For bi-wiring: If the speaker has dual binding posts or terminals, you may be able to use two wires to connect to ... Show more
Yes
Yes
Remote Control Does the speaker come with a remote?
No
No
Wireless Connections
Bluetooth Enabled Speakers with built-in Bluetooth allow you to stream audio content directly from a device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop) on the speakers. This feature behaves just like any other Bluetooth-enabled ... Show more
No
No
Wireless Connectivity Some floor standing speakers may come with the option to connect to your TV wirelessly or via your Wi-Fi network. The benefit to this set up is the absence of wires, which makes setup simple and clean ... Show more
No
No
Additional Details
Additional Features Any other features included.
  • Precision Vojtko with a custom air core coil
  • Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts
Supports Dolby and DTS, and connects to most home theater stereos, home theater processors or receivers.
Loading price comparison chart...

MartinLogan Motion 40 are a popular option on the higher end of the price range. They're in the top 3 bestselling speakers and have dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Klipsch RF-82 II or Klipsch R-26FA .

MartinLogan Motion 40 are $100 more expensive than the average speakers ($499.99).

Polk Audio T50 are a top selling and one of the cheapest options. They're a #1 bestseller in speakers category and have dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Dayton Audio T652 or Klipsch R-610F .

Polk Audio T50 are $320.99 less expensive than average speakers ($499.99).

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