MartinLogan Motion Foundation C1 Center Channel Speaker

What You Need to Know

The Voice of Your Home Theater

The center channel carries the majority of a movie's dialogue, making it one of the most important speakers in any surround system. The Foundation C1 rounds out the front stage of a MartinLogan Motion Foundation system with incredibly clear dialogue in a space-conscious design—just 7.6 inches tall and 20 inches wide, it fits below most TVs and inside most media cabinets.

Crystal Clear Dialogue, Thin-Film Style

The Gen2 Obsidian Folded Motion Tweeter S—trickle-down technology from MartinLogan's famous electrostatic designs—packs 3.5 square inches of pleated thin-film diaphragm into a tiny space for fast, detailed, fatigue-free highs. Its Folded Motion Waveguide controls dispersion in a 90° x 90° pattern, blanketing every seat with consistent, precise sound—especially critical for voices.

The Anti-Lobing Advantage

Most affordable center channels suffer from "lobing"—dips and peaks in tonality as you move off-center, caused by two identical woofers running the same frequencies. Like its premium siblings, the C100 and C10, the C1 uses MartinLogan's 2.5-way crossover design: the dual 5.5" aluminum mid-bass drivers hand off at staggered frequencies (2,900Hz and 3,200Hz), eliminating lobing and preserving the tonality of the source material. The result is 3-way performance from a far more furniture-friendly package.

Three Finishes, Sold by Each

Choose Walnut with bronze trim, Black with gunmetal trim, or Satin White with silver trim to match your Motion Foundation towers and bookshelves. With 91dB sensitivity and a modest 15-100 watt appetite, the C1 thrives on virtually any receiver.

Features & Specifications

Gen2 Obsidian Folded Motion Tweeter S — Thin-film speed and clarity derived from MartinLogan electrostatic technology.

Folded Motion Waveguide — Controlled 90° x 90° dispersion delivers clear dialogue to every seat.

2.5-Way Anti-Lobing Design — Staggered crossover eliminates off-axis tonal shifts common in center channels.

Dual 5.5" Aluminum Mid-Bass Drivers — Unibody cones in non-resonant asymmetrical chambers; bass to 53Hz.

Easy to Drive — 91dB sensitivity—sings with amplifiers from 15 to 100 watts.

Specifications

• Type: 2.5-Way Rear-Ported Center Channel Speaker
• Frequency Response: 53Hz - 23kHz ± 3dB
• Sensitivity: 91dB
• Impedance: 4 Ohms
• Recommended Amplifier Power: 15 - 100 Watts
• Crossover Frequencies: 2,900Hz, 3,200Hz
• Tweeter: 0.94" x 1" Gen2 Folded Motion Tweeter S (3.5 sq. in. diaphragm)
• Mid-Bass Drivers: 2 x 5.5" Aluminum Cones, Stamped Steel Baskets
• Tweeter Dispersion: 90° x 90°
• Inputs: 5-Way Binding Posts (Non Bi-Wire)
• Dimensions: 7.63"H x 20"W x 10"D
• Weight: 18 lbs
• Finish: Walnut, Black, or Satin White
• Sold By: Each

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 2.5-way "Anti-Lobing" design?

In a typical center channel, both woofers play identical frequencies, and their outputs interfere off-axis—dialogue changes tone as you move across the couch. In the C1, one woofer rolls off earlier than the other, eliminating that interference. Everyone in the room hears the same clear, natural voices.

Which speakers does it match?

The C1 is voiced for the Motion Foundation family—F1 and F2 towers, B1 and B2 bookshelves—but MartinLogan's consistent thin-film voicing means it also blends beautifully with older Motion series models and even electrostatic mains. Ask us about your setup.

What amplifier do I need?

Any quality receiver will do—91dB sensitivity and a 15-100 watt recommended range make the C1 an easy load. Its 4-ohm impedance is compatible with virtually all modern home theater electronics.

Where should I place it?

Below or above your TV, as close to screen height as practical, with a few inches of breathing room behind it for the rear port. It fits most media consoles at just 7.6 inches tall and 10 inches deep.

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