Mordaunt Short 902s

Ron Temple
Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
edited February 2007 in Speakers
A friend of mine has been using them in a bedroom 2 channel powered by a Marantz integrated RM7200(?). I've heard them there and was quite impressed with the dynamics and punch these little guys offer. He's going to try some Rocket Xls's (a lateral move probably), but has offered them to me for ~ $100. I'm going to swap out my R15 surrounds with him tomorrow for a trial period.

Anyone have any input on these speakers? Wasted as surrounds? I find the R15s do a yoeman job, though they don't image in MCH nearly as well as my fronts (that's not necessarily a bad thing). I might keep them for my office or pass them on, but I'll give them a try first.

Combo rig:

Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
PB13Ultra RO
BW Silvers
Oppo BDP-83SE
Post edited by Ron Temple on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited February 2007
    I had a pair of their bookshelf speakers for a minute, and they were very impressive. They'll kick your R15's square in the ****. The build quality sucks, but for $100, who's gonna complain?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited February 2007
    Not only do these speakers kick the R15s in the ****, but the tweeters are superior to the stock SDA SL2000s. Big improvement as surrounds, imaging is nice, but because they are maybe just "too alive", they bring a bit too much attention to themselves. I'll need to calibrate them a bit, but I have the feeling I'm not doing them justice in surround duty (not saying they can compete with the presentation of the SDA 1Cs at all, they can't, just that they stand out a bit).

    Early, not sure what you mean about build quality, these guys are a rock, the veneer (cherry) could be slightly better, but the joins are seamless, the aluminum baffle is super tight and the sound is excellent.

    It's fun having friends that can hook you up or vice versa. My system is going to look screwy, but I like the result.

    For now...

    RT

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited February 2007
    Are they 3/4" MDF or pressed wood?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited February 2007
    I've had the 902i's for eight months now and haven't had a reason to change them out yet. Definetly a good deal for $100. I know the 902's have some different sound characteristics than the 902i's, but I haven't heard them side by side.

    Enjoy them.
    Tschüss
    Zach
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited February 2007
    Early B. wrote:
    Are they 3/4" MDF or pressed wood?
    I can't tell from looking at it and don't have the manual. All the edges are rounded. I'll take pictures later.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited February 2007
    I've decided to keep them for awhile. I calibrated this weekend and now they blend and image nicely. Panning is seamless. As noted the tweeters are very good, a little more airy than the trilams, which gives the entire room a nice sound. Mixing these particular brands works pretty well. I'll post pics later today. My buddy whose using my R15s in his bedroom until his X-LSs show up is not thrilled with the trade :D. It's amazing how much bass these little guys put out. They are only rated down to 55hz, but they get all of it.

    BTW, 2 really well mixed DVD As, The Crystal Method, Legion of Boom and The Blue Man Group, The Complex are a couple of great pieces to dial in surrounds. I'm not really a trance/techno kind of guy, but the technical mix is superb on TCM. BGM is very aggressive as well, lots of bass and kick drum activity in the back channels. If you're into MCH, check them out.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited February 2007
    Mordaunts007.jpg

    Mordaunts008.jpg

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited February 2007
    Mordaunts009.jpg

    Mordaunts010.jpg

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • davidk0512
    davidk0512 Posts: 157
    edited February 2007
    Those are damn pretty!
    David
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited February 2007
    Nice book shelfs but it looks like you have to much exposed wire where they connect to the terminals. Trim them a little so not to short your amp.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited February 2007
    MillerLiteScott wrote:
    Nice book shelfs but it looks like you have to much exposed wire where they connect to the terminals. Trim them a little so not to short your amp.
    Looks are deceiving...there's insulation all the way to the connection. Actually thought I had bananas on my surrounds...maybe my sons stole them...bastids.;)

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ferres
    Ferres Posts: 310
    edited February 2007
    Ron Temple wrote:
    Looks are deceiving...there's insulation all the way to the connection. Actually thought I had bananas on my surrounds...maybe my sons stole them...bastids.;)

    Don't mind the banana's, bare wire connection is always better. :D
    Gear: Rotel RC 1082, Rotel RSP 1068 pre/pro, Rotel RMB1077 amp, Cayin CDT 15a CD player, S301 bluray.

    Speakers: Tannoy DC sensys speakers, Paradigm Servo15 Sub, Velo Spl-1500r

    Conditioner: Isotek :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Holydoc
    Holydoc Posts: 1,048
    edited February 2007
    Ron Temple wrote:
    BTW, 2 really well mixed DVD As, The Crystal Method, Legion of Boom and The Blue Man Group, The Complex are a couple of great pieces to dial in surrounds. I'm not really a trance/techno kind of guy, but the technical mix is superb on TCM. BGM is very aggressive as well, lots of bass and kick drum activity in the back channels. If you're into MCH, check them out.

    I felt the original Blue Man Group Audio DvD was a better mix and better test of both Bass and surround than The Complex. To me this is a must to not only test out your system but also as a super "Wow!" factor for when you bring friends over. That one DvD shows what 5.1 sound for music can be like. Here is what I thought was a good review of that particular DvD.

    http://www.avrev.com/music/revs/bluemangroupdvda.shtml
    Holydoc (Home Theatre Lover)
    __________________________________________
    Panasonic -50PX600U 50" Plasma
    Onkyo -TX-NR901 Receiver
    Oppo -Oppo 980HD Universal DVD Player
    Outlaw -770 (7x200watt) Amplifier
    PolkAudio - RTi12 (Left and Right)
    PolkAudio - CSi5 (Center)
    PolkAudio - FXi3 (Back and Surround)
    SVS - PB-12/Plus (Subwoofer)
    Bluejean Cables - Interconnects
    Logitech Harmony 880 - Remote
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,820
    edited February 2007
    I checked out this speaker line last night...

    Looks interesting - what price brackets are they in?

    These speakers finish looks good, but the silver baffle...is... very silver.

    Cool none the less.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited February 2007
    Current Prices:

    902i's: $350 http://www.mordauntshort.com/summary.php?PID=47&Title=Avant+902i
    904i's: $700

    Performance 6's: $6,000 (look funny, but sound great)

    Their Carnival series is between the Monitor and RTi series for Polk, with my preference leaning towards the Carnivals for looks and sound.

    Mordaunt Short is owned by the same parent company as Cambridge Audio, so they compliment each other very well. Currently, it is one of my go to lines.
    http://www.mordauntshort.com/default.php?TID=27

    The silver would not be my all time favorite choice, but they still sound good with the grilles on too. The silver face is a carryover from the Britt/Euro design. If you look at Canton, and few others, this trend is very evident.

    The i series changed the grille, tweeter, crossover, and overall build quality.
    Tschüss
    Zach
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited February 2007
    Thanks for the link...looks like they redesigned the cabinet awhile back. I don't think they are more than 2-3 years old. I prefer the rounded edge look myself. The aluminum baffle is extremely solid and the fit is extremely tight, though the look, as noted, is a bit much.

    Looks like you can get both the 902s and 902is, which looks to be improved. I'd like to hear them

    http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?&category=SpkBookshelf&start=60

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited February 2007
    I have only been with Mordaunt Short since last summer, but I believe the 902i's have been available a little over a year.

    As a company, they are trying to move into the same arena as B&W/Rotel and NAD/PSB. The main focus not to actually compete in the same price range, but they are trying to offer a lot for the money(similar to Polk) C.A. has some excellent offerings in the two channel, and home theater arena, they are continually improving Mordaunt Short's sound as well, and Opus, the distributed audio selection, is very convenient as well.

    Because of the improvements, they were able to secure a place with one of the U.S.'s best distributors(they had been distributed by Marantz in the U.S.).

    If you were closer, I'd invite you over for a demo.
    Tschüss
    Zach
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter