MORDAUNT-SHORT M20, Compact Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) - Black

Product Information

That's nowhere near the whole story, though: the engineering shines through everywhere else, and we doubt whether you'll find a more detailed speaker for this money.

You can add exceptional agility, terrific low-end control and superb stereo imaging to the long list of plus points, too – and let's not forget the excellent build. The Performance 2s have slight weaknesses, but in most areas they're at least excellent, if not standard-setting, for the outlay – especially when you consider the huge amount of effort that's gone into their design and manufacture.The centre, now a Tannoy Mercury 7C struggles to get as low as these speakers, but benefits from a higher sensitivity. They don't ignore such things, but do underplay them to the point where excitement suffers a little. Let's get the weaknesses out of the way. These aren't particularly large speakers. They're just 49cm high, so deep bass is out of the question – but we aren't worried simply because they do well for their size, if not their price. As part of the 5.1 system they match the sound of the fronts (a set of inherited 80's Mordaunt Short MS35Ti's) very well in tone, sensitivity and response. Considering the M20's are probably a quarter the internal volume/size, I'd call that quite an achievement. Before setting up the amplifier in 5.1 I tested these speakers as just stereo speakers with a variety of music. They struggled to fill the room when listening off axis, but when listening in the ideal position they gave a good sound. Mounted in the corners of the rooms they gave very good bass response, a bit peaky from the positioning in the room, but not too boomy despite the bass reflex design. It benefits in this regard as the port is forward facing.

Their dynamic ability is easy to underestimate, too. The Performance 2s' controlled manner and composure can lead a listener to think that they're a little restrained at dynamic extremes. I've set the subwoofer, an XLS200 down firing, positioned next to the listening position and crossing over at 80hz. The mordaunts could handle lower, but the Tannoy struggles a bit more. Mordaunt-Short, though, has gone for a complex polymer resin that gets injection-moulded into these elaborately curved cabinets.

This change of mind return policy is in addition to, and does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law including any rights you may have in respect of faulty items. The most obvious way these speakers differ from the competition is in their cabinet shape. It's rare to come across a speaker that doesn't have a wooden carcase: most manufacturers use MDF or particleboard, with a handful stretching to plywood. It's been well worth the wait, too – and not just for the sound (though that's impressive enough), but for the approach Mordaunt-Short has taken to the Performance 2s' design. The complex shape is not only immensely strong and rigid, but also minimises the build-up of internal standing waves. A heavy, cast metal base completes the enclosure and allows the use of spikes when the speakers aren't used on their dedicated stands.