Mordaunt Short 302 -> 902i - a step too near?

[goty2001]

I have Mordaunt Short's Premiere 5.1 system running - and it does everything I want for film sound. But for music - even I'm longing for something more weighty. I'm considering swapping the front 302s, with a pair of 902is. Apparently there's a big difference and although I probably should be going for floor-standers, if I got something nearly as good ... i.e. improved enough on what I have ... then the looks, compatability etc. would swing it for me. Auditioning is a bit of a hassle to say the least - so before even organising that I'm open to persuasion one way or the other - anybody got first hand experience with these?
My system is driven by a Denon AVR 1906, which connects up TV, Turntable, Samsung HD1850, Sony CD player etc.
Thanks (for helping with my first post here)

 

[j_garcia]

No, I don't think there is a massive difference between the two. You will notice it and get more lower midrange and bass. The 902s do have pretty good bass for their size, but you will probably need to move to something even larger, possibly with more drivers, if you are after more midrange/bass.

 

[TLS Guy]

What music do you listen to.

What sort of music do you listen to? From your description of your problem, I"m pretty sure you are sensitive to the effects of diffraction loss. The easiest way to compensate for that is with a second driver.

If you listen to classical music, a small speaker and a sub don't usually cut it in my view. You need a good speaker with an F3 in the low forties or lower. Set the speakers to large and use the sub subtley, if at all. The speaker you are considering have an F3 in the mid fifties. Crossovers are first order, so I know there is no compensation for diffraction loss. I would go to a floor stander. Mordant Short make a very good speaker. I have not heard this, but it is likely what you are looking for. F3 is 38 Hz. It is a 21/2 way design and so will be diffraction compensated. As is generally the case with diffraction compensation designs, you will need amps comfortable driving four ohm loads.

http://www.mordauntshort.com/summary.php?PID=64&Title=Avant+916i

In my view speakers that have to be put on stands are a waste of footprint.

Those speakers likely have the weight you are looking for. Without diffraction loss compensation speakers roll off about 6db per octave below 500 Hz, until the bass tuning kicks in. It causes lack of output in the tenor low mid upper bass frequencies. I have addressed this in numerous posts before.

 

[goty2001]

Thanks guys - sounds like you're both advisiing towards 2-driver floorstanders - and the MS 916 would seem to fit the bill? I've been offered Acoustic Energy Ae109 Floor Speakers in good working order for a supposedly bargain price (about $250) - know them?

 

[rnatalli]

Take a look at these:

http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/479e2f1d00a467b62740ac100341064b/Product/View/2511

 

[goty2001]

Thanks - good price - beats the best I can do by $220. Unfortunately I'm in Ireland and they only seem to deal in US and Canada.

 

[NeilF]

I have Mordaunt Short's Premiere 5.1 system running - and it does everything I want for film sound. But for music - even I'm longing for something more weighty. I'm considering swapping the front 302s, with a pair of 902is. Apparently there's a big difference and although I probably should be going for floor-standers, if I got something nearly as good ... i.e. improved enough on what I have ... then the looks, compatability etc. would swing it for me. Auditioning is a bit of a hassle to say the least - so before even organising that I'm open to persuasion one way or the other - anybody got first hand experience with these?
My system is driven by a Denon AVR 1906, which connects up TV, Turntable, Samsung HD1850, Sony CD player etc.
Thanks (for helping with my first post here)

Hi, I'm considering a similar move. I also have the Mordaunt Short's Premiere 5.1 speakers running from my Yamaha amp, and I'm tempted to swap the front pair for 902is.

Did you go ahead with your change? Was it worth it?

Note: The 902is can be bi-wired can't they? My amp is not a bi-amp so I can't bi-wire the speakers. Not a biggy I assume?

 

[NeilF]

Anyone? Will I be wasting my time making the move from 302s to 902s?

 

[j_garcia]

Nothing to worry about with the bi-wiring, as with any bi-wirable speaker can be jumpered to itself (they come with the straps installed by default). Bi-wiring doesn't buy you anything anyway.

I think the move from 902s from 302s is not a big enough jump. It will get you more midrange and definitely let you use a lower crossover than the 302s are capable of, but I would say with a good sub, it isn't a big enough jump.