Mordaunt-Short MS906 vs. AV123 X-MTM

[rnatalli]

I'm setting up yet another rig for someone. Busy month... In any case, the room is large enough to warrant floorstanders for mains. We're able to obtain either of these for about the same coin. I personally have the MS906 in my main room and think they're great and so does the person in question. However, I can't seem to ignore all the great things people keep saying about av123 speakers and subs. I've only heard the bookshelf models and I agree with what others felt. The bookshelves are a bit boomy when run full range and a bit weak in the high-end, but pretty good overall. I read the audioholics review of the x-mtm and it talks about bass heaviness and weak soundstaging. Opposite of myself who prefers clean, musical bass, the slight boomy bass of the av123 is a plus in this situation, although, the speakers will probably be crossed at about 60-80 anyways. Can anyone compare how the MS and av123 compare in terms of sound?

 

[j_garcia]

I have owned the 902s and had the X-LSs in the same setup. I have also heard the 905C, 904s, 903Ss. The MSs are a tad on the brighter side but they are very detailed overall and have a clean, tight midrange and clear, crisp highs. The X-LSs had a much wider and smoother sound to them with a bit more bass, though they felt a little less accurate at the bottom. The highs are similar to the MSs, maybe a touch softer and the midrange is very natural (though on the X-LSs upper midrange was a little too reserved IMO). I would figure with the additional driver, midrange would not be an issue at all for the X-MTM and bass should be good also.

 

[rnatalli]

Exactly what I needed. Thanks for that. I think Mordaunts should fit the bill. Axioms and Athena's are also possibles as I've heard those. Although, Axioms cost a bit more than what I can get Mordaunts or Athena's for.

 

[rnatalli]

Having had a chance to A/B these this week, I thought I'd post my impressions.

The x-mtm and the ms906 are excellent speakers each with strengths and weaknesses. I felt the x-mtm had more natural vocals and much more bass, but felt the top end was a bit too recessed and drowned out at times by the vocals and bass. The Mordaunts were more forward and it was easier to distinguish instrument separation on the Mordaunts. This could simply be that the forward sound of the Mordaunts made it easier. The Mordaunts did seem to have sharper and more balanced sound overall, but in all fairness, they do cost a bit more.

Both fine speakers, just a matter as taste as always. One thing about the x-mtm is that they're big which prompted my wife to call them "the coffins."