Mordaunt Short 902 Specs: A Detailed Overview

Oct 22, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 46 views

Hey audiophiles! Today, we're diving deep into the Mordaunt Short 902 specifications. If you're a fan of classic British audio engineering or just curious about these iconic speakers, you've come to the right place. We'll explore everything from their technical specs to their sonic performance, giving you a comprehensive understanding of what makes the Mordaunt Short 902 a standout in the world of bookshelf speakers.

Understanding the Legacy of Mordaunt Short

Before we jump into the specifics, let's take a moment to appreciate the heritage behind the Mordaunt Short name. Mordaunt Short has a long and storied history in the audio industry, known for producing high-quality loudspeakers that deliver exceptional sound. Their speakers are often praised for their clarity, detail, and overall musicality. The 902 model is no exception, embodying the brand's commitment to audio excellence.

The company's philosophy has always revolved around creating speakers that bring music to life, and the Mordaunt Short 902 perfectly exemplifies this. These speakers were designed with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every component works in harmony to produce a rich and immersive listening experience. From the choice of materials to the acoustic design, the Mordaunt Short 902 reflects a dedication to quality that has made the brand a favorite among audiophiles for decades.

One of the key factors contributing to Mordaunt Short's success is their innovative approach to speaker design. They have consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible, incorporating advanced technologies and techniques to enhance sound reproduction. The 902 model, for instance, features several design elements that contribute to its exceptional performance, including a sophisticated crossover network and high-quality drivers. These features work together to deliver a balanced and detailed soundstage, making the Mordaunt Short 902 a true audiophile gem.

Moreover, Mordaunt Short's speakers have always been about more than just technical specifications. They are designed to evoke emotion and connect listeners with their favorite music on a deeper level. The Mordaunt Short 902 achieves this through its ability to reproduce sound with remarkable accuracy and clarity, allowing the nuances of the music to shine through. Whether you're listening to classical compositions or contemporary pop tracks, these speakers deliver a captivating and engaging listening experience.

Key Mordaunt Short 902 Specifications

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. What are the key specifications that define the Mordaunt Short 902? Here's a detailed look:

Configuration: 2-way, bass-reflex
Drivers: 1 x 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter, 1 x 5.25-inch woven composite mid-bass driver
Frequency Response: 55Hz - 22kHz
Sensitivity: 90dB
Impedance: 8 Ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power: 15 - 100 Watts
Dimensions (H x W x D): 300 x 185 x 270 mm (11.8 x 7.3 x 10.6 inches)
Weight: 5 kg (11 lbs) each

These specs give us a good foundation for understanding the capabilities of the Mordaunt Short 902. The 2-way configuration, with its dedicated tweeter and mid-bass driver, is a classic design choice for bookshelf speakers, offering a balanced and detailed sound reproduction. The bass-reflex design helps to extend the low-frequency response, adding depth and richness to the sound.

The drivers themselves are a crucial component of the speaker's performance. The 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter is known for its ability to reproduce high frequencies with clarity and precision. Aluminum is a lightweight yet rigid material, making it ideal for tweeter construction. It allows the tweeter to respond quickly to changes in the audio signal, resulting in a detailed and accurate reproduction of high frequencies. This is essential for capturing the subtle nuances in music, such as the shimmer of cymbals or the delicate harmonics of a violin.

On the other hand, the 5.25-inch woven composite mid-bass driver is responsible for handling the midrange and low-frequency sounds. The woven composite material provides a good balance of stiffness and damping, allowing the driver to produce clear and articulate midrange frequencies while also delivering a solid bass response. The size of the driver is also a factor, as it determines the speaker's ability to move air and produce low-frequency sounds. The 5.25-inch driver in the Mordaunt Short 902 strikes a good balance, providing ample bass response for its size without sacrificing midrange clarity.

The frequency response of 55Hz - 22kHz indicates the range of frequencies that the speaker can reproduce. This is a fairly wide range, covering most of the audible spectrum. The lower end of the range, 55Hz, is important for reproducing bass sounds, while the upper end, 22kHz, ensures that the speaker can reproduce high-frequency details. The Mordaunt Short 902's frequency response is well-suited for a variety of music genres, from classical to rock to electronic music.

The sensitivity rating of 90dB is another important specification to consider. Sensitivity refers to how efficiently the speaker converts power into sound. A higher sensitivity rating means that the speaker can produce a louder sound with less power. The Mordaunt Short 902's sensitivity of 90dB is relatively high, making it a good match for a wide range of amplifiers. This means you don't need a super powerful amplifier to drive these speakers to a satisfying volume level.

The impedance of 8 Ohms is a standard impedance rating for loudspeakers. Impedance affects how the speaker interacts with the amplifier. An 8 Ohm impedance is a common and compatible impedance, making the Mordaunt Short 902 easy to pair with most amplifiers. This ensures that the amplifier can deliver power efficiently to the speakers without straining itself.

The recommended amplifier power of 15 - 100 Watts gives you a guideline for choosing an appropriate amplifier. It's important to choose an amplifier that can deliver enough power to drive the speakers without clipping or distorting the signal. The Mordaunt Short 902's power handling capabilities make it compatible with a wide range of amplifiers, from modest integrated amps to more powerful separates.

The dimensions and weight of the speakers are also worth noting, especially if you have limited space. The Mordaunt Short 902's compact size makes it suitable for use in smaller rooms or as part of a home theater setup. The weight of 5 kg per speaker is also manageable, making them easy to position and move around if needed. These dimensions make the Mordaunt Short 902 a versatile option for various listening environments.

The Sonic Signature of the Mordaunt Short 902

Okay, specs are great, but what do these speakers actually sound like? The Mordaunt Short 902 is known for its balanced and detailed sound. It offers a clear and engaging listening experience that's suitable for a wide range of music genres.

One of the standout characteristics of the Mordaunt Short 902 is its clarity. The speakers excel at reproducing the nuances of music, allowing you to hear subtle details that might be missed on lesser systems. This clarity is especially noticeable in the midrange, where vocals and instruments sound natural and lifelike. The high frequencies are also well-handled, thanks to the aluminum dome tweeter, which delivers a crisp and detailed sound without being harsh or fatiguing.

The bass response of the Mordaunt Short 902 is surprisingly good for a bookshelf speaker of its size. The bass-reflex design helps to extend the low frequencies, providing a solid foundation for the music. While it may not deliver the earth-shattering bass of a larger floor-standing speaker, the Mordaunt Short 902 provides a satisfying amount of low-end punch and definition. This makes it well-suited for genres like rock, pop, and electronic music, where bass plays a prominent role.

The soundstage of the Mordaunt Short 902 is also noteworthy. The speakers create a wide and immersive soundstage, allowing you to hear the placement of instruments and vocals in the mix. This adds to the realism of the listening experience, making you feel like you're right there in the recording studio or concert hall. The accurate imaging of the Mordaunt Short 902 means that sounds are positioned precisely in space, creating a three-dimensional soundstage that enhances your listening pleasure.

Overall, the sonic signature of the Mordaunt Short 902 can be described as balanced, detailed, and engaging. It's a speaker that doesn't overly emphasize any particular frequency range, instead opting for a neutral and accurate presentation. This makes it a versatile choice for a wide range of music genres and listening preferences. Whether you're a fan of classical music, jazz, rock, or pop, the Mordaunt Short 902 is likely to deliver a satisfying listening experience.

Setting Up Your Mordaunt Short 902 Speakers

So, you've got your hands on a pair of Mordaunt Short 902s. Awesome! But how do you get the best sound out of them? Proper setup is crucial for maximizing the performance of any speaker, and the Mordaunt Short 902 is no exception. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Placement: Experiment with speaker placement to find the sweet spot in your room. Generally, positioning the speakers away from walls and corners will help to reduce unwanted reflections and improve clarity. Try placing them on stands for optimal performance.
Toe-in: Adjust the toe-in (the angle at which the speakers are pointed towards the listening position) to fine-tune the soundstage. More toe-in can create a more focused center image, while less toe-in can widen the soundstage.
Amplifier Matching: Choose an amplifier that matches the power requirements of the speakers. The recommended amplifier power for the Mordaunt Short 902 is 15 - 100 Watts. Make sure your amplifier can deliver enough power without clipping or distorting the signal.
Cabling: Use quality speaker cables to ensure a clean and reliable connection between the amplifier and the speakers. While expensive cables aren't always necessary, using cables that are of sufficient gauge and quality can make a difference in sound quality.
Room Acoustics: Consider the acoustics of your listening room. Hard surfaces can cause reflections that muddy the sound, while soft surfaces can absorb sound and make the room sound dead. Using a combination of hard and soft surfaces can help to create a balanced acoustic environment.

Getting the speaker placement right is one of the most critical factors in achieving optimal sound quality. The distance between the speakers, their distance from the listening position, and their proximity to walls and corners can all have a significant impact on the soundstage and tonal balance. It's worth spending some time experimenting with different placements to find what works best in your room.

Speaker stands are highly recommended for bookshelf speakers like the Mordaunt Short 902. Stands help to elevate the speakers to the proper listening height, which is typically with the tweeter at ear level when seated. This ensures that you're hearing the sound as intended and can improve the clarity and imaging of the speakers.

The amount of toe-in can also affect the soundstage and imaging. Toe-in refers to the angle at which the speakers are pointed towards the listening position. More toe-in means that the speakers are pointed more directly at the listener, while less toe-in means they are angled outwards. Experimenting with different amounts of toe-in can help you fine-tune the soundstage and find the sweet spot for your listening preferences.

Matching the speakers with an appropriate amplifier is crucial for getting the best performance. The amplifier should be able to deliver enough power to drive the speakers without clipping or distorting the signal. Clipping occurs when the amplifier is asked to deliver more power than it is capable of, which can result in a harsh and distorted sound. The Mordaunt Short 902 has a recommended amplifier power of 15 - 100 Watts, so you'll want to choose an amplifier that falls within this range.

Using quality speaker cables is another important factor in ensuring a clean and reliable connection between the amplifier and the speakers. While expensive cables aren't always necessary, using cables that are of sufficient gauge and quality can make a difference in sound quality. Thicker gauge cables are generally better for longer runs, as they offer lower resistance and can deliver the signal more efficiently.

Finally, considering the acoustics of your listening room can help you optimize the sound quality. Hard surfaces, such as walls and floors, can cause reflections that muddy the sound. Soft surfaces, such as carpets and curtains, can absorb sound and make the room sound dead. Using a combination of hard and soft surfaces can help to create a balanced acoustic environment. You can also consider adding acoustic treatments, such as diffusers and absorbers, to further improve the room's acoustics.

Final Thoughts on the Mordaunt Short 902

The Mordaunt Short 902 is a classic bookshelf speaker that offers a blend of performance, value, and British audio heritage. Its detailed sound, balanced frequency response, and solid build quality make it a great choice for audiophiles and music lovers alike. If you're looking for a pair of speakers that can deliver a captivating listening experience without breaking the bank, the Mordaunt Short 902 is definitely worth considering.

So, there you have it – a comprehensive look at the Mordaunt Short 902 specs and what makes these speakers special. Whether you're a seasoned audiophile or just starting your audio journey, the Mordaunt Short 902 offers something for everyone. Happy listening, guys!