Price Paid:  $250.00

Summary:
A wonderfully musical speaker, solid binding posts and a fabulous price to match

Strengths:
Detailed midrange, insightful treble, exiting bass (when placed a distance away from back walls)

Weaknesses:
A little too bright at times,and this drowns the midrange a little, especially with dynamic recordings.

Price Paid:  $110.00 from Green Audio / BKK

Summary:
good price

Strengths:
nice mid-sound and treble...

Weaknesses:
lack of bass... but enough for price...

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Hawthorne Stereo

Summary:
These speakers provide a nice, warm, musical sound that works great with my NAD L40 Receiver/CD player. I have this setup in my bedroom which is approximately 14' x 15'. The speakers are placed on solid speaker stands about 1' from the back wall.

For the price, these speakers are a good choice for someone who likes a warm sound. The NAD L40 seems to really complement this speaker. (NAD components are known for their laid-back character). The speakers are easy to listen to.

I listen to a lot of Jazz and some top-40 music on this system, and it's while listening to music with a lot of bass that this speaker could fall short for some people. The speakers do reproduce bass well, however if you listen to a lot of rock & roll or techno-dance music, you may want a speaker that is more geared toward providing thumping bass.

If, on the other hand, you want a speaker that reproduces a musical sound that you can listen to for hours, this may be the speaker for you.

I auditioned these speakers on a fairly expensive NAIM system, and the warm character came through as it does on my humble NAD setup. I compared this speaker to the Acoustic Energy Ageis One (a similar priced speaker) on the NAIM system. I found the Ageis One to sound a little harsher, mabey more accurate than the Mordaunt-Short, but less musical.

I also auditioned the Dynaudio Audience 42s which were very good. These speakers produced a fuller sound, but were 2 1/2 times the price, and I couldn't justify the cost for my bedroom system.

Overall, I am very pleased with the Mordaunt-Shorts and recomend them to anyone looking for a musical and warm sounding stand mounted speaker in its price range.

Strengths:
Warm sound, easy to listen to for hours.

Weaknesses:
Lack of "extreme" bass - may be a result of the amp though.

Similar Products Used:
Dynaudio Audience 42,Acoustic Energy Ageis One.

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Hawthorne Stereo

Summary:
I was glad to see this product on the Audio Review. Friends, do yourself a favor and pick up a pair of these fun, inexpensive and great-sounding little speakers.

Due to their stable impedance and fair sensitivity (8ohm and 90db) they work great with my Antique Sound 2x15 watt tubed integrated amp. Take good care in set-up, do lots of experimenting with your particular room, and they'll throw a good 3D image that belies the $300 price. (Good stands are absolutely essential, if you want to hear what they're capable of.)

They are not the most detailed speakers you'll find, but they are certainly not dull either. Personally I prefer warm and smooth to dry and analytical any day. You can get by just fine without a sub DEPENDING on your room, my first room worked fine (larger rooms will likely need a quality sub).

This is the kind of product that you can mention when "non-audio" friends and family ask for advice on low-priced gear. Thanks to products like the MS 90's (and the Fabulous-For-The-Money Antique Sound tube gear), quality sound is within the reach of just about everyone. Get some!

Overall performance I'd give 4 out of 5, especially when the price is taken into consideration, for value certainly 5 out of 5.

Strengths:
Very rich, smooth sound, with surprising bass response (proper placement is important!)

Weaknesses:
Not the last word in detail or finesse, but they're $300 bucks! What do you want?

Similar Products Used:
KEF Reference, Vandersteen 2ci

Price Paid:  $279.00 from www.hawthornestereo.com

Summary:
These can't be beat for entry-level hifi. Wonderful clarity and detail. Rich bass response. The soundstage is absolutely amazing. Listening to the remaster of The Doors first album was a near-religious experience for me. At least, it is as close as I'll ever get to actually being there at the Whiskey A-Go-Go to hear them perform. Sure, there are more expensive speakers out there that probably sound better, but until your stock options vest, these babies are the way to go.

Strengths:
Terrific detail and clarity. Great value.

Weaknesses:
For $199 a pair online, you can't go wrong.

Similar Products Used:
NHT SuperZero