Bass can be a little confused on some tracks and imaging on classical music is not as good as it could be, Visually a little unappealing

This review relates to the MS25i Pearl version...

I've listened to quite a few speakers recently (Mission m73, Celestion F3, Tannoy R2, Eltax Symphony 6, Monitor audio Silver 7i, Kef Cresta 3). None (apart from the Monitor Audio at over 4 times the price!) can get close to the clarity and detail of the Mordaunt Shorts.
The Mission m73 were frankly horrible (disappointing given the rave reviews in what Hifi!) as they had too much bass and seemed quite 'boomy' as a result. Using the supplied foam bass turned it around so the bass was almost gone.
Eltax Symphony 6 sounded too bright on some music (Time from Pink Floyds Dark side of the moon for example) and became very tiring to listen to. The Celestions were lacking in punch and bass, and the Tannoys were similarly a little dull (but not as bad as the Celestions). The Kef Cretas were very nice and would probably bed in well (the shop had only just got them and hadn't had a chance too run them in yet). The Monitor Audios sounded fantastic (and will be my next purchase probably!) but then at a list price £600 they should!

I bought the MS25i speakers to replace some aging Kef Caras for my general purpose hifi ( the one thats on all day for the kids to listen to) but was surprised to find that for an aging design they are amazingly good (especially as Richersounds are letting them out at £90!). I have even questioned the idea keeping the main speakers on my main system they sound so good (hence the possible upgrade for that to the Monitor Audios)

I've been using them now for around a month and they just seem to get better and better, with improved detailing, imaging and bass response (initially a little light).

I recently took them to a friends house (he has Linn Kanns) and he was also favourably impressed.

My only real complaint is that with the grilles removed (not recommended with kids around anyway) they look plug ugly.

Rest of system:

Yamaha RX-v800 A/V Receiver
Yamaha CDx-496 CD Player
Yamaha KX-493 Cassette Deck
Yamaha YST-SW90 subwoofer (spot the theme here?)
Wharfedale 750s DVD Player
Eltax Liberty 1+ surrounds
Eltax Liberty Centre


This is a great speaker for anyone who wants a speaker that provides fine detail and adequate (if not floor distorting) levels of bass at a ridiculously low price.

Similar Products Used:

Eltax Liberty 5+, Eltax Liberty 1+

Great sound without the high price. Sounds best when matched with MS-Ci center speakers. Mids are its forte, bass is substantial.

The highs on this model somewhat lacks crisp and sharpness of a liquid-filled type of tweeters. Overall speaker performance would depend on its positioning from its surroundings. Quite sensitive to its placement in the room.

I use a Yamaha RX-V793 as my driver and the "shorts" just love it. My taste in music starts from pure classical to jazz to techno music, and boy, ive never heard an old familiar tune sound so clear and natural, specially in the mids. Bass reproduction can be maximized or minimized, depending on its placement, which makes it a rather "complicated" speaker to listen to, no thanks to rear ports. And it lacks the highs that i require from my music, whick would make this model my least prefered compared to Revel or Energy. Overall, the MS-25i never fails to impress even the serious of listeners with its substantial power handling, clarity, bass smoothness, and tantalizing mids.

Similar Products Used:

AR (The Edge)