News

Mordaunt-Short releases compact Performance loudspeaker (16/6/2009)

Available from September 2009.

When Mordaunt-Short launched Performance in 2004 it made a clear statement of intent to redefine what was possible from a floorstanding loudspeaker. The Performance 6 duly garnered acclaim from around the world with nearly every respected hi-fi publication lauding its praises.

The globally-acclaimed Performance range - which also includes a thundering kilowatt subwoofer (Performance 9) and the Performance 5 dedicated centre speaker - is now joined by an all-new compact model. Timbre matched to perfectly complement the rest of the series, Performance 2 is designed to be the ultimate stand-mount stereo or home theatre loudspeaker.

Key features:

• Aspirated Tweeter Technology (ATT™) for an incredibly open and detailed treble
• Continuous Profile Cone (CPC™) mid-range/bass driver with critical damping ridges for excellent rigidity and minimal cone break-up
• Purist crossover design with critically selected components including renowned
ClarityCaps® for improved signal path integrity
• Injection moulded polymer resin monocoque construction for freedom from cabinet
resonance
• Three stunning finishes – Midnight Black, Granite Grey and Brilliant Silver.

Downsizing the incredible Mordaunt-Short Performance DNA to a more compact design was never going to be easy but the keenly awaited addition to the Performance family is finally here. A thoroughbred heritage plus three years’ development set-apart this astonishing stand-mount loudspeaker from crowd.

The highly respected Aspirated Tweeter Technology (ATT™) is carried-over from Performance 6 for an open yet detailed sound. The elongated metal diffuser – whose form is defined by complex acoustic principles – floats freely from the rest of the cabinet in a discreet enclosure. The unique venting system means Performance’s tweeter literally ‘breathes’.

The ATT tweeter is coupled with Mordaunt-Short’s Continuous Profile Cone (CPC™) technology driver. CPC’s clean lines are fundamental to its superior audio reproduction and the uninterrupted aluminium cone surface and critically placed ridges ensure excellent rigidity and therefore minimum distortion. This 16.5cm (6.5in) midrange driver is in fact, mounted to the rear of the cabinet. This not only connects it to the most rigid part of the enclosure, it also isolates any front baffle distortion.

The cone edge is coupled via Mordaunt-Short’s V-Form technologies. This employs an innovative mechanical connection, which increases the radiating area and aids the structural rigidity of the assembly. The surround itself varies in thickness, aiding accurate, pistonic movement and allows the dish to operate incredibly freely, delivering huge benefits in timing performance. An aerospace-grade, visco-elastic coupling between cone and voice coil completes the mid-bass driver.

To develop the ultimate crossover, exhaustive research determined the ideal combination of DVP (Dual Value Parallel) capacitor values for maximum performance. Premium components were then selected to form the basis of the perfect design. The resultant crossover helps Performance 2 achieve incredible accuracy and ClarityCap® capacitors - renowned for their astounding signal resolution - and are used in all critical parts of the crossover.

Like its larger sibling, the ported cabinets of Performance 2 eschew the parallel surfaces of conventional design, delivering a beautifully sculpted form. The unusual shape eliminates colouration and has unsurpassed inherent mechanical strength, dramatically improving sound quality. This is enhanced by a heavy cast metal base with optional spiked feet. Such radical profiling is possible through the use of a complex polymer resin. Enabling injection moulded monocoque construction the compound’s density can be varied to within less than one hundredth of a gram. So, while the outside of the Performance enclosure is rock hard, the inner section of this unique material is far less dense, delivering high acoustic damping and low stored energy.

This builds on the Performance’s reputation for lifelike imaging and produces optimal low end performance. The cabinet is finished in an extremely stylish Midnight Black, Granite Grey or Brilliant Silver lustre.

And to ensure sonic perfection, Mordaunt-Short has created a bespoke stand for Performance 2 which provides an inert, acoustically neutral foundation aiding detail and rhythm. And with their clean lines these stands also complement the speaker design beautifully providing the ultimate platform for Performance 2.

www.mordauntshort.com