Mordaunt-Short Avant 902i review

If you want to buy really capable budget standmounting speakers with the absolute minimum of fuss, you might decide to avoid the 902is.

This is one of the best value-for-money speaker designs around, but there's just a little bit more care needed when matching your system to these dynamic, musical Mordaunt-Shorts than is the case with their obvious rivals.

Let's deal with that caveat. The brilliantly crisp, assertive top end sparkles and shines, but doesn't take too much encouragement to cross the line into hard/bright territory. If you have an amplifier that isn't shy about dealing with the high stuff, the Avant 902is are undoubtedly to be avoided. However, everyone else should dive in, because they're fab.

Proof is in the pudding
With Scott Walker's 30th Century Man playing, the 902is time really well, marshalling a natural tempo, and integrating voices and instruments pretty seamlessly. Plenty of fine detail is on display, with the 902is confident, assertive voice being beautifully judged.
Bass frequencies are robust, solid and straight-edged, and manfully resist blooming even when parked too close to a rear wall. Never tiring, and always engaging, the Avants relish recordings of all kinds.

There's an ocean of space around Nina Simone's sultry voice during That's Him Over There, and if you choose to spin a rather more energetic tune, such as Bloc Party's Little Thoughts, they display a more playful side, with a spirited and sparkling performance. Dynamically and rhythmically, you'll be hard-pressed to find fault.

If pushed, they could be criticised for their slightly enthusiastic treble, but this wouldn't be a problem unless you matched them with electronics in a similar vein.

Beyond their sheer, exuberant musicality, the 902is are more-than-adequately made and daintily attractive. Spend the extra few minutes to match them carefully and they won't disappoint you.