British loudspeaker manufacturer Mordaunt-Short will show off its breathtaking high-end Performance loudspeaker series in its full surround sound formation for the very first time at this year’s CES exhibition in Las Vegas.
This world debut follows the introduction of a stunning new twin driver, 1000W subwoofer and elegant dedicated centre channel. Both the Performance 9 subwoofer and 5 centre make use of the
groundbreaking, patent pending technologies first seen in the flagship Performance 6 floorstander.
The Performance 9 subwoofer incorporates two sizeable 25cm (10 inch) long-throw drivers, powered by a
phenomenal 1000W of power.
The drivers embrace Mordaunt-Short's proprietary Continuous Profile Cone technology. This uninterrupted cone surface offers excellent rigidity and therefore minimal distortion, even with the design's very long excursion capabilities. Such uncompromising characteristics are enhanced by the use of aluminium in construction, which is light, yet extremely stiff.
The woofers operate in an opposed configuration. This elegant solution offers inherent balance, bringing
mechanical symmetry by mutual cancellation of reactive forces between the two driver assemblies,
delivering the best possible sound reproduction. Harmonic distortion is also improved through the purity of
the force balanced design.
Like all members of the Performance family there is also extensive use of mechanical isolation to improve
sound quality. The two drivers are mounted within an ultra rigid, cast steel chassis assembly which is
coupled directly to the floor and completely isolated from the enclosure. The cabinet is suspended around
the transducer assembly, acting as a solid containment to the air volume.
The substantial 25mm (1 inch) thick MDF cabinet incorporates a double flare port to reach the very lowest
frequencies. The shape – developed using the latest computer aided design – delivers a port which offers
superb linearity and minimal distortion. It also reduces air noise by optimising the transition of the air flow in
and out of the port.
Each 25cm driver is powered by its own 500W IcePower module. These hugely efficient amplifiers deliver stunning quality and power from an incredibly compact component. In traditional amplifiers, only a very
small percentage of the energy received is actually used to make sound. Maximum theoretical efficiency is
roughly 50%, but in reality at average signal levels it tends to be more like 3 or 4%. The rest is lost as heat.
This means amplifiers are often large, bulky affairs with massive heat sinks. By switching the electrical
supply on and off 400,000 times a second, IcePower modules dramatically reduce heat loss and therefore
increase efficiency. This allows the Performance 9 to deliver its mammoth power output.
In the subwoofer, you'll also find second generation ARC technology. Active Room Control (ARC) was
developed by Mordaunt-Short to deliver the very best subwoofer performance regardless of the listening
environment. With ARC troublesome room resonances can easily and quickly be eliminated, using the
supplied test CD and Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter.
Performance 9 takes ARC forward by not only letting you adjust the frequency cut off point and depth of
the cut, but also lets you vary the width (Q) across the frequency range. This gives a far more accurate
match to the listening environment, giving the best possible integration.
Moreover, Mordaunt-Short has gone so far as to develop a proprietary computer programme (found on the
test CD) to make sure you get the perfect ARC settings. You simply feed in your test disc results and the
application displays the correct notch filter settings.
Meanwhile, the Performance 5 centre channel embraces the same proprietary polymer resin cabinet
construction found in all Performance loudspeakers. This makes possible radical sculpting which eliminates
colouration and has unsurpassed inherent mechanical strength, dramatically improving sound quality.
Such profiling is possible through the use of a complex polymer resin whose 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.
Housed in this extraordinary centre cabinet is an equally impressive array of drivers, taking in the ATT
(Aspirated Tweeter Technology) tweeter. This elongated metal diffuser – whose form is defined by complex
acoustic principles – floats freely in a discrete enclosure. Along its length are strategically positioned vents
eliminating the colouration which plagues traditional closed-back designs. This unique venting system
means Performance's high frequency drivers literally 'breathe', resulting in an open yet detailed sound.
Sitting either side of the tweeter are two of the latest generation, 13cm (5 inch), anodised aluminium CPC
drivers. They are mounted to the rear of the cabinet. This not only connects to the most rigid part of the
enclosure, but also isolates drivers from any front baffle distortion.
Finally, the cabinet comes with an adjustable tilt function for the perfect angle of delivery, along with an
optional wall mountable bracket.
About Performance
The new Performance line-up takes its name from one of the company's most acclaimed designs, and
continues a proud thirty-year tradition of materials innovation, ground-breaking engineering and classleading
musical delivery. It is the result of a comprehensive, three-year research and development
programme resulting in major technological advancements.
The four-strong range, finished in granite or silver, comprises a three-way floorstander which is available
now, a high power subwoofer and centre channel which will be released in May, as well as a standmounter
to be unveiled later in the year. In the USA Mordaunt-Short products are distributed by Marantz America.