Mordaunt Short choice dilemma

[Goofy]

Having read this forum for a couple of months, I am still at the early stage of deciding on a system, though it will most likely consist of a Panny 7, Yamaha 750, Sony 955.
As the room I am converting to a mini-loung/cinema is not very big (3.8m x 2.5m), I am currently undecided between the MS Avant Premier Plus system or using MS 902 (x4), MS304 centre and MS309 subwoofer.

The 902s are physically bigger and should give a fuller sound, whilst the Avant Premier Plus speakers are a newer design.

I would be grateful to know whether anybody has experienced both systems or in particular the 902-based combination (the Premier Plus’s have been positively reported on). Thanks.

 

[Peter Kendrick]

Having read this forum for a couple of months, I am still at the early stage of deciding on a system, though it will most likely consist of a Panny 7, Yamaha 750, Sony 955.
As the room I am converting to a mini-loung/cinema is not very big (3.8m x 2.5m), I am currently undecided between the MS Avant Premier Plus system or using MS 902 (x4), MS304 centre and MS309 subwoofer.

The 902s are physically bigger and should give a fuller sound, whilst the Avant Premier Plus speakers are a newer design.

I would be grateful to know whether anybody has experienced both systems or in particular the 902-based combination (the Premier Plus’s have been positively reported on). Thanks.

I have the Yamaha 750 amplifier hooked up to MS Premier Plus and it is fantastic. The speakers are from www.hificonfidential.co.uk for £399 delivered.

 

[bluebearuk]

I was looking at that package but was a bit concerned that the package shown on the site shows the 308 subwoofer.

Is it definitely the 309 you get?

Cheers

 

[Beobloke]

The Premiere system comes with MS308 Subwoofer, the Premiere Plus system comes with the MS309.

Adam.

 

[bluebearuk]

I know it is the premiere plus that comes with the the 309, but the site shows the Premier package, but the description is for the the plus system.

http://www.hificonfidential.co.uk/moreinfo.cfm?id=1160

It just seems a bit strange to me, I don't want to end up with the wrong sub

Thanks

 

[killabeez]

I know it is the premiere plus that comes with the the 309, but the site shows the Premier package, but the description is for the the plus system.

http://www.hificonfidential.co.uk/moreinfo.cfm?id=1160

It just seems a bit strange to me, I don't want to end up with the wrong sub

Thanks

Maybe worth phoning the guy, when I phoned he was very grumpy and said the items were not in stock and he did.nt know when they would be, also Richersounds got a similar reply when they tried to price match Hificon, but if they are in stock and at that price get R/S to pricematch and you can walk out of there shops with the items, thus makeing sure you get the 309 sub

k,beez

 

[bluebearuk]

Thanks for the advice, will give that a go today

Cheers again

 

[GFS AV]

I have had both setups so here goes:

I had the 308 sub with my Premieres. Whilst the top and bottom end of the sound were very good, they did lack midrange, like any other satellite system. Very good though if you're on a budget.

I then changed my fronts to the Avant 904 floorstanders, temporarily keeping the 304 centre. Big improvement at the mains. Much fuller, stronger midrange, well, better all round. Only difference to the 902 and 904 is that the 904 is a floorstander.

It was then obvious that the 304 centre was letting it down, so I changed to the 905c. HUGE improvement. Excellent strong dialogue. Absolute steal at £120!

I then decided my 904s werent quite bassy enough so took them back to richer sounds and upgraded to the 906s... but that's another story.

So, my advice is:
If you are wanting a nice full sound with stronge midrange, the 902s should be ok. They will be far superior to the 302 where midrange is concerned. If you do decide on the 902s, you definately want the larger 905 centre to match.

In an ideal world, the 904/906 floorstanders would perfect, but it's obviously more expense

What you could do is get the 902s for now, save for the 906, then move the 902s to the back

The only way I managed to afford the full setup, was to upgrade gradually as said above. The end result though is excellent!

Let us know what you decide on

 

[Docta teef]

You def want the 309 sub as this is far better than the 308 although to be honest i think i would be tempted to try the 902 system.

 

[GFS AV]

You def want the 309 sub as this is far better than the 308 although to be honest i think i would be tempted to try the 902 system.

Yes I totally agree. The 309 or something similar will work great with any of these speakers. Don't be tempted to save your money and buy anything cheaper than the 309.

I decided on the BK XLS200 which I think is great. The 309 will also do the job very well.

 

[Goofy]

Thanks gentlemen (espescially GFS AV) for the very helpful comments. I think I will go for the 902/905/309 setup. Sadly this will be a couple of months off yet, as I am working my way through the house - refurbishing etc. Home Cinema is the last and most desirable item on the agenda! Atleast I have a lot of looking forward to do and slavering over other people's kit/experience on this forum! Thanks again.

 

[Peter Kendrick]

Blue Bear........It is the 309 subwoofer that I got from Hificonfidential for £399 delivered. They will confirm with you when you order.

 

[M.A.S]

Anyone know how the MS premier plus package would stack up against the Canton CD series?

 

[Ed Selley]

Anyone know how the MS premier plus package would stack up against the Canton CD series?

Pop a search in for this one- there are literally dozens of posts on it. The split is pretty even although with some of the import deals on the Canton's at the moment, I suspect many people on the forum are going for the latter..... curse them .

 

[Docta teef]

Also if your gonna go for the 902 option how about the 903s at the back (think tons would agree? wouldn't you?)

 

[GFS AV]

Thanks gentlemen (espescially GFS AV) for the very helpful comments. I think I will go for the 902/905/309 setup. Sadly this will be a couple of months off yet, as I am working my way through the house - refurbishing etc. Home Cinema is the last and most desirable item on the agenda! Atleast I have a lot of looking forward to do and slavering over other people's kit/experience on this forum! Thanks again.

No probs. By the way mate i've just bought the latest What Hifi mag, and the Richer Sounds ad in there has the 902s down at just £99. You wont find them cheaper than this, I would try and get them while you can. Just make sure you take the ad with you otherwise they will try and slap you for the full in-store price. That's one of the things I detest about Richer Sounds. When they know you've got a good price on something, or a price match, they give the impression they are reluctant to make the sale! Well, they do at my local branch anyway.

 

[Goofy]

Does sound a good offer for the 902s. When I was browsing HiFibitz - the full MS range, they showed the 903 bi-polar rears - so then I added up all the bits and got it to £650 - and then I remembered that on a German retailer's web-page they showed the MS Genies for £650 + delivery - which seemed an excellent offer. The problem with choice is the agony of making up your mind. I wonder which system "Tons" thinks is better - the 902/903/905c +309Sub - or the Genies. Life is never simple!

 

[GFS AV]

No satellite system will ever produce a midrange like a full size system. Satellite systems are aimed at people with limited space. As I said earlier, I have had both satellite and full size, and can guarantee the 902 setup will be far superior. I have not heard the Genie system, so I can't comment on them, but how much better than the Premiere's can they 'really' be?

 

[Docta teef]

Though ive not heard the genie system i have to agree the 900 series must be better still stand by the 903 at the back though

 

[GFS AV]

yes, the 903s at the back will be excellent for effects. If however, you listen to a lot of multichannel music, the 902 will be more ideal.

 

[HMHB]

AV-land have the MS309 sub at £229.95 - I assume this is a very good price ?

 

[killabeez]

AV-land have the MS309 sub at £229.95 - I assume this is a very good price ?

£229 is pretty good but maybe this beats it just ? ( petertyson)

Mordaunt Short MS309 Avant Subwoofer - free delivery & Interconnect
£ 215.90


You will have to make your mind up who will give a better service

 

[Ed Selley]

From a company perspective both of these retailers are excellent so no help there.

 

[killabeez]

Tons, quick question please ( seeing this IS a M/S thread )

Got a 309, 304 and 2 302's at the front ,and looking to put a pair of 903's at the rear,, Is this a good decision or not ?,or should i just put a second pair of 302's at the rear ?

Movies are my main viewing with occasional MTV type of viewing,

Thanks for any advice,

 

[Ed Selley]

The 903 is the same size driver so the tonal balance is identical. Of course this will mean that the rears cost more than the fronts but mine used to as well so what the hey.