Mordaunt Short Mezzo 2

The Mezzo 2 is a bookshelf speaker from Mordaunt Short, intended primarily for a two-channel stereo system. Its compact format makes it suitable for modestly sized rooms or placement on stands and shelves, without the manufacturer abandoning the ambition of a wide presentation and a well-developed stereo image.

Two technical choices shape this speaker. The first is the implementation of ATT, the technology behind the claimed breadth of the sound field: the idea is to widen the perceived stage beyond what the cabinet's volume would suggest. The second concerns the CPC (Continuous Profile Cone) woofers, whose continuous-profile diaphragm principle was refined by the manufacturer following an extended development process. In practice, this type of profile aims for a more consistent cone behaviour, and so less prone to the rigidity breaks that colour the midbass.

These drivers are mounted on a resonance-treated basket. This detail, often invisible on a spec sheet, has a direct effect on the listening experience: a damped chassis returns less parasitic energy to the cabinet and lets the cone work without added vibration, which benefits texture clarity and the stability of the image between the two speakers.

This model is aimed at the listener building a classic stereo system, source, integrated amplifier, pair of speakers, who lacks the space or inclination for floorstanding speakers. It suits close-range listening in a lounge or dedicated room of reasonable size, provided it is given rigid stands and sufficient clearance from the walls, as the soundstage sought by the design comes across better with a little space.