Mezzo – An object lesson

in acoustic science

In 2004, something of a revolution took place at Mordaunt-Short. The legendary loudspeaker manufacturer produced the flagship Performance model which re-wrote the rule book and used some truly groundbreaking technologies never before seen in the hi-fi world. Performance has since won countless awards around the globe and is considered to be a modern classic. Many of Performance’s most significant features have now trickled down to the company’s new range – Mezzo. All this means that true hi-fi bliss is available to a wider audience. Consisting of a full loudspeaker series and a blend of scintillating sound and truly graceful aesthetics,

Mezzo affords you the opportunity to experience music and movies truly as those involved intended, and what can be better than that?

40 years of Mordaunt-Short

2007 saw the 40th anniversary of Mordaunt-Short. Norman Mordaunt and Rodney Short went into partnership in 1967 to produce the world’s first loudspeaker range. Models such as the

Festival, Pageant and Carnival were received to rave reviews, something that has continued with all the company’s current ranges including Mezzo. Mordaunt-Short has been responsible for developing truly innovative and legendary technologies such as Continuous Profile Cone (CPC), V-Form and Aspirated Tweeter Technology (ATT). Throughout this period, the company has built up the reputation as one of the world’s most respected loudspeaker manufacturers and one thing has been a constant over the last four decades – Mordaunt-Short’s absolute dedication to producing affordable high quality hi-fi for all.

Unique British design

All key technologies are designed at Mordaunt-Short’s research and development headquarters in London, England. This means that each tweeter, drive unit and cabinet is created for a specific purpose – to integrate seamlessly to produce an astonishing sound for your music and video collection. Mordaunt-Short is proud of its attention to detail and desire to use the very best material throughout its ranges while delivering value for money. To this end, the finish on each cabinet is selected to mirror the designs of the finest contemporary furniture.

CPC aluminium cone technology

Continuous Profile Cone (CPC) technology produces predictable driver performance by ensuring controlled piston-like movement at low frequencies and minimal break up at higher frequencies. Lightweight yet rigid anodised aluminium cones are used for faithful dynamics. This advanced technology ensures stunningly realistic sound.

Digital Sound Processing (DSP)

The Mezzo 9 subwoofer features a powerful DSP engine which can be tailored to your exact set-up and room acoustics. Notch filters allow response anomalies (room modes) to be equalized out and a Phase Compensation Filter (PCF) enables accurate step-by-step phase adjustment at the crossover point rather than the usual basic phase inversion switch on lesser products. The crossover point is fully adjustable and the roll-off rate selectable. A special test CD and combined Sound Pressure Level

(SPL) meter/remote control are supplied making set-up surprisingly simple. In use the DSP’s engine is able to implement ‘Night’ modes and other dynamic processing so that for instance low level sounds are made louder whilst at the same time explosions appear quieter, ideal for late-night listening. All these features can be easily controlled from the intuitive display panel and this kind of technology once again puts Mordaunt-Short at the forefront of home cinema entertainment.

V-Form technology

An innovative driver cone connection that creates a bigger, purer soundstage and helps maintain assembly rigidity. The surround thickness varies, aiding accurate pistonic operation and allowing the dish to operate freely, delivering benefits in timing performance.

Technology

Mordaunt-Short’s flagship Performance challenged the

status quo when it was launched and embraced some

truly remarkable design innovations, many of which have

disseminated down into Mezzo.

Sound deadened driver baskets andcurved cabinet design

The drive units are mounted on a unique, critically profiled sound deadened driver basket chassis with

elastomer damping which completely eliminates unwanted resonance effects. Most loudspeaker cabinets are cuboid which generate standing waves that affect performance. Mezzo speakers employ a curved cabinet design which minimises unwanted internal reflections produced by parallel planes. The cabinets themselves are carefully folded and pressed to form an extremely dense environment in which to house the drive units which again reduces distortion and resonance. Each panel is made up of differing thickness to aid dispersion and reflection of standing waves. The curves also offer an aesthetic boon as they give the appearance of a far smaller cabinet but in actual fact provide a bigger enclosure for a more commanding sound. Critical bracing is then used to strengthen key areas of the cabinet to ensure a superb sound.

Aspirated Tweeter Technology (ATT)

Mezzo uses patent pending proprietary Aspirated Tweeter Technology (ATT) – a truly groundbreaking design that was first seen in the now legendary Performance series. Using state-of-the-art injection

moulding, the elongated unit 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 unusual venting system means Mezzo’s high frequency drivers literally ‘breathe’, resulting in an open yet detailed sound. Mordaunt-Short uses an advanced

aluminium dome tweeter which the company has been perfecting for over 20 years. The ultra thin diaphragm and compression moulded surround is mounted on a low resonance chassis. The tweeter utilises a high temperature voice coil with liquid cooling and damping to ensure controlled high frequency performance with excellent detail.

Crossover

The components used in the crossover were critically selected for their signal path integrity including high quality polypropylene capacitors in Dual Value Parallel (DVP) configuration which produce outstanding treble. Coiled inductors with low current saturation characteristics greatly reduce nonlinear distortion artefacts for an extremely clean and detailed sound. The crossover itself is isolate mounted further reducing vibration and unwanted resonance.

MEZZO 9

The Mezzo 9 is a truly incredible subwoofer and the result of an exhaustive research and development process with one aim – to produce the ultimate sub at an affordable price. The results are truly mindblowing. Using dual opposed 8” CPC ultra long throw woofers in forced cancel configuration for ultra stability and minimal vibration, the sub metes out a thumping 375W of power and all from an incredibly compact cabinet which integrates perfectly into any listening environment. 

The Mezzo 9 is designed to be used in any combination from 2.1 right through to 7.2 set-up and is a Class D design for efficient running.

But the Mezzo 9 is not just about delivering controlled bass extension to your movies and music, it is also infinitely user friendly and lets you take control via an ergonomic Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter and remote control in one handset. 

This boon is normally the reserve of subs costing four or five times as much and so from the comfort of your preferred listening position, you can tailor the Mezzo sub to respond to exacting standards. Two notch filters, boost options and dynamics can all be adapted accordingly. A Music/Movie/Game select mode allows the sub to be tailored for specific use and can be quickly switched between thanks to presets. 

The Mezzo 9 also features a powerful DSP engine which can be tailored to your exact set-up and room acoustics. 


This kind of technology and ease of use is phenomenal in any subwoofer and unheard of at this price point. All this means you will be selling popcorn at the front door as your friends flock to enjoy your home cinema experience.

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