The same size as their predecessors, the small two-way M5i standmount now costs £425 per pair (up from £350 for the M5 in 2005), while the floorstanding two-and-a-half-way M16i costs £850 per pair (£800 M16 in 2007).

Both models use what appear to be identical bass, mid and treble drive units and both bass, mid drivers are loaded by similar size enclosures - rear-ported in the case of the small M5i, but a sealed sub-enclosure in the case of the larger floorstanding M16i (which has an additional port-loaded, bass-only driver occupying the lower section of the enclosure).

Design improvements

The tweeters all have 25mm metal dome diaphragms, while the cone drivers have 135mm frames and 95mm diameter moulded plastic cones. Those operating up through the midband also have 'bullet' phase plugs fixed onto their central magnet polepieces, whereas the bass-only drivers have a regular dust cover attached to the cone.

If the outlines are similar, the changes are numerous. The cabinetwork is particularly impressive considering the prices, with curvaceous vertical edges. Improved quality book-matched real wood veneers come with smooth finish for the cherry and a fabric red cherry optional grille, though fixed perforated metal covers protect the metal dome tweeters.

The tweeters themselves are significantly different from before, with metal faceplates in place of plastic and double ferrite magnets in place of neodymium, both of which add to the heatsinking, improving thermal stability and power handling.

Speaker enclosures

The M16i is now supplied with a plinth already fitted to the enclosure. Although the latter ensures secure spike fixing, it has exactly the same small footprint as the enclosure, and therefore does nothing to improve the very questionable stability - the likelihood of it passing the EC 'knockover' test seems remote.

The bi- and tri-wire terminal pairs are now mounted through a flat alloy panel, optionally connected by brass links. Superior polypropylene capacitors in the crossover networks replace the bipolar electrolytic types that were previously used.

Our measurement regime clearly shows that the changes introduced in these i-suffixed versions are much more than skin deep. Examining the M5i first, the impedance is now altogether easier to drive, staying above six ohms throughout (rather than falling to four ohms minimum) and the overall averaged in-room frequency response is less uneven and more extended at the top end.