Ophidian

Mojo 2 Standmount Loudspeakers

£1,400 RRP

Established in 2011, Ophidian focuses on producing high-quality loudspeakers designed to excel beyond their physical size. Central to this design philosophy is the company's proprietary AEROFLEX bass topology, which is said to deliver accurate bass reproduction from smaller cabinets. Each speaker cabinet is hand-built in Sheffield, England, and assembly and quality control processes are carried out at the company's headquarters on the Wirral in North West England. 

The compact MOJO 2 weighs 4.4kg and measures just 286x158x220mm [HxWxD]. It features a multi-driver layout comprising a pair of 115mm coated paper mid-bass drivers paired to a 27mm neodymium high tweeter, coated in a Sonolex fabric diaphragm and manufactured by respected component manufacturer SEAS from Norway. The speaker offers the same mirror-image dual driver layout as its predecessor, which allows the tweeters to be placed either inboard or outboard for flexibility in room placement and fine-tuning of the stereo image in a near-field listening setup. In the latest version, the mid-bass drivers have an increased surface area compared to the previous model, for better power handling.

Overall build quality is very good, and both the oak and walnut finishes look lovely. The speaker comes in a modified D'Appolito configuration with an offset tweeter that's unusual in desktop speakers these days. Ophidian says: “The design allows for time alignment without needing to tilt the baffle, and the compact tweeter faceplate keeps the distance between acoustic centres to a minimum. This in turn improves cohesion and imaging.” In such designs, proper integration of the drivers, especially at crossover frequencies, is important to maintain a balanced sound across the frequency spectrum. 

The company adds: “The crossover design is probably the most labour-intensive part of the whole process, as the fine-tuning of a speaker can take months and many iterations to get just right. The smallest changes at the end of the process are often the most impactful.” All Ophidian speakers use high-quality Mundorf components in their crossovers, including air core coils and metal oxide resistors. This speaker has a claimed frequency response of 52Hz to 25kHz (-3dB), which is impressive in a cabinet of this size.

Ophidian's AEROFLEX technology is said to enhance the speaker's ability to generate deep and controlled bass notes, defying what its small size might imply. It's achieved by lowering the speed at which air moves through the speaker's port and ensuring that the mid-bass driver receives consistent support throughout its movement. As such, the port is more akin to a shortened transmission line than the normal plastic ports you often see on many other speakers. The company adds: “The advantage of using the internal port pieces to brace the cabinet is that the walls are further stiffened, which in the case of M-series means the wall thickness can be reduced to save internal space while maintaining the required rigidity.”

Thanks to its lowish 4 ohms claimed nominal impedance, Ophidian recommends that this speaker is driven by gutsy solid-state amps that have a good deal of current capacity and really “thrive on power”. The rated sensitivity for the MOJO 2 is 86dB, and recommended amplifier power is between 40W to 120W; the more, the merrier, in my opinion. Ophidian claims to measure and store the plots of every speaker it manufactures and compares these to reference curves as part of its quality assurance programme. For this review, my reference system comprised an MSB Premier DAC with a Purifi Eigentakt-based NAD C298 for amplification. 

THE LISTENING

This little loudspeaker is a versatile performer, proving adept at creating a vibrant and dynamic soundscape. Ideally suited to a wide array of musical genres, from the intricate beats of electronic music to the subtle harmonies of acoustic pieces, it has a clear and precise musical delivery. High frequencies are captured with shimmering clarity, and the midband has a full-bodied richness, ensuring a lifelike and authentic listening experience.

Even when playing complex musical arrangements, the MOJO 2 has a balanced and cohesive sound with impactful bass, which renders pulsating beats with precision, avoiding muddiness even in bass-heavy sections. It stands out in close-range listening, revealing the finest details and nuances that draw the listener into the music. Its nuanced articulation of rhythm in complex pieces allows for a fuller appreciation of the music's flow, making this small Ophidian speaker a highly enjoyable listen. 

All of this is clear when listening to Infected Mushroom's Elevation from the band's 2003 album Converting Vegetarians. The track delivers an animated soundscape that creates a dynamic blend of electronic and psychedelic elements. The MOJO 2's clear and precise treble captures the shimmering, ethereal qualities of the opening synthesisers, while its midrange delivers the full-bodied textures of the electronic rhythms with remarkable clarity. One of the most striking aspects here is the depth and control of the bass – the pulsating beats are tight and impactful.

The MOJO 2 excels in close-range listening, which is especially noticeable during the gentler sections of Elevation. In these moments, the speakers reveal the finer details with remarkable clarity. As the song progresses towards its climax, it skilfully maintains the distinctness of each musical component. This results in a clear and captivating finale, where every sound contributes to an overall experience that's both dynamic and emotionally engaging.

The little Ophidian speaker masterfully handles the complexities of John Cage's Second Interlude – as performed by Herbert Henck on the Locations album. Cage's compositions, often intellectually stimulating, gain an emotional depth through the MOJO 2's adept reproduction of intricate sound details and textures. This speaker excels in articulating the piece's characteristic irregular rhythms and abrupt changes – each is crisply defined, allowing for a fuller appreciation of the music's innovative rhythmic structures. 

The speaker's exceptional handling of the stereo soundstage heightens the listening experience. Instruments are placed and moved with such precision that you feel enveloped in the auditory landscape. It is also proficient in managing dynamic extremes; the unique sounds of the piano, from muted thuds to metallic twangs, are rendered with outstanding clarity. This makes for a rich and engrossing listening experience.

This speaker delivers an exquisite listening experience with The Beatles' acoustic masterpiece, Blackbird. This track, especially in its latest remix by Giles Martin, using Peter Jackson's advanced AI-powered audio separation technology, shines out. Its remarkable detail resolution brings out the intricacies of the fingerpicking style; every pluck and strum of the guitar strings is captured with exceptional clarity. The speaker's ability to convey the natural tonality of the acoustic guitar plays a crucial role in the authenticity of the listening experience. Its rich, organic tones are rendered true to the original recording. Such nuanced articulation shines in the quieter moments of this song and contributes significantly to its overall impact. 

John Coltrane's saxophone is the heart of Naima. The MOJO 2 captures the track's full range, from the gentle, breathy tones to the more forceful notes. Each nuance of his playing, including subtle breath sounds and finger movements, is carried with exceptional clarity. The song features a beautiful blend of piano, drums, and bass alongside the saxophone, and this speaker's ability to balance these elements ensures that no single instrument overshadows any other. The bass line sounds full and resonant, and the piano offers a rich tone that complements the sax. Dynamic shifts are a critical part of its expression, and these are skilfully handled. 

Yet this speaker isn't all about technical prowess, as it brings an emotional heft to the music thanks to its vibrant, dynamic, and clear sound reproduction. It offers a balanced, cohesive, and involving listening experience across all musical genres. You never tire of the MOJO 2's innate warmth, richness, and musical articulation. It also delivers plenty of bass for its size, provided you're driving it with a gutsy power amplifier. 

THE VERDICT

Ophidian's MOJO 2 standmount loudspeaker masterfully combines a sleek, compact design with outstanding acoustic performance for its size. It's an excellent choice for those dealing with limited space, seamlessly fitting into cluttered desks, cozy living areas, or intimate studio spaces. Able to play a diverse range of musical genres and have fun with all of them, it offers an engaging and dynamic sound that's bigger than you would expect. Yet because it's such a high-resolution device, it asks a lot of questions from the system driving it – you need a serious source and a powerful amplifier with excellent current drive. If you possess the aforementioned, then give it very serious consideration – it should be on your list of small speakers to audition.

For more information visit Ophidian