Mission SX2: Mission Statement (Part 2)

Scritti Politti’s Perfect Way shows the Missions in their element. They love dynamic, fast-moving music. Despite that slight upper bass warmth, they punch out a sound that many floor standers would be proud of, and carry the rhythm beautifully. Easy and effortless yet fast and fun, they make the track a joy to listen to. The track’s digital synthesizers can descend into harshness at high volumes, but the Missions resolutely refuse to do so, remaining couth and showing just how beautifully integrated they are.

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Indeed, that’s a real strength of these speakers; they present a cohesive whole and you’re never aware that you’re listening to ‘a woofer and a tweeter’. The drive units gel really well – not just in terms of the crossover point, but in phase too, so everything seems to arrive at you in time, singing from the same hymn sheet. This makes for a wide-open soundstage and total confidence when placing stereo images, as a Linn CD recording of Mozart’s Symphony No.29shows. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is beautifully carried, these speakers imparting its power and size in its entirety.

In absolute terms, you can criticize the SX2 for its lack of deep bass. It’s only a compact stand maunder and the slightly generous upper bass flatters to deceive, giving the impression that they go down a little lower than they really do. Also, the same can be said at the opposite end of the frequency spectrum. For example, Stanley Clarke’s where is the Love? Shows the SX2s to be a little lacking in atmosphere right at the top of the frequency spectrum. Still, you’d never call the Mission dull, it’s just that some others do a bit better. Nor is the SX2 the most forensic around; it doesn’t eke out every last detail from the mix as well as some.

In absolute terms, you can criticize the SX2 for its lack of deep bass.

Squeeze’s Pulling Mussels from a Shellis a recording only its mother could love; seemingly recorded under an old railway arch at rush hour, it will never join Norah Jones or Dire Straits in that long list of ‘ultimate hi-fi show test tracks’. But it is meat and drink for this speaker. The Missions sound warm and smooth with lots of power from the bass guitar and backing organ, while guitars crunch nicely and vocals sound plaintive yet passionate – just as they should. Indeed, the Missions show their great ability to cut to the musical chase and lead you away from other distractions such as poor recording quality. The result is a sound that’s as satisfying as it is slick.

How it compares

The SX2 sits at a slightly unusual price, between many manufacturers’ ranges – for example Monitor Audio has the Gold GX50 for $1275.95 and the Silver RX2 for $738.71. Against these the SX2 has a bigger, more physical sound, but cannot match the GX’s superb treble detail and spaciousness or the precise-sounding RX.

There’s also strong competition from Boston Acoustics’ fine M25 ($779.00), which has a warm, expansive nature that’s probably the closest to the SX2 that you’ll find. Trouble is, the M25 is smaller and it can’t go as loud or image as expansively as the Mission. It’s a better speaker in a smaller space, but the Mission works great with medium-sized rooms.

Conclusion

‘Quintessentially Mission’ is how you’d best describe the sound of the SX2

In my book, the definition of a great mid-price loudspeaker is one that gets you closer to the music than the budget boxes, but doesn’t trip over its own toes while doing so. So many speakers suffer from having a reach that exceeds their grasp – they fall to pieces trying to do too much – yet the Mission SX2 is precisely the reverse. It gives an unassailably enjoyable yet composed sound that makes all types of music fun. It is a little limited at the frequency extremes and subtly compressed and lacking in midland detail, but this is excusable at the price. Indeed, this new Mission is such good fun that you can switch from far more expensive boxes yet still enjoy the great sense of occasion the SX2 brings to music. So, go hear ’elm if you can!

Our verdict

·         Sound quality: 5/5

·         Value for money: 5/5

·         Build quality: 5/5

·         Ease of drive: 4/5

·         Like: Smooth, warm balance; rhythmically engaging; crisp, three-dimensional sound

·         Dislike: Lacks ultimate bass and treble extension

·         We say: An extremely likeable, enjoyable mid-price stand mount with a musical nature

·         Overall: 5/5