Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Mission LX-3 MKII

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It ranks #24 of 203 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5); the Mission LX-3 MKII ranks #126 (rated 3.6/5).

Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Mission LX-3 MKII

The Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 is the more accurate pick. High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.99 preference score with a subwoofer. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.33 against 4.17 for the Mission LX-3 MKII. The catch: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33.

The Mission LX-3 MKII is the deeper-bass option. A large affordable standmount with a 6.5-inch woofer, 88dB rated sensitivity and useful bass. Its bass reaches about 67.4Hz before falling 3dB, against 77.6Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. The tradeoff: On-axis smoothness of 0.217 and predicted in-room smoothness of 0.344 reveal clear response unevenness, with a -0.46dB-per-octave downward tilt.

Buy the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Mission LX-3 MKII.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 Mission LX-3 MKII
Price$798 per pair£249 per pair
Ranked#24 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers#126 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers
Bass Extension (-3dB)77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org)67.4Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org)
Bass Extension (-10dB)approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org)42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org)
DriversTwo 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer
Sensitivity92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic88dB
Impedance8 ohms nominal8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum
Power Handling240W continuous; 400W short-term peak-
Dimensions21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in
Weight29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each
Spinorama Preference Score5.334.17
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.996.42
DIY KitNoNo
Enclosure-2-way, bass-reflex
Country-United Kingdom (design)

How Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Speakers In Full

Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2: $798 per pair Ascend Acoustics eBay

Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 ranking card

Older model: the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Center (rated 3.7/5).

Same family: the Ascend CBM-170 SE2 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.8/5) and the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2 (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.3/5).

Pros: High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.99 preference score with a subwoofer. Its dual 6.5-inch woofers, 92dB anechoic sensitivity, and 240W continuous power rating support high output and dynamics. Measured bass extension of 77.6Hz (-3dB).

Cons: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33. The 4.35 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation also indicates more off-axis variation than the strongest designs, and the rear port needs placement clearance.

Bass Extension (-10dB)approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org)
Bass Extension (-3dB)77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each
DriversTwo 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter
Impedance8 ohms nominal
Power Handling240W continuous; 400W short-term peak
Sensitivity92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic
Spinorama Preference Score5.33
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub7.99
Weight29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each

Mission LX-3 MKII: £249 per pair Richer Sounds eBay

Mission LX-3 MKII ranking card

Pros: A large affordable standmount with a 6.5-inch woofer, 88dB rated sensitivity and useful bass. ASR measured 48Hz estimated in-room extension, a controlled Q of 0.60, a 6.42 subwoofer-assisted preference score and reasonable +/-55-degree horizontal coverage. Measured bass extension of 67.4Hz (-3dB).

Cons: On-axis smoothness of 0.217 and predicted in-room smoothness of 0.344 reveal clear response unevenness, with a -0.46dB-per-octave downward tilt. The 345mm-tall, 8.4kg cabinet is bulky and current US availability is limited.

Bass Extension (-10dB)42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org)
Bass Extension (-3dB)67.4Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org)
CountryUnited Kingdom (design)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in
Drivers1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer
Enclosure2-way, bass-reflex
Impedance8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum
Sensitivity88dB
Spinorama Preference Score4.17
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub6.42
Weight18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each