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).
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) |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter | 1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer |
| Sensitivity | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic | 88dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Power Handling | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak | - |
| Dimensions | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.33 | 4.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.99 | 6.42 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (design) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 compares with other leading options:
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Perlisten S4b
- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- AsciLab C6B vs Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2
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
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.
Full Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak |
| Sensitivity | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.99 |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Arendal 1528 Monitor 8
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs AsciLab F6Bs
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 8
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Buchardt Audio E50
- See all 47 comparisons
Mission LX-3 MKII: £249 per pair Richer Sounds eBay
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.
Full Mission LX-3 MKII review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67.4Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Country | United Kingdom (design) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Drivers | 1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 88dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.42 |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs Philharmonic BMR Monitor
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs Dynaudio Special Forty
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs SVS Prime Bookshelf
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs KEF Q3 Meta
- See all 44 comparisons


