Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It ranks #41 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5); the Mission LX-3 MKII ranks #138 (rated 3.6/5).
The Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A ribbon tweeter bookshelf speaker with hand matched pairs, a frequency response printout for each unit, and a long seven year warranty. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.88 against 4.17 for the Mission LX-3 MKII. Its bass reaches about 58.6Hz before falling 3dB, against 67.4Hz for the Mission LX-3 MKII. Watch for: On-axis response is relatively uneven, with an average deviation of about 0.45dB, so a listener sitting dead center may notice more unevenness than with smoother AsciLab or Ascend towers.
Why pick the Mission LX-3 MKII: Large affordable standmount speakers with a 6.5 inch woofer, useful bass and easy to drive sensitivity. 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 Sierra-2EX V2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Mission LX-3 MKII.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A ribbon tweeter bookshelf speaker with hand matched pairs, a frequency response printout for each unit, and a long seven year warranty.
Large affordable standmount speakers with a 6.5 inch woofer, useful bass and easy to drive sensitivity.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 | Mission LX-3 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,748 per pair | £249 per pair |
| Ranked | #41 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #138 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Drivers | RAAL 10mm true ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv cone woofer | 1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer |
| Dimensions | 14.3”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (362 x 190 x 267 mm) | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 85dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) | 88dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous, 300W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 51-27,000Hz +/-3dB (manufacturer) | - |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 67.4Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org) |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor | - |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom (design) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 | 4.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.95 | 6.42 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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