Short answer: the Buchardt Audio E50. It ranks #16 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5); the Mission LX-3 MKII ranks #138 (rated 3.6/5).
The Buchardt Audio E50 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.84 against 4.17 for the Mission LX-3 MKII. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 3dB, against 67.4Hz for the Mission LX-3 MKII. The catch: A roughly 3dB dip in the upper midrange/lower treble softens attack and dialogue clarity: the reviewer’s main complaint, and it’s baked into the crossover rather than a directivity artifact, so it’s audible both on and off axis.
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 Buchardt Audio E50. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Mission LX-3 MKII.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall.
Large affordable standmount speakers with a 6.5 inch woofer, useful bass and easy to drive sensitivity.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Buchardt Audio E50 | Mission LX-3 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4600 per pair | £249 per pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #138 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67.4Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 15.6” x 7.5” x 11.2” (395 x 190 x 284 mm) | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 83.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 88dB |
| Drivers | 1” Scanspeak dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” Purifi extended-stroke woofer, dual 6.5” passive radiators | 1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer |
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator loaded | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2000Hz | - |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz - 30kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | 60W - 200W | - |
| Country | Denmark | United Kingdom (design) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.84 | 4.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.61 | 6.42 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, bass-reflex |
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