Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It ranks #48 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5); the Mission LX-3 MKII ranks #138 (rated 3.6/5).
The Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 is the more accurate pick. A great value bookshelf speaker with neutral sound, an AMT ribbon tweeter, and decent bass for its size. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.65 against 4.17 for the Mission LX-3 MKII. The catch: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff.
The case for the Mission LX-3 MKII: Large affordable standmount speakers with a 6.5 inch woofer, useful bass and easy to drive sensitivity. Watch for: 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Mission LX-3 MKII.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A great value bookshelf speaker with neutral sound, an AMT ribbon tweeter, and decent bass for its size.
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
| Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | Mission LX-3 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 per pair | £249 per pair |
| Ranked | #48 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #138 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67.4Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 8.5” x 11.5” (325 x 216 x 292 mm) | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) | 88dB |
| Drivers | 1x 6” woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter | 1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported | - |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Power Handling | 125W continuous, 200W peak | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.65 | 4.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.93 | 6.42 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (design) |
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