Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio. It ranks #4 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.8/5); the Mission LX-3 MKII ranks #138 (rated 3.6/5).
The GR-Research NX-Studio is the better-sounding choice. A DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass. Watch for: Bass will be very tight but won’t be quite as deep as others due to the sealed woofer enclosure.
What the Mission LX-3 MKII does well: 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 GR-Research NX-Studio. 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 DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass.
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
| GR-Research NX-Studio | Mission LX-3 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3630 per pair | £249 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #138 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 18”H x 8.5”W x 15.5”D (457.2 x 215.9 x 393.7 mm) | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 88dB |
| Drivers | GR-Research M165NQ 6.5” paper cone, non-resonant polymer frame, copper shorting rings and aluminum phase plug sealed enclosure woofer, GR-Research Neo3 Planar Magnetic Ribbon open baffle tweeter | 1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer |
| Weight | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) each | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | - |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (design) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.42 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 67.4Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org) |
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