Short answer: the Dynaudio Contour 20i. It ranks #96 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5); the Mission LX-3 MKII ranks #138 (rated 3.6/5).
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 catch: 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 Dynaudio Contour 20i is the deeper-bass choice. Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 3dB, against 67.4Hz for the Mission LX-3 MKII. Watch for: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment.
Buy the Dynaudio Contour 20i. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Mission LX-3 MKII.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Large affordable standmount speakers with a 6.5 inch woofer, useful bass and easy to drive sensitivity.
Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall.
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
| Mission LX-3 MKII | Dynaudio Contour 20i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £249 per pair | $5750 per pair |
| Ranked | #138 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #96 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way, bass-reflex | - |
| Drivers | 1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Dimensions | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 88dB | 82.5dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum | 4 ohms |
| 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) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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