Short answer: the Philharmonic BMR (v1). It ranks #36 of 130 bookshelf speakers by sound quality; the Mission LX-3 MKII ranks #80.
What the Philharmonic BMR (v1) offers: Large three-way combining a Scan-Speak 7-inch paper/carbon woofer, 2.5-inch Tectonic balanced-mode midrange and RAAL 64-10 ribbon. Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB linearity from 80Hz upward, very broad +/-40-degree-or-better horizontal coverage and about 83dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity. The port is tuned in the mid/low-30Hz region without audible chuffing, the midrange provides unusually expansive staging, and distortion remained subjectively unobtrusive. Watch for: The measured 83dB sensitivity and roughly 4-ohm load demand meaningful external amplification. A 1-2dB shelf below about 300Hz reduces warmth unless corrected, while a response/impedance feature near 250-300Hz corresponded with Erin’s sense of resonance. The ribbon produces narrower vertical than horizontal radiation, and second-order high-frequency distortion plus dynamic enhancement near 3kHz appeared in testing. This was an earlier cabinet/version, not the current v2.
What the Mission LX-3 MKII offers: A large affordable standmount with a 6.5-inch woofer, 88dB rated sensitivity and useful bass. ASR measured 48Hz estimated in-room extension, a controlled Q of 0.60, a 5.52 subwoofer-assisted preference score and reasonable +/-55-degree horizontal coverage. 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. The 345mm-tall, 8.4kg cabinet is bulky and current US availability is limited.
Buy the Philharmonic BMR (v1) if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Mission LX-3 MKII if the price matters more than sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Philharmonic BMR (v1) | Mission LX-3 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,395 per pair | £249 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #80 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 62Hz relative to mean (measured, Erin's Audio Corner website) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.8Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 88dB |
| Impedance | Approximately 4 ohms nominal (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Drivers | RAAL 64-10 ribbon; 2.5" BMR midrange; 7" Scan-Speak woofer | 1" microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5" composite-fiber woofer |
| Port Tuning | Mid/low-30Hz range (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.24 | 3.26 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.90 | 5.52 |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Dimensions | - | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Weight | - | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (design) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Philharmonic BMR (v1):
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs Perlisten S4b
- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs Philharmonic BMR (v1)
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- AsciLab C6B vs Philharmonic BMR (v1)
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs Philharmonic BMR (v1)
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Philharmonic BMR (v1): $2,395 per pair Philharmonic Audio eBay
Pros: Large three-way combining a Scan-Speak 7-inch paper/carbon woofer, 2.5-inch Tectonic balanced-mode midrange and RAAL 64-10 ribbon. Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB linearity from 80Hz upward, very broad +/-40-degree-or-better horizontal coverage and about 83dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity. The port is tuned in the mid/low-30Hz region without audible chuffing, the midrange provides unusually expansive staging, and distortion remained subjectively unobtrusive. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: The measured 83dB sensitivity and roughly 4-ohm load demand meaningful external amplification. A 1-2dB shelf below about 300Hz reduces warmth unless corrected, while a response/impedance feature near 250-300Hz corresponded with Erin’s sense of resonance. The ribbon produces narrower vertical than horizontal radiation, and second-order high-frequency distortion plus dynamic enhancement near 3kHz appeared in testing. This was an earlier cabinet/version, not the current v2.
Full Philharmonic BMR (v1) review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.8Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 62Hz relative to mean (measured, Erin's Audio Corner website) |
| Drivers | RAAL 64-10 ribbon; 2.5" BMR midrange; 7" Scan-Speak woofer |
| Impedance | Approximately 4 ohms nominal (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Port Tuning | Mid/low-30Hz range (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.90 |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs ELAC VELA BS 403
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs Selah Audio Integrity
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs Wharfedale Linton 85
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs Emotiva Airmotiv XB2
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs Selah Audio Purezza
- See all 49 comparisons
Mission LX-3 MKII: £249 per pair Richer Sounds eBay
Pros: A large affordable standmount with a 6.5-inch woofer, 88dB rated sensitivity and useful bass. ASR measured 48Hz estimated in-room extension, a controlled Q of 0.60, a 5.52 subwoofer-assisted preference score and reasonable +/-55-degree horizontal coverage.
Cons: 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 345mm-tall, 8.4kg cabinet is bulky and current US availability is limited.
Full Mission LX-3 MKII review and specifications →
| Country | United Kingdom (design) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Drivers | 1" microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5" composite-fiber woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 88dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.26 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.52 |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs Philharmonic BMR Monitor
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs Dynaudio Special Forty
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs SVS Prime Bookshelf
- Mission LX-3 MKII vs KEF Q3 Meta
- See all 44 comparisons