Short answer: the Mission LX-3 MKII. It ranks #138 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5); the Polk R200 ranks #178 (rated 3.2/5).
The Polk R200 is the more accurate choice. A Polk bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer and a ring radiator tweeter, sized for a medium room. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.09 against 4.17 for the Mission LX-3 MKII. The tradeoff: A resonance and associated distortion increase around 800Hz-1kHz creates a “tinny,” occasionally glaring quality on certain instruments and vocals, confirmed both by ear and in the frequency-response and distortion measurements.
The Mission LX-3 MKII is the better-sounding pick. 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 Mission LX-3 MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Polk R200.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A Polk bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer and a ring radiator tweeter, sized for a medium room.
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
| Polk R200 | Mission LX-3 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 per pair | £249 per pair |
| Ranked | #178 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #138 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67.4Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 88dB |
| Drivers | 25mm soft dome + 165mm woofer | 1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer |
| Weight | 31.3 lbs (14.2 kg) | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.5”W x 13.9”D (359.0 x 190.0 x 353.8 mm) | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.09 | 4.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.61 | 6.42 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (design) |
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