Short answer: the Wharfedale Aura 2. It ranks #13 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.6/5); the Mission LX-3 MKII ranks #138 (rated 3.6/5).
The Wharfedale Aura 2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.03 against 4.17 for the Mission LX-3 MKII. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 3dB, against 67.4Hz for the Mission LX-3 MKII. Watch for: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted.
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 Wharfedale Aura 2. 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 mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms.
Large affordable standmount speakers with a 6.5 inch woofer, useful bass and easy to drive sensitivity.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Aura 2 | Mission LX-3 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2799 per pair | £249 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #138 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67.4Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 22.1”H x 11.3”W x 15.3”D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Drivers | 6.5” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter | 1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 88dB |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.03 | 4.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.65 | 6.42 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (design) |
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