Speaker review ! Poor man's Buchardt S400 & Dynaudio Special 40 

for more info on our Reviewer info, patreon, and personal interest in our reviews: nbtsmedia.com/about-us/ Missions QX-2 (In Canadian $, but you can still purchase): funallaudio.com/canadian-store-new-beta#!/Mission-QX-2-Bookshelf-Speakers/p/224961286/category=51636361 Contact for USD (or other currency) conversion or questions: info@funallaudio.com Tekton Lore review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yCIj-g86UhE.html Triangle BRO3 review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vgY4ZSgklPw.html Dynaudio Special 40 review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zCOfGmUdhjo.html Buchardt S400 review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ynbzo7D4t4g.html

Mission is owned by IAG, which also owns Wharfedale, Quad, Audiolab, and Castle, and their director of engineering is legendary speaker designer Peter Comeau, designer of many iconic speakers over the last several decades. One of his latest projects, after the great success of modern versions of the legendary Wharfedale Denton and Linton, is to do the same with the legendary Mission 770, and create a new modern version of that speaker.

You mention that it doesn't really get good until you put some volume into it. Would love to see a video on your favorite speakers for low level listen.

Great review. Wouldn't this be closer to the ELAC DBR62 than the Buchardt S400?

How about the mission QX-5 mk2? Can you give us a review about it?

back in the day, missions were well known in the u.s. they had a very good reputation.

I'm from the UK and over the years have owned various Mission speakers. Up until a few years ago, Mission was on its A-Game but of recent somethi9ng has not been quite right. The QX-2 shows that they are back. Let me tell you one thing about Mission. When they make a really good speaker like the QX-2, they absolutely knock it out of the park. It will be head and shoulders above all contenders in its price category and above. I really hope that this is the case because I do like the Mission speaker philosophy and they should be right up there with KEF, Tannoy, and Monitor Audio as truly great British speaker manufacturers. Excellent review by the way!

Jay, you have become the reviewer for non-technicians, consumer friendly, not science(analytics) obsessed.

Excellent review!!!! I was ready to invest on Dynaudio or b&w 706s2 and happened to demo the Mission…….oh hhhh my what a hidden gem!!!! What a built!!!! What a price!!!!!…….i used them with Rotel Ra 1520,Hegel h95 and Cambridge audio ca x81 and the sound was way over their price! Unbelievable!! So spot on review!!! I never thought about mission and i was totally wrong! Thanks

£279 in the uk. Mission always heavily discounted in the home market (dispite being Chinese made these days). The QX5 in particular intrests me.

Mission has always had a strong presence in the budget speaker segment in the UK and in Malaysia. They are good speakers. A lot of us started our hi-fi journey on Missions. They also produced a great little integrated amp called Cyrus shaped like a shoe box.

Shouldn't you put Mission QX-2 somewhere in the title of the video? Thanks for the review. I'm glad to see Mission getting some more acknowledgement on youtube, they've been around for a very long time. The budget LX-2 also received many great reviews a few years ago (5 stars on What-Hifi)

IMHO you might consider discussing crossover design and parts quality when reviewing higher end speakers, and how those factors impact sound signature. Special 40s have 1st order crossovers and high quality components, including bespoke drivers, and you can tell with complex music because they time exceedingly well and remain phase coherent. I have heard Special 40s in many systems, and they are in another league from other bookshelf speakers under 5K because of these factors IF you listen to demanding genres of music and have a resolving system. These Missions must be fantastically good for you to compare them with the Special 40s!

I'm from the UK 🇬🇧 I remember mission as a true British company. Back in the 1980 my first real HiFi speakers were Mission 770's ... Amazing at the time, and even now would give a good few so called high end speakers a run for their money. It's good to hear/see that mission are still cutting it with quality sound and value. Great review 👍

Great review!!!Wharfedale,Mission and Quad are fabulous speakers!!!cheers from Argentina!!

Ι'm really very excited that you review this Mission speaker! I just bought last month the tower version of the series, the QX-4 at the same exact color! I was searching about 6 months to find my best choice. I listened to many tower speakers like Triangle BRO 7-8, KEF Q550, Klipsch, Audio Physic, Audio Vector, ELAC , FOCAL, S&B, all inside a budged of 800-1500eu (new and used or demo). All of them really great speakers but finally I ended up choosing the QX-4. There were no review in the youtube and I was very eager to find one and now I'm very happy that this comes especially from you. I said to myself let's see what Jay has to say . Were the things I listen to and choose the speaker for "true" or it was just a first impression of a rookie. And yes you just described what I listened too. Mid range clear, emotional with articulation, top end detailed, refined and a little smooth that makes the speaker forgiving to poor recordings and more musical. The soundstage is large and behind the speakers. Build quality is excellent! Let me add one more thing about the budget speaker issue that you said. The dealer told me that Mission's strategy to gain a higher market sear led the company to price this range of speaker lower than it's real price. In the near future they will raise the price (of the new series) to the normal standards for the quality.

How is the mkII version of this speaker compare to the older one?

I purchased some from Peter tyson at 275 brand new, I was thinking of changing them for the kef ls50 but there is not enough difference so sticking with me missions 👍

Bought these based on your review and it must say I love them your review was spot-on. But why are you the only reviewer that checked these speakers out?

QX-2 is a fine speaker in the pricepoint!

These were quite well reviewed in the UK but seem to have disappeared in people's audition lists.

All I know is I'm getting fed up with a lot of quote" audio system reviewers! But the key here is that I feel the opposite towards you! Keep plugging along I can see your stats are getting better and better!🤗😇

I have had Mission Speakers for nearly 15 years, I started with the MV range on an Onkyo TX SR309, it was my first home theatre system and it really blew peoples socks off despite being just over £1,000. Now I have two Mission and Audiolab combos: QX3s on an Audiolab 6000A, and QX5s on the MDAC Plus and 8300XP; I could not be happier! Mission and Audiolab play very well together. I absolutely agree that they need some volume and power to get going, but they sound phenomenal once they do. Despite being a home theatre enthusiast for ages and only making the switch to Hi-Fi last year, I am constantly impressed by these combos. They give me pretty much everything I want for both music and movies. If you are interested in the QX2 go for it, you won't be disappointed, but I absolutely recommend the floor standers.

Hmmmm $682 USD. A lot of speakers from $400-600 and it’s $82 above the sweet spot of budget speakers.

Bravo! more reviews like this of internationally available products (not just products limited to US/Canada)

Poor man's Dyna Special 40.... ? You have my attention ! Mission is very well known long long time ago. Probably not for young people in North America.

mission is back after they decided the R&D of mission speakers relocated to the UK instead of china . Now mission re hired the UK engineers to produce the speakers , but the production i still made in china

Hey Jay, In one of your recent videos (2024) you said this is the best spreaker under $1K. But from my research I'm leaning towards the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3, that seems to be the best, under $1K. In your opinion should I get the Mission QX-2 Mk II or is it worth paying 200€ more for the B&W?

An excellent option from Mission is the lower Lx2 or Lx3 bookshelves. I have both, and like the Qx, they scale well with better gear. Impressive price/performance ratio!

Those look cool, I would buy them. I have a pair of Mission 753 floorstanders in rosewood made in England from the 80’s. They were a hot item back then but they needed to be close to the wall. I bet these are much better in every way except maximum loudness. Great review.

Can you comment more on how it compares to the Triangle BRO? I was about to pull the trigger on the Triangle, but now, you have me thinking again.

This is the first time I’ve seen your stuff ... You’re very, very good! I don’t know if I’ve ever heard descriptions as clear and coherent as yours.

Will a Marantz PM5005 Amplifier be able to drive the QX-2?

Finally you have reviewed the qx2, I saw the missions in one's of your videos I think when you did a tour or something and really wanted to know what you thought of the qx2. I have qx2 in rosewood vinyl finish using the audiolab 6000a, I'm enjoying them. There's not many RU-vid review videos on this speaker and they can be bought quiet cheap in the UK now.

Once again, an excellent review.

Re; quality of finish that manufacturers can produce on budget speakers. Please Google Wharefdale Diamond 9.1 'Anniversary Edition'. This speaker is very budget, it sold for less than 150 GBP new yet the construction and real oiled walnut veneer was fitting of a speaker costing thousands. If Whafedale can produce such first-class finish on a pair of ultra-budget speakers and sell for that price, it shows that most manufacturers are simply penny pinchers when it comes to the standard of finish. When I see speakers costing hundreds, even thousands with poor quality finishes, all I see is a manufacturer that cares more for its profit than its product.

Years ago I had the Mission/Cyrus 780. It had the same woofer on top design but only a 5.25" woofer. It DEFINITELY produced sound way out of its price range. I may look into buying a set in the near future.

The man of the people!

Ask Thomas to review Them too ... :P

But Wharfedal 12.1 is less than half the price

What about the comparison with Dali Spector 1and Dali zensor 1 ??

I've had these speakers for around six months and they are Brilliant, i paid £225 in a sale, partnered with an Audiolab 6000a. Jay, you are spot on with the low volume performance for the detail they present which only gets better with volume and vocals are way above price point. They really embarrass a lot of speakers for sound, build quality and looks. Mission really don't get enough attention, i was thinking about getting the QX5 but they haven't got enough review which is annoying as if they sound anything like the QX2 they should be very good. seems like Sound United are really pushing Wharfdale over the sister Mission products. To compare i have a set of DIY Troels Gravesen SB-761 which i made recently which are way above in price and are using SB Acoustics Satori high end drivers and although not quite as good, are for the money really quite some bargain. Well done Jay.

is it better than the kef ls50?

Mission has produced many of the bookshelfs with the woofer on top for a very long time. They call it: Inverted Driver Geometry (IDG)

Hello Jay, you really should get a pair of Isoacoustics Aperta's! I have two pairs and can't live without it anymore...

The sonic signature with the deep soundstage, speaker totally disappearing, astonishing deep and tight bass for the size sounds just lile my 80’s mission 780s. This has very much the family resemblance, but seems to be improved lightyears in technology. Just look at the tweeter, the aluminium, ...

It looks much more like the PSB alpha P5 instead of the Buchardt S400. Speakers that look exactly like the Buchardt are the Amphion Argon speakers, which are also similar priced.

Heard this in a demo room at my local audio shop. I have br03 on my own, not sure due to the room or chain setup, my br03 sounds better. Dynamically and clarity.

I've owned various Mission speakers since the early 80's always loved their sound. My first was the LE 700 one of the greatest "bookshelf" speakers ever made, a little more forward than the classic British sound but very coherent and dynamic.

How about reviewing the Gold Planar GL850 AMT driver headphones jusst released in China?

I had the Mission QX-2 for about 6 months but they didn't "wow me" at all. Ended up selling them and got the Triangle Bro3's instead. Much better, at least in my home...

My first speakers were Missions - that was in 1989-90. They were great little budget speakers. In fact, my brother still uses them hooked to a computer.

My first proper hifi speaker was a mission designe, back in 1989, I've had many since then all have been excellent value for money and quality build and sound.

Have you tried them with your Willsenton R8 yet? Thanks for the good review.

Mission used to be well known back in the 80's and could be found in more home audio stores. Some of the older models were manufactured in Canada. I've always liked Mission and have enjoyed their 700 line for my home theatre.

Mission. Not.... Well known in....north America. Ahahahahahahahahaha. Oh Jay. You kidder, you.

The Mission Qx1 is an addictive listen for smaller rooms, £150 .

Hi Jay, would vista audio spark 2 work ok with these for near field listening ? I plan to use it at my desktop. Thank you

How is the Mission vs Evo 4.1 ?

Far from a balanced sounding speaker. Overbearing bass, which gives a impression of rolled of frequencies. DULL DULL SOUND.. Zzz..

349 pounds on Amazon UK 🇬🇧

Hi Jay!Do you have in mind to review some Quad speakers??S1,S2 or Z1,Z2?? thanks

Lets HEAR IT !!!

I heard they are doing something like Buchardt S400II, they are coming out with the QX-2 MKII, I can't find any of these for sale anywhere here in the US...I believe the new QX-2 MKII are coming soon...

Can you do a followup to the new Mission QX-2 mkii? Would love to know your opinion on the refreshed version!

Thank you for this video. As someone who has known this brand for years and always remembers it well, I request you to review other models of the QX series.

Looks a lot like a PSB alpha speaker to me. Jay, would you say that they are similar in design performance?

Hi jay I am the beginner I need yr advice or recommendations I looking for barget Dac I am thinking to buy Power Node 2i if not wrong the power node 2i don’t have stereo or if I buy the power note 2i which speaker is suitable for node can I use the mission QX-22 way bookshelf speaker. Or may be I buy the cambridge Audio Azur 851N can I use the mission QX -2 2 way speaker this for yr help,

I will never buy anything but Event speakers because for the money they are unbeatable

Hi Jay, in my humble opinon, as a "beginner", it is absolutely useless to tell me that these speakers or this amp or turntable. You have to tell me which amp and turntable work TOGETHER with these speakers, otherwise I'm going to have great speakers, a great amp and a great turntable which just sound shit when used together as a hifi system.

I might just be very wrong, but nothing beat vintage speakers,I went thru endless brands and constantly buying more speakers, vintage speakers are made better when materials arent a a problem,whereas corporates greeds nowadays have everything slapped together as long as they looked good they sell,take them on high gears like when you listen to heavy metals,like when you drive your car on los angeles freeway over 140 per hour,that's when you find out who is the real king, vintage my friends

Great review Jay, Would the Powernode 2i be a good match for these to make a little all in one system ? Thanks JB

If its possible please review these speakers ELAC LK 4000 I have them and cant find a review to see if its worth buying stuff for it (it has not been used for about 30 years).

Same design lead as warfedale. The Soundstage on the diamond 12.2 also places the singer behind the stage . I love the trick it plays on your mind so used to hearing singer locked dead center and forward

I thought I found my speakers.. But these are discontinued!

Just bought the mission qx-5's few days ago.....can't wait to listen to them.Never heard them before so that's gonna be a surprise.Hope a good one :)

Hey man.. what do you think about edifier speakers? They're one of the few audio companies that seem worth it that sell their products in my country.

Hello no need to speak so much dont waste your saliva just show us a test demo wah lau eh ninabei

This line of Mission speakers uses a ring radiator tweeter, like the Polk R series, and is either sourced from Sanspeak/Vifa, or is based on their ring radiator tweeter designs.

Another reviewer stated the XTZ SPIRIT 4 was similar in respects to the Buchardt S400. Any thoughts anyone?

Awsome video buddy . Glad you get Mission some praise. Haven't heard many of their speakers . I did hear their bookshelf about 20 years ago at dealer ( might have been Leachmear - probably spelled wrong...They were fantastic !!! 😊 Loved highs and midrange and especially mid-base . Would have been Awsome run of subwoofer with crossover sending 80 or 100 Hz to sub. They had special sound right now don't have descriptive words to explain was probably 20 years ago or more. I loved the sound !!!

Very nice review, another very fun speaker to review is the Tannoy Gold 5 active studio monitors, wich dont look bad and are offcourse active designs. And the best, dual concentric, and very cheap.

Thanks, Jay. Sound wise, how do they compare with preceding models such as the early 700 series? Any semblance?

Nice review again, although you have thrown me a curve ball. I had almost decided to purchase the Paradigm Atom se, but would this be a better option, bearing in mind I will be using a Topping PA3 at least for now. My problem is I cannot listen to many speakers here, (Cambodia) although I did manage a listen of the Klipsch rp500m which I liked, but my room is fairly bare and was worried about the treble response with that. It does mean I have to pay quite a bit extra for shipping and taxes so I did not want to make a mistake. The Kef Q150 was another under consideration.

The micca rb42 z reviews said its like the buchardt s100 and you need to review q acoustic 3030i

Sadly I went to Mission web site and they QX-2 is discontinued.

I used to own a Mission Cyrus amplifier and friends owned Older Misprision speakers. Top shelf stuff that's been in production for a long time.

Hi, would they be fine to listen to rock? Thanks

Curious if the measurements would show it being similar to the s400 or if its more of the visual appearance that makes it seem that way.

Jay - since the 1980's , Not only has Mission made they're own enclosures. But, a big part of their business; was to make enclosures for other speaker companies. That's why, counter to a rumor I heard. I was surprised, that Sounds United, did not buy Mission - But B & W. btw - I haven't handled a Mission Speaker since the late '90s. Won't I have "egg on my face", If they have since abandoned that business model ? And the stuff is now made in china, like most other stuff ! lol

Just went on the mission site and it says the whole QX line has been discontinued.

Hello can you do a review on the fluance signature series loudspeakers would be cool thanks

hi , this speakers are above or under kef q350 and ls50 ? thanks

misson are the best bang for the bucks i speak from owning older ones there great.

Twitter has big problems. It blows out.

What about mission zx-5 towers?

What about tow in? Whitch position you found the best?

Hi Jay thank you for the excellent review of the Mission QX-2! I bought a store demo pair in the okanagan and it is paired with a YBA Integre DT, the dac is a vintage "microdac" from micromega, and an onkyo 7030 cd player as transport. Is sounding good! and some day a better dac. Cheers!

If the QX is 80-90%, then does that mean the next tier ZX will beat the S400 and S40 ?

Mate Mission brand is very famous all over the world