It's great to hear a venerated designer discuss....(choke)....ONE-HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FOUR revisions to a X-over....showing the level of detail and refinement a serious loudspeaker engineer goes about his business. Inspiring. It's also proof that measurements don't tell the whole story.
As a professional reviewer watcher, I must say that your are the best RU-vid stereo gear reviewer. Very relaxed, the most informative. You make people feel as if they would feel at home with you in your listening room. I always feel as if I may have actually learned something from your videos or at least have an ideal of what to expect from whatever product you have reviewed. It’s always actually worth watching. The fact is there is now an actual hobby of listening to reviewers, which I must admit is kinda weird.
Thank you for this. I was SO reminded of conversations with the late Peter Walker of QUAD because his abiding search -- whether cone or electrostatic -- was that the speaker units should deliver the source sound and not a flavour. Nuances were another matter but I was relatively young then and that went over my head. Now, a month shy of turning 75, this was not only heartwarming but very instructive. Mr Walker always said that he leaned something new every day. So, evidently, does this Peter.
6:17 I felt that a better comparison here would be with the Elysian 2 than the Linton. Would love to hear how they measure up in another video perhaps. Thanks
Brilliant video. When I lived in the UK I represented Mission in the 80's in the US. I knew Henry and Farad Azima quite well and met Peter on several occasions. Thanks for the memories! Cheers, James
I just found this channel today. This is one of the nicest interviews I have seen in this sector. Kudos also for manufacturing the Mission 770 in the UK. If they can avoid an extortionate price tag hike for doing so (I would be happy to pay a reasonable premium for a made in the UK label) that alone will make it a hit. I am looking forward to the next one.
I respect Peter Comeau's abilities as a reviewer and as a speaker designer. I once had pair of lovely Speakers designed by him and built as a kit, I think from Wilmslow Audio. They were a similar design to the Spendor BC1 I think and they were lovely to listen to. I now have one of his present company's amplifier designs, that is, the Quad Artera Pre and the accompanying Artero stereo power amp. I have had many amps in my lifetime and can honestly say this is the finest amp I have ever had the pleasuret to own. Whether Peter's golden ears had a say in the design, I don't know, probably as he is head of design at IAG and Quad, he did. The Absolute Sound's Paul Seydor reviewed it and, in his own words "I have absolutely no hesitation in pronouncing the Artera Stereo by a good margin the finest amplifier the company has ever made. Artera’s maiden offerings combine simplicity of form and function, elegant styling, compact size, and solid performance-in the case of the Stereo, quite outstanding performance." Well done Terry, for bringing us this video, many thanks to Peter Comeau, one of our genius designers. He never loses sight of the fact, that audio reproduction and Hi-Fi is about getiing closer to the music.
No idea who that woman is , but if I think of iconic British speaker designers I’m thinking of Peter Walker , Laurie Fincham , Raymond Cooke , John Bowers , Gilbert Briggs , John Wright . PJC I just remember as a magazine reviewer .
Excellent interview! In the late 1970's I bought a used Quad valve system - two Quad II power amps, a stereo pre-amp, FM and AM tuners. A little later I acquired a pair of original electrostatics. I have very happy memories driving up to the service department at Huntingdon to get them all up to spec. Wonderful people, wonderful service. Despite the gear being old even back then, all parts were available and the Quad technicians still had excellent technical knowledge of that old equipment. The great Peter Walker, audio genius, was still around then. While my gear was being serviced, me and my brother would drive to Cambridge for a look around the city. When I moved permanently to Thailand in 2003, all of my Quad gear was sold. The power amps ended up in Hong Kong. It still makes me sad thinking about it, but moving for a better quality of life forced the separation upon me. Such is life.
When I saw those 770 speakers and heard the actual designer talk about them I wanted to weep.I heard the original design and just wanted them. But couldn't afford the price. I still want that sound. What a joy to know that my ears were right,and that unknown to me,they are still being made. I just wish I could give you two marvelous blokes a big hug. And just have a feel of those fabulous speakers. Then just sit and listen and feel the joy.
I love the Mission products. I own and still listen to Mission 70 mk ll's and love them still... I'd like to get a hold of a pair of 770's soon, I've heard a lot of good things about them. Thanks for the great video.
Thank you for that insightful interview. Even though especially in the first segment Mr Comeau kept his deeper business secrets like a skilled diplomat😉. Interesting when at 6:57 he tries to explain why there are still these different brands within IAG's speaker assortment. Following up the question how one engineer could design different sound signatures for different ranges, while seemingly being fully in favour of each of these "issues". That's a tough question not easy to answer! He managed to answer it, it's not fully convincing for my understanding at least, but I see his point somehow. - Certainly these brands could be represented as different ranges within a single brand as an alternative. But it would be rather lame calling them all just by "IAG". Exceedingly more Mr Comeau liked to talk about speaker technology, materials and crossovers, and that was stunning to follow! 19:13 the best part, yes, we want to hear that all, definitely. Mission 770 look promising, for guys like me striving for that amount of analysis and accuracy the Lintons weren't able to deliver. BTW charming Castle Audio sadly wasn't mentioned, which is still my favorite, hopefully not at risk of discontinuation, IAG brand.
Very informative interview. I have never owned any mission products but have always followed their range over the years with interest. Nice to see even though now part of a Chinese owned business, they still respect and rely on the deep talent pool in the UK audio world.
Have had various Missions over the years 770, 760, 782, SX4. The 770s were incredible... The little 760s amazing for the price Still use them today. My favourite of all was and is the 782s The sweetest sound. . Had them 30 years . A few midranges have been and gone though 😅
Thoroughly enjoyable interview and whilst I have always desired the 770 I have a pair of the smaller 717 models that always impress friends in looks and sound, cannot wait to see what's in the pipeline.
Nice video and glad to hear from the man himself I have 2 sets of 782, 1set of 780 and 2 sets of 750 Azima Always loved the sound of missions speakers of that era Toying with the idea of the Wharfadale Evo 4.2 or 4.3 and I was not aware that he was behind them too
I remember in the mid 90-s I was looking for the floor standing speakers in a 1000 USD range. I went to the large stores and some boutique sound rooms and did listen to many different models from many famous manufacturers. And the Mission 735 speakers (with some multilayer tweeter domes) in my opinion were the most naturally sounding speakers of them all.
Scored some Mission 707 speakers the other day. Had to refoam woofers, and replaced vifa d19 with seas d19 replacements. Took me awhile to get used to sound, but freaking amazing !! 😍
english hifi gear are legend, I got QUAD ALTERA STEREO AMP, WITH MY MAGNEPANS 1.7, IT DRIVES MY SPEAKERS WITH EAZ &AUTHORITY!!I NEVER HAVE THE URGE TO CHANGE THE AMP & GO FOR A 500W AMP!!
Very interesting interview! I have Mission QX-2 and had other Mission speakers before, because I like their sound signature. Looking forward for Mission 770 review 👍
I think it's the best time of the year for a speaker release right now. We don't know if they are still in the phase of tweaking. Maybe they're just suffering from shortages... Anyway, I don't know where Whathifi got that information about a mid 2021 release from, which so far has not been recalled.
Thanks Terry/Peter I see the Omnia on the table 😃 I just took the 8300a for a test drive awesome integrated amp Used the omnia as digital transport lol
I have just bought a mint pair of 752s to go with a refurbished MF A1 amplifier, within my 'retro' system upstairs. This new 770 sounds right up my street. I'm looking forward to getting out to audition it when it lands.
Clearly a very knowledgeable considered intelligent approach to speaker design. And yes, the speakers shown here are indeed absolutely excellent. And yes, people do "buy with their eyes, and not their ears". The gimmick-ridden BS-swamped world of HiFi equipment is filled with stuff designed with unecessary visual 'features' that have no real audible benefit to the sound [often barely measurable (if at all) by instruments], but just add to the high margin price tag. Glad to see that this man's calm apparently gimmick-free approach has resulted in some superb speakers.
I wish you had spoke to Peter about the mission pilastro speakers he designed that would of be an absolute amazing video. Please could you do this for us as theres just not enough information out there for such an amazing speaker thanks Spencer
@@PursuitPerfectSystem honestly anything would be worthwhile uploading I would love to watch it. Or you could upload it to my Facebook page I started its called the mission pilastro speakers legacy page. Please join our page we would be very grateful for the upload. I started this page to get the owners together and see how many pairs there where made. Peter comeau has also posted on there allot thanks Spencer
@@PursuitPerfectSystem lots of content creators are doing "shorts" these days. Keeps the channel content fresh, more views helps those RU-vid algorithms, you've already got the content... what's to lose?
Very nice / useful interview. As a happy owner of the Multi Award-Winning diamond 225s, I would like to say that the company rushed to stop them and present the series 11. There are too many people out there who want a second pair of 225s and can not find it.Also i would like to ask Peter Comeau, why they reduced the diameter of the 6.5 inch drivers from 165 mm diamond ( 225s) to 150 mm at 11.2s and12.2s.I think it will definitely have less deep/real bass.
Hi, nothing to do this this video, but can't find any answer on the web, thought this may be a good place to get the answer, the question is " Why do amplifiers include DAC when all audio players ( the source ) already include a built-in DAC ( also which DAC ( DAC from Amp. or DAC from Audip player) will the speaker choose as the final out-put? ",
All digital sources have a DAC but almost all digital sources have coaxial or optical fibre OUT, which cuts the DAC processing out of the source unit. It just means you can tailor the digital conversion with a better DAC. As soon as you connect a DIGITAL cable from the OUT plug, you've chosen to hand over the digital conversion to another DAC, whether it's an on-board DAC in your amplifier or separate DAC. If you just use the RCA stereo outs on the source, the DAC in the source unit (CD player or streamer) is being used. Not all amps have DACs. Example, my current amp has an on board DAC with 3 or 4 digital imputs. The CD player I'm using has a decent DAC so I use the normal analogue stereo RCA OUT plugs to the analogue RCA INPUT plugs on the amp. So the amp can't convert the CD player digitally. My streamer has an OK DAC in it, but I prefer the sound of the amp DAC. So I run a digital cable (coaxial or optical fibre) from my streamers digital output which surrenders the digital conversion duties to the on board DAC in the amplifier. So in all cases you are choosing which DAC is being used basically by the cable and which input/output you connect to. If you are feeding the amp with analogue RCA cables from a digital source, the DAC at the source is always performing conversion. If you are feeding your amp coaxial/optical fibre from the source unit, the amps on-board DAC is doing the conversion
I got the Mission 782 in 2003 (floor version of 780). Very good speakers, but the original mid/bass drivers need to be replaced on both speakers. The cone material of new replacement drivers have been changed from keraform to aerogel (please feel free to correct me if I am wrong). No problems since then and still using them today.
Hi, I would like change my Focal electra 907be speakers, i own Kudos Cardea C20 for remplace the Focal but the Focal are better! Wich speakers to choose Mission 770 or Wharfedale elysian 1 ?
My first pair of HiFi loudspeakers were the 707's from the mid 80's and I loved them! What is the likelyhood they will make a modernized return? Also, how to buy these classics in the US?
Yes always like the 770 always wanted a pair. there should be no problem getting this modern pair in then for review when will that happened? ;) Did you find the characteristics between the mission and the Wharfedale similar thats only problem with one designer.
I hope I will get the chance to look at the 770, its not officially a launched product yet this video is a bit of a scoop of 2 new products actually if you look closely. The 770 for Peter is a different sound for me it was a higher resolution speaker but your into descriptive words here. I think as they are a similar form factor it will make for a very nice comparison there is a difference in the price too
Castle, which is also owned by IAG these days, was never mentioned. It's easily their least promoted brand. 1) Why is that? 2) Does Peter also design their speakers?
Wonderful interview, thank you. I’ve been enjoying my Linton’s for two years now and I’m quite excited to see the new 770 speakers. Does anyone have an idea as to the release date of the Mission 770? Brian
I think it would be a good starting point but the speakers will sound better on a better amp. Please dont let that put you off but I am just being honest about it. If thats where you start that is great as its nice to have components that can scale up with your system over time
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thanks for reply. Yes I bought the 6000a play used because of a good deal, and pretty happy with it. It sparked life in a couple of old Rotel speakers from my dads garage, but for long term I'm planning on getting some new (bookshelf) speakers. Any suggestions? 2000-5000 € / £
@@ThePPTP2 i have done a couple of speaker group tests up to £2k those videos might be helpful but not above that price just specific reviews like the mission 770
True, I got Mission 782 (floor speakers version), the mid/bass drivers have been replaced after few years of using. I was able to find the replacement drivers at that time. I think the new drivers cone materiel were changed from keraform to aerogel. No problems since then.
Fwif patrons to my RU-vid channel gey majority of my videos early and ads free. RU-vid premium subscribers don't get any ads either. People who watch for free the YT ads pay for the service
Mission sx2 speakers are a bargain second hand just close behind my quad s2 speakers but both miles better that sonus faber toy speaker there were dreadful .. even with a rel storm 5 sub
