Mission LX-2
FOR Sound is packed with verve and insight; dynamics and timing; punch; build and finish AGAINST They need care in partnering
The LX-2S are a product of a rethink at IAG – Mission’s parent company. IAG also owns speaker brands Wharfedale, Quad and Castle. It seems the high-ups at IAG decided the brand needed a dedicated design team, so they hired people who had worked with Mission in the past in the hope of resurrecting some of the old magic.
These speakers even look a little like Missions of old, most obviously with the use of the brand’s traditional tweeterbelow-mid/bass configuration. Used on a typical stand, this arrangement is claimed to aid the time alignment between the drivers – the sound from each unit arrives at the listener better synchronised.
That tweeter is a 25mm microfibre dome. It’s coupled to the 13cm fibre composite mid/bass through a singlewire crossover. The crossover is a fourth-order design, carefully calibrated to optimise off-axis performance while keeping the on-axis sound balanced.
The cabinet is carefully designed and well built. Its small size – the LX-2S stand just over 30cm tall – ensures a degree of rigidity that’s hard to get from larger enclosures. Finish is neat, and well up to the standards we expect at the price. We like the understated visual design touches – we think they look rather classy.
Flexible, but best with stands
Positioning is easy, just as it should be for speakers that could find themselves as likely to be stuffed in the middle of a crowded bookshelf as they could on top of a pair of dedicated stands.
Ideally, you should put them on stands, as they sound so much better that way. In our test room we get the most balanced presentation with the LX-2S placed close to a rear wall, but not right up against it.
Speakers at this price are as likely to be driven by a micro system such as the Denon DM-40DAB as they are dedicated separates kit from the likes of Onkyo, Marantz or Rega. Regardless of which you go for, partner these Missions with a bit of care and they’re one of the most entertaining budget boxes around.
They get right to the heart of the music, as if the Missions have a direct line to the studio and know exactly what the musicians wanted you to feel.
Pace, punch and precision
Play alt-j’s Left Hand Free and the LX-2S get straight in the groove. They’re fast, pack a serious punch and deliver deep bass with precision and authority.
Best of all, they deliver the song’s hard-charging rhythm track with skill and enthusiasm.
Through it all, they don’t forget the subtleties. The group’s vocals are clear, easy to follow and packed with energy. Nuances are rendered with finesse, and the mass of instrumentation and voices is organised really well.
At no point do these speakers sound as if they’ve taken on more than they can handle. John Williams’s Jurassic Park shows off the LX-2S’ pleasing large-scale dynamics. Their composure impresses too, as they refuse to sound confused even when cranked up relatively loud.
Tonally, they’re pretty well balanced but there’s a little bit of edge through the upper mid/lower treble area that can be provoked by less than perfect recordings or aggressive-sounding partnering kit. It’s more something to watch out for than a damning criticism.
Stereo imaging is good, too, with a pleasing stability to the presentation. We like the even spread of sound and the fact that the presentation remains consistent from a wide range of listening positions.
At £160, these speakers are a bargain and deliver a huge slice of fun that few rivals can better. Take just a little care in partnering and they’ll soon put a smile on your face.
“They get right to the heart of the music, as if they have a direct line to the studio and know exactly what the musicians wanted you to feel”