Exceptional mid-range. Smooth, but informative treble.

Odd and sometimes ploddy bass.

I purchased this product on the basis of comparing with several products such as the Monitor Audio Silver 8is, Tannoy Revolution R2s, etc and was absolutely amazed at the mid-range resolution and transparency of these speakers.

They're a VERY small 3-way stand-mount about 80cm high. The speakers feature 3 drivers: a 130mm Keraform mid-range unit, 25mm silk dome tweeter and 165mm Nomex bass driver.

First things first... this speaker is unimaginably difficult to position. I experimented with several different options over a period of 2 weeks and settled for 90cm from rear wall, bass drivers firing inwards and as far away from the side walls as possible. From my experience, avoid side walls and make sure that if you fire the bass drivers inwards that there are no obstacles in between the speakers otherwise you will end up with indistinct and ploddy bass.

The thing that stands out about these speakers it its great midrange resolution. Voices have added depth and good body, but no artificial chest. They sound natural. There is no harsh sibilance in female voices, and in most cases, you can even detect the miking technique.

The top-end is open, but not remarkably bright. Its sufficiently detailed to not bring attention to itself.

The problem is the bass. The side driving bass units means that the bass below 200Hz is coupled to the rear walls and ceilings. 13-14ft long rooms means you have a standing wave at around 50Hz, and 8ft ceilings mean another peak at 70Hz. This can add potential bloom, so position very very carefully.

The whole frequency spectrum is evenly balanced once you get the position right. No real obvious nasties. However, the bass is ploddy and can make you lose the dynamics/rhythm of the music. Suggest that biwiring or even bi-amping would help. Most likely a high current amp would be useful too. Although rated at 6ohm, 89db sensitivity, I've heard some measurements quoting it at 86db. My set-up is bi-amped, so I do get some decent dynamics out of it.

All in all, a good speaker if you value good midrange transparency over thumping bass. I'd suggest a good fast and dynamic amplifier, preferably something like the new Arcam DiVA A85, Cyrus 7 or Naim 5.

My setup is:
Arcam Alpha 8r and 8p bi-amped
Arcam Alpha 9 CD

I am currently selling this new line of Mission Speakers email me at HiFiGuy111@aol.com

very good workmanship, beautiful real rosewood veneer,
good midrange and highs acceptable bass.

rock music, techo.

Beautiful looking very aesthetic speakers. Very good sound. Especialy low volumes bass very nice. You can feel all enstruments with Patricia Barber. Cymbals very smooth and not irritating. Bass very good and acceptable. Pink Floyd, Morphine, Sting were very good. Opera and classical orchestral music perfect. (Farinelli, Brams etc.) But "Rage against the machine, prodigy fail with all drives especialy bass. Price very interesting in England 700 pounds, in Turkey apr. 450 pounds. With this price it is bargain.

Equipment
NAD 317
Nakamichi MB-2
NAD C440

Similar Products Used:

B&W DM603 S2, KEF Q65, Tannoy R3

Incredible midrange and treble.

None

I was listening to a lot of speakers, before I decided to go with Mission 782. But no speaker could nearly compare to 782 for the price.

I think, this are one of most neutral speakers around. Their smoothness and realism are exceptional. And best of all, they can handle all type of music you can imagine.

I agree with Denis (review bellow). Positioning of the speaker is very important. When you find the right position, you will be awarded with improved sound.

The second bad thing (is it really bad?) is the long break in period. Don't be disapointed, when you unpack them at home and start to listen. They will sound as they should after at least 150 hours.

I gave them 5 stars because you get a really amazing performance for it's size and price, not to mention the stylish look. Good job, Mission.

Similar Products Used:

B&W CM4, B&W CDM 7NT, Tannoy R3, KEF,...

Realism in the Detail and Midrange, amazing bass considering the size!

1 month running in period and careful system matching,
Cloth covering the side bass units vibrates at elevated listening levels. Other than that none!

When I first bought the Mission 782 speakers I wasn't exactly bowled over by them, but, after running them in over a period of 1 month they vastly improved. After recently coming back from the Bristol Sound and Vision show I feel that they are among the best floor standers, for the money, in their class! The all round performance is quite astounding for the size and there isn't alot that will bring you closer to the music than the Mission 782's. Even the B&W 8NT floor standers at nearly twice the price would be shown up, that is, if it wasn't for the exceptional nautilus tweeter technology.

Play a blues track such as 'Key to the highway' by B.B.King and Eric Clapton and these speakers really sing. They sing with Rock tracks such as Green Day's 'Misery' too. Play this and you'll be amazed by the realism, you'd think that the guitar and drums were in the room with you. If your a bass lover then play Kelis's 'Good Stuff' and you'll have your floor boards shaking apart and the neighbours at your door!

These speakers can really handle whatever type of music you throw at them, which makes them excellent all rounders, if not, exceptional! If you're looking for a mid-priced floor stander who listens to a variety of music I can't recommend these highly enough. *****

Similar Products Used:

B&W CDM 7NT's, and 8NT's, KEF Q5.2's

Fantastic midband, sweet highs, transparent, impressive soundstage considering size, looks too damn sexy, and despite frequent criticism: lash out very good bass. Must be one of the most neutral speakers around

Maybe too neutral for some, 2 week run-in period, positioning crucial for bass, reveal poor recording

As mentioned, these eye-catching beech Missions require a considerable amount of run-in period. I was surprised how the speakers started to open up during the 2 weeks of sonic exercise (I played everything from Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Paul Van Dyke, En Vogue, Pat Metheny, to Metallica's Enter Sandman).

It took me a while to sweet-position the speakers in my 6m X 4m tiled living room (some carpeting). At first, the bass sounds flabby, boomy, pathetic. But after tedious manuevering (staying away from nasty corners), the bass sounds better, but still wimpy, vague. Bi-wiring improves a little, but still no sonic heaven. The weak link here is a feeble Marantz SR8000, good for HT use only.

Out of desperation, I bought NAD 370 Integrated Amp (rather impulsively) based on the overwhelming good reviews from some rag called WHAT HI FI? The Marantz receiver has nice details, but the NAD reigns in the bass and opens up the soundstage some more, and adds pure gripping power! Later, I used the twin set of speaker outputs (A/B) to bi-amp the Mission drivers. The most noticeable improvement is in the bass, now even tighter and deeper than before.

I use Sony DVP S7000 DVD player (ex-flagship DVD model) as CD source. Many think there is a decent CD player somewhere, but while the Sony is great with synth sound in pop/R&B/techno, I think it's weak with orchestral pieces. A certain cause for upgrade. I'm thinking Arcam DiVa 72, or Musical Fidelity A3. What opinions?

I haven't listened to the PMCs, or the PSBs, and I still feel that the Missions lack a certain "I don't know what", but for the price, the Missions are fine objects of temptation.

System:
NAD 370 Amp
Mission 782
Audioquest bi-wires
Sonic Link interconnects
Sony DVP S7000 DVD/CD player

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm, Polk Audio, Magnat, KEF Cresta, Mission 771

Involving sound, very dynamic, no part of the sound spectre is emphasized. They are very compact, ideal for a small room, yet they have a big sound if your amp is powerful enough.
These Mission received EISA "European Loudespeaker of the Year 2000-2001".
In short: outstanding value for money.

Would be incredible with a little more detail. On this aspect, it cannot compete with speakers in the 1300-1700$ range. Because of relatively low sensivity they need a powerful amp to deliver: at least 50W per channel.

I became interested in these speakers by reading the review in january 2000 of "What HiFi". I recommend you read it, I agree with everything written in this article.

These speakers are ideal if you have a small room, because usually floorstanders need a lot of space.

As written in "What HiFi", be careful of the long running- in period: at least 30-35 hours before you start to enjoy.
When you have your first listening at home you could think you made a mistake, so listen them first at your local retailer !

When they are ready to sing, these speakers have a wonderfully involving sound, especially with live recording: you feel you are in the concert!

The medium range is great, voices are very natural and you are brought into the singer's emotion if it's in the recording. They may sound too neutral to some, but because they are used to unnatural sounding equipment. I recommend a warm sounding CD player though (like a Marantz).

If you listen to rock/pop (I do) the bass is amazing for such a compact size, they know how to rock and roll, they follow the rythm effortless, it should make most of the listeners happy.
Only the treble is a little weak in my opinion, I used to have JM Labs and their inverted dome tweeter is a reference to me.

But its definitely acceptable at this price: I don't think there is anything that can outclass these speakers in this price range at the moment (and I made a lot of comparative listening).

I use a Marantz 63SE CD player, Rotel RA 972 amp, Van Den Hul D102 interconnect, QED Silver speaker cable (bi-wired).

Similar Products Used:

None

Insightful and involving sound. Best investment if you want outstanding speakers!

None

I agree with everything said from previous reviewers.
This speakers are really exceptional. Before running in they sound dull, but be patient. After 10 hours they start to open. Afterwards they sound better and so good you cannot stop listening.

Do not hesitate a second! Missions are really worthy of EISA "European Loudespeaker of the Year 2000-2001".

Sound is insightful and involving other speakers cannot match.

Outstanding value for all kind of music!

Similar Products Used:

Kef Refernce 2

Involving and refinement. Smooth and detailed midrange and treble, excellent bass (subwoofer not needed).

Ultra long running in period (more than 150 hours)

Really outstanding speakers. Even better sound if you biwire.

Take some time to find sweet spot in your room, at least 80 cm from side walls and 44 cm from rear wall, but it depends from acoustics of your room. Bass is amazing, but boomy if to close to walls. Midrange and treble second to none.

System:
Nad C370
Arcam Alfa 7 SE
Onkyo Integra T-4711
Nordost Flatline Gold MK2

Similar Products Used:

Kef Reference 2

Sounds fanatastic, looks beutiful

Midband just a tiny bit recessed?

Best speakers I have ever heard! (And I've been through quite a few...)

Currently (under) partnered with Marantz CD48 and Audiolab 8000 Pre/Power, biwired with TaraLabs cable.

Considering the budget nature of my CD player, they sound all the more impressive.

Bass is fast, musical and deep, mid is fantastically dynamic and clean, treble is clear and never harsh. Only critism I can think of is that the Bass/Treble can dominate VERY slightly, leaving the mid a tiny bit reserved...

Similar Products Used:

TDL monitors, Spendor SP3