In this review, we will be comparing Mission 770 and 705 S2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Mission and Bowers Wilkins. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Mission 770 and B&W 705 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Mission 770 and B&W 705 S2 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Mission 770 and B&W 705 S2 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Mission 770 and 705 S2 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Mission 770 |
B&W 705 S2 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1.25-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Mission 770 features a 1.25" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" mineral-loaded polyproylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2900Hz. On the other hand, the 705 S2 features a 1" Solid Body Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer .
Frequency Response
Mission 770 has a frequency range of 42-20,000 Hz whereas 705 S2 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Mission 770 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 705 S2's min frequency of 50Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Mission 770 and 705 S2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 88 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Mission 770 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 705 S2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Mission 770.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
705 S2 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Mission 770 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Mission 770 has a Front firing port whereas 705 S2 has a rear firing ports.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Mission 770's and B&W 705 S2's external dimensions. Mission 770 has external dimensions of 590 x 279.4 x 301mm ( 23-1/4inch x 11-13/16inch x 12-11/16inch ) whereas B&W 705 S2 has external dimensions of 407.0 x 200.0 x 301.0mm ( 16-inch x 7.8-inch x 11.9-inch) .
B&W 705 S2 is 79.4mm narrower and 183mm shorter than Mission 770 but they have the same thickness of 301.0mm.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Mission 770 is approximately 841.0cm2 / 130.4inch2 and base area of the B&W 705 S2 is approximately 602.0cm2 / 93.3inch2. The Mission 770 requires 40% more surface area than the 705 S2 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Mission 770 weighs 27.20kg / 59.8lbs and the B&W 705 S2 weighs 9.32kg / 20.5lbs. This makes the Mission 770 192% heavier than the 705 S2.
Here is a comparison of how Mission 770 and 705 S2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Mission 770?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Mission 770:
Mission M770 Speaker: 2 Stand-mount loudspeakers 2 Grilles User Manual Mission M770 Stand: 2 Top-plates 2 Bases 8 Upright posts 8 Spike feet Hardware Instructions
What's in the Box of B&W 705 S2?
Here are the items that come with the 705 S2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Two-piece foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper-straps Manual Bowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Minimum Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
3.1 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Height |
407mm
vs
590mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
602cm2 (200x301mm)
vs
841cm2 (279x301mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
3299USD
vs
5000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Mission 770 |
Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 |
Brand |
Mission |
Bowers Wilkins |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-200 watts |
30-120 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
6 ohms |
3.1 ohms |
Frequency Response |
42-20,000 Hz |
50-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
mineral-loaded polyproylene |
Continuum |
Woofer Surround Material |
low-density nitrile |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1.25" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Solid Body Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2900Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
Front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
590.0mm (23.2") |
407.0mm (16") |
Width |
279.4mm (11") |
200.0mm (7.9") |
Depth |
301.0mm (11.9") |
301.0mm (11.9") |
Weight |
27.20kg (59.8lbs) |
9.32kg (20.5lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF, particle board, wood |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Available Colors |
Walnut,Black Oak |
Rosewood, Gloss Black, Satin White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
3 years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
3 years |
5 Years |