In this review, we will be comparing 770 and Elysian 2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Mission and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Mission 770 and Wharfedale Elysian 2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Mission 770 | Wharfedale Elysian 2 |
|---|
| Brand | Mission
United Kingdom · founded 1977 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.25" Soft-Dome | 27x90mm" AMT (Ribbon) |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 6" |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" mineral-loaded polyproylene | 8.5" Coated Fiberglass |
|---|
| Frequency response | 42-20,000 Hz | 35-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-200 watts | 25-250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 27.20kg / 59.8lbs | 30.50kg / 67.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 23-1/4" x 11" x 11-7/8"
590 x 279.4 x 301 mm | 27.5" x 13.1" x 18.1"
700.0 x 334.0 x 462.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Mission 770 and Wharfedale Elysian 2 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Mission 770 |
Wharfedale Elysian 2 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that 770 is a 2-way design whereas the Elysian 2 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Mission 770Wharfedale Elysian 2
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Mission 770 |
Wharfedale Elysian 2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.25-inch
|
27x90mm-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 8.5-inch
|
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 Elysian 2 features a 27x90mm" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 1 x 8.5" Coated Fiberglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 360Hz and 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
770 has a frequency range of 42-20,000 Hz whereas Elysian 2 has a frequency range of 35-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the Elysian 2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 770's min frequency of 42Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
770 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Elysian 2 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Elysian 2 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 770 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Elysian 2's is rated at 89 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Elysian 2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Mission 770, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Elysian 2 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas 770 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Elysian 2.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Elysian 2 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. 770 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Mission 770's Post terminals
Wharfedale Elysian 2's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
770 has a Front firing port whereas Elysian 2 has a bottom firing ports.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 Wharfedale Elysian 2's external dimensions. Mission 770 has external dimensions of 590 x 279.4 x 301 mm (23-1/4 x 11 x 11-7/8 inch) whereas Wharfedale Elysian 2 has external dimensions of 700.0 x 334.0 x 462.0mm (27.5 x 13.1 x 18.1inch).
Wharfedale Elysian 2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 54.6mm wider, 110mm taller and 161mm deeper than Mission 770.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Mission 770 and Wharfedale Elysian 2 in scale.
Comparison image of Mission 770 and Wharfedale Elysian 2 Size and External Dimensions
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 Wharfedale Elysian 2 is approximately 1543.1cm2 / 239.2inch2. The 770 requires 45% less surface area than the Elysian 2 which gives it a small advantage 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 Wharfedale Elysian 2 weighs 30.50kg / 67.1lbs. This makes the Elysian 2 12% heavier than the 770.
Here is a comparison of how 770 and Elysian 2'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 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 Wharfedale Elysian 2?
Here are the items that come with the Elysian 2:
- Stand-mount loudspeaker
- Grille
- 2 Terminal-jumpers (pre-installed)
- User Manual
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Height |
590mm
vs
700mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
841cm2
vs
1543cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
5000USD
vs
6996USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
8.5 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
35 Hz
vs
42 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
| General |
Mission 770 |
Wharfedale Elysian 2 |
| Brand |
Mission |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-200 watts |
25-250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
42-20,000 Hz |
35-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
mineral-loaded polyproylene |
Coated Fiberglass |
| Woofer Surround Material |
low-density nitrile |
Foamed Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.25" |
27x90mm" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
AMT (Ribbon) |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
6" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2900Hz |
360Hz and 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
Front |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
590.0mm (23.2") |
700.0mm (27.6") |
| Width |
279.4mm (11") |
334.0mm (13.1") |
| Depth |
301.0mm (11.9") |
462.0mm (18.2") |
| Weight |
27.20kg (59.8lbs) |
30.50kg (67.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF, particle board, wood |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
| Available Colors |
Walnut,Black Oak |
Piano Black, Piano Walnut,White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
16-22" |
| 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 |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Wharfedale Elysian 2 digs deeper - 35Hz against 42Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 89dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | Mission 770 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | B | Wharfedale Elysian 2 takes more power (250W vs 200W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Mission 770 is easier to place; Wharfedale Elysian 2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Wharfedale Elysian 2: bi-amping. Wharfedale Elysian 2 sits in a wider range (6 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Mission 770 is cheaper - $5,000 against $6,996, about 29% less. |
A Mission 770 B Wharfedale Elysian 2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Wharfedale Elysian 2 measures better, Mission 770 costs about about 40% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 42Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Mission 770 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Mission 770 the better fit for a small room, and Wharfedale Elysian 2 for a large room and a very large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.