In this review, we will be comparing LX-3D MKII and LX-3 MKII, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Mission.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Mission LX-3D MKII and Mission LX-3 MKII first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Mission LX-3D MKII | Mission LX-3 MKII |
|---|
| Brand | Mission
United Kingdom · founded 1977 | Mission
United Kingdom · founded 1977 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" Composite fibre | 6.5" Composite fibre |
|---|
| Frequency response | 105-20k Hz | 45-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-80 watts | 20-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.85kg / 6.3lbs | 8.42kg / 18.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6-1/4" x 6-5/16" x 10-1/4"
158.0 x 160.0 x 260.0mm | 13-9/16" x 8-7/8" x 12-1/8"
345.0 x 226.0 x 308.0mm |
|---|
LX-3D MKII and LX-3 MKII are members of Mission's LX MKII series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Mission LX MKII Series
History
What size room are the Mission LX-3D MKII and Mission LX-3 MKII 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 LX-3D MKII |
Mission LX-3 MKII |
| Near-field |
Good |
Good |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
No way |
(* 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
Both LX-3D MKII and LX-3 MKII are 2-way speakers.
Mission LX-3D MKIIMission LX-3 MKII
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Mission LX-3D MKII |
Mission LX-3 MKII |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
LX-3D MKII features a 1" Microfibre Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Composite fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.8kHz. On the other hand, the LX-3 MKII features a 1" Microfibre Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Composite fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3.2kHz.
Frequency Response
LX-3D MKII has a frequency range of 105-20k Hz whereas LX-3 MKII has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the LX-3 MKII can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the LX-3D MKII's min frequency of 105Hz.
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
LX-3D MKII and LX-3 MKII have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. LX-3D MKII sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the LX-3 MKII's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Mission LX-3 MKII a more sensitive speaker compared to Mission LX-3D MKII, 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.
LX-3 MKII can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas LX-3D MKII has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 40 watts less than the LX-3 MKII.
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
Both LX-3D MKII and LX-3 MKII features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
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 LX-3D MKII's and Mission LX-3 MKII's external dimensions. Mission LX-3D MKII has external dimensions of 158.0 x 160.0 x 260.0mm (6-1/4 x 6-5/16 x 10-1/4inch) whereas Mission LX-3 MKII has external dimensions of 345.0 x 226.0 x 308.0mm (13-9/16 x 8-7/8 x 12-1/8inch).
Mission LX-3 MKII is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 66mm wider, 187mm taller and 48mm deeper than Mission LX-3D MKII.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Mission LX-3 MKII needs about 67% more floor or shelf area. Mission LX-3 MKII is 48mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Mission LX-3 MKII is 187mm taller.
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 LX-3D MKII is approximately 416.0cm2 / 64.5inch2 and base area of the Mission LX-3 MKII is approximately 696.1cm2 / 107.9inch2. The LX-3D MKII requires 40% less surface area than the LX-3 MKII 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 LX-3D MKII weighs 2.85kg / 6.3lbs and the Mission LX-3 MKII weighs 8.42kg / 18.5lbs. This makes the LX-3 MKII 195% heavier than the LX-3D MKII.
Here is a comparison of how LX-3D MKII and LX-3 MKII's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Minimum Impedance |
4.5 ohms
vs
4.1 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Height |
158mm
vs
345mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
416cm2
vs
696cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
449USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
105 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Mission LX-3D MKII |
Mission LX-3 MKII |
| Brand |
Mission |
Mission |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-80 watts |
20-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.5 ohms |
4.1 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
105-20k Hz |
45-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Composite fibre |
Composite fibre |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2.8kHz |
3.2kHz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
158.0mm (6.2") |
345.0mm (13.6") |
| Width |
160.0mm (6.3") |
226.0mm (8.9") |
| Depth |
260.0mm (10.2") |
308.0mm (12.1") |
| Weight |
2.85kg (6.3lbs) |
8.42kg (18.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
Siblings in Mission's LX MKII series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Mission LX-3 MKII digs deeper - 45Hz against 105Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Mission LX-3 MKII is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Mission LX-3 MKII takes more power (120W vs 80W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Mission LX-3D MKII is easier to place; Mission LX-3 MKII is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | depends | Mission LX-3D MKII: bi-amping; Mission LX-3 MKII: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Mission LX-3D MKII is cheaper - $349 against $449, about 22% less. |
A Mission LX-3D MKII B Mission LX-3 MKII
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?
Mission LX-3 MKII leads across most of the measured areas for a fairly modest premium, which makes it the easier pick if the budget stretches. Mission LX-3D MKII is the one to take if it does not. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 105Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Mission LX-3D MKII much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Mission LX-3 MKII has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Mission LX-3D MKII is the easier speaker to get right.
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.