In this review, we will be comparing ZX-2 and ZX-1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Mission.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Mission ZX-2 and Mission ZX-1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Mission ZX-2 | Mission ZX-1 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.5" Ring Dome | 1.5" Ring Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Aluminium | 5.25" Aluminium |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-24k Hz | 52-24k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-150 watts | 25-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.40kg / 20.7lbs | 7.60kg / 16.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 16-9/16" x 9-7/16" x 14-1/4"
420.0 x 240.0 x 362.0mm | 11-13/16" x 9-7/16" x 14-1/4"
300.0 x 240.0 x 362.0mm |
|---|
ZX-2 and ZX-1 are members of Mission's ZX series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Mission ZX Series
History
What size room are the Mission ZX-2 and Mission ZX-1 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 ZX-2 |
Mission ZX-1 |
| 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.
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Drivers
Both ZX-2 and ZX-1 are 2-way speakers.
Mission ZX-2Mission ZX-1
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 ZX-2 |
Mission ZX-1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.5-inch
|
1.5-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
ZX-2 features a 1.5" Silk Ring Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminium Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.4kHz. On the other hand, the ZX-1 features a 1.5" Silk Ring Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminium Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.6kHz.
Frequency Response
ZX-2 has a frequency range of 45-24k Hz whereas ZX-1 has a frequency range of 52-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the ZX-2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the ZX-1's min frequency of 52Hz.
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
ZX-2 and ZX-1 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. ZX-2 sensitivity is rated at 89 dB and the ZX-1's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Mission ZX-2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Mission ZX-1, 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.
ZX-2 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas ZX-1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the ZX-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
ZX-2 features Binding post type posts and ZX-1 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/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 ZX-2's and Mission ZX-1's external dimensions. Mission ZX-2 has external dimensions of 420.0 x 240.0 x 362.0mm (16-9/16 x 9-7/16 x 14-1/4inch) whereas Mission ZX-1 has external dimensions of 300.0 x 240.0 x 362.0mm (11-13/16 x 9-7/16 x 14-1/4inch).
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 ZX-2 is approximately 868.8cm2 / 134.7inch2 and base area of the Mission ZX-1 is approximately 868.8cm2 / 134.7inch2.
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 ZX-2 weighs 9.40kg / 20.7lbs and the Mission ZX-1 weighs 7.60kg / 16.7lbs. This makes the ZX-2 24% heavier than the ZX-1.
Here is a comparison of how ZX-2 and ZX-1's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
3.8 ohms
vs
3.5 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
300mm
vs
420mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Mission ZX-2 |
Mission ZX-1 |
| Brand |
Mission |
Mission |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-150 watts |
25-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
3.5 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-24k Hz |
52-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminium |
Aluminium |
| Tweeter Size |
1.5" |
1.5" |
| Tweeter Type |
Ring Dome |
Ring Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2.4kHz |
2.6kHz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
420.0mm (16.5") |
300.0mm (11.8") |
| Width |
240.0mm (9.4") |
240.0mm (9.4") |
| Depth |
362.0mm (14.3") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Weight |
9.40kg (20.7lbs) |
7.60kg (16.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
Siblings in Mission's ZX series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
Mission ZX-2 digs deeper - 45Hz against 52Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (89dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
A |
Mission ZX-2 takes more power (150W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Mission ZX-1 is easier to place; Mission ZX-2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
A Mission ZX-2
B Mission ZX-1
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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 ZX-2 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 52Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Mission ZX-2 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Mission ZX-1 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.