In this review, we will be comparing ZX-S and EVO5.1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Mission and Wharfedale.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Mission ZX-S and Wharfedale EVO5.1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Mission ZX-S | Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
|---|
| Brand | Mission
United Kingdom · founded 1977 | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.5" Ring Dome | 1.375" AMT (Ribbon) |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.25" Aluminium | 5" woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 120-24k Hz | 56-24k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-150 watts | 25-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.60kg / 18.9lbs | 8.00kg / 17.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11-1/4" x 13-3/16" x 7-5/16"
285.0 x 335.0 x 185.0mm | 13.4" x 8.7" x 12.8"
340.0 x 220.0 x 325.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Mission ZX-S and Wharfedale EVO5.1 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-S |
Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Bad |
(* 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 ZX-S and EVO5.1 are 2-way speakers.
Mission ZX-SWharfedale EVO5.1
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-S |
Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.5-inch
|
1.375-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
ZX-S features a 1.5" Silk Ring Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Aluminium Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.7kHz. On the other hand, the EVO5.1 features a 1.375" SilentWeave cotton and felt damping fiber AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 5" woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz.
Frequency Response
ZX-S has a frequency range of 120-24k Hz whereas EVO5.1 has a frequency range of 56-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 56Hz, the EVO5.1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the ZX-S's min frequency of 120Hz.
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-S is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the EVO5.1 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 EVO5.1 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. ZX-S sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the EVO5.1's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Mission ZX-S a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale EVO5.1, 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-S can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas EVO5.1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the ZX-S.
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-S features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. EVO5.1 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Wharfedale EVO5.1's Binding post terminals
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-S's and Wharfedale EVO5.1's external dimensions. Mission ZX-S has external dimensions of 285.0 x 335.0 x 185.0mm (11-1/4 x 13-3/16 x 7-5/16inch) whereas Wharfedale EVO5.1 has external dimensions of 340.0 x 220.0 x 325.0mm (13.4" × 8.7" × 12.8").
Mission ZX-S is 55mm shorter and 140mm less deeper than Wharfedale EVO5.1 but it is also 115mm wider.
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.
Wharfedale EVO5.1 needs about 15% more floor or shelf area. Wharfedale EVO5.1 is 140mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wharfedale EVO5.1 is 55mm 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 ZX-S is approximately 619.8cm2 / 96.1inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale EVO5.1 is approximately 715.0cm2 / 110.8inch2. The ZX-S requires 13% less surface area than the EVO5.1 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 ZX-S weighs 8.60kg / 18.9lbs and the Wharfedale EVO5.1 weighs 8.00kg / 17.6lbs. This makes the ZX-S 8% heavier than the EVO5.1.
Here is a comparison of how ZX-S and EVO5.1's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale EVO5.1?
Here are the items that come with the EVO5.1:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Pair of white cloth gloves
- User Manual
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Minimum Impedance |
4.3 ohms
vs
3.4 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
285mm
vs
340mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
619cm2
vs
715cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
899USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Low Frequency Response |
56 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Mission ZX-S |
Wharfedale EVO5.1 |
| Brand |
Mission |
Wharfedale |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-150 watts |
25-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.3 ohms |
3.4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
120-24k Hz |
56-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminium |
woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.5" |
1.375" |
| Tweeter Type |
Ring Dome |
AMT (Ribbon) |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2.7kHz |
2700Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
285.0mm (11.2") |
340.0mm (13.4") |
| Width |
335.0mm (13.2") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Depth |
185.0mm (7.3") |
325.0mm (12.8") |
| Weight |
8.60kg (18.9lbs) |
8.00kg (17.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Walnut, Grey. Black, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
A generation apart: Wharfedale EVO5.1 is the newer design, against a 2019 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Wharfedale EVO5.1 digs deeper - 56Hz against 120Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | Mission ZX-S is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | Mission ZX-S takes more power (150W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Mission ZX-S is easier to place; Wharfedale EVO5.1 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 | A | Mission ZX-S: bi-amping. Mission ZX-S sits in a wider range (9 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Mission ZX-S is cheaper - $899 against $999, about 10% less. |
A Mission ZX-S B Wharfedale EVO5.1
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 ZX-S is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Wharfedale EVO5.1 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 120Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Mission ZX-S much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Mission ZX-S the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same.
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.