"What a refreshingly honest blog about listening to music through hi-fi. So happy to see views based upon the enjoyment of music rather than so-called sound 'quality'." - Peter Comeau, Director of Acoustic Design at Mission / Wharfedale

The Mission Page

Here I will gradually write up stuff about Mission's speakers from pre-2000.  I've given a good few a try and will endeavour to give some reviews, thoughts, comments, observations and gradually build a timeline.

For now I will post up a (probably not complete) list of those that I've tried over the years (dates are my estimates and may not be entirely accurate):

70MkII (late 1980s)

77 (late 1980s)

700 (1981)

700 (early 2000s)

700LE (late 1980s)

707 (early 1980s)

710 (1970s)


710 (early 1980s)

730 (1990s)
737 (mid 1980s)

737R (mid 1980s)

737 Renaissance MkI (mid 1980s)


737 Renaissance MkII (mid-late 1980s)

751 (mid 1990s?)



760 (late 1980s / early 1990s)


770 MkI (1978)

 


770 MkII (early 1980s - visually the same as the Mk1 but have the terminals on the back panel)


770S (mid 1980s - the worst ones, very bright and hard sounding)


 

770 Freedom MkI (mid to late 1980s)



770 Freedom MkII (late 1980s - the best sounding of the generations)



771e (early 1990s)



773e (early 1990s)

780 Argonaut MkI (mid to late 1980s)


780 Argonaut MkII (late 1980s)



782 (mid 1990s) - this with the original light greay Keraform mid drivers that leak fluid and eventually fail.  If you're looking at a pair, look for them with the replacement Aerogel mid blue glossy drivers. The Aerogels sound better and are reliable

Here's the complex machining / foam inside the 782 - impressive that so much effort has gone into something invisible to the user


783 (mid 1990s) this pair fitted with the replacement (mid blue glossy) Aerogel drivers which are a must - the earlier Keraform (light grey) drivers suffer failures.

11 comments:

  1. Hi there, this is a long shot, but would you have any idea where I could get hold of a mid / bass driver for a 737 Renaissance MkI? Thanks, max

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  2. Hi Max - post up the URL of a picture above that matches the speaker you are referring to please (or a URL from one on a site elsewhere). Also, a way to contact you please.

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  3. Hi Max

    Try this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mission-737R-Renaissance-Mid-Bass-Speaker-Driver-Loudspeaker-/291424807115?hash=item43da45a8cb

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  4. Hi Niel,

    RecentlyI bought a pair of Mission 705a's. Did not really realize that they were so big. Guess they are quite rare with built in amps. Plays well though but sound is really depending on the quality of the source and media.If you have any background information on these speakers I would be happy to know..
    Best regards Jacob, Denmark

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  5. What's your opinion onm best floorstander from the 90s. I have the 702e and paid peanuts for them. I only wish I had them in another colour than beech. All the best.

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  6. Bought my pair of 717's back in the 80's. Wonderful speakers. Perfect complement to my B&W DR 602.5 S3's.
    Dynamic mid, hi range, especially on percussion. Recently replaced the tweeters.

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  7. I’m looking at a set of 737R’s. What is your take on those?

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  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. 770 Mk1 was launched in 1978

    What a refreshingly honest blog about listening to music through hi-fi. So happy to see views based upon the enjoyment of music rather than so-called sound 'quality'.

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  10. Thank you for your kind words Peter. 770 date updated.

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  11. Hi could you tell me is possible to replace the 782 keraform driver with a 773? Thanks in advance for advice regarding this.

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