Floorstanding loudspeakers — Mission ZX-3

The ZX-3 is the smallest of three floorstanding speakers in the ZX series from Mission, the British brand that belongs to the International Audio Group together with Wharfedale. The ZX line sits above the QX series. Acoustic design across the range was led by Peter Comeau, IAG's Head of Acoustic Design, and the ZX models carry forward elements of the QX with new drive units, motor systems and crossovers in a curved cabinet.

Key specs that matter

The ZX-3 is a two-way, bass reflex loaded design with one 38 mm (1.5 in) Ring Dome tweeter and two 130 mm (5.25 in) DiaDrive aluminium cone bass/midrange drivers, the same complement as the ZX-2 stand-mount. Frequency response is 42 Hz to 24 kHz (+/-3 dB), with bass extension to 38 Hz at -6 dB, and the crossover point is 2.4 kHz. Sensitivity is 90 dB at 2.0 V/1 m, one decibel above the ZX-2. Nominal impedance is 4 ohms with a minimum of 3.4 ohms, the recommended amplifier range is 25 to 150 W and peak SPL reaches 110 dB. Including grille, the cabinet measures 1025 x 240 x 362 mm, and it weighs 20.4 kg.

Engineering and use context

In the Ring Dome tweeter the centre of the dome is fixed and the voice coil sits partway across it, so the diaphragm forms two rings driven from the middle. This gives closer control of the dome than a conventional design and extends output to 30 kHz. The DiaDrive driver has an aluminium matrix cone and is vented behind the diaphragm to release trapped air and lower resonance. In the ZX version its surround sits under a vented cover that limits output from the diaphragm edge. Oversized magnet systems come as standard and are braced to the cabinet. The slot port has serrations in its flare, an asymmetric profile that breaks up the chuffing round ports produce at high airflow. The tweeter sits in the middle, flanked by the bass units, and Mission's Inverted Driver Geometry arranges the bass/midrange and treble drivers to equalise acoustic path lengths to a seated listener. Finishes are gloss black and gloss white.

Pairing

The low impedance calls for an amplifier specified into 4 ohms, though the efficient drivers let modest power go a long way. With two bass units sharing the load, the speaker handles high listening levels without the excursion limits of a single bass driver, so it suits film soundtracks as well as music. The ZX-C1 centre and ZX-1 stand-mounts extend the series into a surround layout.

Alternatives

The Mission ZX-4 adds a dedicated 130 mm midrange to make a three-way tower with the same tweeter.