Напольная акустика — Mission ZX-3

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

Key specs that matter

Two-way and bass reflex loaded, it uses one 38 mm (1.5 in) Ring Dome tweeter and two 130 mm (5.25 in) DiaDrive aluminium cone bass/midrange drivers, sharing its complement with the ZX-2 stand-mount. Frequency response is 42 Hz to 24 kHz (+/-3 dB), with bass extension to 38 Hz at -6 dB. 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 W to 150 W and peak SPL reaches 110 dB. The cabinet measures 1025 x 240 x 362 mm including grille and 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, forming the diaphragm into two rings driven from the middle. This arrangement controls the dome more closely than a conventional design and extends output to 30 kHz. The DiaDrive driver uses an aluminium matrix cone and is vented behind the diaphragm to release trapped air and lower resonance, and in the ZX version its surround is covered by a vented cover to limit output from the diaphragm edge. Oversized magnet systems are fitted as standard and braced to the cabinet. The slot port has serrations in its flare, an asymmetric profile that breaks up the chuffing that round ports generate at high airflow. The tweeter sits between the two bass units, and Mission applies its Inverted Driver Geometry to the arrangement of 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 its efficient drivers let modest power go a long way. Because the two bass units share the load, the speaker accepts high listening levels without the excursion limits of a single bass driver, which suits film soundtracks as well as music. Mission's ZX-C1 centre and ZX-1 stand-mounts extend the series into a surround layout.

Alternatives

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