The original QX series was established with much critical acclaim, in-line with many of Mission’s classic loudspeaker offerings. The QX-2 was notably awarded numerous awards, including the prestigious What Hi-Fi? Best Standmount, £350-£500, 2018. Not just standout in terms of design and styling, the QX series typified the Mission approach – a no compromise, class-leading performance perfected by 100s of hours of listening tests, led by Mission’s acoustic director; the legendary Mr Peter Comeau.
As per all Mission speaker concepts, the process of listening, listening and more listening is the key to improvement. With the added benefit of modern speaker design tools, such as computer aided optimisation technology, crossover modelling and laser interferometry, Mission engineers also spent much time fine tuning the crossovers, components, materials and construction. Much like the now-established and equally class-leading Mission LX MKII series, the QX MKII series takes an already phenomenal loudspeaker solution but refines it, optimises it and brings even more vibrancy, finesse and class, through a process of evolution, not revolution.
Mission DiaDrive System
An improved acrylic fibre cone material has been chosen for the QX MKII drivers. By it’s very nature, acrylic fibre is hard-wearing but offers a delicate appearance, in contrast of harsh driver materials seen in typical speakers of this price-class. Implemented into the Mission DiaDrive System, the acrylic fibre brings natural mids and exceptional lucidity. The seam-free curvilinear design has a conical support with an increased area of contact with the voice coil. This highly efficient and uncompromising system means the QX MKII series series will excel in terms of timing, with outstanding transient impact.
The Mission ‘ring dome’ treble unit returns with an incremental, but noticeable, improvement with development cues taken from the higher-end Mission ZX series. Mission’s exclusive ‘ring dome’ utilises a woven textile material formed in a double ring arrangement. The combination of textile dome and multi-ring surround applies optimum stiffness to the maximum radiating area. The twin rear cavity non-reflecting design mean back pressure from the diaphragm is vented to a twin rear cavity, reducing resonance and maintaining a wide operating bandwidth.
Ring Dome
HF Performance
Overcoming problems inherent in the physics of conventional domes, the ‘ring dome’ centre is fixed with a distinct and visible ‘phase plug’. This design enables extended HF reproduction by preventing cancellation across the centre axis of high frequency waves produced near the centre of the diaphragm. The resonance experienced by traditional domes means that, when they approach high-energy, HF performance inevitably induces distortion. Managing this phenomena inevitably reduces the HF capabilities in traditional domes, whereas the ‘ring dome’ is all but exempt of this complication. The result is a better controlled and much more consistent behaviour from 10kHz to 20kHz, and way, way above! Transient performance is dramatically improved, as is musical detailing, particularly of instrument overtones and harmonics.
Maintaining the basis of QX styling, the QX MKII is configured in the classic Mission IDG (Inverted Driver Geometry) format. By positioning the treble unit below the bass/midrange driver, the length of path is equalised so the sound waves coincide at the listener’s head height. This principle improves ‘time alignment’.
QX MKII also takes the ground-breaking serrated driver surrounds to a new level. More than just a technical appearance or pretty design touch, the surrounds have been improved by way of detailed air-flow analysis and precise measurement. The new-look QX MKII surrounds help scatter reflections and reduce airflow interference to improve the silky smooth performance of the drivers and ports.
QX MKII Styling
Boxing clever
Aesthetically, the QX MKII series brings new Lux Black and Lux White matte finishes to the series, with the classic walnut pearl option. The new colour co-ordinated aluminium top-plate is more than just a visual ‘cherry-on-the-cake’; the added rigidity and support offered by this sturdy but stylish addition further enhances the performance of the precision engineered cabinets of this stand-out loudspeaker series.
Five core Hi-Fi models; two bookshelf designs and three floorstanding speaker are joined in this Mission QX MKII series by a dedicated centre speaker and a matching 12-inch active dynamic drive IB subwoofer.