An Introduction to the Mission 700
The Mission 700 is a two way vented box standmount speaker that carries forward the design language Mission has been refining since 1977. It is a passive loudspeaker, which means it needs an amplifier to bring it to life. What you get in return is a compact British standmount built around one of the most recognizable ideas in the Mission catalog, delivered in a choice of Walnut or Black finishes.
At roughly 20 inches tall and just over 10 inches wide, the 700 is substantial for a standmount and weighs in at around 28 pounds each. That mass hints at the cabinet work underneath, and it rewards placement on solid, well matched stands where the drivers can sit near ear level.
The Technology Inside
Inverted Driver Geometry
The defining feature of the Mission 700 is the signature Inverted Driver Geometry, with the tweeter positioned below the mid bass driver rather than above it. Mission developed this layout to improve time alignment, so that the output of both drivers reaches your ears in a more coherent way at a typical seated listening height. It is a look and a philosophy that has become a Mission hallmark.
Drivers and Crossover
The 700 uses a 6.5 inch mineral loaded polypropylene bass cone paired with a 1.25 inch soft dome tweeter, both classic Mission choices. The mineral loading helps stiffen the cone for cleaner low frequency behavior, while the soft dome tweeter aims for a smooth and unfatiguing top end. The crossover hands off between the two at 3.0kHz.
Specifications That Matter
- Design: Two way vented box (bass reflex) standmount
- Bass driver: 6.5 in mineral loaded polypropylene cone
- Tweeter: 1.25 in soft dome
- Sensitivity: 86dB
- Nominal impedance: 8 ohm, 5.2 ohm minimum
- Frequency response: 45Hz to 20kHz
- Bass extension: 38Hz
- Crossover frequency: 3.0kHz
- Peak SPL: 106dB
- Recommended amplifier power: 25 to 150W
- Finishes: Walnut or Black
- Dimensions: 20.08 x 10.24 x 11.50 in (H x W x D)
- Weight: 28.22 lbs each
Sound and Performance Character
The 700 aims for the kind of musical presentation Mission has long been associated with, a lively midrange and a well integrated tweeter that keeps voices and instruments sounding natural. With bass extension down to 38Hz from a 6.5 inch driver in a vented cabinet, it can deliver a satisfying low end for a standmount, giving music a sense of body without demanding a subwoofer for most rooms.
At 86dB sensitivity and an 8 ohm nominal load that dips to 5.2 ohm, the 700 pairs happily with a wide range of amplifiers. The recommended amplifier power of 25 to 150W gives you plenty of latitude, from modest integrated amps up to more powerful designs that can take advantage of the 106dB peak SPL capability.
Where the 700 Sits in the Mission Range
Within this Mission family, the 700 is a natural anchor. If you are working with a smaller room or want an even more compact standmount, look at the Mission 750, which brings the same design thinking in a smaller footprint. If you are drawn to the heritage story and want to step up, the Mission 770 is the Made in Britain reissue of the original 1980 model, a larger and more ambitious standmount for listeners who want a more substantial presentation. Each model serves a different room size and goal rather than simply ranking above or below the others.
How It Compares to Other Standmounts
AEA carries several standmount and bookshelf designs, and the right one comes down to preference and use case. The MoFi SourcePoint 8 takes a concentric driver approach for a different imaging character. The Spendor A1.2 follows a traditional British small monitor philosophy tuned for nearfield and smaller spaces. The LEAK Sandwich 150 and larger LEAK Sandwich 250 revive a vintage cone construction with their own tonal signature, while the Amphion Argon 1 emphasizes controlled dispersion. The Mission 700 stands apart through its Inverted Driver Geometry and time alignment focus, so the choice is about which design philosophy suits your listening.
Building a System Around the 700
Amplification
Because the 700 is passive, it needs an amplifier. The most natural companion is the Mission 778X Integrated Amplifier, which keeps the system within the Mission family and includes a built in DAC, so you can feed it digital sources directly. If you want network streaming built in, the Yamaha R-N800A Network Receiver is a versatile all in one option. For a warm and characterful integrated, the LEAK Stereo 130 Integrated Amplifier is worth an audition, and the Onkyo Icon A-50 Integrated Amplifier offers another well matched partner. All of these sit comfortably within the 25 to 150W recommended power range.
Sources
For vinyl, the Dual CS 529 Fully Automatic Turntable makes an easy and enjoyable analog front end. For CD playback, the Advance Paris ACD APEX CD Player is a self contained option that connects directly to your amplifier. Note that if you choose the 778X, its built in DAC lets you add a digital transport in the future without a separate converter.
Come Hear the Mission 700
All Elite Audio is an authorized Mission dealer with a showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Demo units rotate and not every model is always set up, so we invite you to contact AEA to arrange a listen and hear how the Mission 700 performs with the electronics that suit you best.