The eight-model Mission ZX Series, first spotted at this year's High End Munich, moves in to top the mid-level QX and entry-level LX range of speakers.

Sporting new drive units, motor systems and crossover networks and wrapped in flagship-quality curved cabinets, the new ZX Series comprises of a pair of standmount speakers (ZX-1 and ZX-2), and a trio of floorstanders (ZX-3, ZX-4 and ZX-5). For home cinema fans there's also two centre channel speakers (ZX-C1 and ZX-C2) and an on-wall surround speaker  (ZX-S). Mission states that the new range will "engage the listener like no others at the price".

Driver Tech

All of the ZX Series speakers are equipped with Mission's Ring Dome tweeter which differs from the standard domed driver as the centre of the textile dome is fixed, and the voice coil is attached part way down the dome. Essentially, the dome forms two rings with the voice coil in the centre, enabling it to drive the dome more accurately and efficiently. Behind the Ring Dome unit is an enclosed chamber filled with damping material, acting as a dedicated 'cabinet' for the high-frequency unit.

Apparently, all this equates to lower distortion and superior performance at frequencies up to 30kHz and beyond. Additionally, we are told that transient performance is dramatically improved, as is musical detailing.

Mission has also improved its DiaDrive mid/bass drivers for the ZX too. The seamless diaphragm is made from an advanced aluminium matrix, while the sub-cone is vented to remove trapped air behind, thus reducing resonance and improving midrange clarity, according to the manufacturer.

The smoothly dished diaphragm is coupled to an inverted surround, connected not at its edge but partway down the cone. We are told that this serves to damp travelling waves moving towards the diaphragm's outer edge. The inverted surround has a vented cover to control its spurious output, which is said to further contribute to the speakers' clear and accurate midrange output to beyond 3kHz.

Brace Yourself

Owing to the robust magnet systems in the DiaDrive units, Mission has designed a particular bracing system inside the ZX Series cabinets that precisely locate and brace the drive unit magnets. This ensures an accurate response from the DiaDrive diaphragms.

Furthermore, specially made damping material is strategically placed internally to absorb unwanted energy within the cabinets. This works in tandem with slot-shaped reflex ports exiting at the rear of the cabinets; the flair of these ports is serrated, to help smooth the airflow, while the asymmetric shape breaks up any 'chuffing'.

IDG

The trademark Mission Inverted Driver Geometry (IDG) has, of course, been a feature since the 80s. In the ZX1, the mid/bass driver is placed at ear-level, above the tweeter, which aids time alignment. The ZX-2 and Z-3 two-way speakers extend the IDG to a full D'Appolito array with the tweeter sat between the two 130mm mid/bass drivers.

This is then further elaborated in the ZX-4 and ZX-5 which, in their three-way configuration, get the added bonus of a dedicated 165mm DiaDrive bass unit.

Price and availability

The Mission ZX Series is available from the end of November, finished in either gloss-lacquered black or white. RRPs are as follows:

• ZX-1: £599 per pair
• ZX-2: £749 per pair
• ZX-3: £1099 per pair
• ZX-4: £1299 per pair
• ZX-5: £1599 per pair
• ZX-S: £599 per pair
• ZX-C1: £499
• ZX-C2: £599

For more information, head on over to Mission.