Mission 700: The Speaker That Defined a Generation of British Hi-Fi

Name: Mission 700
Brand: Mission

Introduction

The Mission 700 came out in 1980 and was built until 1985. It was one of the first models from Mission Electronics, which was founded by Morgan Jones, a former engineer at IMF and Tannoy. It was a high-performance bookshelf speaker that gave audiophile-grade sound without the price of the larger floor-standing models. It was well reviewed, offered good value for money, and helped the company get taken seriously in a crowded hi-fi market.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Value
Model	700
Category	Bookshelf Speakers
Years Produced	1980-1985
Power Output	Recommended amplifier power: 25-100W
Impedance	8 ohms nominal
Frequency Response	55Hz - 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion	< 1% at 90dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	Not specified by manufacturer
Dimensions	220 x 340 x 250 mm (WxHxD)
Weight	8.5 kg per speaker

Design & Engineering

Mission designed the 700 around time coherence and low coloration, two ideas that were gaining ground in speaker design in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The cabinet has a sloped front baffle. The slope time-aligns the tweeter and woofer acoustically, so sound from both drivers reaches the listener's ears at the same moment. That improves stereo imaging and gives a more cohesive soundstage, which you normally only got from far more expensive speakers.

The woofer is a 165mm (6.5-inch) polypropylene cone, chosen for its good damping and low resonance. It is paired with a 25mm soft dome tweeter in a two-way system with a balanced, natural tonal presentation. The tweeter was praised for its smooth roll-off and lack of harshness, which makes the 700 forgiving even with lower-quality recordings.

The bass reflex port is on the rear panel. It is tuned to extend low-frequency response down to 55Hz, which is a lot for a speaker this compact. That gives the 700 a surprising amount of bass weight, and in modest-sized rooms it works across a wide range of music without a subwoofer.

Internally, the crossover network was carefully designed using high-quality components with low dielectric loss. The crossover point was set at around 3.5 kHz, a frequency chosen to minimize overlap and distortion between drivers. The cabinet itself was constructed from medium-density fiberboard (MDF) with extensive internal bracing to reduce panel resonance and cabinet coloration. Available in a smart walnut veneer finish, the 700 combined serious engineering with a classic, understated aesthetic that fit well in both modern and traditional listening environments.

Sound Characteristics

The 700 sounds balanced, detailed and musically engaging. It avoids the exaggerated bass and overly bright treble that plagued many budget speakers of the era. The midrange is neutral, and vocals and acoustic instruments come through with clarity and presence. The soft dome tweeter keeps the high end smooth and non-fatiguing, which suits long listening sessions.

Bass response is tight and well-controlled, with the ported design adding depth without sacrificing speed. While not a substitute for a dedicated subwoofer in large rooms, the 700’s bass extension is impressive for its size and was often praised in contemporary reviews for its ability to convey the rhythm and pace of music with authority.

Stereo imaging is another strong point. The time-aligned drivers and the crossover give the 700 a wide, stable soundstage. Instruments are precisely placed, and even stereo recordings feel three-dimensional. Listeners who valued spatial realism and detail retrieval favored it.

The speaker pairs well with a wide range of amplifiers, from modest solid-state receivers to higher-end tube amplifiers. Its 8-ohm impedance and 87dB sensitivity make it relatively easy to drive. It does benefit from a clean, well-regulated power supply if you want its full dynamic potential.

Market & Collectibility

Today the Mission 700 is regarded as a classic of early 1980s British speaker design. It is not as widely collected as some contemporaries like the Bowers & Wilkins DM6 or Linn Kan, but vintage audio enthusiasts value it for its engineering integrity and musical performance. Well-preserved pairs in good working condition typically fetch between $200 and $400 on the second-hand market, depending on finish, originality, and geographic location.

When buying a used pair, check the foam surround on the woofer, since this material tends to degrade over time. Many owners have had their speakers professionally re-foamed, which can restore performance and extend lifespan. The grilles are also prone to wear, and original ones with the Mission logo are becoming increasingly rare.

Restoration projects are common, and some audiophiles have upgraded the internal wiring or crossover components for improved performance. Purists recommend keeping it original, as the 700's design was well balanced from the factory.

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MISSION 700                                                     Nov 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $866                                    Latest            $184 │
│ Median    $429                                    Trend                — │
│ Low       $50                                     Volume          ~11/mo │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│   $900 ┤                                                                 │
│        │   .                          .                                  │
│        │ .             .                              .                  │
│   $514 ┤ .  .              ..   ..    .           .                      │
│        │   . .. . . . . . ....   ... . .                                 │
│        │      .   .     .   ....     ...                    .            │
│        │     .               .  ..                                      .│
│     $0 ┤.      .    .            .      .                                │
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│    vol │▂▄ ▄▂▄▄▂▂ ▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▂▄▆█▂▂▄█▂▂ ▄█▄▂         ▂   ▂     ▂           ▂│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2026-02                      2026-05                      2026-07│
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