Mission 770 (1978)
A two-way passive bookshelf loudspeaker, Mission Electronics' first product and a benchmark in British hi-fi design.
Overview
The Mission 770 is a two-way passive bookshelf loudspeaker. It came out in 1978 as the first product from Mission Electronics, a company founded the year before. It was the brand's first major release and quickly became its best seller, and it set Mission's reputation for dynamic, detailed sound and innovative engineering. The tweeter sits below the woofer, an inverted layout meant to improve time alignment and soundstage coherence. It became a benchmark for affordable British speakers and laid the groundwork for the 700 series.
Specifications
| Design | 2-way, bass reflex system |
| Woofer | 21.5 cm (8.5") cone type |
| Tweeter | 2.5 cm (1") dome type |
| Frequency response | 35 Hz to 20 kHz ± 3 dB |
| Impedance | 8 Ω |
| Recommended amplifier output | 30W – 150W per channel |
| Sensitivity | 91 dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Crossover frequency | 1.9 kHz |
| Terminal | Five-way binding post |
| External dimensions | 260 mm (W) x 620 mm (H) x 320 mm (D) |
| Weight | 26 kg (packed) |
Design
The Mission 770 uses an inverted driver arrangement, with the tweeter below the woofer, to improve time alignment and soundstage coherence. The woofer has a polypropylene (homopolymer) cone, a brass-plated center pole, a heat-resistant voice coil and a die-cast frame that dissipates heat efficiently. The tweeter has a short elliptical horn, impedance transformation and magnetic fluid cooling. The enclosure has a folded-back shape and viscoelastic damping material to minimize resonance. The crossover uses gentle slopes, optimized for phase behavior and smooth frequency response.
Context
The Mission 770 launched in 1978 as the company's first product, and it was Mission's breakthrough in the hi-fi market. It built the company's reputation for innovation and musical accuracy. It became the brand's best-selling speaker and a benchmark for affordable British speakers. It was the foundation for the 700 series and influenced later models like the 700, 701, and 733. Its success led to MK2 and MK3 revisions, which refined sensitivity and power handling.
Collectibility
The Mission 770 is regarded as "the essential Mission collectible" and as the model that proved the inverted driver concept. An optional accessory, the Speaker Stand 902, was available for ¥12,000. The original pair was priced at ¥156,000 in 1987.
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