Mission M73 Review

Overall Rating

Clarity of sound
Crisp highs
Excellent mid and bass response
Bi-wirable
Styling

Size of lower chamber in relation to effective size of cabinet. Same result could have be achieved thru smaller speakers on stands. Additionally, fact that bags of sand are recommended rather than providing a plastic housing for dry sand. Perhaps a locking/screw bottom plug would have made more sense (picky).

I couldn't have been happier to find these Mission M73 Speakers at just about half off of the m.s.r.p. in Canada. They have exceptional musical ability. The most impressive portion of these speakers performance for me is the clarity of the sound and expressive sound stage they provide. The highs and mids are out front and the detail is exceptional. The bass is also very good for it's size, albeit somewhat understated but not so much so as it detracts from the sound. The set-up I use is bi-wired, with a Yamaha receiver. They produce sound that is first-class, in all respects.
As speakers are personal affairs, much like a neck-tie, these speakers go very well with my home, my "budget" and my "ears". This current adventure in speaker buying started with a desire to enter into the home theatre market. The aim was to build a cost effective home theatre and maintain the "stereo" musicality of the system. I researched the matter and in fact, tried many brands both in-store and in-home before deciding on the Mission M73's and associated Mission centre channel. Mission was selected over the coveted Canadian API International brands, Energy and Athena as well as JBL's (I use my old JBL's for rears now. I am a fan of JBL however, I have found that over the past 10 -15 years their higher end equipment has become cost prohibitive to the budget minded and their lower ends using terms like titanium laminates or composites (aka cheaper parts)).
In the end, none of the brands had the clarity that the Mission M73's achieved for the price. In fact, the Athenas were returned after a driver developed a problem during the carefully orchestrated break-in period, and left their understated high end even more understated.

As a practising musician, I consider myself to have a critical ear for sound and music. I have long been facinated by audiophiles' quest for perfection in the imperfect world of of sound and music. Perhaps not so critical as an audiophile, or conversely someone who is a self professed critic of speakers; whose main musical training is confined to an on-off switch. Nonetheless, these speakers provide an expansive soundstage which is rich, detailed and clear. I say with the greatest of confidence there is little to complain about in these speakers from my personal point of view. If you can find a pair nowadays audition them. I am confident you will be impressed if you seek crisp and clear top ends in your speakers and you may even find them on sale.