Mission

Cambridge speakers that rewrote the price-performance equation

History

Mission Electronics was founded in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England in 1977 by Farad Azima, a young engineer who believed that innovative speaker design could deliver high-end performance at affordable prices.

Mission's early designs broke with convention. The company pioneered inverted driver arrangements (tweeter below woofer) to improve time alignment and imaging. They also embraced active speakers and electronic crossovers long before these became mainstream.

The 770 (1978) became Mission's first classic—a two-way bookshelf speaker with an inverted driver arrangement that offered remarkable imaging for its price. The 770 established Mission's reputation for innovation and value.

The 700 series (1980s) brought Mission quality to even more affordable price points. Models like the 700, 701, and 733 became popular choices for budget-conscious audiophiles seeking British quality.

The Cyrys (1984) and 753 (1980s) continued Mission's tradition of innovative design. The company also produced electronics including amplifiers and CD players that maintained the same value philosophy.

Key Facts

Legendary Products

Mission 770 (1978)

Mission's first classic speaker. The 770's inverted driver arrangement (tweeter below woofer) improved time alignment and created a more coherent soundstage than conventional designs. It became a benchmark for affordable British speakers.

Mission 700 (1980s)

An affordable speaker that brought Mission quality to the masses. The 700 maintained the inverted arrangement of the 770 while reducing cost, becoming a popular choice for entry-level hi-fi systems.

Mission 753 (1980s)

A floorstanding speaker that brought Mission's innovative design to larger rooms. The 753 offered fuller bass and higher output while maintaining the imaging precision of the smaller models.

Mission Cyrus (1984)

A compact active speaker designed in partnership with Cyrus Electronics. The Mission Cyrus combined Mission drivers with Cyrus amplification in a small, high-performance package.

Sound Signature

Mission's inverted driver arrangement — tweeter positioned below the woofer — is not just visual eccentricity. It improves time alignment at typical seated ear height, and the audible result is a stereo image that is unusually precise and stable for speakers in this price class. Instruments lock into specific positions between and beyond the speakers, and the overall presentation has a coherence that rewards careful listening.

The tonal balance is warm and musical in the best British tradition, with a smooth midrange that flatters vocals and a bass response that is full without being overblown. The 770 in particular strikes a remarkable balance between detail and musicality — it reveals enough of the recording to keep analytical listeners engaged while never becoming fatiguing during long listening sessions. Mission speakers are voiced for people who listen to whole albums, not individual test tracks.

Collecting Mission

The 770 (1978) is the essential Mission collectible — the speaker that proved inverted driver arrangements worked and established the brand's reputation overnight. Early production examples with the original drivers are most sought after. The 700 series brought Mission quality to a wider audience and remains one of the best-value vintage British speakers you can find, with pairs regularly available at prices that dramatically undervalue their performance.

The 753 floorstanding speaker is the choice for collectors wanting fuller bass and greater scale from the Mission sound, while the Cyrus active speaker collaboration represents a rare and fascinating piece of British audio history. Mission speakers from the 1980s occasionally need foam surround replacement on their woofers — this is straightforward work that dramatically restores bass performance. The brand's straightforward crossover designs and quality driver construction mean that well-maintained examples continue to perform at a high level decades after manufacture.

Competitors & Comparisons

Mission vs Wharfedale: Both value British brands; different approaches

Mission vs KEF: Similar market; Mission more innovative

Mission vs Monitor Audio: Both British; different design philosophies

Speakers

• Mission - British Value Engineering — Founded by Farad Azima in 1977 in Huntingdon. Famous for the 770 and 700 series speakers that brought British quality to affordable prices. Known for inverted driver arrangements and innovative engine…

Speakers

• 700 (1980-1985) — Classic bookshelf speaker that established Mission's reputation. Two-way design with good bass extension for size.
• 780 Argonaut (1985-1990) — Floorstanding speaker with advanced driver technology. Part of Mission's higher-end offerings in the 1980s.

Other Models

• Mission - British Value Engineering — Founded by Farad Azima in 1977 in Huntingdon. Famous for the 770 and 700 series speakers that brought British quality to affordable prices. Known for inverted driver arrangements and innovative engine…
• 700 (1980-1985) — Classic bookshelf speaker that established Mission's reputation. Two-way design with good bass extension for size.
• 770 — A two-way passive bookshelf loudspeaker, Mission Electronics' first product and a benchmark in British hi-fi design.
• 780 Argonaut (1985-1990) — Floorstanding speaker with advanced driver technology. Part of Mission's higher-end offerings in the 1980s.