Mission 752 Freedom

[RoA]

A suggestion to try some Mission 751's in another thread (I owned them a few decades ago but quickly changed for Ushers) prompted me to have a look at what is around from the brand. To be honest, other than that I can't remember a thing on how they sounded.

I found a decent looking pair of 752 Freedom at a good price, £90. They are apparently fully working with no damage to the Aerogel drivers.

Just a bit of speaker flipping, my Quad's stay.

I don't think they were anything special.

 

[record_spot]

Had the 751 Freedoms a decade ago. Found them lifeless, overly smooth, and didn't have the presence the original 751s had. Got rid of them in short order.

 

[treesey]

I'd love to compare the 75x originals with the 75xFs, just to see if it's all imagined, or a real difference.

I currently have my 752s playing from just a (ridiculously heavy 1980s) Sony 555 CD player with line-out volume directly into a very early 1980s Crimson 520 power amp, and they sound absolutely perfect to my ears/brain. Ella Fitzgerald's vocals sounds like she's standing between the speakers, the double-bass sounds like a double-bass is in the room just off to the left, and the brass section are a bit full of themselves grouped on the right.

Wouldn't change them for anything, at any 'price'.

 

[record_spot]

Mesh dome tweeters in the original 75 series to silk dome in the Freedom version. Certainly not "all imagined" and readily noticeable.

 

[treesey]

apologies if you thought I was having a go at you

 

[RoA]

Copied over from PFM

After a couple of days using them some thoughts; They are superbly built, heavy and really quite gorgeous in Rosewood. Fairly unobtrusive too. They are slightly smaller, slimmer than I expected. The bass mid unit has a cast frame, the tweeter looks like a conventional fabric or silk dome.

Sound is warm and punchy. The highs are smooth and detailed. What is interesting is the midrange. It is very clear shining through the warmth. This is especially noticeable when listening to metal and punk. It gives good drive to the music without fatigue. Bass is ok, controlled, fast and full but not especially deep. My guess is there is meaningful bass to perhaps 45 or 50hz. There are modern standmounts that go deeper but perhaps not with the coherence of the Missions? It quite literally is all seemless which makes me forget about the hardware. Soundstage width is not as wide as my Quad standmounts (or even the B&W's) but again, it's so nicely coherent that it hardly matters and after a few seconds I don't notice. Depth is good and approaching that of the Quads. Soundstage height is fine even though the tweeter is below the bass unit but is not quite as high as that of my Quads. I have an idea on how to change that. - Authority and solidity is very good for such a slim, small floor stander and better than the standmounts. It seems easy to drive and would possibly be a good choice for even fairly low powered Valve amplifiers. It also goes loud without 'shouting' or obvious compression with my 60w Hegel. I think they are rated to something like 108db/m absolute maximum, but I was listening to some White Stripes at what seemed almost realistic levels and felt the furniture vibrate. I normally listen at far lower levels though.

It's almost impossible to believe that so much good sound can be had for next to nothing. I can't imagine there are new budget speakers that would better these but I can't be sure.

 

[treesey]

Imagine what he'd write if he had a pair of non-Freedom 752s


...ETA - oh... it's you!

 

[matthewpianist]

I loved the 751s but not so much the Freedom version. I think the originals can comfortably stand shoulder to shoulder with contemporary equivalents. They always partnered beautifully with the Pioneer A400.

 

[plastic penguin]

As complete Mission novice, if sold as a new model today, what current brands would you guys compare the 751 and 2 to?

I've only heard the 782 back in the early 2000s, although memory of them is hazy other than I was quite impressed by them.

 

[treesey]

Dunno sorry - the most modern speaker I've heard is the PMC GB1i

 

[plastic penguin]

Dunno sorry - the most modern speaker I've heard is the PMC GB1i

S'okay, this is aimed more at @record_spot and @matthewpianist

 

[record_spot]

As complete Mission novice, if sold as a new model today, what current brands would you guys compare the 751 and 2 to?

I've only heard the 782 back in the early 2000s, although memory of them is hazy other than I was quite impressed by them.

No idea mate, haven't listened to a passive speaker in getting on for 8 years now. Anything that gives you clarity, without being overly harsh, a very fine midband and an articulate, but not lumpen bass (the 752), and the same for the 751, but that has a little more bass oomph. Mission's finest moment IMO.

 

[RoA]

No idea mate, haven't listened to a passive speaker in getting on for 8 years now. Anything that gives you clarity, without being overly harsh, a very fine midband and an articulate, but not lumpen bass (the 752), and the same for the 751, but that has a little more bass oomph. Mission's finest moment IMO.

The 751 has more bass oomph?

 

[matthewpianist]

As complete Mission novice, if sold as a new model today, what current brands would you guys compare the 751 and 2 to?

I've only heard the 782 back in the early 2000s, although memory of them is hazy other than I was quite impressed by them.

It's a difficult one, but I'd suggest comparing with Dynaudio. I still have my DM2/6 and they regularly keep coming back into service. They remind me of the 751 in many ways.

 

[RoA]

Dynaudio's are more laid back, neutral. The last time I heard the brand was in Barcelona. Evoke 20. Nice and nothing against them, the sound signature suits me but the Missions are more forward/driving but not in your face. More impactfull. Fun at slight cost to transparency probably sums it up.

I'd be more inclined to look at Focal or Triangle. Modern Missions are always an option. The new 700 and 770 are well reviewed.

 

[matthewpianist]

Fair comment. I own a pair of Focal Chora 806 and I can see where you are coming from. They're excellent speakers at all volumes and have an involving and punchy sound.

 

[plastic penguin]

It's a difficult one, but I'd suggest comparing with Dynaudio. I still have my DM2/6 and they regularly keep coming back into service. They remind me of the 751 in many ways.

Interesting. Thanks.

 

[record_spot]

The 751 has more bass oomph?

Same range, two different speakers, obviously in fundamental type, but different bass driver type too. Polypropylene in the 751, High Definition Aerogel in the 752. The bass in the 752 is more articulate without being lumpy and plodding and is the better for it. The 751 is fantastically punchy, again, not piercing and terrific with rock.

The 752 is the better speaker - open, detailed but never piercing. Put them about a metre out from nearby walls, sit back and simply enjoy. I listened to all genres on both and can't fault either.

 

[treesey]

I have mine the recommended 20cm from the rear wall, but that's for the forward-facing ports on the non-Freedom versions.... dunno if they changed advice on positioning for the Freedoms.... I think the 753 Freedoms have rear-facing ports.

 

[RoA]

Same range, two different speakers, obviously in fundamental type, but different bass driver type too. Polypropylene in the 751, High Definition Aerogel in the 752. The bass in the 752 is more articulate without being lumpy and plodding and is the better for it. The 751 is fantastically punchy, again, not piercing and terrific with rock.

The 752 is the better speaker - open, detailed but never piercing. Put them about a metre out from nearby walls, sit back and simply enjoy. I listened to all genres on both and can't fault either.

They are good speakers, bearing in mind the next to nothing value. I recently had systems/speakers in here that were 50 times what I paid for the Missions and which I did enjoy no more (differently) than these. What does that tell you? - I actually use a foam bung in the rear port. With the Hegel, bass is full and forceful but not especially deep, partly obstructing the rear port retunes this to a lower frequency which just about makes it perfect in my room. It's a tuning thing and Mission clearly decided to go for a fun sound. Suits me. My Quad standmounts go deeper. They are tuned for accuracy but they don't have the scale or punch but score in other ways.

I'll put the Arcam and Audiolab on the Missions shortly. So far I have just been enjoying them as I set them up when they arrived. Music goes on and I forget about the hardware. The way it's supposed to be.

 

[record_spot]

They are good speakers, bearing in mind the next to nothing value. I recently had systems/speakers in here that were 50 times what I paid for the Missions and which I did enjoy no more (differently) than these. What does that tell you? - I actually use a foam bung in the rear port. With the Hegel, bass is full and forceful but not especially deep, partly obstructing the rear port retunes this to a lower frequency which just about makes it perfect in my room. It's a tuning thing and Mission clearly decided to go for a fun sound. Suits me. My Quad standmounts go deeper. They are tuned for accuracy but they don't have the scale or punch but score in other ways.

I'll put the Arcam and Audiolab on the Missions shortly. So far I have just been enjoying them as I set them up when they arrived. Music goes on and I forget about the hardware. The way it's supposed to be.

That last paragraph sums the Missions up for me - they just disappeared. They weren't that power hungry either - I used a Sansui AU-217 and a 717 respectively with the 752s. Arguably, the smaller 217 amp was the better - best 30-watter I ever heard, and that includes beating the NAD 3020A (and that amp holds a special place in my heart - my dad bought me one in 1986 with what was pretty much a week's wages for him then).

The 717 was a stellar amp too, big old lump from the late 1970s, but the 217 when it was partnered with the 752s and a Marantz SA-7001KI was just another level. I paid £33 serviced and delivered for the Sansui amp, the Missions were £80 off Gumtree and the Marantz I don't what I paid, it went at full RRP for £600 but I got it for less. Basically, £500 all in say and it was astounding.

I didn't realise the 753s had a rear port. They mirrored the 752s which had three small ports at the foot of the bass driver, the original 753 and I think the Freedoms had the same - three small ports at the foot of the four drivers. Never looked at the back of them, so maybe they stuck one on there too!

And seeing as I'm here, I'll say it again: Mission's finest hour. Incredible range.

 

[RoA]

Now playing with the Audiolab.

Plus a slight amendment.

 

[treesey]

Don't toe them in.....

 

[record_spot]

Now playing with the Audiolab.

Plus a slight amendment.

Oh that tweeter's interesting - looks like a combination between the original mesh and a newer silk dome tweeter. How interesting!

 

[RoA]

RS, it's the original silk dome tweeter but with a mesh protector and phase point.

I routinely use this on speakers that come without. The effect varies, sometimes it works a treat, at other times less so.