Mission 753 Vs 753 Freedom - Pros & Cons?

[GMK]

I'm looking to buy a pair of Mission 753's, but I'm torn as to whether to search for the original or the later Freedom model

What are the Pros and Cons of these two variants? Which would you recommend? (I know there is a tweeter grille mod to soften the treble in the original versions)

(these are likely to be paired to a NAD C370 amp and Cyrus CD6 player)

Thanks in advance

 

[Messiah]

It's been a fair few years since I had these speakers but the 753 Freedoms were better overall than the 753's.

They are both great but try to get the 753F's.

 

[GMK]

I've read in a few reviews that the Freedoms were a little soft, whereas the originals could be overtly harsh (before the tweeter mod)....

 

[Messiah]

I found that the 75 range in general were a little soft but they were still great nonetheless.

 

[GMK]

I've also heard mention of tweeters blowing. Was that on the earlier model? Were the Freedoms better built?

 

[Messiah]

Well in all the experience I had with the range I never had an issue.

 

[the record spot]

Must admit, of the 75 series speakers I've had, they were anything but soft, but then I didn't have the soft dome speakers - the 751 standmount was a rocker, the 752 can be harsh, but generally refined (depends on the recording really). As for the 753, I heard the original was favoured highly in preference to the Freedom version, but WHF preferred the latter at the time.

I think you probably need to hear both, but if you're going down the Ebay route, that might be tricky.

 

[GMK]

I'm far more swayed by the general consensus on the original models from what I keep hearing, and just to remove the tweeter grille to calm the occasional harshness. It's just a shame the 2 pairs on Ebay suitable are Freedoms

Maybe the original owners know what they have and won't sell them

 

[the record spot]

Not sure where you are based, but check the independent dealers - I know that Retro Reproduction has some 753 speakers in stock which are on sale for around £295. The shop is in Edinburgh however, so that may or may not be convenient! Plenty of others are worth a look round online too though; bound to be someone fairly near to you (well, admittedly, not if you're on the Orkney Islands or similar...!).

 

[Anonymous]

Here's some 752s, if you're interested...click.

 

[the record spot]

A choice of Mission 752 / 753 from Ebay - some of these are the Freedom edition.

Mission 752F:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mission-752-Freedom-Speakers-Rosewood-Sound-Great_W0QQitemZ290291418055QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item290291418055&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308

Mission 753:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mission-753-Floor-Standing-Speakers_W0QQitemZ220346434991QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item220346434991&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Mission 753 (fab condition, but one tweeter not working - BIN or offer):-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MISSION-753-Floorstanding-Loudspeakers-in-ROSEWOOD_W0QQitemZ150322469703QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item150322469703&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Mission 753 (new tweeters!):-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Black-Mission-753-Speakers_W0QQitemZ130283482164QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers?hash=item130283482164&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

and there's a couple more on top of these as well. Hope that helps. Next week, I'm adding a finder's fee for all this...!