Mission M-Cube speaker system

A cubist's wet dream come true

This is the kind of product T3 lives for: technology and style in perfect harmony - fantastic! Mission's M-Cube surround sound system uses NXT flat-panel speaker technology, but has moved away from the standard wide, flat speakers that look like picture frames, opting instead for a more stylish, compact cube design.

Our review sample was in an attractive ivory finish, although it's also available in black, and the satellites can be enhanced with a series of supplied fabric strips that wrap around them - colours include mushroom, slate, umber, ruby and olive. The styling is the work of the design gurus at Seymourpowell, but we reckon Gerry Anderson also had a hand, as those baby speakers look a lot like the CUBES from Terrahawks.

At the heart of the system is an equally regularly shaped subwoofer, which is the connection point between your surround sound amplifier and the satellites - you'll need an amp to use the M-Cubes, as there's only power for the sub. Thanks to the room-friendly nature of NXT tech - where the sound's projected less directionally than with normal drivers - the whole lot is a doddle to set up and balance.

Once in place, the system really shows its worth. It handles DVDs in an integrated way, with a solid wall of sound coming from the front three speakers for dialogue. The sub proves reasonably powerful too, and the rear effects speakers really draw you into whatever you're watching. The M-Cubes can also reach reassuringly loud volume levels without distorting, and never get harsh or abrasive as some sub/sat systems can.

Sonically and stylistically, this Mission offering is one of the best implementations of NXT technology we've ever seen (and heard). It's pretty pricey, but well worth the money.