Ascend, SVS, or RBH

[Ebby]

Hi All,

I'm getting ready to order a set of speakers for when I move into our new house. I've been put on a pretty constrictive budget of 1300.00 for speakers and stands.

I'm running a Onkyo TX-SR601 reciever. The living room is 19x17. I have an AR sub right now that can hold me out to Christmas if necessary. I'd say my current system gets 70% movies 30% music useage right now.

Here's my three choices right now.

Ascend
4 -CBM-170SE
1 -cmt340SE - center
Use current sub

Or - is it worth it to jump up to the cmt340's in the front?

3 -cmt-340se
2 -cbm-170s
Use current sub


SVS
SVS seems to get decent ratings on there packages.
4 - SBS-01 - Fronts, surrouds
1 - scs-01m - center
pb12-nsd - Sub


RBH
4 - MC-4C
1 - MC414C - Center
Use current Sub


I can hit budget with all three of those systems. I'd love to hear any comments, opinions, or suggestions you guys have. If I tried very hard and gave a couple weeks of massages :D I might be able to get up to 1500.00 budget.

Thanks,
Ebby

[billy p]

Hi All,

I'm getting ready to order a set of speakers for when I move into our new house. I've been put on a pretty constrictive budget of 1300.00 for speakers and stands.

I'm running a Onkyo TX-SR601 reciever. The living room is 19x17. I have an AR sub right now that can hold me out to Christmas if necessary. I'd say my current system gets 70% movies 30% music useage right now.

Here's my three choices right now.

Ascend
4 -CBM-170SE
1 -cmt340SE - center
Use current sub

Or - is it worth it to jump up to the cmt340's in the front?

3 -cmt-340se
2 -cbm-170s
Use current sub


SVS
SVS seems to get decent ratings on there packages.
4 - SBS-01 - Fronts, surrouds
1 - scs-01m - center
pb12-nsd - Sub


RBH
4 - MC-4C
1 - MC414C - Center
Use current Sub


I can hit budget with all three of those systems. I'd love to hear any comments, opinions, or suggestions you guys have. If I tried very hard and gave a couple weeks of massages :D I might be able to get up to 1500.00 budget.

Thanks,
Ebby

You could add these to your list, as well? http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=speakers&brand=55
Also, I've read that with the svs scs01's are a much better speaker option and cost slightly more then the sbs01's.
Good luck, billy p

[Adam]

I haven't heard any of those, so my recommendations are just parroting what I've read on the web. I agree to add the av123 x-ls speakers to the list if you hadn't considered them. They've gotten really good reviews on this site. SVS still has some overstock sales on their systems, including one with the items that you listed for $999 - but color is limited to white speakers and a black sub.

I have a friend who got a system from Aperion Audio (years ago before the prices went up), and he was extremely happy with his purchase. He has them matched with an Onkyo, and I thought that they sounded good.

[Reorx]

What you might be able to do is get:
3 Sierra-1's for LCR, then 170SE's for surround.
Sierra's:
LR - $798
C - $408
170: $348
sub total: $1554
10% pkg discount: -$155
S/H: $75
Total: ~$1474

[MUDSHARK]

Another Ascend alternative would be the 340's for the front three and the htm-200 for the surrounds. The 170-se might be overkill for the surrounds and if you ever went to seven speakers the htm-200 could be moved to the back with the 170-se in the surround slot. This would fit your budget with $200 to spare for stands/mounts.

[nova]

I'd say go with the RBH,... but I am biased. I have Signature Series speakers as well as four MC-4C and MC-414C. :D

[Tex-amp]

If the budget is tight, there are used 340SEs and 170SEs readily availible right now as people upgrade to the Sierra. The 5 year warranty from Ascend is transferable and the SEs have been out about 1.5 years now. So, depending on how long a seller had their SEs you'd get at least 3.5 years warranty.

[Ebby]

What you might be able to do is get:
3 Sierra-1's for LCR, then 170SE's for surround.
Sierra's:
LR - $798
C - $408
170: $348
sub total: $1554
10% pkg discount: -$155
S/H: $75
Total: ~$1474


I think I'm more confused now lol. I didn't know about the Sierra's before this post. I really enjoy acurate sound reproduction and now after reading about the Sierra's I'm drooling.

Nova how do the 4c and 414's fill up a room? Do you think they would handle a room that size without a problem?

Tex, I was thinking that may be a good way to go and then upgrade in a few years.

[Tex-amp]

I think the Ascend package discount is 5% not 10%.

[Grayson73]

I think the Ascend package discount is 5% not 10%.

It actually depends on how many you purchase, I believe. The more you purchase, the greater the package discount.

Also, if you buy 3 now and want to get 2 or 4 more later, they will adjust the price as if you bought all 5 or 7 at the same time.

[nova]

Yeah,... I think they would be Ok in your room. I hooked them up in my room, a little bigger than yours at 25 X 18 and they sounded just fine. They do like a little power,...well, ok, the more the better :D but, they play clean and clear at way higher volumes than you could listen to. Couple points to consider, they do have an aluminum tweeter and are a sealed design.

Even better,... get three MC-616C now, then a pr. of 6C or 4C or even 44C (if you like bi-polar surround) later. My opinion of the 616C is very high,...sound is on par with the Signature Series, drivers are basically the same but have stamped basket vs cast, and of course the tweeters.

Definitely listen to them, well worth any extra effort to find them.

[mazersteven]

Hi All,

Or - is it worth it to jump up to the cmt340's in the front?

3 -cmt-340se
2 -cbm-170s
Use current sub

Thanks,
Ebby

It is worth it to jump up to the 340 mains instead of the 170's. A big worth it. IMO :D

[mazersteven]

Hi All,
SVS
SVS seems to get decent ratings on there packages.
4 - SBS-01 - Fronts, surrouds
1 - scs-01m - center
pb12-nsd - Sub

Thanks,
Ebby

This is an excellent system also. This system would fit into your budget better.

I do like the Ascend system better for music, but if your into HT mainly then the SVS system is excellent.

[mazersteven]

Ever thought about this system?

4-Usher Audio S-520 Bookshelf Speakers $800
1-Usher Audio S-525 Center Channel $380

http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/usher-series/s-520-shielded

[Ebby]

I'm hoping to decide next weekend and put my order in. I really wish I could get my hands on some of the RBH and Ascends to listen too. Anyone have them setup in SE wisconsin?

Has anyone heard when the bookshelf shootout review will be done?

[silversurfer]

This is an excellent system also. This system would fit into your budget better.

I do like the Ascend system better for music, but if your into HT mainly then the SVS system is excellent.

What distinction do you make between music and HT?

[mazersteven]

What distinction do you make between music and HT?

My point is that the Ascend 340 is a better speaker are far as sound quality. And IMO had better clarity, and detail. Also the 340's highs are smoother then the SVS SBS's. Not as bright.

Not that you don't want to hear all the little details while watching a movie. But I feel it is more important while listening to music. Again JMO.

[silversurfer]

OK, I understand. Just looking for clarification. Thanks.

[hemiram]

A friend's brother went with the SVS SCS-01's in front, SBS-01's for the front and rear surrounds, and the PB12-Plus sub, it sounds great. There is a big improvement, IMO over the SBS-01s.

I will upgrade my front speakers to them ASAP, and move my current SBS-01 fronts to the rear surrounds, replacing the modified Radio Shack Minimus speakers I have there now. They will go back on my PC, where I used them for years.

I have to set up my receiver from scratch again! The power went out due to a moron on the next block cutting a tree down and it hitting the power lines. My front channels on my RX-V659 went down to almost nothing, and so I had to reset. The auto setup is so far off it's a good thing I wrote everything down last time.

[Sheep]

Acsends... Better performance then SVS, and cheaper then RBH..

SheepStar

[tonay]

I have SCS 01's across the front w/ a NSD 12/2 sub. The speakers are great for the price but the real kicker for me - matching fronts. I've read alot about having the same speaker across the front but until I finally heard/did it - I didn't believe the difference. FYI - my ears aren't tuned enough yet to hear the difference in a speaker on it's side (traditional center) vs. verticle.

[Ebby]

Woot!!! Well I talked the wife (it only took 7 massages :D) into the Sierra's and placed the order yesterday. Looks like they shipped Monday evening. I can't wait to rediscover my music collection with this setup.

Ordered Ascend Sierra's accross the front with 170SE's for the rears. Also ordered these stands for a nice clean look.

Lovan Affiniti 29 in. High Gloss Piano Black Speaker Stands

We just moved in last weekend so hopefully I'll stay busy enough not to check the package tracker on the hour. I pre wired the house but just realized I ran plain speaker wire for my powered sub. Can I use that or will I need to run coax? I could route it through the basement.

[jcPanny]

Ebby,
Report back on the Sierra's, sounds like a great system.

You will need coax for the sub cable. The receiver will have a single RCA output for the sub/LFE signal.

[mazersteven]

Congratulations on the Sierra purchase. Hope you get many years of enjoyment out of them.

[misterkit]

great news. let us know how they sound....


Woot!!! Well I talked the wife (it only took 7 massages :D) into the Sierra's and placed the order yesterday. Looks like they shipped Monday evening. I can't wait to rediscover my music collection with this setup.

Ordered Ascend Sierra's accross the front with 170SE's for the rears. Also ordered these stands for a nice clean look.

Lovan Affiniti 29 in. High Gloss Piano Black Speaker Stands

We just moved in last weekend so hopefully I'll stay busy enough not to check the package tracker on the hour. I pre wired the house but just realized I ran plain speaker wire for my powered sub. Can I use that or will I need to run coax? I could route it through the basement.

[Ebby]

great news. let us know how they sound....


I'll post some pictures and review once I get them up and running. Looks like they'll be here on Monday. Can't wait .......... The speaker stands are on back order, :rolleyes: but I'm sure I'll find somewhere to set them. :)