Budget 5.1 Satellites for an Audiophile Setup

[Roen]

I currently have:
Yamaha RX-A660
L/R Ascend Sierra-2's

I will be getting
Center Ascend Sierra-2
PSA S1500

I'm trying to pick the best timbre-matched satellites for the Sierra-2's without spending Sierra-2 money. Any recommendations?

 

[Swerd]

The NHT SuperZero is a small inexpensive speaker with a neutral sounding overall balance. They can be excellent as rear channel speakers. I'd guess that they would not be a mismatch with your Ascend speakers which share an overall neutral balance.

The SuperZeros are small enough to easily hang, with the appropriate brackets, from walls.

 

[j_garcia]

The Ascend HTM-200 is also fairly inexpensive and compact. Even the CBM-170SEs might work. You are not going to find a perfectly timbre matched, small, inexpensive surround to those. The good news is matching the surrounds 100% isn't necessary. YES it makes a difference to match them IMO, but with surrounds it is much easier to get away with.

 

[lovinthehd]

I think the 200SE would work fine. There's the new baby Sierra-2, forget what it's called, but that's sort of pricy as well from what I remember....doesn't seem to be on the site as an available choice yet in any case.

 

[Roen]

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?6102-New-for-2016-Introducing-the-Luna-Mini-Monitor!/page39

Doesn't seem like it's out yet.

 

[Pogre]

This is just a stab in the dark, but would Dennis' center work with the Sierras? I ask because of his work with Ascend and the similarities between their speakers

*Edit: Just saw the price tag on that baby. ~$800. That's more than I thought.

 

[Roen]

Lol, the Center I'm looking at will probably be around the same.

 

[lovinthehd]

This is just a stab in the dark, but would Dennis' center work with the Sierras? I ask because of his work with Ascend and the similarities between their speakers

*Edit: Just saw the price tag on that baby. ~$800. That's more than I thought.

FWIW Dennis Murphy works with Jim Salk a lot; David Fabrikant of Ascend has a relationship with Curtis Chang for the Wave Crest HVL-1, tho.

 

[Pogre]

FWIW Dennis Murphy works with Jim Salk a lot; David Fabrikant of Ascend has a relationship with Curtis Chang for the Wave Crest HVL-1, tho.

Crap. I always confuse Ascend with Salk for some reason. I hate making myself look like an idiot, but appreciate the correction.

 

[j_garcia]

That Phil center is also made by Salk (I believe most of Dennis's cabinets are too )

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

one more to add to the fire: Wavecrest - they are small, inexpensive, made in collaboration with founder of Ascend and like it was mentioned above - probably fine for surround duties.

 

[Dennis Murphy]

FWIW Dennis Murphy works with Jim Salk a lot; David Fabrikant of Ascend has a relationship with Curtis Chang for the Wave Crest HVL-1, tho.

Right--I don't think Dave needs any help in the crossover department. If the Luna isn't available yet and/or it's too expensive, I do have a mini-monitor surround with the RAAL tweeter for around $700/pr. But I think you might be surprised at how well the little NHT satellites do for much less money.

 

[Roen]

one more to add to the fire: Wavecrest - they are small, inexpensive, made in collaboration with founder of Ascend and like it was mentioned above - probably fine for surround duties.

I talked to Curtis and he recommends the 170 or the 200 from Ascend.

 

[Roen]

Right--I don't think Dave needs any help in the crossover department. If the Luna isn't available yet and/or it's too expensive, I do have a mini-monitor surround with the RAAL tweeter for around $700/pr. But I think you might be surprised at how well the little NHT satellites do for much less money.

NHT or 170SE? Both are in my price range.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

NHT or 170SE? Both are in my price range.

One thing to notice about 170SE is they are rear ported, which not ideal to put very close to wall.
NHT's both SuperZero and SuperOne are sealed units, specifically acoustic suspension design, which could actually benefit being close to wall.

Unless you intend to use speaker stands then it's a wash from that perspective.

 

[Roen]

One thing to notice about 170SE is they are rear ported, which not ideal to put very close to wall.
NHT's both SuperZero and SuperOne are sealed units, specifically acoustic suspension design, which could actually benefit being close to wall.

Unless you intend to use speaker stands then it's a wash from that perspective.

Thanks for that, I didn't realize the NHT's were sealed.

That being said, $60 best buy stands, here I come!

 

[Roen]

Right--I don't think Dave needs any help in the crossover department. If the Luna isn't available yet and/or it's too expensive, I do have a mini-monitor surround with the RAAL tweeter for around $700/pr. But I think you might be surprised at how well the little NHT satellites do for much less money.

Where can I find the mini-monitors on your website?