Once ARC was turned off I thought the Ascend Towers had what it took. I couldn't really tell ARC wasn't for 2 channel music until I got something I was pretty familiar with. Price wise they're in there with the standard 3/4" dome version of the Salks. (I think.)
Well bring em on up....
My ribbons aren't RAAL for the record. The difference between your RAAL center and the dome towers wasn't nearly as significant as with/without ARC. That tells me that the dome and the RAAL are voiced very similarly even if one is in a tower and one is in a center. You gotta be good to achieve that.
The sub, the sub, the sub ... whoa ...
I'm home and needin' sleep but I felt compelled to post before I crashed. Had an awesome time. Top notch set up. Sounds good, looks good ... sounds good.
The whole thing is impressive and I don't think delightful is too strong a word for it. I think it all boils down to staying competitive at whatever price point for these manufactures. Without at least being able to a/b speakers in the same room you really don't have anything remotely fair in terms of comparison but trust has to start somewhere and it may as well be at your ears. With ARC for music (at your place only) I knew something was amiss and my Salks ruled the roost but once removed I wasn't able to notice any glaring differences.
I am suppose to be coming back up in a few months. I do have a truck.
Thanks again, Bill.