Really Boring Stuff Only III: Resurrection

[STRONGBADF1]

To offer my 2 cents, I'd lean for the middle/lower end of that range, say ~8.5 cubes. It's always tempting to go for the big box and high low-end efficiency, but in the end you'll lose out on top end performance as there's only so much power you can safely apply before risking over-excursion.

Wimp...

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[agarwalro]

The Sierra's replacement tweeter is installed and the set is functional again. Woo hoo!

Right away, I tell they're slightly more efficient than the AA Monitors (the phantom center shifted toward the Sierra when I had one of each hooked up). They don't play as low as the AA Monitors (low end feels anemic by comparison).

I haven't done a critical listening comparison and it will not be a fair comparison, but, I can... So, I will . That Sierra 2 treble sizzles man! It's like someone removed the blanket laid over the AA Monitor. I can hear the smallest details on the TV audio. I'll eventually do a write-up in the Reviews section.

On the X4000 repair front, I called the repair shop to get the part number of the faulty digital board, hoping to make a last ditch effort at finding a replacement. Next step would be sending the receiver to United Radio. They say its fixed, but, they weren't able to test all channels since I have it setup for 2.2 speaker config. They wanted me to bring the remote down so they can test it. I informed them regarding the buttons on the front panel enabling affection of settings and navigation. This has been an interesting experience.

Once I have the X4000 back, it'll be fun comparing the AA - Yamaha to Sierra 2 - Denon setups. I'll also be in a position to compare YAPO and Audyssey. Fun times .

 

[TheWarrior]

The Sierra's replacement tweeter is installed and the set is functional again. Woo hoo!

Right away, I tell they're slightly more efficient than the AA Monitors (the phantom center shifted toward the Sierra when I had one of each hooked up). They don't play as low as the AA Monitors (low end feels anemic by comparison).

I haven't done a critical listening comparison and it will not be a fair comparison, but, I can... So, I will . That Sierra 2 treble sizzles man! It's like someone removed the blanket laid over the AA Monitor. I can hear the smallest details on the TV audio. I'll eventually do a write-up in the Reviews section.

On the X4000 repair front, I called the repair shop to get the part number of the faulty digital board, hoping to make a last ditch effort at finding a replacement. Next step would be sending the receiver to United Radio. They say its fixed, but, they weren't able to test all channels since I have it setup for 2.2 speaker config. They wanted me to bring the remote down so they can test it. I informed them regarding the buttons on the front panel enabling affection of settings and navigation. This has been an interesting experience.

Once I have the X4000 back, it'll be fun comparing the AA - Yamaha to Sierra 2 - Denon setups. I'll also be in a position to compare YAPO and Audyssey. Fun times .

The bass of the AA's is probably the most shocking aspect of them on first listen! I'm glad to hear that the Sierra's were at least able to improve. I heard a pair, but the QC was so poor that they just sounded awful. I've heard good things about that company otherwise, so I hope it all gets sorted!

 

[agarwalro]

The bass of the AA's is probably the most shocking aspect of them on first listen!

Yes, this was exactly my initial reaction too. I was so shocked that I looked over and visually confirmed that the receiver was in Direct mode.

I'm glad to hear that the Sierra's were at least able to improve.

One of the Sierra 2's RAAL tweeter costs more than the AA pair. At 7x the cost, they better improve significantly on every aspect of AA sound. I did notice that AA's become fatiguing at volumes the Sierra 2 can be listened to endlessly. With the AA's I find myself turning the volume down on several occasions when I've heard the same track on the Sierra's louder.

I heard a pair, but the QC was so poor that they just sounded awful. I've heard good things about that company otherwise, so I hope it all gets sorted!

Please elaborate on your experience or point me to your post about it. This is an outlier experience and I'm very curious.

Did you attempt to have the situation remedied? In my case the tweeter was damaged when I dropped the speaker.

 

[agarwalro]

Shows on Comcast Streampix cannot be forwarded. So, one is forced to sit through commercials. Now that is next level diabolical asshatery aka. It's Comcastic.

I picked up an antenna to try the local broadcast channels. While the selection is meager, the same HD channel on cable look so compressed.

I have cable channels because I have no choice of provider and a faster tier internet connection, with HBO and HBO Go subscription are bundled in for cheaper than a mid tier internet only package. Yet again, It's Comcastic.

 

[TheWarrior]

Please elaborate on your experience or point me to your post about it. This is an outlier experience and I'm very curious.

Did you attempt to have the situation remedied? In my case the tweeter was damaged when I dropped the speaker.

My mistake, I guess I don't know Ascend's lineup that well. Perhaps it was the Sierra 1 that I had heard with a soft dome tweeter, not a ribbon.

 

[fuzz092888]

To offer my 2 cents, I'd lean for the middle/lower end of that range, say ~8.5 cubes. It's always tempting to go for the big box and high low-end efficiency, but in the end you'll lose out on top end performance as there's only so much power you can safely apply before risking over-excursion.

Very true. It would be more of an issue if this was a single sub. With the multiples I have already, plus the new one excursion and top end performance shouldn't be an issue with the summing.

That being said, I was half kidding about going 15 cubes. The GF would really have my head if I tried to bring in a 15 cubic foot subwoofer. I'll probably end up at 6-7 cubes, for a total size of 8-9. After track season anyways because somehow I got roped into that.

 

[KEW]

That being said, I was half kidding about going 15 cubes. The GF would really have my head if I tried to bring in a 15 cubic foot subwoofer.

You don't "bring in" 15 cubic foot subs! You work with your hands to fabricate a 15 cu ft erection in your basement!
Add some carpeted shelves on the sides, call it a "cat habitat" and give her a kitten! How can she refuse?
When you are bored at work, you can visualize her pussy playfully pouncing on your throbbing erection.

 

[agarwalro]

My mistake, I guess I don't know Ascend's lineup that well. Perhaps it was the Sierra 1 that I had heard with a soft dome tweeter, not a ribbon.

Hmmm.

I'm given to believe no Ascend speaker sounds bad. Even the Wave Crest Audio speaker is reviewed well. I still don't understand why your experience was sub par.

 

[TheWarrior]

Hmmm.

I'm given to believe no Ascend speaker sounds bad. Even the Wave Crest Audio speaker is reviewed well. I still don't understand why your experience was sub par.

@KEW What speakers were those that had a tweeter or wiring issue and had to go back?

My apologies again, my memory is not what it should be... I tried to relate experiences, but may have failed miserably!

 

[fuzz092888]

Saturday morning watching a great soccer game, icing my shoulder. Have a pile of papers about a ft high (literally) to grade, about 6 articles to read on how to coach pole vault since apparently I'm doing that this spring. Putting off e-mailing a parent back because she wants about 50 additional resources with answer keys by today (e-mailed me yesterday) because her kid is useless. To be fair, she knows her kid is useless and is working her a$$ off just trying to get the unmotivated, ADHD ball of energy to graduate on time. So I'll have to take a few hours today to put it all together. Oy vey, it never ends. Is it June yet?

I need to update my resume.

 

[Adam]

You work with your hands to fabricate a 15 cu ft erection in your basement!

Not quite a day, sure, but I still say that every single one of you should be ashamed...

 

[KEW]

@KEW What speakers were those that had a tweeter or wiring issue and had to go back?

My apologies again, my memory is not what it should be... I tried to relate experiences, but may have failed miserably!

Most recently I had mentioned the debacle with Fluance Signature speakers.
Both Gene's review pair and Mark's (imagic) on AVSforum were messed up.
Someone had their pair shipped to Dennis, who is currently figuring what all is wrong and Paul Apollino (sp) is being contracted by Fluance to help fix them in a professional capacity.

I had a bad tweeter in a NHT SuperZero. They sent me a new tweeter.

That's all I can think of right now.

 

[KEW]

Not quite a day, sure, but I still say that every single one of you should be ashamed...

Oh, we are so ashamed...someone should come punish us!

 

[fuzz092888]

UFC fight is 196 is $60? Ain't that some sh!t. I guess I'll watch it on replay in 6 months.

 

[Swerd]

Most recently I had mentioned the debacle with Fluance Signature speakers.
Both Gene's review pair and Mark's (imagic) on AVSforum were messed up.
Someone had their pair shipped to Dennis, who is currently figuring what all is wrong and Paul Apollino (sp) is being contracted by Fluance to help fix them in a professional capacity.

Would that be "fix them in a professional capacity" or "design them in a professional capacity". Apparently Fluance hadn't tried very hard on their first try. If Dennis's traces are representative (they do resemble Mark's but not Gene's) those speakers have more problems than mid range drivers wired with opposite polarity.

To be fair, there may easily have been more than just one error made during assembly. But that's what quality control inspection is for. This wouldn't be the first time that Chinese factories showed their unwillingness to inspect for mistakes or failures, and to reject or fix them once they find them. More often in China, QC failure means Hong Kong Sales Opportunity.

 

[TheWarrior]

Most recently I had mentioned the debacle with Fluance Signature speakers.
Both Gene's review pair and Mark's (imagic) on AVSforum were messed up.
Someone had their pair shipped to Dennis, who is currently figuring what all is wrong and Paul Apollino (sp) is being contracted by Fluance to help fix them in a professional capacity.

I had a bad tweeter in a NHT SuperZero. They sent me a new tweeter.

That's all I can think of right now.

Was it Wavecrest? I seem to remember having some ID speakers, not the ELAC's, that had a QC issue that rendered them unlistenable to my ears...

 

[agarwalro]

You don't "bring in" 15 cubic foot subs! You work with your hands to fabricate a 15 cu ft erection in your basement!
Add some carpeted shelves on the sides, call it a "cat habitat" and give her a kitten! How can she refuse?
When you are bored at work, you can visualize her pussy playfully pouncing on your throbbing erection.

This is the funniest post this year .

 

[TheWarrior]

This is the funniest post this year .

I think he was just anxious to go spend the weekend at his girlfriends house...

 

[agarwalro]

@KEW What speakers were those that had a tweeter or wiring issue and had to go back?

My apologies again, my memory is not what it should be... I tried to relate experiences, but may have failed miserably!

No need to apologize. I'm in danger of being a pushy fanboy. I hope that if you ever try Ascend again, your experience is top notch.