Are These Finds Good Deals?

[Pogre]

I just stumbled across a pair of Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2s with Raal ribbon tweeters in gloss black for $650...

Umm... this looks like it could be a hell of a bargain? Anyone?

 

[Pogre]

No comments? I was thinking about getting a third subwoofer, but if those are something worth jumping on (at $650) I could be pretty easily swayed... are they on par with something like the BMR?

 

[zieglj01]

No comments? I was thinking about getting a third subwoofer, but if those are something worth jumping on (at $650) I could be pretty easily swayed... are they on par with something like the BMR?

I expect them to be close ... worth considering for sure

 

[snakeeyes]

3rd subwoofer!!!!

 

[KEW]

No comments? I was thinking about getting a third subwoofer, but if those are something worth jumping on (at $650) I could be pretty easily swayed... are they on par with something like the BMR?

Not really he BMR, more like the New Philharmonitor (although I do believe that Dennis does a better job with the crossovers than David (Ascend) does!

The New Philharmonitor

 

[slipperybidness]

I just stumbled across a pair of Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2s with Raal ribbon tweeters in gloss black for $650...

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Umm... this looks like it could be a hell of a bargain? Anyone?

That is about 1/2 retail price!

If those were local to me, it would be very hard to resist!

 

[Pogre]

That is about 1/2 retail price!

If those were local to me, it would be very hard to resist!

Less than half! They're $1498 for the gloss finish, plus 40 for shipping.

 

[slipperybidness]

Less than half! They're $1498 for the gloss finish, plus 40 for shipping.

Well.....what are you waiting for!

At that price, I have to wonder if it is too good to be true. I would definitely want to hear them before paying.

 

[Pogre]

Well.....what are you waiting for!

At that price, I have to wonder if it is too good to be true. I would definitely want to hear them before paying.

I hit Kurt in a pm and he has the same trepidations. They're advertised in "excellent, like new condition". "Kef LS60 Killers". I think I'm gonna send a text this morning and ask. The drive doesn't look to be too far either.

*Edit: I just texted the guy. My inner monologue keeps telling me they wouldn't be hard to flip for a small profit, or even break even. I kinda don't think that'd happen after I hear them tho...

 

[Pogre]

Well.....what are you waiting for!

At that price, I have to wonder if it is too good to be true. I would definitely want to hear them before paying.

I have money in the bank and can afford to sit on $650 for a while should I decide to flip them. Given enough time I don't think I'll have many issues selling them.

 

[zieglj01]

I have money in the bank and can afford to sit on $650 for a while should I decide to flip them. Given enough time I don't think I'll have many issues selling them.

Good deal, and waiting to hear your take on them.

 

[Pogre]

Omg. I just found these for $450...

MA Silver RX-6 towers.

Advertised in excellent condition.

 

[zieglj01]

Omg. I just found these for $450...

MA Silver RX-6 towers
Advertised in excellent condition.

They are pretty good, but a bit forward and sibilant sounding ... $450 is a good deal

 

[Pogre]

Good deal, and waiting to hear your take on them.

I got them. I'm listening to music right now and first impressions are... well, my jaw dropped once or twice. I don't know what grabbed me first, the detail of the Raal tweeters or the amount of bass that's coming out of these things. I have a big room and I can feel it. Like really feel it.

That's all I really have to say atm. There are some very minor blemishes on a couple of corners that take some work to see. Aside from that the cabs are unscratched, glossy and shiny. They look brand new. Now for some speaker porn...

 

[FIqbal]

Once you hear RAAL its difficult not to fall in love, especially with Ascend.

 

[zieglj01]

I got them. I'm listening to music right now and first impressions are... well, my jaw dropped once or twice. I don't know what grabbed me first, the detail of the Raal tweeters or the amount of bass that's coming out of these things. I have a big room and I can feel it. Like really feel it.

That's all I really have to say atm. There are some very minor blemishes on a couple of corners that take some work to see. Aside from that the cabs are unscratched, glossy and shiny. They look brand new.

Well done ... Dave at Ascend is a good designer ... You got a solid deal

 

[Pogre]

Once you hear RAAL its difficult not to fall in love, especially with Ascend.

I've only had them playing for about an hour now and thus far you'll get no argument from me!

I expected to wowed by the Raals (and I am). The bass is what's catching me off guard. To my ears there's real, usable bass well below 45-50 hz. I can hear the difference when I turn the subs on too. I swear the bass is better with these little speakers than my Ultra towers when crossed over to my subs at 80 hz.

Now by themselves my towers clearly blow them away when it comes to deep bass extension, but... just damn. My Ultra Bookshelf speakers don't have the bass response of these "smaller" Sierras.

I'm finding myself wanting to gush, but I need more time to really soak these in. I have a lot of very, very familiar music to listen to over the next few days and I'd like to do a proper full calibration. Right now my subs are all dialed in to cross over with my towers.

 

[Pogre]

Well done ... Dave at Ascend is a good designer ... You got a solid deal

Thank you! I'm pretty excited. Any buyers remorse I had dissolved after the first minute of listening to them. I know I got a good deal on this one. I'm tickled right now too, because I think the intent I had with the idea for this thread actually bore some fruit!

He had a small amp in his garage and we listened to them out there, which was fine by me. The door was up and the sun was streaming in so I was able to go 'round them and look at the reflections from different angles. They were fingerprinted up pretty bad, but I didn't see any scuffs or scratches. Now that I have 'em polished up they look gorgeous.

Oh, and by the way, they sounded pretty frickin' good in his garage!

 

[ryanosaur]

Once you hear RAAL its difficult not to fall in love, especially with Ascend.

Yup... his Raal cherry done got popped. No going back, now. The only thing better might be beryllium. And that's an expensive habit!

 

[Verdinut]

I got them. I'm listening to music right now and first impressions are... well, my jaw dropped once or twice. I don't know what grabbed me first, the detail of the Raal tweeters or the amount of bass that's coming out of these things. I have a big room and I can feel it. Like really feel it.

That's all I really have to say atm. There are some very minor blemishes on a couple of corners that take some work to see. Aside from that the cabs are unscratched, glossy and shiny. They look brand new. Now for some speaker porn...

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The wide horizontal dispersion of air motion transformer or ribbon tweeters makes a huge difference as compared to most dome tweeters. They widen the overall soundstage, and with them even in stereo, you don't miss the center channel. I wouldn't use anything else as tweeters.