Ascend Acoustics announces their new reference monitor.

[MUDSHARK]

Bear in mind that I heard the Usher at MazerSteven's home not my own so general impressions rather than direct comparisons are given. The other speakers at Steven's home included Stata Mini and Rocket bookshelfs.

The strata had the best imaging and midrange as expected for a speaker five times more expensive.

The strength of the Usher was the vocals, piano, and brass reproduction. I believe the Usher was even cleaner than the Ascend in these areas (slightly). However the lower mid-range and upper bass is much tighter and realistic on the Ascend.

Given that both would have a sub, the Ascend gets the nod for HT while two channel jazz for instance would favor the Usher. At 350-400 a pair each performs most tasks quite well. I would not be unhappy with either in my music room and consider both a significant improvement over the mainstream equivalents from Paradigm, B&W, etc... I really labored over sending the Ascend 170's back to purchase the new Sierra. Both speakers represent terrific value.

I am sorry not to give a better answer but I just cannot give an assertive answer without hearing both at the same volume at the same time.

 

[billy p]

Wow

Bear in mind that I heard the Usher at MazerSteven's home not my own so general impressions rather than direct comparisons are given. The other speakers at Steven's home included Stata Mini and Rocket bookshelfs.

The strata had the best imaging and midrange as expected for a speaker five times more expensive.

The strength of the Usher was the vocals, piano, and brass reproduction. I believe the Usher was even cleaner than the Ascend in these areas (slightly). However the lower mid-range and upper bass is much tighter and realistic on the Ascend.

Given that both would have a sub, the Ascend gets the nod for HT while two channel jazz for instance would favor the Usher. At 350-400 a pair each performs most tasks quite well. I would not be unhappy with either in my music room and consider both a significant improvement over the mainstream equivalents from Paradigm, B&W, etc... I really labored over sending the Ascend 170's back to purchase the new Sierra. Both speakers represent terrific value.
I am sorry not to give a better answer but I just cannot give an assertive answer without hearing both at the same volume at the same time.

thanks!! I am very interested in those Sierra 1's from Ascend. Living up here though there is very little I can do about auditioning them first. This may sound dumb, but information like this helps me gauge the quality of the Ascends. When I go out(after the move) to audition other speakers like the Ushers, this will allow me to justify that the money will be well spent on the Sierras. I hope to read your comments once you get them and thanks for your honesty!

Billy p

 

[Tex-amp]

Looks like there is some b-stock for piano black.... http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?p=22960#post22960

 

[Reorx]

I am torn between the Sierra-1's and RBH MC-6C's.
They are both around the same price, RBH being a little more expensive.

Any thoughts?

Reorx

 

[MUDSHARK]

I'll let you know in two weeks regarding the Sierra. Very few have listened to them yet. I took up Ascend's offer on the b-stock. The scratches are described as very minor and I will receive the speakers much sooner. James expects my order to ship on Tuesday. Nice discount was offered as well by a very good company to deal with(Reminds me of Parasound and from what I have read, SVS). I'm estimating June 4 for arrival.

 

[Tex-amp]

I am torn between the Sierra-1's and RBH MC-6C's.
They are both around the same price, RBH being a little more expensive.

Any thoughts?

Reorx

Can you wait another week or two until more opinions are in on the Sierras?