2.0 Setup Suggestions

[Meta]

Trying to make a decision on some new front L/R speakers. Budget around $300. So far been looking at:

Infinity Beta 20: $109 ea
Infinity Beta 40: $179 ea

Polk Monitor 50: $129 ea

Ascend CBM 170: $350 pr

PSB BR25: on sale $299 pr (maple only-doesn't match furniture, but I am a bachelor who cares)

AV123 xls encore 299 pr (back ordered)

Do any you guys have any experience with these speakers or have suggestions other speakers you have enjoyed in this price range??

My room is small: 10x14. I will be using a receiver from an Onkyo HTIB. It is 100w x 6. Will this receiver be fine powering the listed speakers for a couple months? I plan on getting a new receiver soon, prob 605 or 663.

I want something that will be good for music, good imaging, good highs and mids. Bass is not a huge deal to me. I will probably add a sub in the future.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[mazersteven]

Ascend CBM 170: $350 pr

Pull the Trigger

 

[silversurfer]

Pull the Trigger

And fast!
http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=3356

 

[bandphan]

yep yep +1

 

[satish536]

My vote goes to the ascends, I'm going to be buying a pair myself once i collect up some green.

Eventually think of adding a sub woofer since these are bookshelves.

 

[Meta]

Can you explain to me why you think the Ascend 170 would be better than Beta 20 or 40.

I do want something that is going to be accurate, good for jazz and classical as well as hip hop, have good imaging with good highs and mids.

 

[WmAx]

One warning: the CBM-170SE is a 4-5 ohm nominal load, according the sample unit I just measured. Electrical phase swing also remains at a +/- 45 degree shift through most of the bandwidth, with maximum shifts near +60 degrees. Minininum impedance is 3.8 ohms in a couple of narrow spots. Be sure the amplifier used is intended to handle a 4 ohm load speaker.

-Chris

 

[silversurfer]

One warning: the CBM-170SE is a 4-5 ohm nominal load, according the sample unit I just measured. Electrical phase swing also remains at a +/- 45 degree shift through most of the bandwidth, with maximum shifts near +60 degrees. Minininum impedance is 3.8 ohms in a couple of narrow spots. Be sure the amplifier used is intended to handle a 4 ohm load speaker.

-Chris

How do you feel about the speaker otherwise?

 

[WmAx]

How do you feel about the speaker otherwise?

Well, the 1st CBM-170 measured very well in many important areas. It was, however, very resonant so far as the cabinet system was concerned, and the SE is no different in that it has a resonant cabinet system - just like most speaker systems. I have not got around to measuring a complete data set for this speaker yet - so I can not comment on that aspect. These CBM-170SE speakers are not mine - they belong to someone else. I am modifying the cabinet system to be non-resonant.

-Chris

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Well, the 1st CBM-170 measured very well in many important areas. It was, however, very resonant so far as the cabinet system was concerned, and the SE is no different in that it has a resonant cabinet system - just like most speaker systems. I have not got around to measuring a complete data set for this speaker yet - so I can not comment on that aspect. These CBM-170SE speakers are not mine - they belong to someone else. I am modifying the cabinet system to be non-resonant.

-Chris

If you could please post your before and after thoughts when you are done your modifications. I would love to here your thoughts since I have the 340se/170se speakers in my system.



So yes to the OP. Buy the Ascends...I did. Seriously though you may hate the Ascends compared to the others so listen and decide for yourself. Thats all the fun of it!


SBF1

 

[WmAx]

If you could please post your before and after thoughts when you are done your modifications. I would love to here your thoughts since I have the 340se/170se speakers in my system.



So yes to the OP. Buy the Ascends...I did. Seriously though you may hate the Ascends compared to the others so listen and decide for yourself. Thats all the fun of it!


SBF1

Well, the Ascends have a more neutral xover/driver system as compared to most. This makes them more apt to adjusting the response to one's ideal preference. The main issue is the cabinet resonance - but this is apparently a problem with most.

-Chris

 

[j_garcia]

Out of those, I'd probably opt for the 170s. They are small, and not entirely that attractive, but their sound quality is good and even handed with all types of material.

I haven't heard the Encores yet, but I auditioned the original X-LS. Much better looking than the 170s, but not quite as neutral. They do have quite a bit more bass than the 170s, which could be a concern. With the 170s, I'd generally say I'd use a sub with them for sure. The X-LSs I could see using without one for music.

 

[silversurfer]

As far as the printed specs go, there is only a 4hz difference in the low end between the X-LS encore and 170SE.

Maybe the low end is boosted a bit on the encore?

 

[Meta]

One warning: the CBM-170SE is a 4-5 ohm nominal load, according the sample unit I just measured. Electrical phase swing also remains at a +/- 45 degree shift through most of the bandwidth, with maximum shifts near +60 degrees. Minininum impedance is 3.8 ohms in a couple of narrow spots. Be sure the amplifier used is intended to handle a 4 ohm load speaker.

-Chris

That actually IS a problem. I plan on upgrading to an AVR like onkyo 605 or yammy 663, but right now I am using a reciever rom a Onkyo HTIB. It is rated at 100w x 6, but prob for 8ohm speakers only.

If I did get ascends what would my options be for a cheap amp, or AVR/amp combo?

 

[WmAx]

That actually IS a problem. I plan on upgrading to an AVR like onkyo 605 or yammy 663, but right now I am using a reciever rom a Onkyo HTIB. It is rated at 100w x 6, but prob for 8ohm speakers only.

If I did get ascends what would my options be for a cheap amp, or AVR/amp combo?

Best deal going is the Emotiva LPA-1. $500 for 6 channels of 8 ohm/125 watt or 4 ohm/225 watt power in a nice light 60 lb. chassis.

BTW, it is always ideal to use outboard amps if the budget allows. Use the AVR for pre-amp and video switching only. This let's you add in external tools like the Behringer DCX2496 between your pre-amp and amps, giving you so much more power to shape your response to your preference(s) and allowing for superior integration of subwoofers to main speakers due to it's highly versatile/variable xover settings.

-Chris

 

[3db]

I'm very partial to PSB. The B25s are an amazing speaker with nice tight bass, open mids and detailed highs with out being overly bright. They have amazing imaging as well. Its well worth your audition. There are a few here who have B25s and love them. I own the T45s and am ver pleased with them.

 

[silversurfer]

That actually IS a problem. I plan on upgrading to an AVR like onkyo 605 or yammy 663, but right now I am using a reciever rom a Onkyo HTIB. It is rated at 100w x 6, but prob for 8ohm speakers only.

If I did get ascends what would my options be for a cheap amp, or AVR/amp combo?

I don't recall reading about any problems with less expensive receivers driving 170's when I was doing my research.

 

[ChunkyDark]

The infinity primus 162 has gotten some good reviews. They sell for about 200USD per pair.

 

[j_garcia]

As far as the printed specs go, there is only a 4hz difference in the low end between the X-LS encore and 170SE.

Maybe the low end is boosted a bit on the encore?

The X-LS has a larger cabinet and I guess just moves more air than the 170SE. You can see in the 170's chart that it drops off rather quickly below 100Hz, and it doesn't list 53Hz as the -3dB, but rather gives the range as +/-3dB. These are very good speakers, but bass is not their strong point; clean, clear sound is. The 170s also have a relatively high sensitivity so they should be easily driven by most any receiver. The X-LS did fine with less power, but also took as much as I could throw at them without batting an eye - they have lower sensitivity than the 170s (87 vs 91, 4dB is quite noticeable)

 

[silversurfer]

The X-LS has a larger cabinet and I guess just moves more air than the 170SE. You can see in the 170's chart that it drops off rather quickly below 100Hz, and it doesn't list 53Hz as the -3dB, but rather gives the range as +/-3dB. These are very good speakers, but bass is not their strong point; clean, clear sound is. The 170s also have a relatively high sensitivity so they should be easily driven by most any receiver. The X-LS did fine with less power, but also took as much as I could throw at them without batting an eye - they have lower sensitivity than the 170s (87 vs 91, 4dB is quite noticeable)

You've lost me on the numbers you are using. Anechoic or in-room? Also lost on the +/-3dB vs -3dB. Also there is no comparable graph for the X-LS.

Then again, you heard them, so the numbers really don't mean anything.