B2030p's

[sholling]

Correction!

I found higher pitched vocals and instruments a bit harsh for my taste (I'm a Salk owner), almost a horn loaded sound.

I had a friend over listening to them at the same time I was testing for here and being the idiot that I am I got in a hurry and forgot to change a setting. Please ignore the above statement, the CMT-340 SEs sound very good! Very tight mids and very clean highs. Highly recommended.

 

[GranteedEV]

^yeah that wierded me out. Ascend's measurements for the 340s show that the highs aren't particularily emphasised at all.

 

[ahblaza]

I chose the 340s over the 170s because of the slightly greater sensitivity and power handling - but I'm using them as surrounds not mains. I wish I'd had time to do a side by side against the Usher S-520 for you before I sold them but I didn't, however today I hooked the 340s up as mains and spent some quality time with them. I found higher pitched vocals and instruments a bit harsh for my taste (I'm a Salk owner), almost a horn loaded sound. Not bad for the price but a definite step down from the Sierra-1s. From memory S-520 seemed smoother and more refined up high. That's from memory and not a side by side test. On the other hand the S-520s aren't as sensitive and won't handle nearly the power of the 340s. If you want solid mids I think the b-stock 340s are worth a listen but only you will know if you like the sound.

My advice is if you have the room for rear ported towers and can scrape up another $110 then save up for those VR3s. That's just a heck of a speaker for $610/pr shipped.

Sholling, do you highly recommend the VR3's, I'm looking to get new mains and overlooked these because they were so inexpensive, I quess I should not use price as a performance standard. Thanks jeff

 

[sholling]

Sholling, do you highly recommend the VR3's, I'm looking to get new mains and overlooked these because they were so inexpensive, I quess I should not use price as a performance standard. Thanks jeff

I bought a set of VR3s about 4 years ago when they were a lot more money and loved them. The only reason that I upgraded from them last year was I moved to a house with a tighly constricted family room. I just couldn't give them the room that large rear ported floorstanders need. As long as you can give them 18-24" behind them and 2-3 feet to the nearest side wall I think you'll like them. They're super easy to drive and very pleasant during long listening sessions. Of course everyone has different tastes and yours may be different than mine. If you get them I'd go ahead and get the center as well because it's all long discontinued and who knows when OneCall will run out.

 

[sholling]

^yeah that wierded me out. Ascend's measurements for the 340s show that the highs aren't particularily emphasised at all.

When I make a stupid mistake that leads to a stupid comment I try to correct the mistake and admit my stupidity.

 

[zieglj01]

I had a friend over listening to them at the same time I was testing for here and being the idiot that I am I got in a hurry and forgot to change a setting. Please ignore the above statement, the CMT-340 SEs sound very good! Very tight mids and very clean highs. Highly recommended.

So the upgrade bug bit you again!

 

[zieglj01]

ahblaza,
The VR3's are good speakers - you are only looking at a discontinued
price. They are well balanced and powerful. They compete well with
$1500 speakers

 

[sholling]

So the upgrade bug bit you again!

The upgrade bug is always biting me. Pretty much every time the credit card balance sits on zero too long. In this case the CMT-340s replaced Song Surround-1s as surrounds. I just couldn't get enough output out of the SS1s and the 340s are a whole lot cheaper than spending $700 on a new amp and almost $2k on custom SS2s. I just couldn't justify that for surrounds.

Next up is the NrT upgrade for my Sierra-1s (early x-mas present from my dog) and then another sub early next year (b-day present from the dog). She spoils me.

 

[zieglj01]

The upgrade bug is always biting me. Pretty much every time the credit card balance sits on zero too long. In this case the CMT-340s replaced Song Surround-1s as surrounds. I just couldn't get enough output out of the SS1s and the 340s are a whole lot cheaper than spending $700 on a new amp and almost $2k on custom SS2s. I just couldn't justify that for surrounds.

Next up is the NrT upgrade for my Sierra-1s (early x-mas present from my dog) and then another sub early next year (b-day present from the dog). She spoils me.

Yea, man's best friend - they like to spend our money. Somebody in
that picture looks spoiled!

 

[yepimonfire]

i dont mild brightness, after all i am a fan of both klipsch and polk, as long as it is backed by solid mids i think it is fine, the freq response graphs on ascends sight are impressive.

 

[ahblaza]

I bought a set of VR3s about 4 years ago when they were a lot more money and loved them. The only reason that I upgraded from them last year was I moved to a house with a tighly constricted family room. I just couldn't give them the room that large rear ported floorstanders need. As long as you can give them 18-24" behind them and 2-3 feet to the nearest side wall I think you'll like them. They're super easy to drive and very pleasant during long listening sessions. Of course everyone has different tastes and yours may be different than mine. If you get them I'd go ahead and get the center as well because it's all long discontinued and who knows when OneCall will run out.

Thanks Sholling, I do have the room and for that price I will be able to afford the center as well. Thanks again my friend.

 

[ahblaza]

Sholling, what is the model # for center channel to use with the VR3's?
Thanks

 

[sholling]

Sholling, what is the model # for center channel to use with the VR3's?
Thanks

VRC. OneCall bundles the VRC with VR3s for $810 shipped for the set. I tried to link it for you but it looks like they're down right now.

 

[ahblaza]

ahblaza,
The VR3's are good speakers - you are only looking at a discontinued
price. They are well balanced and powerful. They compete well with
$1500 speakers

Thanks ZIEG, that is very helpful. I just came from the Ascend site and the 340's really grabbed my attention, they seem to fit the bill, and crossed over to my new Legend sub should, I'm hoping produce some good results, I have not ruled out the VR3's though. Like JG said i'll be waiting to see if they have some holiday sale at Ascend, they have B-stock 340's available now.

 

[ahblaza]

VRC. OneCall bundles the VRC with VR3s for $810 shipped for the set. I tried to link it for you but it looks like they're down right now.

Thanks my friend, I am relly confused now, The VR3's with center or the Ascend 340's with matching 340 center. Please Help!!!!

 

[ahblaza]

VRC. OneCall bundles the VRC with VR3s for $810 shipped for the set. I tried to link it for you but it looks like they're down right now.

Sholling, I was at One Call and they have the bundle for $810 shipped, and they just approved a One Call credit card with no interest on orders over $499 for one year. The trio seemed to get great reviews all over the net and user reviews also at the original asking price of $1600+. I also just left the Ascends site and the 340's are also very tempting, I find myself at wits end trying to decide what to do. I currtently have a Epik Lengend if that should infuence my decision at all. Two 340's SE and matching center 340C or the VR3 trio? Help me to decide please, Thanks for putting up with my indiscisiveness, but I need some nudging.
Jeff

 

[sholling]

Sholling, I was at One Call and they have the bundle for $810 shipped, and they just approved a One Call credit card with no interest on orders over $499 for one year. The trio seemed to get great reviews all over the net and user reviews also at the original asking price of $1600+. I also just left the Ascends site and the 340's are also very tempting, I find myself at wits end trying to decide what to do. I currtently have a Epik Lengend if that should infuence my decision at all. Two 340's SE and matching center 340C or the VR3 trio? Help me to decide please, Thanks for putting up with my indiscisiveness, but I need some nudging.
Jeff

I like both but have never compared them side by side. If it helps the Bostons are a lot better looking but they're also really big. Why don't you post a VR3 vs CMT-340 thread. Also see if anybody in your area has either.

 

[KEW]

Next up is the NrT upgrade for my Sierra-1s (early x-mas present from my dog) and then another sub early next year (b-day present from the dog). She spoils me.

What a great dog!!!
You really owe it to her to get her a pair of Salk Soundscape 12's!!

 

[GranteedEV]

What a great dog!!!
You really owe it to her to get her a pair of Salk Soundscape 12's!!

I bet you dogs aren't fans of ribbon tweeters.. they probably prefer a steep rolloff of the high end.

 

[KEW]

I bet you dogs aren't fans of ribbon tweeters.. they probably prefer a steep rolloff of the high end.

My dog is fine with them!?