Ascend Acoustics: LR Sierra-1 or LCR CMT-340

[ahender]

Hi:

Keep flip-flopping on this.

I have purchased a new Onkyo 705 AV receiver.

My listening habits will be 75% music and 25% home theater.

HT listening will be in the evening.

Most of the music listening will be when I am working at home.

I am not an audiophile wannabe.

Quality music yes, perfect sound not important.

My room dimensions are 21x16x8 (~2800 sq. ft.).

I have settled on Ascend Acoustics as the brand for my speakers.

My budget will allow for either 2 Sierra-1s or 3 CMT-340s.

I have a pair of Infinity Primus 150s for the rear.

No subwoofer plans at present.

So far I have had a couple of suggestions to get the Sierras and not use a center channel, then get a center later on.

Would the Sierra option (no center) make the HT experience less that what it should be?

Would the CMT-340 option leave me always wondering about whether I should have gotten the Sierras?

2 Sierra-1s are $898 -- 3 CMT-340s are $738

For the same price as the Sierras I could also get the OPPO DV-980H with the CMT-340s.

I need a new DVD player anyway.

Right now my current audio setup consists of 30-year-old Technics technology -- with one channel going in and out.

So for me, either option will be a quantum leap.

thanks in advance...alan

 

[MUDSHARK]

Hi:

The 340 are certainly quality sound and you will certainly be happy with their sound. The Sierra are a step up but one you may not find very noticeable. One of the differences is that the Sierra produce an amazing amount of bass for such a small speaker. If you never intend to add a sub then Sierra. However, the 340's will enable you to have a full HT now with the possibility of adding a sub later. If it was me, I would do the 340's and add a quality sub later.

 

[jostenmeat]

Just as a gratuitous bump, I believe people say that the 340 gives you some more bang for buck in the HT sense, but that the Sierras are the wtg for critical music listening, granted that you have the money. The latter may or may not appreciate a better amp section, but I cannot recall the opinions of owners right now.

The 340s have dual woofers, are significantly larger, and have a rough sensitivity of 90-92db/w/m, whereas the Sierras are 86.5 (which is on the low side for sure, I think of Totem or certain Aperions with that #).

I'm sure you'll be happy either way. cheers.

 

[MUDSHARK]

The Sierra do, in fact, improve with better amplification. I use them with a Marantz receiver for primarily Ht with acceptable results. However, when I purchased them, I put them in the den to be powered by my Bryston for a few hours. Between the Bryston and the den acoustics there was a definite improvement in detail. The posters Onkyo should drive them to the satisfaction of most people as he clearly does not have the 'disease'.

 

[rnatalli]

I'd go with the Sierra's myself and add on later.