Ascend Acoustics Sierra Tower Specs

STRONGBADF1

STRONGBADF1

Audioholic Spartan
Since I'm not and expert at reading graphs and charts I thought I'd post these and get the AH general concensous on these measurements. Just for fun now, I'm not buying anything!:D

We are pleased to announce that our next batch of Sierra Tower cabinets are in full production. Pre-order pricing is available from now through when we receive the next batch.

High Gloss Black: $1998 immediate availability
Black Matte: $1898 immediate availability

Satin Espresso: $1998 available for pre-order
Satin Cherry: $1998 available for pre-order
Natural: $1898 available for pre-order

*RAAL ribbon tweeter upgrade will add $350 for each speaker. This price is expected to increase significantly once our current supply runs out.

Please call or send an email if you would like to place an order or if we can be of any assistance.


Sierra Tower Specifications





Measurements:

All measurements taken using DRA Lab’s MLSSA system with RCAI, calibrated ACO Pacific 7012 ½” free field measurement microphone with associated pre-amp and power supply and an automated Outline turntable.

Full-range quasi-anechoic on-axis frequency response

Microphone distance is 1 meter with calibrated sensitivity





Horizontal and vertical off-axis graphs plus listening window

Listening window is the averaged response of 5 separate measurements, on-axis, +/- 15 degrees horizontal and +/- 15 degrees vertical. In the case of floor-standing loudspeakers, we prefer to use +/- 10 degrees vertical as this more closely represents a real-world listening environment. Note: due to the measurement technique, the response below 250Hz is invalid, as represented by the above and below horizontal green bars.





Polar Response

5 degree increments from 0 degs to a full 90 degs off-axis. Note how the critical midrange response remains linear and consistent with uniformly decreasing spl as frequency increases. Also note the lack of tweeter bloom as far off-axis as 45 degrees. This represents an exceptional off-axis response.





Impedance and electrical phase

Note the extremely clean impedance response (free from wrinkles which would represent various forms of resonances) and linear phase with minimal phase angles. The mild phase angles ensure that this speaker is an easy load for even basic receivers.





Energy Time Curve

This measurement is a good indication of overall transient accuracy and stored energy. The graph displays the decay time of a full range impulse. The impulse occurs at 3ms and decreases uniformly to the noise floor (-45db) by 4ms. This represents a decay time of 1ms, which is superb. Large diameter woofer cones, woofers and tweeters with poorly designed motor systems and/or heavy mass and poorly constructed cabinets will often contribute to far greater decay times which damage transient accuracy, coherency and overall resolution.





Cumulative Spectral Decay

This measurement is similar to the energy time curve but displays a 3 dimensional view such that we can examine the decay time with reference to frequency. It is an exceptional tool to reveal transient accuracy and indicate various problem areas with respect to resonance and stored energy. The CSD of the Sierra Tower is exceptionally clean with good uniformity.

 
sholling

sholling

Audioholic Ninja
I'm really curious how they sound since I haven't heard them since the prototypes a year ago.
 
MinusTheBear

MinusTheBear

Audioholic Ninja
Looks to me that a TON of engineering went into these speakers.
 
Matt34

Matt34

Moderator
The RAAL ribbon tweeter upgrade is pretty sweet.
 
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billy p

billy p

Audioholic Ninja
Sure hope Dennis the menace (aka DenPureSound) approves after his hit an run over at the Ascend forum awhile back...what a troll!
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Sure hope Dennis the menace (aka DenPureSound) approves after his hit an run over at the Ascend forum awhile back...what a troll!
I just sent DenPureSound an email so he can respond.:D

Does anyone measure cabinet resonance like Stereophile?

Baffle thickness to improve cabinet and reduce resonance? :D
 
billy p

billy p

Audioholic Ninja
Last edited:
gene

gene

Audioholics Master Chief
Administrator
these speakers look pretty awesome. We should definitely set up a a review. thx for starting this thread!
 
STRONGBADF1

STRONGBADF1

Audioholic Spartan
these speakers look pretty awesome. We should definitely set up a a review. thx for starting this thread!
The specs look good to me but like I said, I'm not an expert. There are a lot of speakers competing at this price point, both brick and mortar and internet direct. Here's to hoping Dave F. can free up a pair for Audioholics to review.
 
Warpdrv

Warpdrv

Audioholic Ninja
MinusTheBear

MinusTheBear

Audioholic Ninja
Holy crap! That is one beastly center. That's awesome. I like those front slot ports.
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
That horizontal center is so big, you might as well use a vertical bookshelf.

I say this since it seems most vertical speakers have better accuracy and measurements than horizontal speakers.
 
its phillip

its phillip

Audioholic Ninja
It's 11" high. It is fairly tall, but still shorter than most decent speakers.
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
I think it's great Ascend released these useful plots. Thanks to DenPureSound.:D

But why not also do a cabinet resonance measurement with an accelerometer like Stereophile since everyone seems to talk about cabinet build vs. Axiom.:D
 
billy p

billy p

Audioholic Ninja
I think it's great Ascend released these useful plots. Thanks to DenPureSound.:D

But why not also do a cabinet resonance measurement with an accelerometer like Stereophile since everyone seems to talk about cabinet build vs. Axiom.:D
You do know that they are constructed from bamboo and not mdf AND huge advantages of using bamboo vs. mdf? Do a quick search...;)
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
You do know that they are constructed from bamboo and not mdf AND huge advantages of using bamboo vs. mdf? Do a quick search...;)
That is why I want them to measure the Ascend's cabinet resonance with an accelerometer.

Does it measure better than MDF?

What if it measures worst?:eek:

As DenPureSound says, we don't want words, we want plots.:D
 

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