Ascend Acoustics Speakers

[Gatorchong]

I'm hoping to get some more information on this company. I've pretty much decided to order the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 main speakers for my home stereo. I've read most all of the reviews I could find but sometimes they sound too much like sales pitches to me and there isn't a review that I could find on audioholics. I like this site because I feel like it's more honest and not driven by advertising. I'm pretty sure the drivers that ascend uses are made by Audax and I've always been impressed by their products so that's a major reason why I've chosen these. I also wanted to know if there's anything else I have to look at in this price range ($600-$700). These are going to be in a smallish bedroom, as my roommates can't be trusted with any stereo equipment over $200. My other main choice was Axiom Audio but I've always been kind of put off by metal drivers, especially tweeters. These speakers are only going to be used for music and I've always preferred tweeters that are a little smoother and more mellow. I've also looked at NHT, Aperion, Monitor Audio, and Energy. Bear in mind I don't have a dealer around my home that sells any of these products so I have to go by reviews and opinions. If there's any suggestions of good bookshelves that you think would out do Ascend at this price point I'd love to take a look, all opinions welcome as long as you don't say Bose. I went down that road when I was a teenager. Thanks for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

 

[Unregistered]

Well, I do have the CBM 170's and HTM's in an 5.1 set-up. I really haven't heard anything that will "out do" them. Just remember though, sound is so subjective. The 340's are quite impressive . . . from what I hear.

I don't think you can go wrong with your decision. Order, try 'em, send 'em back if you don't like 'em. You could order a single pair first to demo. Then add the rest later. Ascend offers a package deal; even if you only purchase a pair to start. You just have to finish the system within 45 days. Also, Ascend does not inflate S/H charges. My CBMs cost $8 to ship!

Yes they use Audax drivers; but they are proprietary . . . at least the mid-woof is. Looks like the frame from the mid-line aerogels, with the cone of the high-end drivers. Go figure, hey they sound very nice.

For the sake of not sounding like a shill for Ascend, there is some competition from Onix, Axiom, Aperion . . . all internet companies. I haven't heard anything in store (Polk, JBL, Klipsch, Athena, etc.) that will best my CBM's.

As always . . . YMMV.

 

[Unregistered]

I'm also looking at the 340's and epos els3... The epos have metal tweeters but have been reviewed as very smooth with a sweet high end.....

 

[Gatorchong]

Thanks for the info.

I ordered the Ascends. I was really struggling between them and Monitor Audio S2's, but you can't get them on the internet with a warranty, so that made the choice easier. (No dealer anywhere even close to me) I really would have liked to compare the two, even if the MA has a metal tweeter, I've read so many good things about them in the forums they seemed worth a try, but I doubt I'll be dissappointed moving up to the Ascend's from my old Infinity Reference 4's.

Cheers

 

[Rob Babcock]

Buying without warrant or not is a decision that you of course must make for yourself. But JMOHO, I've done it & would do it again. Any reputable dealer will replace one that's bad right out of the box, and it's very uncommon for a speaker driver to fail unless you really abuse it. I've bought several Monitor Audio speakers online and they're all going strong years later.

 

[Gatorchong]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your MA's? I found some sites that sell them but they all looked kinda shady to me. There's this one company that operates under like 6 different web addresses - reliableaudiovideo.com, downtownaudio.com, and a few others. All the same mailing address. Then there was this place brandnamez.com, but I found a ton of bad reviews about them saying they sent damaged or b-stock but didn't tell you about it and they were in bad standing with the better business bureau, so I never felt comfortable ordering from any of these places. But besides that, I almost could have bought the S2's on looks alone, the rose mahogany finish is beautiful.

 

[Unregistered]

Yeah, I my Ascend CBM's replaced my MA Silver 5i's. The first gen. Silvers were to bright and recessed sounding to me. The Ascends are more neutral and play with a finesse the MA's didn't have. I hear the new "S" models are much better.

Anywho, I purchased my MA's from Soundcity. (www.soundcity.com)
I guess it was a pretty positive experience and would recommend them.

Let us know what you think of your Ascends . . . and MA's if you are able to compare the two.

 

[Unregistered]

Ascends

I own the CMT-340's and CBM-170's.

The Epos ELS-3 is more on the playing field of the CBM-170, and I have read some great things about them. In mass market type speakers, the CBM-170 can compete with the Paradigm Studio 20, just does not have the bottom end, but I feel more balanced with its presentation.

Much of the same can be said of the CMT-340 when compared to the Studio 60.

Ascend puts the cost into what reproduces the sound, and truly cuts out what the middle man would add to the cost of the speakers. The drivers and crossovers used in Ascends are of higher quality than the other internet direct brands, at the expense of a less flashy cabinet. The look of the CBM-170 gets the negative comments, but for some it works very well.

Sound vs Cost.....IMO....Ascend is tough to beat.

I know, it reads like a shill....but they really need to be heard. Not the end-all speaker...but a tremendous value.

 

[Gatorchong]

Okay so I ordered both and I'm going to compare the two. I got the Monitor Audio S2's yesterday from one shady company called brandnamez.com. They swear up and down that their products are brand new, not b-stock. But surprise, when I open the box one of the speakers has a small dent in it. It's in the back and hard to see but it's there. They sell the speakers at a b-stock price ($200 under retail) so I don't know why they just don't admit it. But besides that, they're very good looking speakers and they sound great. And despite my fear of metal tweeters, they don't sound overly bright to me. Excellent detail but I think they need to break in for a while. The ascends are supposed to get here next Thursday so we'll have to see.

 

[Unregistered]

I own the CMT-340's and CBM-170's.
I know, it reads like a shill....but they really need to be heard. Not the end-all speaker...but a tremendous value.

Nope, not a shill. For the $, Ascend IS hard to beat. Not perfect, but the best $328 I spent on an audio product.

 

[Unregistered]

outside of bass extension, my bet is the CBM-170 will surprise you.