Ascend Acoustics

[shadyJ]

I believe you are referring to the Philharmonic Audio (Dayton based) Affordable Accuracy?
If so I A-B'ed these two speakers and preferred the AA's to the 340's. Not by a lot, but given that the AA's cost a good bit less, that made them a real bargain.
Here is my post from around the same time I compared them:

Anyone have experience with Ascend ?

I'm looking at the 340 SE's vs the JBL 230 and Elac Debut 6 and B&W 685 S2

forums.audioholics.com

I would also consider the JBL Studio 530 if @Soundman can wait for them to go back on sale for $350!

Last, while the 340 offers greater efficiency, ability to play louder, and deeper bass, The 170 actually has a better frequency response per Ascend's measurements. If you plan to use a subwoofer (or two) and do not need to crank the piss out of them, you might consider the 170's.
The 340's dip at 2500Hz looks to be the most notable issue since it is in the range where our hearing is most sensitive:
340:
View attachment 42439
170:
View attachment 42440

3rd party measurements of the 340s aren't quite as flattering...

 

[KEW]

Aren’t those on axis response graphs? That’s not a proper representation of what would be heard, IE that 2500hz dip.

The 170’s do measure better however, I’ll admit.

The 340’s also have stands available. 170’s do not.

According to the note at the bottom of the graphs, they are indeed on-axis FR charts.
So, you are saying that these speakers should not be listened to on axis?
If that is not a fair representation of the actual FR of the speaker experienced, you should give feedback to Ascend as it is the FR Chart they offer to show the performance!

 

[Soundman]

Those are $1,600 a pair. He's looking at speakers for $500 a pair what are we doing
View attachment 42442

Yes, $1,600 is a little outside of my budget for now. $500-800 seems like the sweet spot for HT imo. Honestly, any upgrade will make a night and day difference compared to what this setup is currently using. See the pic above. A pair of $50 ELT’s sitting on the ground with no sub. Just getting something up to ear level would make a difference.

 

[mazersteven]

Again read post #2. I'm surprised you haven't posted to us telling us you ordered them already

 

[shadyJ]

Yes, $1,600 is a little outside of my budget for now. $500-800 seems like the sweet spot for HT imo. Honestly, any upgrade will make a night and day difference compared to what this setup is currently using. See the pic above. A pair of $50 ELT’s sitting on the ground with no sub. Just getting something up to ear level would make a difference.

Outlaw Audio BLSv2- these are terrific speakers and do not get enough love. They measure very well too. If you have a subwoofer, and like listening at louder volume levels, the Hsu CCB-8s image extremely well. I also quite like the RSL CG5 in this price range. Some others that I think might be good but I haven't heard them: KEF Q350, Ascend Sierra 1, Monoprice Monolith THX 265, and Aperion Verus III grande.

 

[NINaudio]

Those are $1,600 a pair. He's looking at speakers for $500 a pair what are we doing
View attachment 42442

Oh come on, I've seen you post things in other threads that were over 3 times the budget the person asked for! How can you do that in another thread and give a facepalm in this one?

 

[Russdawg1]

According to the note at the bottom of the graphs, they are indeed on-axis FR charts.
So, you are saying that these speakers should not be listened to on axis?
If that is not a fair representation of the actual FR of the speaker experienced, you should give feedback to Ascend as it is the FR Chart they offer to show the performance!

The 2500hz dip is still there in the listening window graphs, which is what I would have sent instead of the on axis graphs. So my previous comment was unfounded, apologies.

I’m sure you know a large portion of the heard sound is reflected, not on axis.

Anyone is free to listen to the speakers however they want, on or off axis, but the listening window remains supreme in determining how a speaker will sound in any room.

I did actually request Dave to share the Harman measurement suite (Spinorama) of the S2Ex after I had heard them at HQ, before he opened them up to the public. I believe I was the 5th person to ever hear them. So I guess you could say I did give feedback to Ascend to share measurements that are representative of how they will sound

Again, the 170s measure better. So no issue there.

 

[mazersteven]

Oh come on, I've seen you post things in other threads that were over 3 times the budget the person asked for! How can you do that in another thread and give a facepalm in this one?

Because I am a Audioholic Warlord

 

[shadyJ]

Any Ascend owners out there? Currently they are having their holiday sale and size wise they will fit nicely in the space I have in mind. I have been looking at the 340’s LCR. I have been told they have are very neutral sound and can play very loud. Currently a pair is going for $498. On that note, any recommendations of similar sound, size, and price would be appreciated.

Have you considered powered monitors? You can get a hell of a lot of speaker in your price range in a powered monitor. They can't really be challenged in pure neutrality in this price range.

 

[Soundman]

Again read post #2. I'm surprised you haven't posted to us telling us you ordered them already

Good point! I was just waiting for others to chime in about any other options. I do really like the 340’s tho.

 

[Soundman]

Outlaw Audio BLSv2- these are terrific speakers and do not get enough love. They measure very well too. If you have a subwoofer, and like listening at louder volume levels, the Hsu CCB-8s image extremely well. I also quite like the RSL CG5 in this price range. Some others that I think might be good but I haven't heard them: KEF Q350, Ascend Sierra 1, Monoprice Monolith THX 265, and Aperion Verus III grande.

Thanks for the suggestions. I had forgotten all about Hsu. Those speakers play extremely loud and can handle loads of power. They are a little more than the 340’s tho. I do like the Ascend stands as well.

 

[Soundman]

Have you considered powered monitors? You can get a hell of a lot of speaker in your price range in a powered monitor. They can't really be challenged in pure neutrality in this price range.

I have not looked at any power monitors. I’ve never owned any. Any suggestions?

 

[Russdawg1]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had forgotten all about Hsu. Those speakers play extremely loud and can handle loads of power. They are a little more than the 340’s tho. I do like the Ascend stands as well.

Seems like you should have ordered the Ascends 2 days ago.

Continuing this thread will only hurt you.

 

[shadyJ]

I have not looked at any power monitors. I’ve never owned any. Any suggestions?

Kali LP-8 or IN-8. JBL LSR308 mk2. PreSonus Eris E8 XT. Adam AUDIO T8V.

 

[ryanosaur]

Continuing this thread will only hurt you.

We'll get him upsold into a pair of Salk SS 9.5s, soon!

 

[Soundman]

Ho

Seems like you should have ordered the Ascends 2 days ago.

Continuing this thread will only hurt you.

how is this hurting me?

 

[mazersteven]

Ho

how is this hurting me?

 

[Soundman]

View attachment 42559

Just looking to make an informed decision. A lot has changed since I last purchased speakers.

 

[Soundman]

Definitive Technology BP-9040
I know this is a little out of my budget, but these are on sale for a great price! What I like is the small footprint for a tower. Not sure I can swing these, but had to at least consider these. The form factor appears to work with the space I have. Has anyone heard these?

 

[ryanosaur]

Definitive Technology BP-9040
I know this is a little out of my budget, but these are on sale for a great price! What I like is the small footprint for a tower. Not sure I can swing these, but had to at least consider these. The form factor appears to work with the space I have. Has anyone heard these?View attachment 42584

Meh.
Serious meh.

These and B&Ws were the fastest I ever left a speaker audition.

You would be better with the Ascends.