Ascend blending... 5.1

[WorldLeader]

Ok, here's the deal. I'm a poor student who has fallen into this trap of trying to upgrade my system when I really don't have much money to spend. As a result I spend a lot of time reading reviews and doing comparison shopping for speakers. I have run across the Ascend CMT 340SEs and I have yet to hear anything negative about them.

My question now is this: If I purchase the Ascend CMT 340SEs with a 340SEC center channel, which of my two existing pairs of bookshelf speakers should I use for surrounds? Your choices are:

Big old Klipsch KG(2) bookshelves

Slightly newer and smaller Polk Monitor 2 bookshelves

Which of these two speaker pairs will blend the best with the neutral sound of the Ascends? Please help! Pretend I'm using a Harman/Kardon receiver.

 

[j_garcia]

Since neither will blend well with the Ascends, I would say it doesn't really matter which ones you use. The only way you are going to know for sure, is to try them both out. It is less important to match surrounds with the mains, though still something that is worth while when you have the funds down the road.

 

[WorldLeader]

I would ideally like to get some of the Ascend CMB 170SEs for surrounds, but that will have to wait for a while. I think I'll use the Polks, since the Klipsch speakers are probably too big to fit as surrounds.

Will it be worth it to match all the speakers in the long run? How much will it affect the sound if I mix speaker brands?

 

[Nick250]

As you can see from my sig, I have Paradigms upfront and Boston Acoustics for surrounds. To my ears the sound is great and I have no interest in changing. It may be a case by case issue though.

Nick

 

[Sheep]

You should buy 5 - 170s and not worry about timber matching at all.

SheepStar

 

[WorldLeader]

Is there a noticable difference between the 170s and the larger 340s? I know that the 340s use two woofers, but how much does that help the sound? Am I wasting my money by getting more power than I need? My room isn't very big. 15x20 with a vaulted ceiling.

 

[Sheep]

Is there a noticable difference between the 170s and the larger 340s? I know that the 340s use two woofers, but how much does that help the sound? Am I wasting my money by getting more power than I need? My room isn't very big. 15x20 with a vaulted ceiling.

Who says 2 woofers is better then one?

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17072

WmAx explains it in post 14.

SheepStar

 

[WorldLeader]

Thanks, I guess that explains that I can use a two-way speaker for my center channel. Is it recommended to use a bookshelf speaker as a center?

Also about the mains: the CMT 340s are bigger and presumably more powerful. Will they sound better and work better in stereo applications when compared to the smaller 170s? I want to make sure I am being versatile with my choices.

 

[Sheep]

Thanks, I guess that explains that I can use a two-way speaker for my center channel. Is it recommended to use a bookshelf speaker as a center?

Also about the mains: the CMT 340s are bigger and presumably more powerful. Will they sound better and work better in stereo applications when compared to the smaller 170s? I want to make sure I am being versatile with my choices.

It would be better if the Ascend 340SEs suffer from the cancelation.

As far as being more powerful, I don't know. I think the only added benifit of the extra woofer is more volume, and a bit more bass.

If this system will be used for 5.1 music, and HT apps. having the same speaker everywhere is a reall benifit.

SheepStar

 

[j_garcia]

That isn't a small room. I'd probably opt for the 340s up front.

 

[Tex-amp]

The 340 is a better speaker than the 170. A poorly designed center can have lobing problems. Try this link for a post by Ascend's lead designer regarding misconceptions about MTM center channels and properly designed ones vs improprerly.

As for the 340 Ascend explains it as while not the whole difference the simplest explaination is the 340 has half the distorsion at the same volume as the 170 or it plays twice as loud to reach the same distortion as the 170 whichever way you want to look at it. MY personal feeling is that if it isn't a budget strain the 340 is worth the extra over the 170.

I just got back from vacation to find my SE upgrades on the porch and i'm enjoying them greatly.