Ascend vs AV123 in 300 dollar range

[kazza2ud]

ok i looked into it for like 5 mins. it seems like it'd be cool but, some people were like ehh it's more of a novelty, it can get annoying, certain soundtracks keep setting it off and you have to adjust the gain a bunch... seems like maybe it's not worth it, but go ahead and convince me if u can

 

[mazersteven]

If your really serious about sound, which you must be if your on this site, who you going to trust more when it comes to audio, Audioholics or Amazon?

Bose (Learning Center)

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_STATIC_PAGE_EVENT&url=/learning/index.jsp&ck=0

 

[kazza2ud]

what?

sdfsdfsfs

 

[WmAx]

For $300 here's what I would go with, in fact this may become my future computer desk setup.

Pair of the Behringer B2030P monitors $130+ shipping

Dayton Sub-12 subwoofer $155+ shipping

Don't forget some sort of active crossover method. You must cross the Behringers over to the subs for proper integration. One solution is the Onkyo SR505 receiver. It is currently being sold for as low as $150 shipped, as a factory refurb.

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

I'm sure their good but they're barely mentioned online. I did find one user who said they rattled. But I mean if they don't put glue in the cracks there, what else don't they do? They should get included in more side-by-sides. Maybe I'll try em out one day, but now I need good low end so I don't notice the absence of a sub that much.

However, you might be assuming that my recommendation is equal to the vast majority of others. My basis of recommendation is far more reliable: I make recommendations based on extensive measured behavior vs. human auditory perception(as dictated by the credible scientific texts in this field). I also am careful to outline the relevant factors/variables that can effect performance and practical use.

-Chris

 

[kazza2ud]

how would you compare them to the X-LS? I guess both in terms of measurements and personal opinion? Are they carried in any local stores so I could have a listen or no? I guess I could order them from somewhere that has free shipping and a money back guarantee, and compare them -- you've got me interested

 

[WmAx]

how would you compare them to the X-LS? I guess both in terms of measurements and personal opinion?

I do not know of any credible 3rd party measurement of the XL-S speakers. The measurements on the distributor web site are far too limited to get any useful data, and are of highly questionable accuracy even for the limited measurement provided. The Strata Mini from that same distributor was measured by the NRC and it measured almost nothing like the distributor measurements - and for the worse. The NRC: there is no higher credibility for 3rd party measurements of which I am aware.

Here is the AV123 supplied measurement response:

Here is the real measured response(NRC):

-Chris

 

[abboudc]

I do not know of any credible 3rd party measurement of the XL-S speakers. The measurements on the distributor web site are far too limited to get any useful data, and are of highly questionable accuracy even for the limited measurement provided. The Strata Mini from that same distributor was measured by the NRC and it measured almost nothing like the distributor measurements - and for the worse. The NRC: there is no higher credibility for 3rd party measurements of which I am aware.

Here is the AV123 supplied measurement response:

Here is the real measured response(NRC):

-Chris

Those two graphs look *really* different, so i googled it and found a thread at av123 (it includes a link to a review with the NRC measurements):
http://www.av123forum.com/showthread.php?t=23153

Apparently the measurements were taken at different heights.

 

[WmAx]

Those two graphs look *really* different, so i googled it and found a thread at av123 (it includes a link to a review with the NRC measurements):
http://www.av123forum.com/showthread.php?t=23153

Apparently the measurements were taken at different heights.

Even to assume the null is caused solely by the height difference(which means this speaker has terrible vertical response), even the ranges outside of the crossover region(4.1khz is the center of the xover point according to AV123), are very different, and extremely smoothed over. I can't place any trust in AV123's measurements, and besides, AV123 only shows impedance and on axis response, which is useless(far too limited amount of data) to determine anything even if it was accurate.

-Chris

 

[abboudc]

Even to assume the null is caused solely by the height difference(which means this speaker has terrible vertical response), even the ranges outside of the crossover region(4.1khz is the center of the xover point according to AV123), are very different, and extremely smoothed over. I can't place any trust in AV123's measurements, and besides, AV123 only shows impedance and on axis response, which is useless(far too limited amount of data) to determine anything even if it was accurate.

-Chris

I wasn't disputing the usefulness or lack of granularity of the data, only the obvious huge discrepancy and a possible explanation for it. I'd expect the "smoothed" graph to look much more like the NRC graph, just with less resolution if both were taken the same way.

It's not surprising the mini is very directional vertically, as the entire speaker is "tipped back" and the tweeter is already facing what appears to be 20-30 degrees above level.

But we're getting way off topic The mini is like 2k and we're talking about $300 speakers here.

 

[kazza2ud]

Oh I meant the X-LS Encore, not the classic, but i guess it doesn't matter, since neither are available. Has anyone here actually heard the 2030s and heard the X-LS Encore? Like, with human ears? Or, well WmAx, I know you're a big advocate of the 2030p's, so do you know anyone who actually went and bought them? What did they think?

 

[WmAx]

Oh I meant the X-LS Encore, not the classic, but i guess it doesn't matter, since neither are available. Has anyone here actually heard the 2030s and heard the X-LS Encore? Like, with human ears? Or, well WmAx, I know you're a big advocate of the 2030p's, so do you know anyone who actually went and bought them? What did they think?

There is one user on here that has the Ascend CBM-170 and the B2030P, along with Sierras and Aerials as well. But I don't know if he wants to respond. I'll message him and alert him to this thread.

-Chris

 

[kazza2ud]

thanks

...10 characters

 

[Tex-amp]

Absolutely you can use a 170 as a center - that is why they sell singles. These guys don't really handle a lot of bass though. They go low, but not low enough to me, and long term I wouldn't use them without a sub. If the plan is to add a sub, then by all means...

If you want more low end for the money IMO, the Encore X-LS from www.av123.com should do the trick. They also have towers that aren't much more.

The Ascend 170SE -3dB spec is 53Hz in room and 58Hz anechoic. The Encore X-LS -3dB spec is at 55hz. The Encore specs don't say how it is measured.

 

[randyb]

There is one user on here that has the Ascend CBM-170 and the B2030P, along with Sierras and Aerials as well. But I don't know if he wants to respond. I'll message him and alert him to this thread.

-Chris

I do have the 2030P as well as Sierra's and Aerial bookshelfs. I have had the Ascend 170 (not the SE's). Subjective comparisions can be problematic, but that being said, I do fell that the 2030P's (and mine were not modified) are at least as good as the Ascend 170's. They are extremely accurate to these ears but some might want to dampen the treble down a tad as they are like some other professional monitors-very unforgiving of poor recordings. Hope this helps. (FWIW, I don't see how they can make any money on these as some speakers cost more in shipping than these costs per pair-amazing bargain.

 

[kazza2ud]

Have you ever paired them with a sub? Only downside I can see is the 2030's only go down to like 75hz.

 

[randyb]

Have you ever paired them with a sub? Only downside I can see is the 2030's only go down to like 75hz.

No, I haven't. It is down on a long list of to do's as I am currently heavily involved in a project to secure HAA Leve II certification.