B2030p's

[yepimonfire]

how accurate are these things, i know they are one of the best budget speakers, i'm looking to find some very neutral speakers that have a very flat response without brightness, warmth or exaggerated bass and good imaging. i'm not necessarily looking for a budget speaker, but i have heard these are super accurate. if these aren't the most accurate speakers then what would you recommend for about 500 a pair?

 

[dkane360]

I don't know if you've read this, but here it is anyways. He has a link at the bottom to the measurements he got.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=412211&postcount=2

 

[sholling]

I can't tell you how flat they are but will take Chris' word that they are very flat. However unless you're mixing recordings then flat isn't the only factor in how a speaker sounds. I have (in storage) both modified and unmodified B2030Ps and the mods do reduce some of the annoying cabinet resonance. The reason that I replaced mine was the lack of detail. IMO they were stunning at $110/pr and are still super $150/pr speakers but are well out of their league at $400/pr.

If you're going to use them with a sub I'd consider Usher S-520. I'd probably still have a set if I hadn't heard them side by side with Sierra-1s. If you can scrape together another $200 Ascend still had some re-certified Sierra-1s the last time I checked. I can't comment on exaggerated bass because I use the optional port plugs and crossover at 60hz. Another possibility is Ascend's CMT-340 SE. I'm using a pair as surrounds so I haven't spent much quality time listening to them by themselves but the measurements look pretty good. They sell for $500 in b-stock. Maybe I'll hook them up as mains later and see how they sound.

 

[krzywica]

I'm not sure what the application is for, so its hard to make a recommendation. If you plan on using a sub then I would also take a look at the Aperion 4B's. I have owned them for over a year and I listen to them every day as they are in my workstation setup. They are very nice speakers for $260 a pair. Also with their return policy its a no lose scenario.

The Ushers that sholling recommended are also very nice.

 

[yepimonfire]

im not thrilled about four inch woofers, small speakers just sound small. i would like to have atleast a 5.5 inch woofer. even some of the nicer more expensive speakers with small woofers still sounded really held back.

 

[krzywica]

im not thrilled about four inch woofers, small speakers just sound small. i would like to have atleast a 5.5 inch woofer. even some of the nicer more expensive speakers with small woofers still sounded really held back.

Thats humorous.....those things will fill my whole house with sound.....most people are shocked at how dynamic they sound as they think as you do, small speakers must sound small.

 

[j_garcia]

The smaller driver is how they get that accuracy up IMO. The range is limited so it has less to do, thus sounds more accurate over its slighly narrower range Less extension is the expense of that accuracy though.

In your range, the Ascend CBM-170SE would be a good choice and the CMT-340SE is just a bit above that budget, but would be an even better choice for the additional output and extension. They are not entirely neutral sounding though; they lean a bit toward bright, but are a very good sounding speaker. http://www.ascendacoustics.com/

If you can build your own cabinets, the GR A/V-1s are +/-1.5dB over their range and are good to 60Hz (mine are tuned to 50Hz and give up some output for extension). They are extremly neutral sounding IMO. Building your own cabinets, these would be well below $500/pr finishsed IMO. (see sig for link)

 

[JerryLove]

im not thrilled about four inch woofers, small speakers just sound small. i would like to have atleast a 5.5 inch woofer. even some of the nicer more expensive speakers with small woofers still sounded really held back.

If you are using them with subs, they are midranges: not woofers.

You might try the Primus line from Infinity. The modifications are heavier, but you can pick your driver size and the sound is very good.

 

[yepimonfire]

The smaller driver is how they get that accuracy up IMO. The range is limited so it has less to do, thus sounds more accurate over its slighly narrower range Less extension is the expense of that accuracy though.

In your range, the Ascend CBM-170SE would be a good choice and the CMT-340SE is just a bit above that budget, but would be an even better choice for the additional output and extension. They are not entirely neutral sounding though; they lean a bit toward bright, but are a very good sounding speaker. http://www.ascendacoustics.com/

If you can build your own cabinets, the GR A/V-1s are +/-1.5dB over their range and are good to 60Hz (mine are tuned to 50Hz and give up some output for extension). They are extremly neutral sounding IMO. Building your own cabinets, these would be well below $500/pr finishsed IMO. (see sig for link)

how does the mid-range sound? i definitely want a good solid mid-range.

 

[sholling]

A lot depends on use. My 4" EMP E41s are spectacular desktop speakers but the don't have the output or extension for much more than a tiny bedroom and need to crossover no lower than 100hz. The Ushers will do fine at reasonable volumes in a medium sized room as long as you crossover no lower than 80hz. What they aren't is dorm room speakers. Max power handling is only 75w.

 

[sholling]

how does the mid-range sound? i definitely want a good solid mid-range.

Can you stretch your budget a tiny bit for towers? OneCall still has some VR3s.

 

[shadyJ]

Here is a very informative thread regarding the 2030p's. Really that should be enough to fully inform your decision on whether to buy them or not. I have some 2031p speakers myself, and I am very pleased with them. Very neutral, nice bass for bookshelfs, great imaging, panning, soundstage, on and off axis performance, etc. For their price they are fabulous speakers, although they are quite large and heavy (25 lbs each). By the way, many of the vendors who sell these things can be bargained with. (I talked my way down to 130 a pair!)

 

[yepimonfire]

i'm liking the idea of the ascend's, can someone who has heard them tell me how solid is the midrange and mid-bass? the whole reason for replacing my polks is because i want more solid mid-range and mid-bass.

 

[Matt34]

i'm liking the idea of the ascend's, can someone who has heard them tell me how solid is the midrange and mid-bass? the whole reason for replacing my polks is because i want more solid mid-range and mid-bass.

Are you talking about the 340 or the 170's? I don't think the 170's will be an improvement in those two specific areas.

 

[yepimonfire]

170's how come?

 

[Matt34]

170's how come?

Going from a MTM design to a TM you are automatically giving up a significant amount of driver surface for one while the efficiency looks to be close to the same.

 

[yepimonfire]

why would that effect the midrange and midbass quality?

 

[j_garcia]

why would that effect the midrange and midbass quality?

An MTM will give you a +2dB bump in midrange output vs a 2way (I can attest to this since my A/V-1s vs my A/V-2s are more or less a similar comparison to 170s vs 340s), so going to a 2way will technically give you less midrange. That midrange however will be of superior quality IMO, as the shining point for the Ascends is their midrange. If it is midrange you are after in a bookshelf, a multi-midbass driver speaker is the way to go. I mentioned the 340s, as they are an MTM and are well worth the added cost. You could check B-stock or wait until they have their inevitable holiday sale and probably pick up some 340s for a very nice price.

There's a reason why these speakers have been around and relatively unchanged for so many years

 

[yepimonfire]

they would certainly give me more midrange then the polks, im sure you know polks have a laid back midrange and midbass.

 

[sholling]

I chose the 340s over the 170s because of the slightly greater sensitivity and power handling - but I'm using them as surrounds not mains. I wish I'd had time to do a side by side against the Usher S-520 for you before I sold them but I didn't, however today I hooked the 340s up as mains and spent some quality time with them. I found higher pitched vocals and instruments a bit harsh for my taste (I'm a Salk owner), almost a horn loaded sound. Not bad for the price but a definite step down from the Sierra-1s. From memory S-520 seemed smoother and more refined up high. That's from memory and not a side by side test. On the other hand the S-520s aren't as sensitive and won't handle nearly the power of the 340s. If you want solid mids I think the b-stock 340s are worth a listen but only you will know if you like the sound.

My advice is if you have the room for rear ported towers and can scrape up another $110 then save up for those VR3s. That's just a heck of a speaker for $610/pr shipped.