billy p said:
I personally haven't heard the MA or the ascend cbm 170's! I did say people and by that I meant forum members. Everybody speaks highly of them both here and on other forums. It was an opinion maybe wrong buy an opinion

I also gave a link to the psb image which I consider to be in the same league as MA silver.
I know you like MA & B&W, hell I like them too

but they are pricy for most and there are other good alternatives psb, energy and digm's come to mind. I guess you can tell I'm from Canada ehhhhhhhhh.
You did say IMO. That would mean in my opinion. Now, how is it your opinion? You havn't heard either. So, it's IOPO. That would mean, in other peoples opinion.
And, I don't mean to offend again, but I don't believe the Canadian brands compare. Even though this is an opinion, it is my own. I don't think it is a good idea to give an opion that you know nothing about. A recommendation is cool, but that differs from opinion.
I honestly believe that for the money, B&W and MA are worth every penny of the asking price. At some pricepoints I prefer MA. At others, I prefer B&W. At pricepoints below what they offer, the brands you mention come into play.
I have pointed people towards Mordaunt Short. I do state, and post links to reviews for the OP to get their information. I never state, or mean to state, IMO. I have never auditioned them.
I have also pointed people towards Onix and Ascend. There is just not much you can get that cheap. However, I don't recommend cheap speakers. IMO, they are the most important part of the system.