Just how good are Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1s...

[arrt vandelay]

I have always been curious about how a pair of Sierra-1s would sound in my HT, and I have a good bit of $$$ from Christmas gifts that I can put towards a pair. I currently have a DefTech set-up of BP2004TLs, a CLR2002, and original BP10s as surrounds. I know if I switch from the DefTech towers to bookshelves, I'll be losing some output, but do you guys think the trade-off for a more detailed speaker in the Sierra-1 is worth it?

I've also always admired the simplicity of a bookshelf set-up. I actually have bookshelves on either side of my TV, so I wouldn't need stands, and I just love the look of the Sierras as well as all of the glowing reviews.

Currently, I have everything run off of a Denon AVR 3310CI, and I have a 5 channel Adcom amp I could throw back into the mix if the Sierras need the xtra juice. Also, I have an eD a2-300 sub that does a great job covering the low end. I probably would be losing a good bit of bass output by taking away the DefTech supertowers' built in subs, since about every review I've read states the Sierra's have usable output down to about 40hz, would it really be that noticable?

Really, I'm just looking for opinions. I currently don't have anything against my DefTechs. They're great for my HT/TV primary usage. If I don't end up with a pair of Sierras, I may jusy buy a pair of bp2xs for my surrounds and move my bp10s to my bedroom or a future 2 channel set up. Or I may just buy the Sierras and try them out in my bedroom to see if it's worth switching everything out. The only caveat here is justifying to myself (and to a greater extent my wife) why I need $700-$800 speakers in the bedroom...

Any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated!

 

[sholling]

I run 3 Sierra-1s with the NrT upgrade in my bedroom and love them. They were excellent before the upgrade and incredible with it. Since I can't compare them to your current mains maybe the bedroom would be a good place for your Sierra-1s and if you fall in love you can always save up for the upcoming towers. Oh and for what it's worth they aren't that hard to drive. I only have a 100wpc Onkyo TX-NR707 in the bedroom and it does just fine.

 

[jinjuku]

I have always been curious about how a pair of Sierra-1s would sound in my HT, and I have a good bit of $$$ from Christmas gifts that I can put towards a pair. I currently have a DefTech set-up of BP2004TLs, a CLR2002, and original BP10s as surrounds. I know if I switch from the DefTech towers to bookshelves, I'll be losing some output, but do you guys think the trade-off for a more detailed speaker in the Sierra-1 is worth it?

The Sierra-1's seem to come from a good lineage (Usher) so that speaks well for them. Personally I haven't had ears on them. I would see what Ascend Acoustics return policy is. I believe they have an in home trial period.

I don't know if you would be happy with them as FL/FR in an HT setup vs the DefTechs. They will most likely not have the punch.

I've also always admired the simplicity of a bookshelf set-up. I actually have bookshelves on either side of my TV, so I wouldn't need stands, and I just love the look of the Sierras as well as all of the glowing reviews.

I believe they are rear ported so that may pose a problem for you.

Currently, I have everything run off of a Denon AVR 3310CI, and I have a 5 channel Adcom amp I could throw back into the mix if the Sierras need the xtra juice. Also, I have an eD a2-300 sub that does a great job covering the low end. I probably would be losing a good bit of bass output by taking away the DefTech supertowers' built in subs, since about every review I've read states the Sierra's have usable output down to about 40hz, would it really be that noticable?

While the Sierras aren't real efficient you should be able to drive them with your receiver just fine given a reasonable seating distance and room dimensions (which are?).

Don't be shocked if your Adcom doesn't buy you much in the way of SQ. But give it a whirl anyway.

Really, I'm just looking for opinions. I currently don't have anything against my DefTechs. They're great for my HT/TV primary usage. If I don't end up with a pair of Sierras, I may jusy buy a pair of bp2xs for my surrounds and move my bp10s to my bedroom or a future 2 channel set up. Or I may just buy the Sierras and try them out in my bedroom to see if it's worth switching everything out. The only caveat here is justifying to myself (and to a greater extent my wife) why I need $700-$800 speakers in the bedroom...

Any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated!

There you go then, an opinion

 

[sholling]

I believe they are rear ported so that may pose a problem for you.

They are rear ported. I'm using their optional port plugs which gives you a 12db/octave roll-off starting at 60hz making for an easy blend with my sub.

 

[arrt vandelay]

I run 3 Sierra-1s with the NrT upgrade in my bedroom and love them. They were excellent before the upgrade and incredible with it. Since I can't compare them to your current mains maybe the bedroom would be a good place for your Sierra-1s and if you fall in love you can always save up for the upcoming towers. Oh and for what it's worth they aren't that hard to drive. I only have a 100wpc Onkyo TX-NR707 in the bedroom and it does just fine.

Thanks for the reply. I may just try them out in the bedroom, but I am pretty confident if I liked them, they'd be headed to the living room in short order. Good to know they're easily driven by a receiver. If they go in the bedroom, they'll be driven by a Yamaha RX-V765 and by the Denon if they go in the living room.

I now just need to decide if I want to plunk down the cash for them...

 

[arrt vandelay]

The Sierra-1's seem to come from a good lineage (Usher) so that speaks well for them. Personally I haven't had ears on them. I would see what Ascend Acoustics return policy is. I believe they have an in home trial period.

I don't know if you would be happy with them as FL/FR in an HT setup vs the DefTechs. They will most likely not have the punch.




I believe they are rear ported so that may pose a problem for you.



While the Sierras aren't real efficient you should be able to drive them with your receiver just fine given a reasonable seating distance and room dimensions (which are?).

Don't be shocked if your Adcom doesn't buy you much in the way of SQ. But give it a whirl anyway.



There you go then, an opinion

Thanks for the info/opinion. It's not like the Sierras would be going into a bookshelf, just on top of them. There would be approx 12" to 16" of clearance b/t the wall and speaker so I think I would be fine there. I don't have the exact dimensions of my living room, but it is an open floor plan that opens up to the kitchen and dining room. My seating position is only 10' away so I have that going for me at least...

You do bring up the point that I'd be losing some "punch" by going from a tower to bookshelf speaker. I'd hope that the detail and imaging offsets some of that, but I guess there's really no way of knowing unless I try them out. I think Ascend offers a 30day trial, where I'd only be out shipping if I didn't like them so that is good. I was kinda hoping to score a deal on some used ones as I don't yet have all the cash saved for a new pair, but buying them direct from Ascend is probably the best way to go for a trial...

 

[sholling]

The nice thing about Ascend is that you can call them and Dave (the owner) will answer your questions. You'll be getting answers from the man that designed them and knows how to best employ them. Be sure to ask about the NrT upgrade.

 

[emorphien]

Really been loving mine for a couple years now and have been considering the NrT upgrade but it's not topping hte list right now.

 

[Warpdrv]

We did some small shootouts here in SE WI, and the Sierra's were spectacular for the price in comparison to Paradigm Studio's, Signatures and SongTowers, Dynaudio S1.4's amongst other speakers....

They are very composed and have excellent bass and articulate midrange.
I would suggest the Nrt upgrade right off the bat... As everyone felt that the highs tended to roll off a bit early and were not as revealing as the domes or ribbons, which the Nrt option is supposed to take care of nicely from what I understand. I will be hearing the new Towers soon....

The cabinets in the finished colors are beautiful....

 

[cschang]

The Sierra-1's seem to come from a good lineage (Usher) so that speaks well for them.

FWIW.....the Sierra 1's (or Ascend) don't have any relation to Usher. David Fabrikant, the person behind Ascend, was an engineer for M&K many years back.

 

[arrt vandelay]

Well, I decided to go for quantity over the quality of the Sierra-1s. I found a pair of open box Energy RC-10s for $250 at Vanns and couldn't resist. I've had the RC-10s in the past and loved them. The RC-10s should work out great in the bedroom. So I now have $500 left to put elsewhere in my HT...actually I went ahead and ordered some DefTech BP2Xs as well. I guess I'll just save the other $250.

One of these days I really do want to try the Sierras though...

 

[jinjuku]

FWIW.....the Sierra 1's (or Ascend) don't have any relation to Usher. David Fabrikant, the person behind Ascend, was an engineer for M&K many years back.

I thought the drivers were based on an Usher design...

 

[cschang]

I thought the drivers were based on an Usher design...

The tweeters on all models are based on Seas designs, manufactured by Seas as well, but proprietary to Ascend.

The woofers are proprietary, and as far as I know, have no relation to Usher. If you have been told otherwise by Ascend, then I stand corrected.

Early models of Ascend speakers did use woofers based on Audax designs, but that ended about 4 or 5 years ago(or longer).