Quite Simple: Sierras-1s or Ref-1s?

[mendicitis]

I have the opportunity to purchase either the Ascend Sierra-1s or the Onix Ref-1s at 800/pair. Which ones do I pick? I am listening to mostly music and have heard great things about both. Are there any side by side comparisons out there or anyone who can shine a light on this decision?

 

[speakerman39]

I have the opportunity to purchase either the Ascend Sierra-1s or the Onix Ref-1s at 800/pair. Which ones do I pick? I am listening to mostly music and have heard great things about both. Are there any side by side comparisons out there or anyone who can shine a light on this decision?

Hi there-why not buy both and do an A/B comparison??? That way YOU can decide which set YOU like best. After all, who knows better than YOU regarding what type of sound you prefer??? Then, when you are done deciding send the set you like least back for a refund. If you do decide to take my advice be sure to let us know what your observations are. More specifically, what was/were the deciding factor(s) and etc. since they both are nearly the same price. Making a well informed decision is imho the best way to go. Good luck in your decsion and welcome to the forum.

 

[mazersteven]

I have the opportunity to purchase either the Ascend Sierra-1s or the Onix Ref-1s at 800/pair. Which ones do I pick? I am listening to mostly music and have heard great things about both. Are there any side by side comparisons out there or anyone who can shine a light on this decision?

Well the Onix Ref-1s are normally $1500 a pair. So for $800 it sounds like a deal.

Which ones to get? speakerman39 had a good idea if funds are available to get both, and let your ears tell you which speakers are better sounding.

 

[mendicitis]

Interesting. One point of difference seems to be the center channel. If I ever decide to do serious home theater, the matching center channel will probably be stronger if I go with the Ref-1s. The sierras seem to have a weaker center design. I may get both pairs... we'll see.

 

[mazersteven]

Interesting. One point of difference seems to be the center channel. If I ever decide to do serious home theater, the matching center channel will probably be stronger if I go with the Ref-1s. The sierras seem to have a weaker center design. I may get both pairs... we'll see.

From what I understand Ascend put a lot of R/D behind the Sierra center channel. I wouldn't call it weak.

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=2593

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=2600

 

[mziegler]

One of the surprises in upgrading from the Ascend 340SE to the Sierra was the improvement in the center channel.

One advantage of the Sierra is it's size--it would not be too difficult to place a center vertically.

I believe you get free shipping both ways with the Ref. 1, so I think if your credit card can handle it you should try both speakers in your home.

mazersteven: have you had the chance to hear the Sierra? I have also noted your enthusiasm for the Mackie--are they easily found?

 

[mendicitis]

The one thing about the Sierras that I don't like are that they are so new that only a few people have ever heard them. The Ref-1s are such an established speaker that I feel I can't go wrong.

On the other hand, it looks like the Sierras have been well constructed and sound great to the few people who have had the opportunity to listen to them. But, since they are a new product, only time will tell how they are perceived by the enthusiast community.

That said, I understand the importance of listening to each speaker with my own ears, since I am making the purchase for me and for my room. I just can't help to think in the back of my mind that the Ref-1s are $1500, so they must be better because they are more expensive. But as is the case, more doesn't mean better, esp when the experience is so subjective.

I think I might need to buy both just to see for myself.

 

[mazersteven]

The one thing about the Sierras that I don't like are that they are so new that only a few people have ever heard them.

Ask this guy about the Sierra's. He will give you a straight answer about them.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?u=66277

 

[mazersteven]

mazersteven: have you had the chance to hear the Sierra? I have also noted your enthusiasm for the Mackie--are they easily found?

Haven't auditioned the Mackie's yet. Sad because one of the forum members has them, and lives a few miles from me, and I haven't had the time to go listen to them.

Mackie's are sold at guitar centers, or music stores. Sam Ash, places like that.

 

[mendicitis]

Ask this guy about the Sierra's. He will give you a straight answer about them.

Wait, are you being sarcastic? I don't know that I would really trust information from someone who is the moderator of the Ascend Acoustic Forum... for all I know he got there by buying the Sierras and praising them (or working with the owner, etc).

All I am looking for is a neutral source of information, which is why I asked this question here, but it seems that the only thing that people want to do is to tell me how awesome the Sierra-1s are -- which is fine. But I know that they are good, which is why I was considering purchasing them in the first place.

The piece of information that I am after is how they compare to the Ref-1s. But if this is something that no one has information about, I'll just have to purchase both and decide for myself. BTW, I'm assuming there is a topic somewhere about how to conduct an A/B test?

 

[mendicitis]

Oh and by the way, I'm not trying to be an ***. I should have been more clear -- I have done a ton of research about both sets of speakers and I know that they are both awesome and that I'd probably be happy with either one in the end. They both seem to have a lot of support from people in a lot of forums, but no one has compared them directly, which is what I'm after.

 

[mazersteven]

Wait, are you being sarcastic? I don't know that I would really trust information from someone who is the moderator of the Ascend Acoustic Forum... for all I know he got there by buying the Sierras and praising them (or working with the owner, etc).

I'll just have to purchase both and decide for myself.

Just like Tony Montana said in Scarface, "All I have in this world is my balls, and my word, and I don't break them for no one. Do you understand?"

When I said he would give you a straight answer, I meant it.


I think you need to take your own advise, and purchase both, and decide yourself.

 

[mendicitis]

I think you need to take your own advise, and purchase both, and decide yourself.

Bingo! I'll post back here and let you guys know what I think once that happens

 

[mziegler]

Unless it is a blind test, neutral is not possible.

That aside, listening for yourself is always best.

About price: it means very little. The Ref. 1 has been on special for $600 in the past. This is not a slam on the speaker--I have never heard it.

As I said earlier, it will cost you very little to try both.

I am not at all neutral--I own the Sierra-1s, and I think they are fabulous. I upgraded from the 340SEs, and I did a ton of listening before I bought those. Some on my list: B&W 602, Paradigm Studio 20, Usher S-520 and V-601, NHT Classic Threes, Tannoy something or other, M & K, Vienna Hydins, Monitor Bronze, Totem Rainmakers, Era Design 4.

There's more, but I don't remember any more. To me the Ascend 340 was the best, and I did direct comparisons to the Classic Three, Totem, Ushers.

I also did direct comparisons between the 340 and Sierra. I think the Sierra is worth the extra money. Their bass extension is remarkable, and totally clean. In other areas I would describe the difference as the 340 having a thin layer of gauze in front of it, compared to the Sierra. The Sierras are smaller and better looking--mine are natural bamboo, which is a terrific material for a speaker.

Few people have performed more due diligence than I have in researching speakers in the 500-1000 price range. I have earned my opinions.

And they do not mean a damned thing.

The only "fact" is that I am happy with my decision, and that I do not have the slightest buyer's remorse.

About A/B testing, you can guy an A/B switch from Radio Shack. To be perfectly fair, you will need an SPL meter so you can level match the speakers. I did this in my house and it worked well, especially when I had speakers that seemed pretty similar.

The switch is nice since you will be able to flip back and forth quickly, unless you have only one pair of stands and need to switch speakers.

I have not read about a direct comparison between the Ref. 1 and the Sierra. There are a lot of people who would like to hear about it.

Where are you located, btw? You might be able to find an owner of one nearby which could save you some money.

 

[mazersteven]

You might be able to find an owner of one nearby which could save you some money.

Funny you say that. LOL I have a guy 10 miles north of me with the Sierra's, and a guy 10 miles south of me with the Reference 1's. Finding time to get everyone together has been the problem. I'd like to hear both myself.

 

[mendicitis]

I live near Seattle and if anyone in the area has either of these speakers, let me know.

Thanks for the info mziegler. For all of the extensive testing that you have done on speakers in this price range, why did you choose not to include the ref-1s... just curious?

 

[mziegler]

Everything I heard was near me, so I did not have to put any of the speakers on my credit card. I did leave my credit card number with one shop that allowed me to take home the Usher-520s (what a dealer!).

The Ref. 1 was 1500 at the time, so it was not on my radar. There are still two speakers I'm very curious about, the Era Design 5 ($900) and the ACI Sapphire XL ($1,500).

 

[mazersteven]

The Ref. 1 was 1500 at the time, so it was not on my radar. There are still two speakers I'm very curious about, the Era Design 5 ($900) and the ACI Sapphire XL ($1,500).

No Polk LSi9's?

 

[mziegler]

No Polk LSi9's?

No, never came across them.

 

[mazersteven]

No, never came across them.

If you've auditioned all those others I would recommend you audition the LSi9's one day.