Right Move.............??????

[speakerman39]

Well, just today I pulled the trigger on some Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Mains and the matching CMT-340 SE Center. Is going from Polk RTi6's, and the CSi3 to the CMT-340 SE Mains/CMT-340 SE Center an upgrade? Are there any members here that have done the same thing? Or, perhaps some members here that are very familiar with any of these speakers? If so, please share your thoughts. My plan is to add the CBM-170's for the rears as soon as I can. I have decided to wait a bit longer on getting a BR player and opted for this speaker change instead. Did I do the right thing? Anyways, I could use some guidance right now. So, I am kinda counting on you guys for help. As always, it would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[gus6464]

Well, just today I pulled the trigger on some Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Mains and the matching CMT-340 SE Center. Is going from Polk RTi6's, and the CSi3 to the CMT-340 SE Mains/CMT-340 SE Center an upgrade? Are there any members here that have done the same thing? Or, perhaps some members here that are very familiar with any of these speakers? If so, please share your thoughts. My plan is to add the CBM-170's for the rears as soon as I can. I have decided to wait a bit longer on getting a BR player and opted for this speaker change instead. Did I do the right thing? Anyways, I could use some guidance right now. So, I am kinda counting on you guys for help. As always, it would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Phil

Honestly it looks like it's more horizontal than vertical. While both speakers will definitely sound different, will that difference actually be better once the initial excitement wears out?

 

[speakerman39]

Honestly it looks like it's more horizontal than vertical. While both speakers will definitely sound different, will that difference actually be better once the initial excitement wears out?

I am not really sure Gus, but I do hope I made the right choice. Many have compared the performance of the Ascends to the Paradigm Studio series and found that the Ascends did quite well. Maybe not quite as good, but given the respective price point of the Ascends, it has been said many times that they offer a huge bang for your buck. The deal Dave Fabrikant has on them right now is just too good to pass up. These should rock in my little tiny ht room. I just hope that my Yammie 663 will suffice as according to the specs seem to be an easy load for most good receivers to drive. Anyways, thanks Gus for your input. It is much appreciated. Just out of curiosity, have you ever been able to do an A/B test with the Ascends? If so, what did you like? What did you NOT like, and etc.?

Cheers,

Phil

 

[mike c]

wmax and avaserfi both say the 170's are very good.

i would think they would say there'd be some comb filtering with the MTM 340's? wild guess.

 

[gus6464]

I am not really sure Gus, but I do hope I made the right choice. Many have compared the performance of the Ascends to the Paradigm Studio series and found that the Ascends did quite well. Maybe not quite as good, but given the respective price point of the Ascends, it has been said many times that they offer a huge bang for your buck. The deal Dave Fabrikant has on them right now is just too good to pass up. These should rock in my little tiny ht room. I just hope that my Yammie 663 will suffice as according to the specs seem to be an easy load for most good receivers to drive. Anyways, thanks Gus for your input. It is much appreciated. Just out of curiosity, have you ever been able to do an A/B test with the Ascends? If so, what did you like? What did you NOT like, and etc.?

Cheers,

Phil

I have not had any first hand experience with the Ascends but I have heard a lot of the Polk RTi line. Considering that RTi line can be had for deep discount right now and considering the price of the Ascends that is why I would say they are more closer to each other than different. But since Ascend is ID we all know the worship ID brands get over their respective B&M competitors. I know WmAx has measured the 170 with extremely good results so it will be hard to say really.

 

[cbraver]

Maybe you just needed a change of pace. If you were not in love with the Polks, a change is a good idea. Is there a return policy? See what you think and then decide.

A PS3 is pretty cheap and has Blu-Ray, get one of those if you don't want to spend big money on one.

 

[mazersteven]

I am a fan of the RTi series tower speakers. But not the RTi bookshelf speakers. IMO this is an improvement in sound quality from the RTi6's, to the 340's.

 

[speakerman39]

wmax and avaserfi both say the 170's are very good.

i would think they would say there'd be some comb filtering with the MTM 340's? wild guess.

Thanks Mike for your input. I do have a few questions for you. First, when you say 170's are you referring to the original 170's OR the SE version? Second, can you explain comb filtering as I am a bit confused on that? I was hoping this would be a big jump or at the very least significant.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Sheep]

wmax and avaserfi both say the 170's are very good.

i would think they would say there'd be some comb filtering with the MTM 340's? wild guess.

It's ok, you don't have to refer to them as WmAx and Avaserfi, their one single idently now....

Waserfi.

SheepStar

 

[speakerman39]

I have not had any first hand experience with the Ascends but I have heard a lot of the Polk RTi line. Considering that RTi line can be had for deep discount right now and considering the price of the Ascends that is why I would say they are more closer to each other than different. But since Ascend is ID we all know the worship ID brands get over their respective B&M competitors. I know WmAx has measured the 170 with extremely good results so it will be hard to say really.

Gus, did WmAx measure the original 170 OR the 170 SE? It appears there was some significant improvements in the SE versions. Like you, I am very familiar with the RTi line. I like the Polk sound a lot. However, It was going to cost as much to just get a set of the RTi or the RTiA towers as it is for the CMT-340M and the CMT-340C. At least, my front-stage would be very well matched. Not so sure my CSi3 would have kept up with the RTiA5's or the RTiA7's. I could have gotten some deals on the Monitor towers, but then the rest of my set-up would not be fully voice-matched. Therefore, the Ascend package was the perfect solution. As such, I jumped on it. Guess, time will tell.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

Maybe you just needed a change of pace. If you were not in love with the Polks, a change is a good idea. Is there a return policy? See what you think and then decide.

A PS3 is pretty cheap and has Blu-Ray, get one of those if you don't want to spend big money on one.

Yeah, I still like the Polk sound. However, upgrading to towers presented me with a dilemma. That being my CSi3. Hence, would the RTiA5's or the RTiA7's be a bit much for it. I could had opted for some of the Monitor towers, but once again the rest of my set-up is the RTi's.

I am also aware of the PS3 regarding BR. However, I think I need to wait a bit longer before jumping into BR. I want to see what the price of the new OPPO is going to be before making a decision. It sure looks promising. Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

I am a fan of the RTi series tower speakers. But not the RTi bookshelf speakers. IMO this is an improvement in sound quality from the RTi6's, to the 340's.

Thanks Maz. Have you had the chance to hear the 340's? How much of an improvement do you believe there will be? Remember, my HT room is very small. Lastly, do you believe my Yammie 663 will suffice?

Cheers,

Phil

 

[mike c]

Thanks Mike for your input. I do have a few questions for you. First, when you say 170's are you referring to the original 170's OR the SE version? Second, can you explain comb filtering as I am a bit confused on that? I was hoping this would be a big jump or at the very least significant.

Cheers,

Phil

i would think its the current version on the site.

It's ok, you don't have to refer to them as WmAx and Avaserfi, their one single idently now....

Waserfi.

SheepStar

aah, like brangelina? will they be adopting little kids?

where do i apply?

 

[speakerman39]

i would think its the current version on the site.



aah, like brangelina? will they be adopting little kids?

Hey Mike, does the comb-filtering issue have something to do with the M-T-M design? Perhaps, phasing becomes a big issue as well...????

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

It's ok, you don't have to refer to them as WmAx and Avaserfi, their one single idently now....

Waserfi.

SheepStar

LOL.........very funny Brian. How did you come up with that one?

Cheers,

Phil

 

[mike c]

Hey Mike, does the comb-filtering issue have something to do with the M-T-M design? Perhaps, phasing becomes a big issue as well...????

Cheers,

Phil

im not familiar with the ascend MTM design, but if its 2.5 way design, the two drivers doing the same frequencies will have "some" comb filtering issues - audible or not is another issue.

 

[speakerman39]

im not familiar with the ascend MTM design, but if its 2.5 way design, the two drivers doing the same frequencies will have "some" comb filtering issues - audible or not is another issue.

I see. Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[WmAx]

I measured the SE version. BTW, do be aware that despite the manufacturer specs, it is a 4 ohm nominal load speaker, not an 8 ohm. Also, the cabinet is a bit more resonant than average. The units I had were extensively modified with concrete and steel in order to correct this little problem.

-Chris

 

[mike c]

I measured the SE version. BTW, do be aware that despite the manufacturer specs, it is a 4 ohm nominal load speaker, not an 8 ohm. Also, the cabinet is a bit more resonant than average. The units I had were extensively modified with concrete and steel in order to correct this little problem.

-Chris

more resonant than other commercial offerings?
or
more resonant than your modified speakers?

 

[Sheep]

I talk with them outside the boards.. It's hard to tell them apart. The key is WmAx has more Binary.

SheepStar