Sierra-1 or B&W CM5 for computer music set-up

[RipcordAFF]

I am thinking about upgrading my nearfield computer set-up. Currently, I have a Peachtree Decco2 and AV123 ELT-525 speakers. I think my electronics will end up being a Rotel amp paired with a Burson HA-160D for headphones and DAC duties. The speakers are where I am having trouble.

At one point I was certain to go with the newer Ascend Sierra-1 NrT. Reviews seem to be positive and I know that they have long, positive history here on AH. However, I really don't fancy the looks. The drivers and cabinets don't do it for me. Further, with the NrT upgrade, they are getting up there, I think around 1300 a pair.

Another option that I am heavily considering is the B&W CM5. Absolutely gorgeous. They would end up being slightly more expensive, but they certainly look it. There aren't nearly as many reviews out there and the ones that I have found are "different" than the Sierra reviews. While most of the Sierra reviews talk about it dominating its price bracket (at that time, sub $1k), the B&W reviews generally say it performs well within its price bracket (sub $2k bookshelves).

So I am kind of lost. Its going to be a 100% music application, likely with no sub. I am just having a hard time comparing the top-of-the-line offering from an ID company to the lower end offering of a venerable company such as B&W.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[digicidal]

Do you already have the Rotel and Burson? I would recommend looking as some of the higher-end active studio monitors as potentially a better solution. You can always have a separate DAC/Headphone amp for 'quiet times', but for the cost of the Rotel and either of the passives you have listed, you could get a pair of really nice monitors.

I forget the exact model, but KEW (I think) reviewed a set of the Focal BE actives on here and preferred them to some very stiff competition. They would definitely be beyond the price of the Sierras/B&Ws - however, for the cost of the Rotel they would be pretty close. He indicates the MSRP at ~$2500 IIRC and I'm sure you could find some used with some patience for under $2K. Just a thought. I've spent quite some time with the CM5's (granted in a non-perfect setup - Magnolia) and although I found them to be very nice looking speakers - I actually doubt that they sound better than the sierra's with the upgrades. I found them to have a rather 'veiled' sound - almost as if the mids were a little congested. You might love them however - so I'd try to find someone with Sierra's near you if possible and give them a listen.

I'll look for that link.

EDIT: Found it here -> HERE

 

[lsiberian]

For a computer I would prefer the smaller ascends myself.

 

[EJD]

I really like the CM5s, and the Ascends are on my audition list as well, so I really doubt you could go wrong with either.

Just to throw another suggestion out there - check into Peachtree's D5s (or D4s) as well. I have the ERA D4 (previous name of the same speaker) and it's pretty shocking how good these are. Bass response is far, far beyond what you would expect.