I've got the place to myself for awhile again, and the Sierra LXs sound great at this level, with my sub helping a little from 60hz and below. These could very well be endgame speakers for me. Seriously. 
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Ascend Acoustics Sierra LX Review
- Thread starter Narek
- Start date
PristineSound
Major Contributor
When I owned the LX about 2 years ago, I thoroughly enjoyed it. To the point I sold it to upgrade to the ELX. If you like the LX that much, I think the ELX will be bliss for you.These could very well be endgame speakers for me. Seriously.
I've been experimenting with no foam plugs and with the Q Plug Os in, and I think I prefer them being in. I kind of expected that based on the instruction sheet.
Hi Rick, I've been in possession of a pair for almost a year now and have explored quite a bit in terms of sub integration with the LX. I am now running them crossed over at 80hz, plugged with the full plugs. Running an arendal 1723s and managing bass with a minidsp flex.
Obviously your mileage will vary but after multiple rounds of measurements and crossover setup exploration, I settled on a 12db octave slope for the lx (combined with the sealed box 12db slope it is a nice predictable 24db combined). 24db LR slope for the sub.
This gives me the best integration with no cancellation at the xo, and helps me manage room modes and nulls the best in this difficult room.
I did enjoy running the LX full or almost full range accompanied by the sub, but I could never get the bass to sound "right" and clean, in terms of no overhang.
As far as the amp, have you taken a look at audiophonics' offerings? They seem to tick all your boxes. 12v trigger and absolutely no power on/off pop in my case. I'm running this model and it comes in an XLR version as well. Enjoy the sound!
Obviously your mileage will vary but after multiple rounds of measurements and crossover setup exploration, I settled on a 12db octave slope for the lx (combined with the sealed box 12db slope it is a nice predictable 24db combined). 24db LR slope for the sub.
This gives me the best integration with no cancellation at the xo, and helps me manage room modes and nulls the best in this difficult room.
I did enjoy running the LX full or almost full range accompanied by the sub, but I could never get the bass to sound "right" and clean, in terms of no overhang.
As far as the amp, have you taken a look at audiophonics' offerings? They seem to tick all your boxes. 12v trigger and absolutely no power on/off pop in my case. I'm running this model and it comes in an XLR version as well. Enjoy the sound!
After a week of listening I can say that the LXs are everything I had hoped for and the best sounding speakers that I've ever owned. I can't stop smiling when listening to them. 
I appreciate the replies regarding an amp to pair with them. I have looked at them all and based on my needs and budget I am currently leaning towards the Buckeye NC502MP. I'll make a decision in the next couple of weeks. For now the Fosi V3s are doing a great job powering them.
I appreciate the replies regarding an amp to pair with them. I have looked at them all and based on my needs and budget I am currently leaning towards the Buckeye NC502MP. I'll make a decision in the next couple of weeks. For now the Fosi V3s are doing a great job powering them.
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After a week of listening I can say that the LXs are everything I had hoped for and the best sounding speakers that I've ever owned. I can't stop smiling when listening to them.
I appreciate the replies regarding an amp to pair with them. I have looked at them all and based on my needs and budget I am currently leaning towards the Buckeye NC502MP. I'll make a decision in the next couple of weeks. For now the Fosi V3s are doing a great job powering them.
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Like I wrote to you at Dave's forum, you can get more power and features for $250 less from the SpeakerPower HTB-700. I love them. One of mine has a low filter for up to 12 dB boost, the other is full range (crossover limit nixed) driving a center. Rigo will program them to suit, no charge.
Enjoy the LX. I sure like my ELX/RAAL.
- Thread Starter
- #687
I also prefer my LX port plugged in. It sounds better as a sealed speaker.
Pareto Pragmatic
Addicted to Fun and Learning
So after over 2 years, I finally used these with a sub.
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Quick recap, I bought these because of my room (bouncy floor), and with the ports 4.5' from the wall I can get F3=28hz. Ports 9.5' off the wall, 50hz (then nothing). Any further out and I lose the port support. With them out I get GREAT imaging and separation, very nice for some jazz and acoustical, but after a couple of days I miss the bass for a lot of music. Pushed back, bass, but I lose depth in the sound stage, and the bass below 40 is pretty distorted. As one would expect from a floor that is a passive radiator.
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So, crossed over at 80, and yeah, it sounds very good way out in the room. I might or might not do full on sub integration, try the plugs again maybe, for now I just left the sub where it was for AVR and went 80 for the XO and pretty much left it at that.
Honestly, I would never buy these for use with a sub ONLY with an XO at 80. They do work, but there are other speakers that will work, and it seems like a waste of bass extension in the design.
Now, I wanted a speaker flexible for various placements so I went dome tweeter, but if I just wanted it out into the room with a sub, I would want the RAAL tweeter for wider dispersion. And given a crossover, I would go with the sierra 2EX V2, or maybe the Duo V2. If I stuck with Ascend. One a bit more, one a bit less money than the LX.
If you want 2 channel that hits 40 from a relatively small two way stand mount, then the LX is clearly among the top of any list for the money. If you want to cross with a sub... the options are wide open. The LX certainly does work well with a sub, but so do many other options that might save hundreds of dollars that can go to the sub or other gear.
Whatever one does, I doubt many people will be disappointed in the results.
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Quick recap, I bought these because of my room (bouncy floor), and with the ports 4.5' from the wall I can get F3=28hz. Ports 9.5' off the wall, 50hz (then nothing). Any further out and I lose the port support. With them out I get GREAT imaging and separation, very nice for some jazz and acoustical, but after a couple of days I miss the bass for a lot of music. Pushed back, bass, but I lose depth in the sound stage, and the bass below 40 is pretty distorted. As one would expect from a floor that is a passive radiator.
---
So, crossed over at 80, and yeah, it sounds very good way out in the room. I might or might not do full on sub integration, try the plugs again maybe, for now I just left the sub where it was for AVR and went 80 for the XO and pretty much left it at that.
Honestly, I would never buy these for use with a sub ONLY with an XO at 80. They do work, but there are other speakers that will work, and it seems like a waste of bass extension in the design.
Now, I wanted a speaker flexible for various placements so I went dome tweeter, but if I just wanted it out into the room with a sub, I would want the RAAL tweeter for wider dispersion. And given a crossover, I would go with the sierra 2EX V2, or maybe the Duo V2. If I stuck with Ascend. One a bit more, one a bit less money than the LX.
If you want 2 channel that hits 40 from a relatively small two way stand mount, then the LX is clearly among the top of any list for the money. If you want to cross with a sub... the options are wide open. The LX certainly does work well with a sub, but so do many other options that might save hundreds of dollars that can go to the sub or other gear.
Whatever one does, I doubt many people will be disappointed in the results.
Considering the small 6" woofer it needs to be paired with sub(s) for quality full range sound.
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