Ascend CBM-170SE2 Speaker Review

[kyuu]

You're right, of course; the near-field measurements make it look like that might be the case—though, naturally, it isn't.

Those log scales will get you every time. Although I'm not sure the relative differences between the drivers are necessarily accurate on those near-field measurements, but that little woofer peak certainly isn't enough to counteract the tweeter's little droop there. I might be inclined to believe that is actually responsible for the measured droop in the tweeter there, if it's out of phase.

 

[pedrojoaquimborges]

That's true of nearly all reflex systems though. With that said, it hasn't been shown to be an audible issue that I'm aware of. We're talking about an under $500 stereo pair of passive speakers! This is new ground as far as I've seen. Smile a little. LOL. You can plug the ports if you think you hear some artifacts. Closed systems are far more tolerant of misalignment. Hopefully it wouldn't be too far off. The room will have taken over as the biggest problem anyway by then.

Nah, that's like less than 1% of the output. Look at like the last 5 speakers measured ungated and closeup. The tweeters are all uneven. Optimizing any further would likely result in a very large price increase.

This is a very tough crowd if price is factored in.

Ported systems do come with an increase in group delay over their sealed counterparts, but alignment, design and driver selection goes a long way. Some manufacturers particularly try to get very low group delay in ported speakers - look at neumann's group delay measurements for kh420 and kh120, for example, and compare them to the sealed kh310.

I believe, but still have to run measurements and test this theory properly, that seemingly small differences in low end group delay, resonances (say 20 or 30ms) and step response help define a speaker's low end behavior. I mean this, of course, controlling for more important variables, such as FR flatness, alignment/roll-off and, ESPECIALLY, the room. In a relatively untreated room this discussion is a waste of time.

 

[yo!]

...and in a bass-reflex system, the woofer appears to stand still at the tuning frequency, even though that is precisely where the greatest gain in efficiency occurs. Most designers therefore favor bass-reflex designs—and not merely because of the vastly higher costs (such as enclosure size and the number of drivers) associated with alternatives, but also because low-frequency timing, phase, and room resonances can rarely be perfect in a listening room.

A feature of sealed systems using multiple woofers that is often perceived as an audible advantage is the more uniform excitation of vertical room resonances.
However, this can also be achieved using multiple bass-reflex woofers.

 

[Colonel7]

Thanks for sending @AscendDF . I wasn’t aware of this line but these results and measurements on Ascend’s site gave me the confidence to order a pair of HTM-200 SE2s.

 

[AM88]

Thanks for sending @AscendDF . I wasn’t aware of this line but these results and measurements on Ascend’s site gave me the confidence to order a pair of HTM-200 SE2s.

I’d be very interested to know what you think of them when you get them. They seem extremely interesting with the price being such good value and the dispersion being wide vertically as well. I am thinking of getting a pair as I have a sub already.

 

[Colonel7]

I’d be very interested to know what you think of them when you get them. They seem extremely interesting with the price being such good value and the dispersion being wide vertically as well. I am thinking of getting a pair as I have a sub already.

Im going to experiment with them as both near-field and surrounds

 

[cbelmont3]

Thanks for sending @AscendDF . I wasn’t aware of this line but these results and measurements on Ascend’s site gave me the confidence to order a pair of HTM-200 SE2s.

i own a pair of the HTM 200 se2s really amazing for the money. i just ordered the cbm 170se2 for me it was a no brainer based on everything here that has been said and the perfomance of the HTM 200 se2

 

[AM88]

i own a pair of the HTM 200 se2s really amazing for the money. i just ordered the cbm 170se2 for me it was a no brainer based on everything here that has been said and the perfomance of the HTM 200 se2

Do you use them with a sub? How do you find their sound?

 

[cbelmont3]

Do you use them with a sub? How do you find their sound?

i have two subs i use them with. i previously had B&W towers cdm9nt and surprising as it sounds i like the small ascend speakers much better. no measurements but i like the ascend better. the b and w in my opinion were a bit hot in the high end and after listening for long periods not enjoyable. cant wait to get the new cbm 170 se2 from them

 

[reforminded]

This seems like an absurdly good speaker for $500. Thanks for the great review!

 

[Joe Smith]

These impress me! I was planning on saving up for some Philharmonic BMR speakers, but these tempt me as well.

 

[Pritaudio]

Difference between 5.25 inch and 6.5 is hugely significant in spl.
But distortion is another factor too.

 

[tw 2022]

These impress me! I was planning on saving up for some Philharmonic BMR speakers, but these tempt me as well.

bmr's are a full step up.. but they are both quality speakers... both are easily going to give you your money's worth ++++.. the secret to this decision lies strictly within your budget.. if the bmr's are gonna hurt your lifestyle : grab these ... Dennis (philharmonic Audio) isn't gonna be offended ,imo....

 

[Penelinfi]

I’ve never before seen a woofer peak above 10 kHz that helps support the tweeter’s frequency response.

A few things could still be optimized. Decent, but not outstanding, I’d say.

B&W dm600 did something like that. And it only used a 1st order crossover I think

 

[cbelmont3]

My CBM 170 SE 2 speakers landed yesterday. Same as my last order from them shipping was fast and bulletproof, double boxed well packed for sure. i have been listening to a combination of music and movies. i use them with two subs XO is set to subs at 80hz speakers are around 9 feet apart and around 11 feet from listening position. Tonewinner at 300 pre/pro being driven by an Aiyima a 70 amp playing from my NAS through xbox series S. Still getting friendly with these speakers but overall so far i am beyond impressed.
Sheila E playing the bottles on Michael Jackson Dont stop till you get enough is crystal clear like she is playing in my living room(been throwing every genre i have at them). i honestly cant believe these are bookshelf speakers or priced right at 520 shipped. there is a distinct lack of any sibilance. all i can say is they have a very "natural" sound. These speakers make me feel like there is very little in between the music and i. Enjoyable listening experience for sure.

 

[tw 2022]

My CBM 170 SE 2 speakers landed yesterday. Same as my last order from them shipping was fast and bulletproof, double boxed well packed for sure. i have been listening to a combination of music and movies. i use them with two subs XO is set to subs at 80hz speakers are around 9 feet apart and around 11 feet from listening position. Tonewinner at 300 pre/pro being driven by an Aiyima a 70 amp playing from my NAS through xbox series S. Still getting friendly with these speakers but overall so far i am beyond impressed.
Sheila E playing the bottles on Michael Jackson Dont stop till you get enough is crytal clear like she is playing in my living room(been throwing every genre i have at them). i honestly cant believe these are bookshelf speakers or priced right at 520 shipped. there is a distinct lack of any sibilance. all i can say is they have a very "natural" sound. These speakers make me feel like there is very little in between the music and i. Enjoyable listening experience for sure.

all I can say is "yay".. we now have a legit star quality choice at $500...

 

[Matt_Holland]

My CBM 170 SE 2 speakers landed yesterday. Same as my last order from them shipping was fast and bulletproof, double boxed well packed for sure. i have been listening to a combination of music and movies. i use them with two subs XO is set to subs at 80hz speakers are around 9 feet apart and around 11 feet from listening position. Tonewinner at 300 pre/pro being driven by an Aiyima a 70 amp playing from my NAS through xbox series S. Still getting friendly with these speakers but overall so far i am beyond impressed.
Sheila E playing the bottles on Michael Jackson Dont stop till you get enough is crytal clear like she is playing in my living room(been throwing every genre i have at them). i honestly cant believe these are bookshelf speakers or priced right at 520 shipped. there is a distinct lack of any sibilance. all i can say is they have a very "natural" sound. These speakers make me feel like there is very little in between the music and i. Enjoyable listening experience for sure.

Would you be interested in listening to them full range without subs and giving us your impressions?

 

[DanTheMan]

My CBM 170 SE 2 speakers landed yesterday. Same as my last order from them shipping was fast and bulletproof, double boxed well packed for sure. i have been listening to a combination of music and movies. i use them with two subs XO is set to subs at 80hz speakers are around 9 feet apart and around 11 feet from listening position. Tonewinner at 300 pre/pro being driven by an Aiyima a 70 amp playing from my NAS through xbox series S. Still getting friendly with these speakers but overall so far i am beyond impressed.
Sheila E playing the bottles on Michael Jackson Dont stop till you get enough is crytal clear like she is playing in my living room(been throwing every genre i have at them). i honestly cant believe these are bookshelf speakers or priced right at 520 shipped. there is a distinct lack of any sibilance. all i can say is they have a very "natural" sound. These speakers make me feel like there is very little in between the music and i. Enjoyable listening experience for sure.

This is what I expected and had hoped to hear. I bet these sound phenomenal with subs. Lucky man.

 

[cbelmont3]

Would you be interested in listening to them full range without subs and giving us your impressions?

i will for sure its just a few setting changes. i expect they will do well they have a good punch to them that i was surprised by. ill report back after i try them without subs.

 

[cbelmont3]

Would you be interested in listening to them full range without subs and giving us your impressions?

this will be a very short review of the speakers without a sub. God love em they tried they really did. They 100% need a sub. While their attempt was admirable you really need the low end to make them really shine.