Ascend CBM-170SE2 Speaker Review

[daniboun]

Why does it say acoustic suspension speaker after NFS Optimized?

This is a marketing label but very respectable, considering the measurements

 

[daniboun]

@AscendDF

Any pictures of the new Xover ?

 

[trevor_bartram]

I believe I read Ascend purchased a Klippel scanner. If so, it looks like they used it to tune the SE2 design, bravo.

Hopefully, someone will do a shootout between this & other speakers at this price point. The SE2 deserves to win.

 

[Maiky76]

Here is my take on the EQ.
Please report your findings, positive or negative!

For the score rational your journey starts here
Explanation for the sub score
The following EQs are “anechoic” EQs to get the speaker right before room integration.
If you able to implement these EQs you must add EQ at LF for room integration, that is usually not optional… see hints there.


The raw data with corrected ER and PIR:

Score no EQ: 5.8
With Sub: 8.2


Spinorama with no EQ:

• On/LW could be flatter
• But no Waveguide makes that hard...
• "Voiced" for In-room response (PIR)?
• Decent performer

Directivity:
Better stay at tweeter height
Horizontally, better toe-in the speakers by 10/15deg and have the axis crossing in front of the listening location, might help dosing the upper range. Explanation here.

EQ design:

I have generated two EQs. The APO config files are attached.

• The first one, labelled, LW is targeted at making the LW flat
• The second, labelled Score, starts with the first one and adds the score as an optimization variable (here).
• The EQs are designed in the context of regular stereo use i.e. domestic environment, no warranty is provided for a near field use in a studio environment although the LW might be better suited for this purpose.
• One can model the EQ with Vituixcad by using the DSP "Generic" setting with 96000Hz sampling rate.

The Score EQ starting from the LW zeroes in on a very close to the "No EQ" curve which is reassuring?

Score no EQ: 5.8
With Sub: 8.2

Score EQ LW: 5.5
with sub: 7.7

Score EQ Score: 6.4
with sub: 8.5

Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE2 APO LW EQ 96000Hz
August052026-204951

Preamp: -3.00 dB

Filter 1: ON HPQ Fc 47.7 Hz Gain 0.00 dB Q 1.39
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 101.4 Hz Gain -1.76 dB Q 1.38
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 875.0 Hz Gain -1.35 dB Q 1.49
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1382.2 Hz Gain 2.11 dB Q 1.93
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2353.7 Hz Gain -1.16 dB Q 1.75
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 4949.0 Hz Gain 2.37 dB Q 0.62


Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE2 APO Score EQ 96000Hz
August052026-204951

Preamp: -3.00 dB

Filter 1: ON HPQ Fc 47.1 Hz Gain 0.00 dB Q 1.35
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 111.4 Hz Gain -1.66 dB Q 1.48
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 844.6 Hz Gain -1.43 dB Q 1.14
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1280.7 Hz Gain 2.17 dB Q 3.14
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4461.1 Hz Gain -1.99 dB Q 2.73
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 4448.7 Hz Gain 1.49 dB Q 1.54

Spinorama EQ LW

Spinorama EQ Score

Zoom PIR-LW-ON

Regression - Tonal

Radar no EQ vs EQ score
No improvements?

 

[Matt_Holland]

This is a marketing label but very respectable, considering the measurements

View attachment 549345

The question was specifically about the term “acoustic suspension”

 

[YouDontHaveEnoughBass]

Probably a simple labelling error

 

[ShadowBoxer]

limited bass response due to being sealed.

V2/V1 are ported.

 

[Davey2156]

Or, it could be a designer who doesn't know what "acoustic suspension" is.

 

[DearSX]

Love this kind of speaker, well made/designed at a reasonable price, with objective data. wish it was an Acoustic Suspension, so its easier for placement.

 

[daniboun]

Or, it could be a designer who doesn't know what "acoustic suspension" is.

If we go by the definition, I'm afraid you're right....

 

[Thelo80]

What could be the benefit of Ascend Sierra 1V2 vs these? $998 Vs $498

 

[Davey2156]

If we go by the definition, I'm afraid you're right....

I think we could ask many in the audio world nowadays who Ed Villchur is and (without looking it up) they wouldn't have a clue.

 

[RogerSmith]

What a nice little gem.

 

[Power Pop 23]

What could be the benefit of Ascend Sierra 1V2 vs these? $998 Vs $498

Aesthetic of the enclosure and the additional cost option of Klippel NFS measurements for one or the pair.

I am uncertain of the audible benefits of the the Ascend Sierra 1 V2 over the CBM-170SE2


@amirm, I am currently seeing a price of $468 a pair - or $234 each - instead of $248 each in the review - at the manufacturer's website.

CBM-170SE2 BOOKSHELF MONITOR PAIR

The Rebirth Of A Legend New Klippel NFS optimized version! The new CBM-170SE2 is a complete reinvention of our legendary speaker. Using today’s most advanced R&D tools, including our Klippel NFS, we improved every performance aspect while staying true to the original purpose: exceptional...

www.ascendacoustics.com

 

[tw 2022]

What could be the benefit of Ascend Sierra 1V2 vs these? $998 Vs $498

better build quality and looks for sure , slightly better drivers (for whatever that is worth) .. I'm not sure you could identify the "better" speaker in a blind a/b...

 

[AM88]

Love this kind of speaker, well made/designed at a reasonable price, with objective data. which it was an Acoustic Suspension, so its easier for placement.

The cheapest in Ascend’s range is a sealed speaker, not sure it is a true acoustic suspension, but was made with the intention of being used with a sub. It has an f6 of 60hz? or there abouts I think so fills a gap nicely with subs that don’t go higher than the 100hz range. It is also really good value, price wise.

 

[amirm]

@amirm, I am currently seeing a price of $468 a pair - or $234 each - instead of $248 each in the review - at the manufacturer's website.

Ah, Dave must have just changed it. I will update later.

 

[tw 2022]

another plus point ...at 86 db sensitive , almost any avr will run them to decent volume levels.. if your listening above 90 db consistently you need different speakers anyway .. these are good to about 90 db from what I can tell...

 

[Steve Dallas]

Woo hoo! A speaker review! (And a good speaker too!) I was afraid the poor NFS might be getting lonely.

I love the idea of this speaker and have been looking for something like this for my shop, but I do not love the propriety drivers. I much prefer to be able to buy replacements off-the-shelf if needed.

 

[Billy Budapest]

Why does it say acoustic suspension speaker after NFS Optimized?

There is a port so that does not appear to be a correct statement.