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Ascend CBM-170SE2 Speaker Review
- Thread starter amirm
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A copy and paste of recommended power from the web page for this loudspeaker:
Minimum Recommended Amplifier Power Rating for Speaker Distance to Listening Position
3 Feet or Less 2 watts minimum
9 Feet or Less 12 watts minimum
15 Feet or Less 33 watts minimum
21 Feet or More 65 watts minimum
Yeah my BB is almost an hour away and has no dedicated audio section in terms of a listening space, just an aisle in the warehouse (and extremely limited choice of mostly Klipsch speakers). I've done well with ordering online. My first online purchases were from Ascend and never wanted to return anything. Ascend doesn't pay round trip shipping but shipping is cheaper than the drive for me these days
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True enough. I may have been a little overzealous with my wording. I just want them to keep with the broad dispersion designs by any means. There's an old song that says "no matter how she done it, she done it just the same." It's just another way to say that 'the end justifies the means.' By whatever means.
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
Yep, 3D printing can do it for a reasonable price per part, but it's too slow for most mass production operations.
Injection molding can do it, but the up-front investment is large and has to be amortized across all production units, if that is less than 100K units, guess what, it's not a cheap part that way either...
That's the thing.. These Ascends are going to compare favorably to anything less than $1000 A pair.. Earlier there was some discussion about whether the Sierra 1 v2 was very much better,the Sierra certainly has a better finish and the drivers are better, but if you are using a decent sub and crossing at 80- 100 hz I can't see where these aren't very competitive with the Sierra in everything but looks... As long as you like wide dispersion these really look like a very good value bet,I don't see Dave having to worry about very many returns..
OP
- Thread Starter
- #108
Indeed, at these prices I would just keep them and repurpose for another use if I don't like them....
The Sierra IMO differs most in cabinet construction/materials.
Yes I can see where that's the case, I have the older v1 170s... They aren't a bad build , but I would guess bamboo is pretty sturdy and mostly resonance free...Dave indicated the v2 170s are a better cabinet with better bracing , but they won't win any beauty contest... I just keep thinking ( after seeing the measurements) that the new 170s truly look like an all time value choice...
I don't know if the new 170 gets the bamboo treatment. Beauty contest the 170 never won
Utility contest is a different thing . The bamboo cabinets have significantly different characteristics....The 170 v2 is still mdf I think...I'm really wanting to hear what a $500 /PR set of speakers that measure this good sounds like...I'm seriously thinking about ordering a pair..I don't know if the new 170 gets the bamboo treatment. Beauty contest the 170 never won
Just order them would be my advice. Doubtful you'll be dissatisfied...
mrlittlejeans
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Same. I have no use for them but just want to hear what they can do.
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
You know you've done something right when people are thinking about actually ordering just to find out for themselves...
first thing i did was go to their website to see what the grille looks like.... i was then greeted by what looks like a Xbox Series X black edition... ie. a monolith
and that's it - they threw everything into making it perform... i literally looks like nothing
in the recent past the speakers who 'made it' is the DBR62, the Xmechanic 5" and this one and so i feel like more manufacturers should be here by now?
the whole sort of 'black box with a good crossover and a 6" cone and a dome tweet" should be pretty well trodden territory what with klippel and AI powering design
and that's it - they threw everything into making it perform... i literally looks like nothing
in the recent past the speakers who 'made it' is the DBR62, the Xmechanic 5" and this one and so i feel like more manufacturers should be here by now?
the whole sort of 'black box with a good crossover and a 6" cone and a dome tweet" should be pretty well trodden territory what with klippel and AI powering design
diddley
Addicted to Fun and Learning
A shout out to Klippel!
beagleman
Major Contributor
Wow, competition for my lil Wharfedale 12.1 for sure!
You can always sand down the sides and veneer the box in a wood species of your choice. There's even stick on vinyl auto buffs use to spiff up their boxes.
Whatever, it's what is inside that counts.
Dave's 30 day satisfaction trial policy is excellent. I hope it's not abused. Doubt it though as he makes excellent products with no returns is what I hear.
I bought the ELX-RAAL towers and Horizon V2 center without auditoning them first. They are indeed end game speakers for me.. The satin cherry finish is gorgeous, first class.
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I thought I would share information regarding Ascend’s international shipping policy as an earlier post in this thread suggested it was not possible to buy their products in the EU.
From the above link:
International Orders:
We ship our speakers worldwide on a regular basis and we receive excellent international shipping rates. If you are overseas and would like to purchase Ascend products, please place your order online through our website. We will amend your order with the most cost-effective shipping method we can offer. Note: You will NOT be charged for the initial order or the shipping charges until we have your approval.
Note: We do not export Rythmik subwoofers.
I do wonder if there’s a discussion to be had with someone like Keith @Purité Audio on creating an export price list with enough margin for a dealer. It would no doubt require a local RRP to be higher than a simple currency conversion from USD, but looking at the pricing from Ascend I think the quality and performance on offer could easily tolerate a markup in order to facilitate export.
From the above link:
International Orders:
We ship our speakers worldwide on a regular basis and we receive excellent international shipping rates. If you are overseas and would like to purchase Ascend products, please place your order online through our website. We will amend your order with the most cost-effective shipping method we can offer. Note: You will NOT be charged for the initial order or the shipping charges until we have your approval.
Note: We do not export Rythmik subwoofers.
I do wonder if there’s a discussion to be had with someone like Keith @Purité Audio on creating an export price list with enough margin for a dealer. It would no doubt require a local RRP to be higher than a simple currency conversion from USD, but looking at the pricing from Ascend I think the quality and performance on offer could easily tolerate a markup in order to facilitate export.
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