I am fascinated by science, but am not scientific. (Read: subjectivity heading your way). This post is to say thank you. Thank you to the ASR community who guided me in making a 'not-unsubstantial' audio purchase. Buying gear online has risks, and I'm delighted to say we pulled this one off. After a rapid journey across the globe, the Ascend ELX speakers reached their destination down under, safely. And I write this also, for anybody seeking confirmation about the quality of the ELX units.
In short? My wife, who has questionable hearing, said "Wow!". She said, "When you told me they would be like high definition for sound, I didn't believe you." She's as thrilled as I am. Our system is modest, and a bitsa. An ageing Marantz SR5011 unit with an Emotiva XPA 5 amp, and DefTec sub-woofer. An iPad playing Apple Music is connected via USB. Yet Luke Combs never sounded better to her.
We have an acoustically terrible, small room with arches and adjoining open areas, where we relax and watch tv and listen to music. The speakers must be placed about 6 feet apart. This means that when I want to sit in the magical spot, I am five feet away, on the floor, in the uncomfortable chair pictured, listening at around 60dB (neighbours are right behind us).
Looks pain-inducing, doesn't it? It is. (I really need to figure out some better way to enjoy the work of Dave Fabrikant).
How do these speakers sound? Well, I'd say the people who owe Dave the most gratitude are backup singers. I am literally hearing otherwise-hidden voices
Those subtle vocal additions in the mix, behind or beside the main singer are poking their heads out saying, 'I'm here too'. As for the instruments and their separation, please allow my Gen Z daughter to explain in blunt terms as only Gen Z can do...
Are they your new speakers?
Yeah. What would you like to hear?
Uhm, Benson Boone.
Okay, sit here. (I point to the chair, search on the iPad, then press play)
Eww.
What's wrong?
The instruments are everywhere. Why are they all separated out?
Magic, right?
No, I want to hear the whole band. Together!
Good hearing is wasted on the young.
For me, I sum up the ELX towers in two words: clarity and detail. Listening to Johnny Cash sing When The Man Comes Around, is somewhat breathtaking. With him vocalising right in my grill, I get to know his voice intimately. Even a slight - I wouldn't say impediment - perhaps nuance - when he pronounces words that end with 'ks', is noticeable and unique. And if it were anybody else singing on the track, I would say they drank milk before the recording session, because I can hear every deep, gravel-like, gurgling noise coming from his throat. And when the piano player hits the single bottom notes for the chorus, the sound is appropriately haunting and resonating. That's the other thing I notice, the trailing off of noise - be it vocals, or single instrument notes. Quite the thing! They literally fade into the distance, til they are no more than a speck, then *poof*, gone!
I could rave on about other songs, but you guys know what I'm talking about. Home theatre is incredible. The speakers shine in this area. Again, with clarity and detail, easily handling more oomph than we need.
I'm afraid I have no scientific expertise to add anything else of value. The graphs I received with each speaker (sorry Dave, no disrespect everybody), look like little lines to me - albeit neat, smooth ones. Instead, I'd like to give a big thumbs up for the ELX speakers, for Dave and his team, and mostly for you guys who so willingly, and patiently, answer questions - sometimes even the most basic - and engage with those of us with less know-how and less know-why. You are indeed making a difference, and playing a part in bringing joy to people's lives. I'd say the forum creators would offer a thumbs up for that.
Oh, of course, I almost forgot one of the most important aspects of the purchase! The service and communication with Ascend were excellent. Dave gave up so much of his time answering questions via email. Dina was polite and reassuring over the phone. UPS did a great job delivering to Australia. The speakers were triple boxed, laying in thick, foam coffins, and the glossy piano black shines like a soldier's boots on parade. Pointy spear-tip feet and metallic discs were also supplied. These speakers perform fantastically! As expected. As noted by ASR members!
Final note: As I get older, I suspect one day I'll yank these out, clear a room for critical listening (it's currently full of 'stuff'), and get myself a big fat, comfy, electric recliner and live out my days with Johnny Cash and his friends of yesteryear, and maybe some from yester-tomorrow, with the ELX speakers. Amazing.
Thanks everyone. For all your help.
In short? My wife, who has questionable hearing, said "Wow!". She said, "When you told me they would be like high definition for sound, I didn't believe you." She's as thrilled as I am. Our system is modest, and a bitsa. An ageing Marantz SR5011 unit with an Emotiva XPA 5 amp, and DefTec sub-woofer. An iPad playing Apple Music is connected via USB. Yet Luke Combs never sounded better to her.
We have an acoustically terrible, small room with arches and adjoining open areas, where we relax and watch tv and listen to music. The speakers must be placed about 6 feet apart. This means that when I want to sit in the magical spot, I am five feet away, on the floor, in the uncomfortable chair pictured, listening at around 60dB (neighbours are right behind us).
Looks pain-inducing, doesn't it? It is. (I really need to figure out some better way to enjoy the work of Dave Fabrikant).
How do these speakers sound? Well, I'd say the people who owe Dave the most gratitude are backup singers. I am literally hearing otherwise-hidden voices
Those subtle vocal additions in the mix, behind or beside the main singer are poking their heads out saying, 'I'm here too'. As for the instruments and their separation, please allow my Gen Z daughter to explain in blunt terms as only Gen Z can do...Are they your new speakers?
Yeah. What would you like to hear?
Uhm, Benson Boone.
Okay, sit here. (I point to the chair, search on the iPad, then press play)
Eww.
What's wrong?
The instruments are everywhere. Why are they all separated out?
Magic, right?
No, I want to hear the whole band. Together!
Good hearing is wasted on the young.
For me, I sum up the ELX towers in two words: clarity and detail. Listening to Johnny Cash sing When The Man Comes Around, is somewhat breathtaking. With him vocalising right in my grill, I get to know his voice intimately. Even a slight - I wouldn't say impediment - perhaps nuance - when he pronounces words that end with 'ks', is noticeable and unique. And if it were anybody else singing on the track, I would say they drank milk before the recording session, because I can hear every deep, gravel-like, gurgling noise coming from his throat. And when the piano player hits the single bottom notes for the chorus, the sound is appropriately haunting and resonating. That's the other thing I notice, the trailing off of noise - be it vocals, or single instrument notes. Quite the thing! They literally fade into the distance, til they are no more than a speck, then *poof*, gone!
I could rave on about other songs, but you guys know what I'm talking about. Home theatre is incredible. The speakers shine in this area. Again, with clarity and detail, easily handling more oomph than we need.
I'm afraid I have no scientific expertise to add anything else of value. The graphs I received with each speaker (sorry Dave, no disrespect everybody), look like little lines to me - albeit neat, smooth ones. Instead, I'd like to give a big thumbs up for the ELX speakers, for Dave and his team, and mostly for you guys who so willingly, and patiently, answer questions - sometimes even the most basic - and engage with those of us with less know-how and less know-why. You are indeed making a difference, and playing a part in bringing joy to people's lives. I'd say the forum creators would offer a thumbs up for that.
Oh, of course, I almost forgot one of the most important aspects of the purchase! The service and communication with Ascend were excellent. Dave gave up so much of his time answering questions via email. Dina was polite and reassuring over the phone. UPS did a great job delivering to Australia. The speakers were triple boxed, laying in thick, foam coffins, and the glossy piano black shines like a soldier's boots on parade. Pointy spear-tip feet and metallic discs were also supplied. These speakers perform fantastically! As expected. As noted by ASR members!
Final note: As I get older, I suspect one day I'll yank these out, clear a room for critical listening (it's currently full of 'stuff'), and get myself a big fat, comfy, electric recliner and live out my days with Johnny Cash and his friends of yesteryear, and maybe some from yester-tomorrow, with the ELX speakers. Amazing.
Thanks everyone. For all your help.
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