Ascend Sierra-1 V2 Speaker Review

[Koeitje]

Just wanted to say I love the attitude by @AscendDF. Getting told your product isn't as great as you thought it was and then buying (very) expensive tools to help you do better in the future is not something that a lot of companies do. Being from Europe I will probably never buy a pair of Ascend speakers, but if I was in the US they'd be top of my list.

 

[Music1969]

Personally I'd say inaudible even if it was 20KHz. Causation, correlation.

yes i predicted this comment

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

In the UK, I have purchased LX's.
Delivery and taxes did increase the cost, but Ascend Acoustics are great to deal with, and these may well be my last speakers!

 

[totti1965]

Canton uses such a "infasonic" filters in their better series called DC technology:

Canton DC – mehr Bass, weniger Verzerrungen - LowBeats

Schon seit den 1990er Jahren arbeitet Canton mit der Displacement Control- (DC) Schaltung, die den T

www.lowbeats.de

It seems the do it by combining several capacitors, see exemplary:

Source of above photo: https://www.hifi-regler.de/marken_highlights/canton/die_neue_canton_reference_2023.php

I agree that such isn't cheap though.

… und klingen nicht……

 

[thewas]

… und klingen nicht……

This cannot be generalised as especially the bass region depends a lot o the room and placement, also the frequency and slope of their filters on the corresponding model.
For example the Reference 7K worked quite well in JA's room https://www.stereophile.com/content/canton-reference-7k-loudspeaker-measurements

 

[Fleuch]

One feature missing from these speakers, and many others regardless of cost, is the provision for bi-amping/bi-wiring the speakers. As with op-amp rolling this may be a niche requirement. Obviously the omission of two terminals, two straps and a modicum of internal wiring add up to a small cost saving, but having the option, as with the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 design, is today a real bonus and selling point for those who "hear the difference".

 

[Rick Sykora]

You are not fully understanding what you are seeing. Please see my response to this way back on 2nd page.

Ascend Sierra-1 V2 Speaker Review

I looked at the linearity test and wondered how that large ~3KHz dip manifested. Might the mic not have been on axis? It’s a near-field and non-anechoic measurement I believe; all that matters is relative difference though.

www.audiosciencereview.com

It would be best if Amir explained this in his measurements to avoid confusion... @amirm

Yes, I concur if Amir did his non-anechoic measurements at 1/3 meter, the 3 kHz dip is a measurement artifact and should be noted as such.

 

[mj30250]

One feature missing from these speakers, and many others regardless of cost, is the provision for bi-amping/bi-wiring the speakers. As with op-amp rolling this may be a niche requirement. Obviously the omission of two terminals, two straps and a modicum of internal wiring add up to a small cost saving, but having the option, as with the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 design, is today a real bonus and selling point for those who "hear the difference".

I'd just as soon pocket the small cost savings.

How many people who even attempt bi-amping actually do it correctly and to the extent that it would make an audible difference? If the number is greater than 10%, I'd be shocked.

And bi-wiring? You may as well lament the lack of inclusion of cable risers.

 

[beagleman]

One feature missing from these speakers, and many others regardless of cost, is the provision for bi-amping/bi-wiring the speakers. As with op-amp rolling this may be a niche requirement. Obviously the omission of two terminals, two straps and a modicum of internal wiring add up to a small cost saving, but having the option, as with the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 design, is today a real bonus and selling point for those who "hear the difference".

I find, eliminating a 2nd set of binding posts, and 2 straps and additional internal wiring and a few more soldering joints to create a slightly better signal path.

Are you not able to hear "that difference"?

Or does it only work one way?

 

[Multicore]

I do wish the grill was magnetic though rather than plastic tabs that are more delicate.

My Sierra Tower boxes have magnet grille fasteners so I wonder why.

Anyway, I'm really impressed with the results here. Did Dave set a new standard for the classic passive 2-way bookshelf?

 

[groovybassist]

I applaud Dave at Ascend for literally putting his money where his mouth is. These measurements are terrific for a speaker at this price point and set a very high bar for others.

Based on Erin’s review, I actually ordered a pair for our TV room, which is a small, mixed use space (TV and music listening). Dialogue on TV and movies is very clear, and I’m quite happy with how music sounds, even though placement options are very limited. The bass is more than enough for the space. I’m running them with a Matrix Audio mini-i4 Pro and Neurochrome Modulus-286 amp (65W/8, 125W/4). I am wondering if a more powerful amp would be helpful, as I find they do come alive a bit more after the wick is turned up - undoubtedly due to the low sensitivity.

 

[Redman43]

No, that's not at all the takeaway message. What we have from this review is the preferences of one person, in one room, with one set of songs. That's it. Not everybody is going to agree on the same EQ. Not every room is going to benefit from the same EQ. Not every recording is going to benefit from the same EQ.

Not to mention that the EQing he did was quite subtle, meaning the "beautiful" measurements got him (Amir) really close to just what he likes.

Are you trolling, or did you just misunderstood my post ? I wrote that measurements are only a part of the equation and then you reply in slightly different words that "different people have different tastes and that rooms and personal preferences play a big role". I am guessing English is not your first language ? If it was, you would know that you literary confirmed what I wrote to begin with. Have a great Easter holiday

 

[Cincyret]

Today when I checked, Erin has a review of the KEF Blade & Amir has a review of the Sierra 1-V2. What a great time to be an audio hobbyist!

 

[DearSX]

Man so many great options with verified evidence of good performance now available at many price points. Nothing works as well as an in room listen, but this helps get a great idea of what to expect. Thanks Amirm!

 

[beagleman]

Are you trolling, or did you just misunderstood my post ? I wrote that measurements are only a part of the equation and then you reply in slightly different words that "different people have different tastes and that rooms and personal preferences play a big role". I am guessing English is not your first language ? If it was, you would know that you literary confirmed what I wrote to begin with. Have a great Easter holiday

He may have been responding to this part of what you wrote............


"Hopefully this will sober up some people here that seem to pray to the "measurement god" although I, for one, am not holding my breath on that one"

I know, to me, I thought that part was a "bit" extreme, on a site that is measurement based, although I am sure you meant it in good nature.

 

[Spkrdctr]

I'm still trying to understand the cold electronics comment. What is the difference between cold or warm? Maybe it has something to do with the electron flow. Those electrons can get hot running through those wires at such a high speed. Plus, they might need a rest now and then. Sarcasm off.

 

[dshreter]

One feature missing from these speakers, and many others regardless of cost, is the provision for bi-amping/bi-wiring the speakers. As with op-amp rolling this may be a niche requirement. Obviously the omission of two terminals, two straps and a modicum of internal wiring add up to a small cost saving, but having the option, as with the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 design, is today a real bonus and selling point for those who "hear the difference".

That's true... but that feature adds cost, and makes the product less appealing for the masses that don't hear the difference because there is none.

 

[formdissolve]

Your room is 59F?? I guess you took Jimmy Carter and his "wear a sweater" campaign to heart

 

[Billy Budapest]

I once shared a drink with Gaffigan at a hotel bar and . . . yup, that GIF sums him up nicely.

 

[Bleib]

Canton uses such a "infasonic" filters in their better series called DC technology:

Canton DC – mehr Bass, weniger Verzerrungen - LowBeats

Schon seit den 1990er Jahren arbeitet Canton mit der Displacement Control- (DC) Schaltung, die den T

www.lowbeats.de

It seems the do it by combining several capacitors, see exemplary:

Source of above photo: https://www.hifi-regler.de/marken_highlights/canton/die_neue_canton_reference_2023.php

I agree that such isn't cheap though.

I have good experience with this with Canton 31DC, very nice bass for a small speaker