How're the new Ascend Acoustics Luna V2 Mini Monitors?

[AscendDF]

I "pulled the plug" - as some say - on a pair of Lunas only to be informed that their domestic cabinet maker had gone out of business and thus they are unavailable for approx. half a year - IIRC.

Our Luna's and Duo's are currently going through a redesign in order to offer a version that will accommodate our Titan tweeter. We have had dozens of requests for this and the results are very promising. This is now our #1 priority and we hope to have both versions (RAAL ribbon and Titan dome) available by the Summer. It is taking longer than expected as these are very small cabinets with practically no room inside, so trying to fit a more complex crossover inside the cabinet has been extremely challenging.

Fully appreciate everyone's patience!!!

 

[Cool Runnings]

Since these are on hiatus, Erin's Audio seems to be raving about the active near-field 4.5" Kali LP-UNF at only $300/pr if you can accommodate their looks.

Yeah thanks. These look very interesting and great value. I wonder how much different they will sound compared to the Lunas.

 

[Cool Runnings]

Since these are on hiatus, Erin's Audio seems to be raving about the active near-field 4.5" Kali LP-UNF at only $300/pr if you can accommodate their looks.

Just got the Kalis my initial impressions below. They sound pretty sweet indeed. No brainer for $300 bucks.

Kali Audio LP-UNF

Meh, the score is a way to put a single grade on speakers based on far-field use. It doesn't tell the whole story and it's not really what these speakers are meant for.

audiosciencereview.com

 

[beagleman]

Perhaps Ascend might want to send the Luna V2 data to @pierre (Spinorama) so potential comparisons are up to date?

Astonishing that a revised crossover made such a significant difference (along with a port enhancement).

I am not positive, but fairly certain, that Dave said this is a whole new woofer designed/produced by SEAS for the new version, along with a new crossover design and bamboo cabinet etc.

Therefore, not really directly comparable...

@AscendDF Sorry to drag you into another thread, but if you could perhaps please clarify to this forum member

 

[beagleman]

Perhaps check the web site?

There is nothing on the vendor's web page to indicate that the Luna V2 woofer was changed from V1.

Also, checking the vendor's web site for the Luna V2 upgrade one can see that no new woofer is involved.

In short, you may be fairly certain, but I think you are incorrect.


View attachment 359967

You are correct, obviously, but I thought I read it on the forum where Dave said something like that, perhaps I completely misunderstood what was said now...?

 

[jar]

V1 (not V2). YMMV.

Ascend Luna V1 ASR Review

View attachment 354209View attachment 354210

The poor review here led directly to Ascend purchasing their own Klippel NFS and redesigning the V2 to fix it. This kicked off a flurry of new NFS optimized designs at Ascend, including the Sierra LX and Sierra 1 V2. Dave is *extremely* transparent on the Ascend forums.

 

[Livnmuskoka]

I've got Elac Unifi Ref in another set-up for a much bigger space. I like them very much for off-axis general listening esp when paired with a RSL10s. Haven't seen many well rated coaxial designs for small near field speakers. The most notable one being KEF LS50s which were the rave of the YT reviewer community but not quite so in ASR.

Which speakers have better detail and clarity, Uni-Fi Reference or Sierra 1 V2?

 

[Cool Runnings]

Which speakers have better detail and clarity, Uni-Fi Reference or Sierra 1 V2?

I’ve got these speakers in completely different set ups. So my opinion is purely subjective.

In terms of clarity and detail the Sierra 1 V2s are better. In terms of off axis listening I give the edge to the Elac Unifi Refs.

 

[Livnmuskoka]

I’ve got these speakers in completely different set ups. So my opinion is purely subjective.

In terms of clarity and detail the Sierra 1 V2s are better. In terms of off axis listening I give the edge to the Elac Unifi Refs.

Great, thank you! I bought Sierra LX about 6 weeks ago but won't be able to hear them for another month or so yet. First waiting for my amp to arrive, now waiting for our builder to finish the basement.
I sold all my audio gear about 2 years ago and wanted to get a new start and build my end game system.
I briefly owned Uni-Fi Reference UBR62's x 3 for my LCR. I found the UBR62's to be very good, especially when using ARC and having them hooked up to a better dac and power amp.
So if the Sierra 1 V2 have better detail and clarity, I shouldn't be disappointed in the LX.
I'm really hoping the LX have detail/clarity as good as my previous Bryston Mini T's but with better accuracy. They're rated as 3rd best standmount speakers in preference ratings under $9,000 US, right below Sointuva's and Reference 1 Meta's, so they should be really good.
If anybody else can compare the LX's detail/clarity to high end speakers would be awesome. I haven't owned many higher end speakers but I have heard lots.

 

[Cool Runnings]

Great, thank you! I bought Sierra LX about 6 weeks ago but won't be able to hear them for another month or so yet. First waiting for my amp to arrive, now waiting for our builder to finish the basement.
I sold all my audio gear about 2 years ago and wanted to get a new start and build my end game system.
I briefly owned Uni-Fi Reference UBR62's x 3 for my LCR. I found the UBR62's to be very good, especially when using ARC and having them hooked up to a better dac and power amp.
So if the Sierra 1 V2 have better detail and clarity, I shouldn't be disappointed in the LX.
I'm really hoping the LX have detail/clarity as good as my previous Bryston Mini T's but with better accuracy. They're rated as 3rd best standmount speakers in preference ratings under $9,000 US, right below Sointuva's and Reference 1 Meta's, so they should be really good.
If anybody else can compare the LX's detail/clarity to high end speakers would be awesome. I haven't owned many higher end speakers but I have heard lots.

After having the S1 V2s for a few months now I reckon you'd be pretty pleased with your LXs for all round HT and Stereo duties. At this stage I think you're down to subjective personal preferences and system/room acoustics/DSP set-up on which systems sounds better for you.

I'm still on budget to mid-end price range of audio spending. But very happy with the S1 V2s and Kali LP-UNF. Trying not to upgrade for a while haha. Hopefully the industry keeps going in the right direction of using proper measurements as a starting point for all audio products. ASR has played such a big role in this push.

 

[jdjung]

Wanted to chime in here as I just bought and now own the Luna V2 Monitors with some Christmas money, listening near field on my office desk, a few inches from the wall. I went with the Luna V2 vs the Sierra V2 for two reasons. The first the Lunas have a front port and thus I didn't need to worry about the port reflection off my rear wall from the Sierra. Second, the Sierra depth was to long to fit on my monitor stand on my desk and would stick out considerably past my monitor. The Luna V2 are small and only 6 inches deep! I also went with passives because I own a Bottlehead S.E.X. Tube amp as well as a Topping PA2, to switch between. At near field listening, I have the tube about halfway on the volume knob and it's more than enough volume for me, so small tube amps can power these for near field desk setups. The Topping PA 5 II has no issues powering these and the clarity is amazing.

I bought the Raal ribbon version as the height is at my ear level and the Klippel measurements and horizontal dispersion of the ribbon blew my mind and though the vertical dispersion is a bit tighter than the Titan Dome, the speakers will be pointed towards me most of the time while I sit at my desk. To me the soundstage is wide and the imaging is better than my Kef LS50 Wireless 2.

For it's size at 6 inches deep, for PASSIVE speakers I don't think you can find better sounding or measuring speakers at any price. Even regardless of size, these speakers to me sound phenomenal, and that they are passive without DSP blows my mind.