Is there a worthy Ascend Acoustics center?

[Plainview]

Greetings!

Is there a worthy Ascend Acousitcs center that’s not, the Horizon 3 way center? I’m currently trying to upgrade my Living Room (21x13x8) setup that’s technically a secondary watching/ listening space. This will probably never be anything more than a 3.1 setup. 65% theater 35% music but that can vary. I’m currently dialed into the Ascend Acousitcs Sierra LX Bookshelf’s and as it stands and historically, I prefer a center channel. The question is, is the Sierra LX center a good speaker for center duties?

It looks just like the bookshelf’s and from what I’ve seen, a bookshelf on its side is superior to most center channel speakers. I’ve watched Erin’s famous/ infamous to some maybe, “why most centers are no good video” and that has strongly influenced my decision making as it seems to stand to reason. I’m hoping the Ascend Sierra LX center is a winner because from the sounds of things the Sierra bookshelf’s are phenomenal and I’d prefer a matched LCR, especially since it will stop at that in this room and it sounds like these may be end game speakers for me. I was/ am relatively new to the more complex side of Hifi and what’s out there but have been in a deep dive for probably the last month daily and have learned quite a bit about what’s available, reviews, and testing etc. I’ve had paralysis by analysis probably a dozen times though and the plan has changed several times in that period. I welcome any questions or conversation around the matter and look forward to discussion!

FWIW I had settled on ELAC UC52 And UB52 and currently they are sitting in the boxes at home. I was going to buy an amp to run them and possibly another AVR as a preamp. I was thinking if the Sierra LX can run off an AVR for the time being, I could put the money I’d have to spend on at least an amp and possibly another AVR, towards better speakers like the Sierra LX.

 

[Jfrog]

I've owned a pair of the Sierra-2 LXs for several months now and have enjoyed them immensely. They were significantly better than the Revel M106 and JBL HDI 1600 and RSL CGM25 that I auditioned over the last couple of years. My current center channel speaker was just OK but felt like I had to keep turning the volume up to clearly hear dialog. After some discussion with Dave F at Ascend, I decided to try the SIERRA-2EX V2 CENTER as opposed to the LX center as Dave stated that while the bass is not as powerful as the LX, the dialog clarity is just a bit better than the LX as long as you are in horizontal alignment with the RAAL tweeter. So, I've had the 2EX V2 now for a few weeks and am very happy with the sound. It blends very well with the LX Left/Right and my volume levels are now manageable. Note that I use a subwoofer so the deep bass is not a big concern when watching TV and movies. Note: if the price is a bit steep, Dave did suggest the SIERRA-1 V2 Center would be a good compromise as long as you have a sub.

Hope this helps.

 

[Plainview]

I've owned a pair of the Sierra-2 LXs for several months now and have enjoyed them immensely. They were significantly better than the Revel M106 and JBL HDI 1600 and RSL CGM25 that I auditioned over the last couple of years. My current center channel speaker was just OK but felt like I had to keep turning the volume up to clearly hear dialog. After some discussion with Dave F at Ascend, I decided to try the SIERRA-2EX V2 CENTER as opposed to the LX center as Dave stated that while the bass is not as powerful as the LX, the dialog clarity is just a bit better than the LX as long as you are in horizontal alignment with the RAAL tweeter. So, I've had the 2EX V2 now for a few weeks and am very happy with the sound. It blends very well with the LX Left/Right and my volume levels are now manageable. Note that I use a subwoofer so the deep bass is not a big concern when watching TV and movies. Note: if the price is a bit steep, Dave did suggest the SIERRA-1 V2 Center would be a good compromise as long as you have a sub.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the information. I posted this when I started entertaining the LX’s and was very unfamiliar with the rest of the Ascend line. Then I discovered that what I was seeing was a few “true” centers and the option to buy a single monitor to use as a center. I am still locked in to the LX’s and I think I’m gonna go big and get the sierra horizon v2. My final decision will be either the RAAL or titan dome in the Horizon. My understanding is the RAAL offers more detail and clarity while the titan dome may offer a little less of that but may have better vertical and horizontal dispersion.

 

[Matias]

Yeah, I don't see a true WTW center to match the LX coming any soon.

Sierra LX Center W-T-W - Page 2

Hi, I have posted a suggestion on ASR but might as well ask here on the official forums. IMO Ascend should release a center speaker with a W-T-W configuration to match the Sierra LX. The Sierra LX Center with its asymmetric W-T configuration triggers my OCD like crazy lol. I would seriously...

forum.ascendacoustics.com

 

[Jfrog]

Thanks for the information. I posted this when I started entertaining the LX’s and was very unfamiliar with the rest of the Ascend line. The I discovered that what was seeing was a few “true” centers and the option to buy a single monitor to use as a center. I am still locked in to the LX’s and I think I’m gonna go big and get the sierra horizon v2. My final decision will be either the RAAL or titan dome in the Horizon. My understanding is the RAAL offers more detail and clarity while the titan dome may offer a little less of that but may have better vertical and horizontal dispersion.

the Titan will definitely have better vertical dispersion the the RAAL but the horizontal is a bit worse. Considering my desire to have articulate dialog over a wide seating area, I went with the RAAL. I did take a look at the horizon, but it is very large and had some meh. comments by Amir if I'm remembering correctly. Since the LX and EX V2 are not MTM designs, cancelations are not as much of an issue. Good Luck.

 

[aarons915]

Just use an identical center as your mains and turn it on its side, I know that can be considered blasphemy on sites like these but I've done it a few times and it sounded perfectly fine and an identical center outweighs the drawbacks in my opinion.

 

[Plainview]

the Titan will definitely have better vertical dispersion the the RAAL but the horizontal is a bit worse. Considering my desire to have articulate dialog over a wide seating area, I went with the RAAL. I did take a look at the horizon, but it is very large and had some meh. comments by Amir if I'm remembering correctly. Since the LX and EX V2 are not MTM designs, cancelations are not as much of an issue. Good Luck.

Thanks. I considered the 2 EX V2 as well for center duties and it’s still an option. I saw the review by Amir as well and I was wondering if that was the Sierra Horizon V2 center that he reviewed or if there was a predecessor to the current V2 center. It would seem as if since it’s indicated as V2. Think that review was from around 4 years ango. I don’t have a time line for releases. And yeah I’m the same, I’m not asking the center to do much more than provide very clear dialog during HT usage and horizontal dispersion is important.

 

[Plainview]

Just use an identical center as your mains and turn it on its side, I know that can be considered blasphemy on sites like these but I've done it a few times and it sounded perfectly fine and an identical center outweighs the drawbacks in my opinion.

I’m open to that and it’s an option. It’s easy to get locked in to the idea of a traditional center and finding the best one. My whole search for this 3.1 has been predicated on a great center that has a great matching LR.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

I would use a Sierra-1 V2 because it uses the same Titan tweeter as the LX.

I personally would be leery of mixing ribbons and domes on the front plane where seamless is crucial. Plus the dome is cheaper. (Yes, I have heard both and favor the dome).

 

[Plainview]

I would use a Sierra-1 V2 because it uses the same Titan tweeter as the LX.

I personally would be leery of mixing ribbons and domes on the front plane where seamless is crucial. Plus the dome is cheaper. (Yes, I have heard both and favor the dome).

I thought the same thing about consistency but I’m pretty sure the folks at Ascend will also recommend the RAAL depending on the situation. I may go Titan dome in the Horizon V2 but I’m super intrigued by the RAAL and ideally I’d like to hear them both. I emailed Dave at Ascend and am waiting to get his input/ thoughts.

 

[seewhatididther]

Why not the Horizon center? (Honest question as I’m early in my research)

 

[Plainview]

Why not the Horizon center? (Honest question as I’m early in my research)

When I originally started the thread I was quite unfamiliar with Ascends’s lines and offerings. I was however very familiar with a lot of the criticism of most center channel speakers especially the 2 way MTM’s and their inherent issues. I was in the process of trying to build a 3.1 within a budget to a degree, that was predicated on high performance center channel for movies/ tv but also a very solid L and R for music. I had heard so many great things about the Sierra LX and started to zero in on them for the LR but was clueless on which center. While I know it’s not absolutely necessary, I prefer as close to a match in the center to the LR. After becoming more familiar with their products, I considered another LX, the EX V2, Horizon V2 RAAL, and Horizon with Titan. After a couple months or so of daily research, about 52 incidences of paralysis by analysis, last week i placed my order for an LX pair and Horizon V2 Titan. In the end I felt like I couldn’t go wrong with that setup. I heavily considered the RAAL in the Horizon V2, but chose Titan. FWIW I also considered a 3.1 with a couple different configurations of KEF, ELAC,Revel, and a combo of THX-365c and POLK.

 

[seewhatididther]

Let me know how you like them all!

 

[Plainview]

Let me know how you like them all!

Well I’ve had the Sierra LX’s for a couple days now and I am blown away. Previously I tested the ELAC UB52, Polk R200, and KEF Q350 before I got the Ascends and I will say you can instantly tell they’re on another level. The imaging, sound stage, detail, clarity are all there and very strong. I haven’t been at this a long time but I can tell you I have not heard anything like this. Closest would have to be a pair of B&W 606 S3 and Sonus Faber Lunina II’s but when I heard them they were being powered by a $4500 McIntosh amp. I still prefer the Ascends. Can’t imagine what they would sound like on that McIntosh. The center is on back order. I won’t have it until early March probably but I expect to be equally impressed based on the LX’s.

 

[groovybassist]

I ordered a pair of Sierra LX to have a good quality two-way in house; being built at Ascend now and waiting for shipment.

 

[LGD_]

Ascend HTM-200SE
Crisp and distinct dialog, and small size that still has good output down to 80Hz.
I have four of these here in my two systems:
1 as center in my 2ch system, and 3 in my 5.1 system.
Highly recommended...

 

[seewhatididther]

I've owned a pair of the Sierra-2 LXs for several months now and have enjoyed them immensely. They were significantly better than the Revel M106 and JBL HDI 1600 and RSL CGM25 that I auditioned over the last couple of years. My current center channel speaker was just OK but felt like I had to keep turning the volume up to clearly hear dialog. After some discussion with Dave F at Ascend, I decided to try the SIERRA-2EX V2 CENTER as opposed to the LX center as Dave stated that while the bass is not as powerful as the LX, the dialog clarity is just a bit better than the LX as long as you are in horizontal alignment with the RAAL tweeter. So, I've had the 2EX V2 now for a few weeks and am very happy with the sound. It blends very well with the LX Left/Right and my volume levels are now manageable. Note that I use a subwoofer so the deep bass is not a big concern when watching TV and movies. Note: if the price is a bit steep, Dave did suggest the SIERRA-1 V2 Center would be a good compromise as long as you have a sub.

Hope this helps.

What does one give up by going with the bookshelf style center vs one of the horizons?