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Passive Speaker Recommendations for USA (by @sweetchaos)

I'm thinking about getting the Ascend Acoustics ELX Tower Speakers and Ascend Acoustics ELX Horizon Center, but with the Titan Dome tweeter instead of the Ribbon tweeter. Just seems like a safer bet for me personally considering some of the pros and cons between the two tweeter types.

Since the table only mentions the Ribbon tweeter version of the ELX speakers, would the Preference Score, Preference Score w/ Sub, and LFX still all be the same for the Titan Dome tweeter version of the ELX speakers?

Thanks!

Edit: Oh, and just in case, since I've read this thread completely: No, I'm not making my buying decision solely based on these scores, so worry not.
 
Last edited:
FreakWentSea said:
I'm thinking about getting the Ascend Acoustics ELX Tower Speakers and Ascend Acoustics ELX Horizon Center, but with the Titan Dome tweeter instead of the Ribbon tweeter. Just seems like a safer bet for me personally considering some of the pros and cons between the two tweeter types.

Since the table only mentions the Ribbon tweeter version of the ELX speakers, would the Preference Score, Preference Score w/ Sub, and LFX still all be the same for the Titan Dome tweeter version of the ELX speakers?

Thanks!

Edit: Oh, and just in case, since I've read this thread completely: No, I'm not making my buying decision solely based on these scores, so worry not.
Click to expand...
It really depends on the design execution. My guess is it would change slightly just due to the nature of the different tweeters.
 
I see that the Klipsch RP-500C II is recommended in multiple price categories as a 2 way center but not the 504C II. Does anyone know why? One would think it's better as it's similar just bigger.
 
FreakWentSea said:
I'm thinking about getting the Ascend Acoustics ELX Tower Speakers and Ascend Acoustics ELX Horizon Center, but with the Titan Dome tweeter instead of the Ribbon tweeter. ... Since the table only mentions the Ribbon tweeter version of the ELX speakers, would the Preference Score, Preference Score w/ Sub, and LFX still all be the same for the Titan Dome tweeter version of the ELX speakers?
Click to expand...
Ascend shows the spins for both versions (so I'm not sure why both are not in the table). They are very similar, with the main difference being (as expected) narrower vertical focusing of the highs for the ribbon:

ELX_Ribbon_Tower_Contour_Plot_-_Vertical.png.jpeg

ELX_Titan_Tower_Contour_Plot_-_Vertical.png.jpeg


https://ascendacoustics.com/collections/elx-series/products/elx-tower-pair

So I would expect quite similar preference scores.
 
I have Klipsch RP-500M II as fronts and a 500C II as center and I'm not really happy with the latter. It's sounds a bit too clear and has problems to disappear. So just for the experiment I placed one of the 500m II horizontally and my impression was that it sounded better to me. Please note that I sit right in front of it so off axis may sound worse. I've read many times that using the same bookshelf as center can be better than a usual MTM center but I always thought it was meant to give results using it vertically or if it's a coaxial one may use it both ways. So what about using a non coaxial bookshelf placed horizontally as center ? I'm sure I'm not the first trying it. Anything against it ? I still have two days to return the 500c Ii and I wonder if I should just buy a third 500m II.
 
I think I may try the KEF Q65OC as my center. Most ppl on other forums seem to give good reviews. Can someone please elaborate why Erin gave for it such a low rating?
 
Great summaries….please we really Need some in-ceiling recommendations in the sub $500 each range - anything out there?
 
Guys tell me some nice 3 way center channel speaker to buy, I have budget arround 500 to 1000 USD
 
Great list here. I need to replace the center speaker in our living room setup. Currently running Mirage OMD-C2 with OMD-28s as LR. Our living room is 20x20 open floor plan. In hindsight-sight the omni-polar design is probably not the best for this room because it’s very lively in here.

I’ve narrowed down my list to Revel c426be and the Ascend Acoustics Horizon Sierra V2. The Revel is about 2x$ even on-sale, compared to the sierra titan dome. Our seating area is 12’ within +-20 degrees, and thinking the narrower dispersion would help with clarity. Use case is 90% TV/movies and 10% music.

The towers might get replaced eventually, but want to see how they integrate with the new center first.

What would you do?
 
jasonmichaelh said:
Great list here. I need to replace the center speaker in our living room setup. Currently running Mirage OMD-C2 with OMD-28s as LR. Our living room is 20x20 open floor plan. In hindsight-sight the omni-polar design is probably not the best for this room because it’s very lively in here.

I’ve narrowed down my list to Revel c426be and the Ascend Acoustics Horizon Sierra V2. The Revel is about 2x$ even on-sale, compared to the sierra titan dome. Our seating area is 12’ within +-20 degrees, and thinking the narrower dispersion would help with clarity. Use case is 90% TV/movies and 10% music.

The towers might get replaced eventually, but want to see how they integrate with the new center first.

What would you do?
Click to expand...
Well, if your speakers don't have distinctive flaws that identify them (resonances) - then the tonal matching can be achieved via Audyssey / Dirac or similar....

If they do have distinctive resonances that identify them regardless of F/R EQ tuning, then in most cases I would be looking for a different speaker... or you will have to match the speakers to each other.... and this gets tricky, as resonances can and will vary with different box size and configuration so unless you have identical center to L/R - the issue will be there (in terms of differing resonances).

My default position is "suck it and see" - but definitely apply a RoomEQ type adjustment for tonal matching; and yes that means using full frequency range EQ, and not just below the schroeder F, as you are using it both for room EQ (which is mainly bass) and for tonal matching - which is midrange and up primarily
 
dlaloum said:
Well, if your speakers don't have distinctive flaws that identify them (resonances) - then the tonal matching can be achieved via Audyssey / Dirac or similar....

If they do have distinctive resonances that identify them regardless of F/R EQ tuning, then in most cases I would be looking for a different speaker... or you will have to match the speakers to each other.... and this gets tricky, as resonances can and will vary with different box size and configuration so unless you have identical center to L/R - the issue will be there (in terms of differing resonances).

My default position is "suck it and see" - but definitely apply a RoomEQ type adjustment for tonal matching; and yes that means using full frequency range EQ, and not just below the schroeder F, as you are using it both for room EQ (which is mainly bass) and for tonal matching - which is midrange and up primarily
Click to expand...
Not sure what you mean by “suck it and see” but I’ll assume you mean “try”. I am using Dirac. After replacing the center speaker, the LR might need to be replaced or might not as you mentioned. Will try it out, but first I need to choose a center.

In an echoey open floor plan with 10’ ceiling, which would be the best center speaker within a +-20 degree listening window?
 
Why should anyone pay attention to your recommendations as opposed to anyone elses? It is amazing to me that people have the arrogance to create posts like this..
 
ferrellms said:
Why should anyone pay attention to your recommendations as opposed to anyone elses? It is amazing to me that people have the arrogance to create posts like this..
Click to expand...
Did you read the "readme" in the first post?

The recommendations are not based on anyone's personal opinions ...
 
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