Oversimplified, it's the difference between diffuse and precise sound stage/imaging.
Is C6B about different looks only? No better bass performance or any other benefit?
The C6B uses a different woofer and tweeter. However, there are no clear performance benefits from them as far as I can tell.
Science has not fully analyzed this area. My subjective, read unverified, opinion is that without a waveguide, you get wider dispersion which then results in larger, albeit, defused image which I personally like. The cost can be awful off-axis response which will make the speaker room dependent as those reflections don't match the on-axis response. In the case of Ascend speaker, clever and tedious testing/optimization have managed to bring the design cost under control with a predicted in-room response that is well behaved. But I think the risk of room dependency remains.
I will just opine that the difference is getting a speaker with less spatial effect with higher assurance of it sounding good in your room (Ascilab speakers) vs higher reward of better spatial effect but with potentially more tonality issue in rooms not represented in the research.
The F6B uses a much less expensive woofer, the plastic-framed, paper cone SB Acoustics SB16PFC. This is my favorite BUDGET woofer, but it is a budget woofer. It uses the SB26ADC aluminum dome tweeter.
Never thought you would chime in here but super glad you did… many thanks.Science has not fully analyzed this area. My subjective, read unverified, opinion is that without a waveguide, you get wider dispersion which then results in larger, albeit, defused image which I personally like. The cost can be awful off-axis response which will make the speaker room dependent as those reflections don't match the on-axis response. In the case of Ascend speaker, clever and tedious testing/optimization have managed to bring the design cost under control with a predicted in-room response that is well behaved. But I think the risk of room dependency remains.
I am biased so I can't answer your original question with straight face.
Also, please keep in mind that not everyone is like me, wanting a diffused halo instead of "pinpoint imaging." Most people are like me, but not all.
I am actually tempted to ask Dave to let me keep the speaker as to test against Ascilab as to be able to better answer these questions. Alas, I think he wants my sample back for additional testing (my results are slightly different than his).
That would be a great real world scenario to test!!! Hope Dave can help with that.Science has not fully analyzed this area. My subjective, read unverified, opinion is that without a waveguide, you get wider dispersion which then results in larger, albeit, defused image which I personally like. The cost can be awful off-axis response which will make the speaker room dependent as those reflections don't match the on-axis response. In the case of Ascend speaker, clever and tedious testing/optimization have managed to bring the design cost under control with a predicted in-room response that is well behaved. But I think the risk of room dependency remains.
I am biased so I can't answer your original question with straight face.
Also, please keep in mind that not everyone is like me, wanting a diffused halo instead of "pinpoint imaging." Most people are like me, but not all.
I am actually tempted to ask Dave to let me keep the speaker as to test against Ascilab as to be able to better answer these questions. Alas, I think he wants my sample back for additional testing (my results are slightly different than his).
Questions like this don't have any answer as there is no proper evalutaion of this.
Thanks @amirm
I didn't have them side by side. Spatially, I remember Ascend projecting a larger image when listening to one speaker. You are asking for imaging for two so I don't have that.
The build quality and price fair comparison should be Sierra 1v2 and F6B
My main intention was performance regardless the price difference.... but you are right.
I'm going to say, based on measurements the CBM170 v2 is very close in performance to the Sierra 1 v2 ...I agree with Amir and Dave in thinking *most* folks prefer wide dispersion in most set ups...if you like an " airy " open soundstage they are the general pick in most rooms.. The ascilab speakers will sound good in more challenging circumstances more often( bright rooms, with lots of exposed glass and not much furniture would be one example) ....the ascilabs will also be your preference if you want a very focused center image at the expense of some soundstage width and the " air" I referred to ... Since the ascends are pretty budget friendly I'd try them first, if you like them keep them and forget about which speaker is "better".... just enjoy the hobby.. If you don't like the results, get the ascilabs and try them after you return the ascends.. Best of luck , enjoy your listening....