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**Official Ascend Acoustics Tower Thread** - Page 42

post #1231 of 1437
1/3/13 at 6:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottyp3 View Post

lalala still cant decide between stock and RAAL tower/center

I'm in the same boat. I've had some recent experience which makes the decision actually harder. I've been trying out the Minny Magies which come with Magnepan's special ribbon tweeter that only comes on their high-end speakers. The minnies with vocals and strings they are the most amazing speakers I have ever heard - and if the RAAL can be anything like that then I very much want them. But the minnies also sounded horrible with rock, not less than ideal - I actually didn't like it all - so if that happens with the RAAL then I don't want them quite as much.
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post #1232 of 1437
1/3/13 at 9:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pioneertop View Post

. Now this takes me back...sweet ...had one in my late twenty,s ...and I loved it....

Lol I owned Aiwa one, I use to put it on my widow end, one time someone open the door a gust of wind knocked it down I guess the 20 batteries along with gravity had something to do with the demolish of the boom box, that was the end of that it was AVR/& real speaker for me from that point on cool.gif

Djoel
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post #1233 of 1437
1/3/13 at 9:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tme110 View Post

I'm in the same boat. I've had some recent experience which makes the decision actually harder. I've been trying out the Minny Magies which come with Magnepan's special ribbon tweeter that only comes on their high-end speakers. The minnies with vocals and strings they are the most amazing speakers I have ever heard - and if the RAAL can be anything like that then I very much want them. But the minnies also sounded horrible with rock, not less than ideal - I actually didn't like it all - so if that happens with the RAAL then I don't want them quite as much.

Easy music lover = RAAL wink.gif

Have you ever heard any Dali Helicons speakers? These sound so much better, no ear fatigue and huge sound stage.

Djoel
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post #1234 of 1437
1/3/13 at 9:28am
Not so easy = movie use only? I still don't know if I should get the RAALs or not. I was thinking of maybe just ordering the center channel right now with the ribbon tweeter and using it in my theater. And if I really liked it order the towers with the RAAL too. Otherwise just get the standard tower. I figured the upgraded tweeter would probably work out great for the center channel anyways.
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post #1235 of 1437
1/3/13 at 12:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tme110 View Post

I keep hearing about how important the center is and it makes sense but doesn't the center mostly just cover the voice tracks and other items that are of limited dynamics and frequency response - leaving the a smaller but harder to reproduce parts for the mains? So even though the center used the most it's stuff any speaker should be able to cover?

This is a great question which is why I was wondering if a Sierra-1 center would suffice between their towers. I'd so rather have large imposing front towers and a smaller center than a huge center and bookshelf L/Rs. Obviously the Horizon is ideal, but it's enormous, and finding a place for it on my entertainment center would be difficult.
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post #1236 of 1437
1/3/13 at 1:47pm
Well when the towers first came out they didn't have a centre and I believe people then used a Sierra-1 as the centre, so maybe if you go to ascends forum you can find some of the people who ran that setup, I know if I buy the Seirra towers I'll be trying to get the horizon centre as fast as my wallet will let me, cause this will be movies first kinda setup.
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post #1237 of 1437
1/3/13 at 1:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Styphin View Post

This is a great question which is why I was wondering if a Sierra-1 center would suffice between their towers. I'd so rather have large imposing front towers and a smaller center than a huge center and bookshelf L/Rs. Obviously the Horizon is ideal, but it's enormous, and finding a place for it on my entertainment center would be difficult.
The Sierra-1 will suffice, but like you said, it isn't ideal.

Information from the center channel is not limited to vocals, it is for anything that is meant to be coming from the center of the screen...which can be anything and everything.

Also remember, the Horizon and Towers have a dedicated midrange driver, so even if the center just did vocals, that driver would do most of the work.
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post #1238 of 1437
1/3/13 at 2:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottyp3 View Post

lalala still cant decide between stock and RAAL tower/center

My thinking is that as long as the extra cost isn't an issue then get the RAAL and don't be left to wonder if.....
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post #1239 of 1437
1/3/13 at 2:16pm
I called Ascend and they said if your main focus is music then get the RAAL. If you main focus is Home Theater then they suggest getting RAAL on just the center, but the NrT for the center would be fine also. Since my main focus is going to be HT I'm going to go with the NrT on the Towers and RAAL on the Horizon.
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post #1240 of 1437
1/3/13 at 2:57pm
Will having the mix of tweeters cause any issues? For instance, the center with RAAL and the left/right nRt? Anyone with this setup for HT? Looking to buy in about a week.
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post #1241 of 1437
1/3/13 at 3:42pm
I thought you want your center to match your l & r speakers for best performce, if your going raal or nrt I would think it'll be best to match the tweeters across the front for best performance.
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post #1242 of 1437
1/3/13 at 7:17pm
Hey does anyone know if Ascend offers a raal upgrade to the tower after one buys it, like they do with the Sierra-1?....
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post #1243 of 1437
1/3/13 at 7:22pm
Quote:
*Trade-up credit can only be used towards a step-up / more expensive loudspeaker model and for the same quantity and type of speaker. For example, a pair can only be traded in for another pair of speakers and a center for a center. Yes, Sierra Towers and Horizons are included in this special

Of course, the speakers being traded in must be in good working order and free of damage. Shipping charges are not included and are not part of the trade-up credit.

That was on their website. Based on that i'd say yes. Could always send them an email, they are very fast at responding.
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post #1244 of 1437
1/3/13 at 7:28pm
I was thinking more on the lines of the at home kit for the Sierra-1 so I can avoid shipping the towers, tower shipping 2 ways might be a little $$$$.
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post #1245 of 1437
1/3/13 at 7:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryder125 View Post

Hey does anyone know if Ascend offers a raal upgrade to the tower after one buys it, like they do with the Sierra-1?....
Yes, they do. The upgrade is a little more involved though when compared to the Sierra-1 to Sierra-1 NrT upgrade, so they rather do them in the shop. Once you upgrade to the RAAL, you can not go back to the NrT due to the procedure.
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post #1246 of 1437
1/5/13 at 6:27pm
Just placed an order for a pair of towers and Horizon center in Satin Expresso, RAAL upgrade included for all three. The wait is approximatively 5 weeks since the tweeters are in back order, it is going to be a long wait... To complete the order for my room I included a pair of Rythmik F12 and two pairs of HTM-200. My room is about 14 x 14 x 9.
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post #1247 of 1437
1/5/13 at 6:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebis View Post

Just placed an order for a pair of towers and Horizon center in Satin Expresso, RAAL upgrade included for all three. The wait is approximatively 5 weeks since the tweeters are in back order, it is going to be a long wait... To complete the order for my room I included a pair of Rythmik F12 and two pairs of HTM-200. My room is about 14 x 14 x 9.

That sounds like a great system. Although I haven't yet personally heard the Ascends, I must admit that the Towers and the Horizon, with either tweeter, seems like a tremendous value.
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post #1248 of 1437
1/5/13 at 8:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebis View Post

Just placed an order for a pair of towers and Horizon center in Satin Expresso, RAAL upgrade included for all three. The wait is approximatively 5 weeks since the tweeters are in back order, it is going to be a long wait... To complete the order for my room I included a pair of Rythmik F12 and two pairs of HTM-200. My room is about 14 x 14 x 9.


Congrats welcome to the Tower/Horizon club cool.gif


Djoel
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post #1249 of 1437
1/5/13 at 8:53pm
+1, Dan.
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post #1250 of 1437
1/5/13 at 9:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djoel View Post

Congrats welcome to the Tower/Horizon club cool.gif
Djoel

Thanks, I just scored a Denon AVR-A100 refurb to drive these babies smile.gif.
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post #1251 of 1437
1/5/13 at 11:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebis View Post

Thanks, I just scored a Denon AVR-A100 refurb to drive these babies smile.gif.

Then you need 1-2 more pairs of HTM-200's!
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post #1252 of 1437
1/6/13 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by holt7153 View Post

+1, Dan.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sebis View Post

Thanks, I just scored a Denon AVR-A100 refurb to drive these babies smile.gif.


holt7153 aka Steve, and I will tell you that's a great and capable combo wink.gif Great score.


Djoel
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post #1253 of 1437
1/6/13 at 12:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djoel View Post

holt7153 aka Steve, and I will tell you that's a great and capable combo wink.gif Great score.
Djoel

Indeed, and I'm only using the AVR to power them.
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post #1254 of 1437
1/6/13 at 12:47pm
I have a Denon 4520 coming tomorrow. Finally get to calibrate these bad boys smile.gif
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post #1255 of 1437
1/6/13 at 1:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sourbeef View Post

I have a Denon 4520 coming tomorrow. Finally get to calibrate these bad boys smile.gif
. Sweet...but don't forget calibration is not bible.....you may have to go back in and do some tweaking to your own taste....to get the sound you like....
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post #1256 of 1437
1/6/13 at 3:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pioneertop View Post

. Sweet...but don't forget calibration is not bible.....you may have to go back in and do some tweaking to your own taste....to get the sound you like....

Not really possible with 4520 without the Audyssey Pro package.
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post #1257 of 1437
1/6/13 at 6:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kisakuku View Post

Not really possible with 4520 without the Audyssey Pro package.

Hm, you're saying with the 4520 avs he can't change the x-over, speaker size, etc?


DJoel
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post #1258 of 1437
1/6/13 at 7:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pioneertop View Post

. Sweet...but don't forget calibration is not bible.....you may have to go back in and do some tweaking to your own taste....to get the sound you like....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kisakuku View Post

Not really possible with 4520 without the Audyssey Pro package.

You might be able to (at least the Audyssey Flat EQ?).
- You calibrate with Audyssey, then go to "Manual EQ", there should be an option/button to auto transfer/paste your Audyssey Flat EQ settings into the Manual EQ. Then tweak from there.
- Or, some systems let you see the Audyssey EQ settings, so you can write them down and enter them into the Manual EQ settings manually.
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post #1259 of 1437
1/6/13 at 8:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djoel View Post

Hm, you're saying with the 4520 avs he can't change the x-over, speaker size, etc?
DJoel

Well, sure, you can increase x-over frequency, but that and channel level is pretty much all you can do without defeating Audyssey. If that is all that was meant by " tweaking to your own taste", then I stand corrected. Decreasing it or changing speaker size would not be a good idea without re-calibrating.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sdg4vfx View Post

You might be able to (at least the Audyssey Flat EQ?).
- You calibrate with Audyssey, then go to "Manual EQ", there should be an option/button to auto transfer/paste your Audyssey Flat EQ settings into the Manual EQ. Then tweak from there.
- Or, some systems let you see the Audyssey EQ settings, so you can write them down and enter them into the Manual EQ settings manually.

I guess here we get into the question of how wise this is to do. Converting Flat EQ settings to Manual EQ still only gives you a simple 9 band EQ and you lose DEQ.
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post #1260 of 1437
1/7/13 at 1:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kisakuku View Post

... I guess here we get into the question of how wise this is to do. Converting Flat EQ settings to Manual EQ still only gives you a simple 9 band EQ and you lose DEQ.

Good point.
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