**Official Ascend Acoustics Tower Thread** - Page 29

At home finish listening to Danny Elfman's Serenada Schizophara in sacd 5.1 to say the speakers are detail, and dynamic is an understatement

These speakers paint a picture instantly and sound so much bigger than their diminutive stature..actually one of the things that bother me initially when receiving them. They sound like 8 feet tall speakers though

I've still to run any Audyssey as I have to move a few things, and drag out the rug.

Just a few comments I thought I would share.

DJoel

Hey Dan,

I'm glad to hear your are happy with the Ascend's. How would you compare them to the B&W's for overall SQ differences?

Bill

Hey Bill thanks
I think the most noticeable are the highs, which are more clean and precise but the mids and the bass is pretty darn close to the 802N from what I can tell.
I'm comparing an 8K speaker to the 3K Towers! Sure one can argue they were a little over 8 years, but the grandpas tend to be meaty down low, and the young bucks are right there with them.

Oh the fun

Dan

Dan,
Have you played any movies with the Sierra towers/Horizon? If yes, how have the ribbon fronts performed in terms of dynamics (shifting from a dialogue scene to an action scene)? I'm sure the ribbon center gives you great detail and clarity of dialogue at all volumes.
Thanks, Rob

Hey Rob

I have, watched The Mechanic, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader the last one made they both came out nice and clean..Narnia was watched later in the evening so I have to lower the volume but it was very understandable at low volumes with RAAL across the fronts.
The Mechanic an action flick and just that was simply awesome, never making me miss the B&W's at all. Like I mentioned above, these speakers are dynamic and stay without unraveling through out with no sign of strain

So far I'm very happy with their performance, and can only think they'll get better with little tweaking here and there.

Dan

I have not heard the B&W's, but am I understanding what your saying is that the Ascend's are holding their own against a 8K ($8000.00) speaker? That is quite impressive if that is what you are saying.

I have held a personal opinion that much above the price point of the Ascend Towers you reach the point of diminishing returns very quickly. If this is what you are saying then I have confirmed my opinion then.

I know that I have been listening to music much more now that I have my towers. They are very impressive speakers and I am very happy with my choice to go with Ascend.

Regards,

RTROSE

Need to run Audyssey and the new mission impossible asap!

Yes they're that good, but like I said I give the advantage to the Towers in the highs. Right now for me the mids and the lows are right there.


Yes, I know It's that flick, and Real Steal too bad your in Queens and not just down the street I can use a little nudge!

Dan

When is this going to happen and is there a thread? I'm still stuck between ST and the Phils.

I think it's next weekend Here's the thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1324185


DJoel

Dan, really happy you like the Sierra Towers, kinda feel a bit responsible

If I hear anything at the GTG that blows them out of the water, I'll be sure not to metion it LOL!

Thanks Jay, I'm really am happy, happy enough to contemplate get rid of the boxes Too bad there isn't a program were one sends back their equipment boxes to be hold, or to be use for other folks components for if they're missing a box, can charge a fee. *Idea Pending*

And yes, I'll say you're very responsible

Btw
I did a 6 position Audyssey , and things sound tight especially the integration with sub and tower. I'll redo it once I lay down my rug.

Dan

Ordered Sierra Towers/Horizon this week. Decided to go with ribbons across the fronts, even though primarily usage will be HT. Looked for the ultimate in clarity and detail. Also purchased 170 SEs for surrounds. With the redo of my media room in the basement, will not have the speakers set up until May timeframe. Its going to be a struggle to wait.

Grats Rob
That will be a great sounding HT setup! Show up some pics and let us know your impressions.

Thanks AcousticSoul and Merrymaid520,

When the system is set up, I'll definitely post pictures.

I demoed a lot of speakers over the past 4 months and am most excited about the Sierras. In particular it was the Horizon center that sold me. I am looking for a detailed and smooth center with wide dispersion. Based on my many months of research and listening to other center speakers, the Horizon's user reviews and feedback sold me.

First things first congrats on your Towers and Horizon center, I will tell you right now you wont be disappointed Rob
The next thing I apologies for taking my slower than molasses approach to getting you guys here for an audition

What finish did you decided on?

Now these will be the longest days, hours until you finally get your babies.

Dan

Dan,

Thanks. I went with the Black Matte. Keep it simple. No problem with the audition. My offer of the pizza and beer on me still stands. Would love to hear your NrT surrounds in comparison to the ribbon to see what I'm missing out on.

With the redo of my basement, I will need to wait even longer than expected. I've got construction going on with the ceiling. Planning to install a projection system, as well. Timeframe is early May.

Awesome Rob Black Matte would be the appropriate color for a dedicated HT for sure.
Yeah would like to hear, what others hear between the two as well.

Looks like you have a long list of things to do, but all worth it at the end I'm betting.

Will PM you and Lou for the GTG.

Dan

Hey man, I cant rent a Zipcar any time and shoot out there.

What's up with everyone going with Ribbon Center's for HT?

Rob,

Congrats you will not be disappointed.

Watched "Mr. Brooks" the other night on Blu-ray, the gunshots were so visceral, had to check myself for bullet wounds ! No question you will be amazed with the Towers, and Horizon. They have both the detail, and the slam to do it all.

Edit: My wife read this post, she's always curious what we talk about here. She was on the phone downstairs with a friend when the gunshots in the movie were fired, asked her friend "Did you hear that?" She also thought they sounded pretty real, and that was from downstairs, and the system is in a room upstairs!

It's a matter of people getting the RAAL in the L/R and wanting a match across the front soundstage.

Will keep you posted..


I gotta say the NrT tweeter is pretty darn sweet for conventional tweeter, which makes leads me to scratch my head as too why, (hm I probably know why $$$) do the big speaker makers don't aspire to something in the same caliber as the Nrt tweeter. The Nrt is no slouch , no Sir-y


Dan

Keep in mind that the NrT was collaboration between Dave (Ascend) and SEAS.

As you stated, it is a great tweeter in its own right.

That is the great thing about Dave and Ascend. He has OEM relationships and can work with them to develop drivers that meet his specifications and costs. The closest thing that is "off the shelf" is the RAAL tweeter.

I don't know of any other ID brand that has that type or as many direct OEM relationships.

Yep -- you already know why Besides many other optimizations, our NrT dome uses a neodymium ring magnet, as opposed to a basic neo slug or ferrite ring. There is a lot or neodymium in this tweeter and due to the absurd prices of rare-earth metals, the cost of manufacturing this tweeter is very high. It now costs us nearly 3.5x more than the non-NrT dome we use in the standard Sierra-1. Tweeters like these will never be found in less than $3000/pair brick and mortar loudspeakers.


Many of these OEM relationships date back more than 20 years now We not only have an excellent reputation on the consumer side, but also within the industry, which is something I am most proud of

Mariob33, thanks.

Jay, I could certainly use the sound of a few gunshots around here to liven the place up.

Eventually I may read this whole thread, but can someone please explain (possibly for a second time) what the $700 RAAL Ribbon Tweeter Upgrade is for the Towers? Thanks.

It is a tweeter upgrade. It changes the tweeters from the stock NrT dome tweeters to the RAAL 70-20XR tweeters. The cost of $700 is to upgrade a pair of speakers.

There is more information on the Tower's page at the Ascend website:
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages...s/SRT/srt.html

Thanks, Curtis. I wonder...do most people opt for the tweeter upgrade, or not? I'm reading the enjoythemusic review right now and it seems like that dude did NOT receive the upgraded tweeters for review.