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HSU HB-1 vs CTM-340 vs Sierra-1

post #1 of 28
6/13/12 at 5:22pm
Thread Starter 
Hey Y'all,

Basically, I just got my first decent set of speaker about 1 week ago, the HSU HB-1, and was blown away by what a decent speaker is supposed to sound like. And then I said to myself, what if I actually drop more coin and get a better set? So now I am wondering whether I would notice the difference between the HSUs and the Ascend CTM-340 or the Sierra-1s. Any thoughts? Is it worth returning the HSUs and buying either the 340s or the Sierra-1s? Would a neophyte ear notice the difference enough to justify the price?


Thanks,

T.
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post #2 of 28
6/13/12 at 5:56pm
I think in some ways you will find an improvement, especially with the sierra tweeters, but in other ways you won't. The only way to know for sure is to listen to them back to back, using the same source material.
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post #3 of 28
6/13/12 at 6:04pm
Value is completely subjective.

While I think the CMT-340 and Sierra-1 are clearly better speakers, I even think the CBM-170 competes in the least, you may not, and even if you do, you may not think the extra cost justifies the improvement.

If I were you, I would just sit back and enjoy the HB-1's and not worry about "what if". In this hobby, "what if" can get very expensive. Spend that extra cash on a nice sub if you haven't already. There will always be something better down the road.
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post #4 of 28
6/13/12 at 6:15pm
You might get better "details" with the sierras while the Hsu's might give you better bass. I'd say just keep the Hsu's and use the extra money to get a decent sub
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post #5 of 28
6/13/12 at 6:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pokekevin View Post

You might get better "details" with the sierras while the Hsu's might give you better bass. I'd say just keep the Hsu's and use the extra money to get a decent sub
The Sierras have MUCH better bass.
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post #6 of 28
6/13/12 at 11:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cschang View Post

The Sierras have MUCH better bass.

Maybe, but for the cost of the Sierras, you could get two HB-1s and a VTF2, that would have way better bass than the Sierras.
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post #7 of 28
6/14/12 at 1:50am
I've heard the HB-1 on numberous occassions, they are a great speaker so I would just enjoy them for now. You could have done a lot worse for your first go around.wink.gif
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post #8 of 28
6/14/12 at 6:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadyJ View Post


Maybe, but for the cost of the Sierras, you could get two HB-1s and a VTF2, that would have way better bass than the Sierras.

Agreed. If you like bass heavy music and/or will be using the speakers for movie watching, you'll get much better bang for your buck out of getting a good sub like the VTF2.4.
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post #9 of 28
6/14/12 at 7:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadyJ View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by cschang View Post

The Sierras have MUCH better bass.

Maybe, but for the cost of the Sierras, you could get two HB-1s and a VTF2, that would have way better bass than the Sierras.
No argument there.

Then of course, there are the other elements of sound that come into play.

But if you are just looking at bass, that it is a more attractive way to go. You can even go farther and get the Ventriliquist setup from Hsu and a sub.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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post #10 of 28
6/15/12 at 3:20pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys. Maybe I should just enjoy these, but I am always second guessing myself! Anyone in the NYC area willing to let me audition the ascend acoustics????


G.
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post #11 of 28
6/16/12 at 5:27am
I'd check out some of the Ascend owners threads. Contact the ones in the NY/NJ area via PM and set up an audition.

Here is the Ascend Towers thread....if that is something you're willing to undertake?
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1290568/official-ascend-acoustics-tower-thread/1020#post_22108222

Quote:
Originally Posted by turnst View Post

Thanks guys. Maybe I should just enjoy these, but I am always second guessing myself! Anyone in the NYC area willing to let me audition the ascend acoustics????
G.
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post #12 of 28
6/16/12 at 6:22am
Thread Starter 
Thanks man. I'm just trippin. I am actually enjoying the HSUs a lot, and getting over the second guessing. They seem to be sounding better, is this breking in thing real? Or am I just getting used to the sound?
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post #13 of 28
6/16/12 at 7:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by turnst View Post

Thanks man. I'm just trippin. I am actually enjoying the HSUs a lot, and getting over the second guessing. They seem to be sounding better, is this breking in thing real? Or am I just getting used to the sound?

I'd say a little of both smile.gif
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post #14 of 28
6/16/12 at 8:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by turnst View Post

Thanks man. I'm just trippin. I am actually enjoying the HSUs a lot, and getting over the second guessing. They seem to be sounding better, is this breking in thing real? Or am I just getting used to the sound?

Sounds like your ears are being broken in smile.gif. I'm a Sierra-1 owner and have heard the HSUs-very impressive speakers, especially for the price. I say enjoy them and move on (to the next upgrade biggrin.gif).
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post #15 of 28
8/9/12 at 3:03pm
Is the tweeter the only difference from both?
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post #16 of 28
8/9/12 at 11:12pm
Raise this thread from the dead..
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post #17 of 28
8/10/12 at 10:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawaiiancerveza View Post

Is the tweeter the only difference from both?

Just to clarify, the difference between the Sierra-1 and CMT-340? I dont know much about the HSU speaker so........

The sierra and 340 have completely different components (tweeters, XO's, mid drivers, etc) and different enclosure materials as well. I have owned both too. Are you looking for specific differences?

Hope this helps somewhat:)
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post #18 of 28
8/10/12 at 11:09am
Hb1 and sierra1 nrt. Sorry I wasn't specific. I was just looking for the difference. I am looking at the HB1 or the Sierra-1. I'm leaning more towards the Sierra-1 NRT. Can you give more impressions on the Sierra-1 nrt?

Thanks.
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post #19 of 28
8/10/12 at 11:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawaiiancerveza View Post

Hb1 and sierra1 nrt. Sorry I wasn't specific.

Gotcha. In that case, I have no idea:) Curtis over on the ascend board I believe has heard both and may be able to shed more light on your question. I have no experience with the HSu speaker offerings.

Sorry.

Brandon
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post #20 of 28
8/10/12 at 11:18am
The sierra-Nrt (which I have owned) is a more detailed speaker compared to the standard sierra. I feel the mids and top end are a bit more "agressive" sounding but not fatiguing like some metal domes. If you are over sensitive to bright speakers/sounds, stick with the standard dome tweet. The Nrt does over greater extension hence my comments above.
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post #21 of 28
8/10/12 at 11:22am
Ah I see. You said you had it. What do you have now?
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post #22 of 28
8/10/12 at 11:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawaiiancerveza View Post

Ah I see. You said you had it. What do you have now?

Upgraded to the sierra Towers with NrT tweeters, then upgraded them to the RAAL versions.
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post #23 of 28
8/10/12 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by merrymaid520 View Post

Upgraded to the sierra Towers with NrT tweeters, then upgraded them to the RAAL versions.

Ahh I see. I am in a room and I'm not sure if towers would fit. How is the RAAL tweeters? To bad they don't offer the RAAL for the Sierra-1.
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post #24 of 28
8/10/12 at 12:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawaiiancerveza View Post

Ahh I see. I am in a room and I'm not sure if towers would fit. How is the RAAL tweeters? To bad they don't offer the RAAL for the Sierra-1.

The RAAL's are a very impressive tweeter. Very detailed and "airy" sounding with not a hint of fatigue. You would be hard pressed to find a better tweeter (dome, ribbont, etc).
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post #25 of 28
8/10/12 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by merrymaid520 View Post

The RAAL's are a very impressive tweeter. Very detailed and "airy" sounding with not a hint of fatigue.

Agreed, I'm loving the RAALs.
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post #26 of 28
8/10/12 at 2:37pm
Man, I don't have the funds for the RAAL tower. Perhaps in the future. How do the Sierra-1, Nrt compare to the RAALs?
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post #27 of 28
8/10/12 at 4:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawaiiancerveza View Post

How do the Sierra-1, Nrt compare to the RAALs?

Currently the RAAL is only available on the tower while the NRT is available on both bookshelf and tower. Are you asking how the tower with NRT compares to the tower with RAAL?
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post #28 of 28
8/10/12 at 5:12pm
Tower with RAAL. I asked Acend uf they'd make the Sierras with the RAALs but alparently they are upgrading something on the sierras some time soon.
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