3 x ascend sierras 1 OR 3 x Arx A1b ???? - Page 4

I'm glad that you like them so much! For some reason I had neglected to mention their incredible bass for their size, but it really gets one's attention, doesn't it? The other speakers discussed in this thread (e.g. A1b, CBM-170 SE) can't match it in this regard.

That said, I'd still recommend using a subwoofer for movies, unless you simply do not want really DEEP bass. A sub would also relieve your speakers and receiver of a heavy burden, which could help maintain sound quality during challenging scenes. If you elect not to use a sub, then I would recommend setting your speakers to Small, your subwoofer setting to Yes (i.e. there is a subwoofer), and crossing the speakers over to the nonexistent sub at, say, 40-50 Hz. This will act as a high-pass filter that protects your speakers from strong LFE in the 20-40 Hz range, just in case.

That's a good observation--I much prefer to have as level a front soundstage as possible, myself.

Congrats - and the space/set-up looks great too! Enjoy.

I used to have the same Ikea bookshelf.

Looks great.

I don't know about you....but........I say remove/sell tall bookshelves and sierra bookshelves and put the towers there!

Not necessarily true. Only one midwoofer has more than 9mm of clean, one way x-max. And it's Arx. I have heard both, though I have only heard Arx pushed to it's x-max limits, and I would wager that in overall bass output Arx could keep pace with the Sierra-1's, if not exceed it since the box sizes are very similar.

Not making a "this is better than that" statement, just setting the record straight.

OK, it's just that the bass response of the Sierra-1 is significantly "punchier" and deeper than that of the CBM-170 SE, and in direct comparisons I've read between the latter and the A1b I haven't seen as much of a difference noted. The A1b may well have greater ultimate limits than the Sierra-1 for all I know, but I'm just talking about the how the bass of the Sierra-1 sounds within its limits, and it is impressive for a speaker of this size.

The FR curve is different between the A1b and the Sierra-1. I agree. However, having heard both, I find that their bass performance is actually very similar, with the Sierra going deeper and the A1b having more output. I certainly didn't get the impression that the Sierra-1 was substantially better in any one way (nor the Arx), just that they were tuned differently.

I'll also out this piece of info. The Arx midwoofer is basically the little brother of the DIY Audio Exodus Anarchy 6.5" midwoofer. They are made by the same OEM. There. I said it.

I've been asked about it in private before and was not free to say it...but I'm saying. Jon, I hope you're not mad.

Yeah, while I never had any insider info, I usually just said the Arx woofers are basically a 5.25" version of the Anarchy woofer. I think there really only one maybe two OEM factorys that build XBL2 drivers? Adire/Dan charges a fee to the build house for XBL2 tech and then the OEM is free to charge whatever amount the parties agree too.

Now we just need to get Jon to design a larger Arx model that uses those "Anarchy" drivers Thanks to Jon, i've been on this XBL2 kick for everything audio related, PC setup CSS XBL2 mids and tweeters with maybe a Anarchy horn. Car audio setup with dual Shiva's, and quad Anarchy midbass upfront (still working on that idea and planning).

Uhhhh..... no comment.

But stay tuned.

The natural bamboo finish is very nice. IMHO, the Sierra-1s are great on their own for many styles of music but as others have said you will need a subwoofer for movies.

those natural finish sierras look great in your setup. You just need a sub now

Since you have the room under your TV, I'd suggest you orient the center vertically. This would bring the tweeters into closer vertical alignment and could eliminate some nulls.

I would try this as well, but get instructions from Ascend for rotating the tweeter so the wave guide is aligned correctly.

Heh, I noticed that, too, but I tell this to so many people as it is, the Sierra-1 is so good as a horizontally-oriented center anyway, and the OP is so pleased with his purchase that I couldn't bring myself to say anything, at least yet. I was very tempted, too, because in this case there really is room to accommodate a vertically-oriented center, and yes there should be an improvement in performance for off-axis viewers (and I think it would look better in this case, too, with three identical speakers across the front for the greatest symmetry).

Yes, this MUST be done, and it is not difficult at all. The only thing left to do would be to reorient the company logo, but that's quite doable as well.

The grille is also different for a Sierra-1 bought as a center, but does not seem like it will be an issue in this case.

So happy to learn that you are enjoying the system! They look fantastic -- you definitely went with the right finish choice

I'm looking at your setup and getting jealous.............

Any other impressions other than your initial ones?