***The Official Ascend Acoustics Sierra Thread*** - Page 82

Originally Posted by Billy p

Here is a well excuted review on the Sierra's...after reading it I was sold...lol.

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=4694

Originally Posted by weird 23

Right now I'm using the Marantz PM8003 IA to drive the Paradigm's, I made some changes to the amplification in my HT system so now I have an A23 that's collecting dust. A used halo P3 came up for sale in my area and I'm thinking about grabbing it, it'll only cost me $150 above the amount I can sell the Marantz for. Thanks for the insight on the pairing.

Are you familiar with the Paradigm sound? If so, how would the Sierra's compare or what were the difference's you perceived?

Originally Posted by merrymaid520

I have heard several Paradigm studio speakers including a bookshelf pair and floor standers. In fact we even conducted a shootout with them The sierras easily hold their own and may surpass them although I cannot say for sure being I am not real familiar with the Studio line. The digms can sound bright with the metal dome tweet. If you liked the sound of the metal tweet you might consider the Sierra with the NrT which adds more detail and energy up top. Otherwise the bass and mids sound great on the sierra! I think most will agree the sierras on average best the studio line.....its the Sig line with the Be tweet that's real impressive!

Originally Posted by weird 23

I didn't even see the tweeter upgrade option when I placed the order, I'll give them a call tomorrow to find out some details. Are the standard Sierra's consider a laid back speaker?

I'm familiar with the Digm Sigs as that's what my HT system consists of and I really like them. Unfortunately the wife vetoed having them upstairs in the living room as the Cherry finish doesn't match. The only thing she cares about is if the match the decor, which the rosenut Digms and the dark Cherry Sierra's do.

Originally Posted by cuzzin

Anyone else noticing a lack of uniformity between the side and center channels?

Originally Posted by weird 23

I'm sold too, just placed the order for a pair in Dark Cherry. I guess I'll have thirty days to compare them to the Digms. Thanks for posting the review, I'll post some thoughts after comparing the two for a few days.

Originally Posted by jrhooper1963

I was wondering if anyone currently has their Sierras hooked up to their computer? Is this even possible? If so, I would certainly be interested in what connectors I would need to do this. Also, what connectors would I need should I decide to add a subwoofer into the mix?

I would certainly appreciate any help on this .

Thanks!

Originally Posted by joshtee

Can someone direct me to were I can view the prices on the Nrt Sierras? I can't seem to find the price list on the web site.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by duffda

Can you be a little more specific about what you're hearing?

Originally Posted by cuzzin

I've tried many suggestions around here to fix this issue, but to no avail. I just figured I would throw the question out there again since this thread had a recent surge of activity, mostly of people praising these speakers. Ah well, I just have to get used to it I guess. Disappointing.

Originally Posted by cschang

Not on the website as of yet, but it is mentioned in the Ascend forum.

Best to give Ascend a call.

Originally Posted by joshtee

Can you direct me to were it is mentioned on their forum. I looked, seems hidden. Is the pricing a secret? Just seems weird not to have pricing available without calling.

Originally Posted by cuzzin

Well I've described it in pretty explicit detail in these last few pages, but basically I've noticed that when sounds (dialogue, for instance) pan from center to side channel, the sound changes, sounding much more hollow and easily localized. It is not seamless.

I've tried many suggestions around here to fix this issue, but to no avail. I just figured I would throw the question out there again since this thread had a recent surge of activity, mostly of people praising these speakers. Ah well, I just have to get used to it I guess. Disappointing.

Originally Posted by cuzzin

Well I've described it in pretty explicit detail in these last few pages, but basically I've noticed that when sounds (dialogue, for instance) pan from center to side channel, the sound changes, sounding much more hollow and easily localized. It is not seamless.

I've tried many suggestions around here to fix this issue, but to no avail. I just figured I would throw the question out there again since this thread had a recent surge of activity, mostly of people praising these speakers. Ah well, I just have to get used to it I guess. Disappointing.

Originally Posted by cschang

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/sho...07&postcount=7

Originally Posted by Ascend

Hi Cuzzin,

As has been stated several times, other than the longer grille and the orientation of the various labels, there is absolutely no difference between a Sierra-1 center and a main, what you are experience is not a speaker issue. If you are hearing such a dramatic change in sound from one of the left / right speakers to the center, it can only be the following:

1. room / positioning related.
2. EQ related, if you are using an auto EQ system like Audyssey or similar.

Try swapping your center with one of your left/rights speakers... Are you still hearing the issue? If not, there could be a problem with the center speaker. If you still have the issue, you will need to take the necessary steps to determine the cause and this will include taking soom measurements, which is not difficult but it can be time consuming.

Also, you might be experiencing some boundary effects due to your placement and in this case, you might consider giving our Q-Plugs a try.

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by kwarny

When you say hollow, it makes me think of comb filtering and/or acoustical interference. This occurs in greater intensity when the listener sits close to a bare wall(s) and when the speakers are near the sides walls. I didn't see where you had furniture in the room.

If you have extra furniture in the room, you could try absorbing the first reflection points with something you already have to see if acoustic panels (depending on how these look) would work. If you sit near the back wall, you can put a couch cushion behind your head to see if it helps with the nasally, hollow, annoying comb filtering. I attached a picture of an experiment I did to see how acoustic panels (cushions) and mattresses (bass traps) impact the sound. I covered the first reflection points besides the ceiling and the backwall since it was greater than 20 feet behind the listening position. The cushions greatly improved imaging, clarity, and detail.

Originally Posted by cuzzin

The Sierras are in a pretty small bedroom (about 13'x13'). The only pieces of furniture in the room (aside from the entertainment center) are a revolving media tower, a nightstand, and a full-size bed. I actually sit with my back pretty much to the wall, about 10 feet away from the speakers. This is the position from which I take my measurements with my SPL meter and from where I adjust the speaker levels. If it will help, on page 79 I have some pictures to give an idea of how far from the walls the speakers are positioned. Your idea of extra furniture and cushioning to absorb the sound seems good, but I barely have the room to walk around as it is in here .

Originally Posted by kwarny

I think the smaller room and your close proximity to the backwall is probably the reason why. I suggested the furniture to see if you could notice any difference. You could try putting a couch cushion when sitting close to the wall to see if you could hear a difference. If you could then I would recommend that you check out GIK Acoustics or ATS Acoustics for some cheaper panels to remove that first wave bouncing off the wall (you mentioned a calibrator so I figured you wouldn't minding spending some money ). The arrival of that wave is so close to the direct wave that your brain integrates it into the same sound giving that hollow tone.

Originally Posted by cuzzin

I wonder if the fact that the side speakers are on stands and the center channel is on a shelf could make any sort of difference. I don't know.

Originally Posted by jrhooper1963

I was wondering if anyone currently has their Sierras hooked up to their computer? Is this even possible? If so, I would certainly be interested in what connectors I would need to do this. Also, what connectors would I need should I decide to add a subwoofer into the mix?

I would certainly appreciate any help on this .

Thanks!

Originally Posted by ccotenj

230 dollars for a usb cable????

you have got to be kidding me...

Originally Posted by ccotenj

230 dollars for a usb cable????

you have got to be kidding me...