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Ascend acoustics vs paradigm signature

2475 Views 18 Replies 8 Participants Last post by tokerblue, May 19, 2021

jaybob1807

Discussion Starter · May 14, 2021 (Edited)

Hello, wondering if anyone here has ever heard ascend acoustics sierra towers and how they would compare to paradigm signature s4 v2's and s6's? I am a paradigm signature owner and absolutely love the speakers. The separation of instruments and clarity with the BE tweeter is awesome. However as they say, "curiosity killed the cat". I am always wanting to listen to other setups and speakers and the ascend acoustics keeps coming up. Curious how these two compare.
Thanks

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

tokerblue

· #2 · May 14, 2021

I'm a Paradigm Studio v3 owner and also a Sierra 2 owner (not tower). When the Signature came out, I went to listen to them and was blown away by their sound, but their price tag was way outside of my budget. When I finally did upgrade many years later, I went with the Sierra 2 since others had compared them to the Signatures. The Sierra 2 are incredible speakers and the RAAL tweeters sound great with music. Are they better than the Signature? I'd say they were better in some ways (voices, instruments), but the difference wasn't night and day to me.

If I were starting from scratch, the Sierra 2 are the better bargain. If I already had the Signature, I wouldn't have bought the Sierra 2. If you don't have an Atmos setup, I would highly recommend getting 4 of the Ascend HTM-200 and using them as ceiling speakers with your Signatures.

Reactions: 2

buckchester

· #3 · May 14, 2021

jaybob1807 said:
Hello, wondering if anyone here has ever heard ascend acoustics sierra towers and how they would compare to paradigm signature s4 v2's and s6's? I am a long time paradigm signature owner and absolutely love the speakers. The separation of instruments and clarity with the BE tweeter is awesome. However as they say, "curiosity killed the cat". I am always wanting to listen to other setups and speakers and the ascend acoustics keeps coming up. Curious how these two compare.
Thanks

The signatures are incredible speakers. They have extremely smooth on and off axis response, which is the main determinant in a sound quality. I'm not certain about those Ascends, but I don't think their frequency response is as smooth.

People around here like to talk about the RAAL tweeter, but honestly, implementation matters more than any different type (e.g. Dome, ribbon, AMT, etc.). Neither is better than the other. If done right, they can all be good.

All that to say, I don't think the Ascends would be considered an upgrade. It would be hard to beat the Paradigm Signature series. There are speakers out there that are technically better, bu5 you'd have to spend a lot for what would likely be a subtle improvement.

Reactions: 2

larry500

· #4 · May 14, 2021

Here's a thread from an audioscience forum user who did a blind test btw Ascend Sierra RAAL towers vs Revel F206:

www.audiosciencereview.com

Blind Listening Test Results (N=4) : Revel F206 vs Ascend Sierra RAAL Towers

Intro & Methodology: This weekend, I finally got around to doing a proper blind listening test between the following two tower speakers: Revel Performa3 F206 Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers with optional RAAL tweeter Methodology is same as before with my KEF R3 vs Ascend Sierra 2EX blind test...

www.audiosciencereview.com

www.audiosciencereview.com

jaybob1807

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 15, 2021

ok thanks guys. So the ascends sierra towers would really be no improvement over the singatures

buckchester

· #6 · May 15, 2021

jaybob1807 said:
ok thanks guys. So the ascends sierra towers would really be no improvement over the singatures

I'm sure they would sound a little different, and I'm sure they would sound good, but technically, I don't think they are an upgrade.

Is there something more specific that you hear with your speakers that you think you would enjoy more if it sounded a little different?

jaybob1807

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 15, 2021

Honestly, I just haven't gotten the chance to audition many speakers so always just wondering what else is out there and better(without taking out a second mortgage), not really willing to downgrade. I live in South Dakota so not many High end audio shops, Lol.
The 2 speakers I could justify the $ and have read good things are the ascend sierra towers and the aperion versus 3 grand v6 tower.....But are they better

Zorba922

· #8 · May 15, 2021

jaybob1807 said:
ok thanks guys. So the ascends sierra towers would really be no improvement over the singatures

Maybe they would---measurements don't tell you EVERYTHING about how the speaker will sound to YOUR ears, in YOUR room, with YOUR preferred content and listening habits.

If you are really curious, risking $200-300 in return shipping is worth it imo.

I've heard speakers with supposedly impeccable measurements which didn't do much for me, and some with supposedly "bad" measurements which did.

sigpig

· #9 · May 15, 2021

The Signatures were Paradigm's flagship series with their Beryllium tweeters. The current flagship speakers are the Personas, and they are not chump change. I'm not that certain that either the Sierra Towers with RAAL or the Aperions will be any "better" than your current speakers. Different certainly, but my odds are on the Paradigms...

JonfromCB

· #10 · May 16, 2021

jaybob1807 said:
Honestly, I just haven't gotten the chance to audition many speakers so always just wondering what else is out there and better(without taking out a second mortgage), not really willing to downgrade. I live in South Dakota so not many High end audio shops, Lol.
The 2 speakers I could justify the $ and have read good things are the ascend sierra towers and the aperion versus 3 grand v6 tower.....But are they better

Better in what way? More bass? More natural mid range? Better dispersian? Better efficiency? Are you getting my point? There are many specific speaker traits and performance characteristics any given person could compare between two speakers and have a preference for. Better is subjective to what your ears prefer.

If you could improve something about your Paradigms what would that be? That might give someone here a better idea of what you might be looking (or listening) for.

When it comes to speakers made by internet direct (ID) companies, you can order them and compare them to other speakers in your listening space (that's the absolute best way to audition any speaker and greatly reduce buyers remorse later). You can ask others and get a myriad of recommendations from people who have never compared the speakers you are asking about. Or, you can catch a cheap round-trip to Aneheim and go to the Ascend showroom for an audion. Or, you can go to the "I'll audition my speaker" thead and possibly find someone with the Ascends who will invite you to listen to theirs.....that's what I did.

Where are you in South Dakota? I live in Council Bluffs and have Ascend towers/Horizon w RAALs you could listen to if you get down this way.

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Reactions: 3

jaybob1807

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 16, 2021

Thank you for your input I appreciate it and makes more sense now. I’ve got base covered mostly looking for a crystal clear mid range. I live in Sioux Falls South Dakota. However I am in Omaha right now and will be traveling back to Sioux Falls tomorrow

jaybob1807

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 16, 2021 (Edited)

JonfromCB said:
Better in what way? More bass? More natural mid range? Better dispersian? Better efficiency? Are you getting my point? There are many specific speaker traits and performance characteristics any given person could compare between two speakers and have a preference for. Better is subjective to what your ears prefer.

If you could improve something about your Paradigms what would that be? That might give someone here a better idea of what you might be looking (or listening) for.

When it comes to speakers made by internet direct (ID) companies, you can order them and compare them to other speakers in your listening space (that's the absolute best way to audition any speaker and greatly reduce buyers remorse later). You can ask others and get a myriad of recommendations from people who have never compared the speakers you are asking about. Or, you can catch a cheap round-trip to Aneheim and go to the Ascend showroom for an audion. Or, you can go to the "I'll audition my speaker" thead and possibly find someone with the Ascends who will invite you to listen to theirs.....that's what I did.

Where are you in South Dakota? I live in Council Bluffs and have Ascend towers/Horizon w RAALs you could listen to if you get down this way.

well I’m actually in Omaha right now with my family and now that I look at a map and I see Council Bluffs isn’t too far away.lol it would be really awesome but not sure how serious you were about me listening to them or if you’re available? I could make any time this afternoon or tomorrow morning work. Thanks

JonfromCB

· #13 · May 16, 2021

jaybob1807 said:
well I’m actually in Omaha right now with my family and now that I look at a map and I see Council Bluffs isn’t too far away.lol not sure how serious you were about me listening to them or if you’re available? Thanks

I'm at home and I think my wife is going out for a little while later. That might work. PM me and I'll find out
what time might work well. If we can't make it happen today, will you still be in town tomorrow?

Reactions: 1

sigpig

· #14 · May 16, 2021

JonfromCB said:
I'm at home and I think my wife is going out for a little while later. That might work. PM me and I'll find out
what time might work well. If we can't make it happen today, will you still be in town tomorrow?

This is one reason I love this site.

Reactions: 2

JonfromCB

· #15 · May 16, 2021

This is almost too funny. It just goes to show how the internet makes the world smaller and brings people together. Jaybob 1807 is coming to my house to listen to the Ascend's this afternoon. It will be interesting to hear his impression of the Ascends and comparison with the Paradigms. Stay tuned.

Reactions: 5

jaybob1807

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 17, 2021

Ok fellas, first off I’ve got to give a shout out and big props to Jon from cb for inviting me to his beautiful house to give a listen To some incredible speakers. Truly an awesome fella and meticulous audiophile, thank you Jon you are the man. Your setup is dialed in tight and it shows while listening.

The very very first thing I noticed while listening to the ascend towers was the pronounced midrange. It is clear and loud. I was really expecting to be blown away by the tweeter as that’s what most people talk about, “the raal tweeter”. But like I said what really got my attention was the mid range right off the bat. One of the first artist I played was Whiskey Myers. I feel the speakers really shine while playing country bluesy rock and acoustic guitar. The voices and instruments really sounded good with this type of music, great separation and detail. From there John played a couple Bob Seger songs and again I was thoroughly impressed with all of the above. I was hearing things in songs that I didn’t know were there. We then played AC/DC thunderstruck and if Ascend wants to sell more Sierra tower speakers with the horizon center they need to demo that song for people. Lol The way the song layers and builds up was really cool. I wanted to see how a grungy dirty tuned guitar would sound so I put in some Nirvana (in bloom). The drums sounded really good on this track I noticed with the ascends they have really nice tonality. They get really nice definition to drums. Another thing I noticed with this track if you could hear Kurt Cobain’s fingers slide from chord to chord while he was playing guitar, however with this kind of music the ascends were perhaps a little too harsh for my liking. There were times the cymbals and that guitar would squeal at the same time and it was just a little sharp. From there I played the tool song Lateralus. The experience with that was much like the experience with Nirvana. The drums sound great great detail but at times just a little harsh for my liking. I do know for a fact that song Lateralus is recorded and mastered a little sharp on the treble.
This was a great experience. Overall I think the things that the ascends do correctly (instrumentation, detail, separation,clarity)far outweigh the one negative thing I noticed. The paradigms in comparison have a much more laid back and warmer sound. They have great detail in music also maybe just not as revealing as with the ascends. One thing the paradigm signature’s do better is mid bass definition and kick. but this really may be due To subwoofers. I run 2 f18’s. In a perfect world I would own both speakers just switch them out as I got tired of a pair switch it for the other (and my wife would kill me). Lol.
At the end of the day I really think this comparison comes down to personal preference and taste. The ascend speakers kick butt and the paradigms are no slouch either just a different sound. Thank you Jon from CB.

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Reactions: 5

Lp85253

· #17 · May 17, 2021

jaybob1807 said:
Ok fellas, first off I’ve got to give a shout out and big props to Jon from cb for inviting me to his beautiful house to give a listen To some incredible speakers. Truly an awesome fella and meticulous audiophile, thank you Jon you are the man. Your setup is dialed in tight and it shows while listening.

The very very first thing I noticed while listening to the ascend towers was the pronounced midrange. It is clear and loud. I was really expecting to be blown away by the tweeter as that’s what most people talk about, “the raal tweeter”. But like I said what really got my attention was the mid range right off the bat. One of the first artist I played was Whiskey Myers. I feel the speakers really shine while playing country bluesy rock and acoustic guitar. The voices and instruments really sounded good with this type of music, great separation and detail. From there John played a couple Bob Seger songs and again I was thoroughly impressed with all of the above. I was hearing things in songs that I didn’t know were there. We then played AC/DC thunderstruck and if Ascend wants to sell more Sierra tower speakers with the horizon center they need to demo that song for people. Lol The way the song layers and builds up was really cool. I wanted to see how a grungy dirty tuned guitar would sound so I put in some Nirvana (in bloom). The drums sounded really good on this track I noticed with the ascends they have really nice tonality. They get really nice definition to drums. Another thing I noticed with this track if you could hear Kurt Cobain’s fingers slide from chord to chord while he was playing guitar, however with this kind of music the ascends were perhaps a little too harsh for my liking. There were times the cymbals and that guitar would squeal at the same time and it was just a little sharp. From there I played the tool song Lateralus. The experience with that was much like the experience with Nirvana. The drums sound great great detail but at times just a little harsh for my liking. I do know for a fact that song Lateralus is recorded and mastered a little sharp on the treble.
This was a great experience. Overall I think the things that the ascends do correctly (instrumentation, detail, separation,clarity)far outweigh the one negative thing I noticed. The paradigms in comparison have a much more laid back and warmer sound. They have great detail in music also maybe just not as revealing as with the ascends. One thing the paradigm signature’s do better is mid bass definition and kick. but this really may be due To subwoofers. I run 2 f18’s. In a perfect world I would own both speakers just switch them out as I got tired of a pair switch it for the other (and my wife would kill me). Lol.
At the end of the day I really think this comparison comes down to personal preference and taste. The ascend speakers kick butt and the paradigms are no slouch either just a different sound. Thank you Jon from CB.

Wonderful post.. This is a pretty great site at times...

Zorba922

· #18 · May 17, 2021

jaybob1807 said:
The paradigms in comparison have a much more laid back and warmer sound. They have great detail in music also maybe just not as revealing as with the ascends.

I haven't heard the Sierra towers with RAAL but did hear the Sierra 2 bookshelves with RAAL and had a similar impression when compared with my Wharfedale Evo 4.2

Which makes me wonder how similar the Evo towers would sound compared to your Signature towers...

tokerblue

· #19 · May 19, 2021

jaybob1807 said:
At the end of the day I really think this comparison comes down to personal preference and taste. The ascend speakers kick butt and the paradigms are no slouch either just a different sound. Thank you Jon from CB.

It's awesome that you were able to listen to someone else's setup and experience the Ascends. They're a great speaker and a really great bargain. As I said in my first post, they are better in some ways than the Signature, but it comes down to preference.

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