This link might work and it might not. If it doesn't your best bet is searching for "Ascend" or "Ascend 170" or "CBM 170", you will get a *TON* of results. They are a very popular bookshelf and many people here own and enjoy them.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/searc...der=descending

 

Borky,


I've had a 5.1 setup (4 -170's, 340c and a VTF2) for a little over a year now and think they are great both with music and movies. As Picus said, you should find plenty on em if you search. Also check out the Ascend board for more info.

 

craigsub did a nice little review of them here

 

Great speakers! Very accurate and musical sounding. I think many people on this and other forums would be happy to answer your questions.


I happen to own two complete Ascend systems and I have CBM-170s in my bedroom that are dedicated for music.

 

That room is a little large to be blasting with a pair of bookshelf speakers, but if you listen at more moderate volumes, they should work great.

 

I have a larger room than that the 170s handle fine. I have to keep the kids from blasting out the house with the 170s.

 

John,


That room is no problem for the CBM-170's. My room is 14x18, and they had no problem hitting 85-90dB averages at 10'.....enough to be uncomfortable for most people.

 

No problem here either, using them in a room that is roughly 12 x 24, and they have no problem filling the room for music (in 2.1) and movies, just ask my neighbors.

 

Agreed, for most people, 85-90db performance is just fine.

 

I'm not sure of the exact size (it's going to be my dorm room this coming year fyi), but I don't want it too loud. I was mainly worried about them being a little too neutral and accurate, but someone told me my Yamaha receiver should take care of that as Yamahas are on the bright side.

 

What kind of sound are you looking for?

 

Not sure, I'm not very experienced in the hi end audio field, but I will be using mainly MP3s (some of high quality, but some may be lower) and I don't want flaws and encoding faults to be that obvious.

 

I've only heard one person say the CBM's were to neutral. At the Asylum, this guy was clearly not happy with his CBM's . . . so good fellow that I am; I quietly offered to take them off his hands. Well, wouldn't you know it, never heard from him again.


Anywho, the CBM's will do fine with the Yamaha. I have mine paired with an HK, and couldn't be happier. This is some serious speaker at only $328/pr.


Cliff

 

Quote:

Originally posted by Borky Not sure, I'm not very experienced in the hi end audio field, but I will be using mainly MP3s (some of high quality, but some may be lower) and I don't want flaws and encoding faults to be that obvious.

What can you do, sometimes a CD will just sound better in the car. You buy good speakers so that you can hear all the nuances in quality recordings. You can always blunt the accuracy of a good speaker (with the tone controls and soundfields, a touch of delay does wonders ) but you cant make cheap speakers sound good.


However, I know I have stuff that sounds better in the car, its just the way it is

Talk radio, some pop and rap, sounds much better in the car

 

a poor source is a poor source. the encoded files will not sound that_much_better on any reputable speaker. buy the CDs.


another strong vote for the ascend cbm-170. truly magical little speakers. a very well defined and balanced speaker that does not miss a beat. the 170 covers its spec'ed range of sound with flying colors.


IMHO - they hold their own against speakers 2 - 3x the price that claim to hold THEIR own against speakers 2 - 3x their price. you do the math.

 

Quote:

Originally posted by metalaaron IMHO - they hold their own against speakers 2 - 3x the price that claim to hold THEIR own against speakers 2 - 3x their price. you do the math.

Never thought of it that way before! And those 2-3x price claim to hold their own against 2-3x higher priced speakers, and so on, and so on. In that case, my CBMs can eventually hold their own against $100,000 wilson's? Well, they would need a good sub for sure but I wouldn't be surprised in blind testing if some people prefered the CBMs.


I love 'em for sure.

 

here's a brief review i just ran into. (never saw this one, curtis)


dated 9/5/04

http://www.donlindich.com/review2.html

 

I just ran across that one a couple of weeks ago.....


He compares them to Axioms.....but does not give a specific model. The two that that I can find on the site are the M2 and M22.

 

i just bought the ascend cbm center channel first (since my current center is terrible) and will buy the rest pair by pair. i wish i could afford the whole thing right now.


i like the look of these speakers or the fact that i don't look at them at all, rather.

 

I tried to access the Ascend forums to ask a question but it seems to be temporarily down (Curtis any guestimate on when they'll be back up?).


I was ready to pull the trigger on a pair but read a comment on another forum that they may not be a good match to a digital receiver. I have the Panasonic XR50. Is anyone else running this combo or have any idea what the Panny+Ascend problem could possibly be?

 

I'm running 340s with a JVC digital for a 2 channel set-up and it sounds great.

 

nice old thread.


i'm still waiting for my 170's to arrive. they're going with a nad 320bee.


and yeah, where's that forum?

 

OK...here's an update on the forum.


There has been a problem with importing the old forum database into the new forum on the new host. We are in "discussions" on how to proceed.

 

The 170 is one of three different speaker designs that I am considering. What would be the advantages/disadvantages to using a 170 for the center channel over the 340? What is the minimum recommended space from the back of the speaker to the rear wall?

 

The 170 is no slouch of a center channel...it is what I used before the 340 center was available. The biggest difference was the the amount of midbass information....the 340 has more of it since it plays lower.


The 170 needs at least a few inches of clearance behind it.