[smokey982]

I know, another "which would be best" thread. But after many days and hours on this website, I "THINK" I've narrowed my speakers choices down to four. I would love as much input as possible from all current or previous owners of these speakers. I will be using a Denon 1909 receiver and either a ED A2-300 sub or a HSU VTF-1 sub (haven't decided for sure on the sub). These are my options (unless they get completely blasted by you guys). My room is about 21'x13'x8'. It will be 95% movies/TV and 5% music/games. So I really want some speakers with very clear voices for movie viewing. Floorstanding speakers are not an option.


1- http://http://www.energy-speakers.co...c-200-similar/


2- http://http://www.axiomaudio.com/m3.html


3- http://http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-scs01.cfm


4- http://http://www.ascendacoustics.co...00/htm200.html


As for te Ascend speakers, I may consider upgrading to the CBM-170 speakers here http://http://www.ascendacoustics.co...70/cbm170.html . I assume that is an upgrade.

So what do you guys think?

 

[jakewash]

I will only comment on the Axiom and Energy selections as I have heard them many times and would suggest moving up to the M22 for really clear voices, the M3s and c-200s are more laid back and I have found them harder to hear, you may find otherwise but to me the M22s are the better way to go from your desription. I know of a number of Axiom forum members in Ohio, you should drop in to Axiom's own site to look for an audition.

 

[TheDudeAbides]

Most folks will tell you to go with whatever sounds the best to your ears, but clearly in your case, as you are considering internet-direct, this is not entirely applicable.


I had the Ascends for 4-5 years and absolutely loved them, so I am somewhat biased. As for going for the CBM's--I can whole-heartedly recommend this, as they are astoundingly good speakers for the price.


Axioms are quite excellent, but I agree with the above poster in thinking that an upgrade to the 22's would be in your best interest. I have never owned Axioms, but have a close friend who does and he swears by them--they are a bit bright for my taste--but as a result they are incredibly accurate and detailed.


You may want to consider the HSU Ventriloquist series and go with a HSU Sub. I have a sub from them and love it--and have heard the speakers are quite capable as well. It should be noted however, Ascend used to recommend HSU's in pairing with the CBM's, so it's kind of a wash there (as to which, if any, sub you purchase).


Just a thought--have you checked out:

www.orbaudio.com
www.aperionaudio.com (free shipping both ways!)
www.**********


All good stuff! As you can probably tell, I really like the Ascends and only replaced them when I found an exceptional deal on a set of brand-new Quads.


Have fun!


--TDA

 

[mayhem13]

None of your choices reveal a center channel that will excell at vocal reproduction. They all feature the horizontal MTM design which asthetically and physically suited for placement above and below a display, but performs poorly acoustically sans the Ascendant Sierra Center which also features an excellent dome

tweeter.

 

[smokey982]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mayhem13 /forum/post/15453326


None of your choices reveal a center channel that will excell at vocal reproduction. They all feature the horizontal MTM design which asthetically and physically suited for placement above and below a display, but performs poorly acoustically sans the Ascendant Sierra Center which also features an excellent dome

tweeter.

I'm not sure I follow you. Are you saying that which ever set of fronts I go with, I need to use the Ascend Sierra-1 center?? So does that mean the centers that are in the same series as all of the other speakers I looked at are not very good?

 

[gixxerific]



Quote:
Originally Posted by smokey982 /forum/post/15455766


I'm not sure I follow you. Are you saying that which ever set of fronts I go with, I need to use the Ascend Sierra-1 center?? So does that mean the centers that are in the same series as all of the other speakers I looked at are not very good?

It is best to stay with the same model line for fronts. Some say all three fronts should be the same speaker be it floor standers or bookshelves. Unless you really know what you are doing it can be a gamble using different speakers if they are not voiced matched to each other.

 

[GTZ]



Quote:
Originally Posted by smokey982 /forum/post/15455766


I'm not sure I follow you. Are you saying that which ever set of fronts I go with, I need to use the Ascend Sierra-1 center?? So does that mean the centers that are in the same series as all of the other speakers I looked at are not very good?

No. If you are going with the Sierra as fronts then go with the Sierra as the center as they match sonically and will give you a smooth front soundstage. If you go with another manufacturer, then go with whatever center they recommend to go with their front speakers. Let's just say you went with some fronts from axiom, you wouldn't get good results using the Sierra as your center.


BTW, when you put a link in don't use http://http:/.

Just use one http:/

 

[cschang]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mayhem13 /forum/post/15453326


None of your choices reveal a center channel that will excell at vocal reproduction. They all feature the horizontal MTM design which asthetically and physically suited for placement above and below a display, but performs poorly acoustically sans the Ascendant Sierra Center which also features an excellent dome

tweeter.

This is a broad generalization. Not all MTM's are created equal.

 

[smokey982]



Quote:
Originally Posted by GTZ /forum/post/15456155


BTW, when you put a link in don't use http://http:/.

Just use one http:/

Yes, I noticed this. Sorry, I was gonna try and edit it but I was afraid I would screw it up even more.

 

[smokey982]



Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDudeAbides /forum/post/15453260


I had the Ascends for 4-5 years and absolutely loved them, so I am somewhat biased. As for going for the CBM's--I can whole-heartedly recommend this, as they are astoundingly good speakers for the price.


--TDA

I know this is probably a stupid question, but will the (1) 6.5" woofer on the CBM's really sound better than the (2) 4" woofers on the HTM-200's??? What else on the CBM's make it a better choice than the HTM-200's? Thanks.

 

[cschang]



Quote:
Originally Posted by smokey982 /forum/post/15458269


I know this is probably a stupid question, but will the (1) 6.5" woofer on the CBM's really sound better than the (2) 4" woofers on the HTM-200's??? What else on the CBM's make it a better choice than the HTM-200's? Thanks.

The CBM-170SE is a bigger speaker all around...and sounds like it. The HTM-200SE is a sealed speaker (the CBM is rear ported) so it is easier to place.

 

[mayhem13]



Quote:
Originally Posted by cschang /forum/post/15456185


This is a broad generalization. Not all MTM's are created equal.

On a horizontal plane, they all exhibit the same poor off axis response. And i have no idea what axiom was thinking with the TMMMT design????

 

[cschang]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mayhem13 /forum/post/15459956


On a horizontal plane, they all exhibit the same poor off axis response. And i have no idea what axiom was thinking with the TMMMT design????

How far axis do you have to sit before the response is poor? In the case of the Ascend CMT-340SEc, you have to be 20 degrees off axis.

 

[jostenmeat]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mayhem13 /forum/post/15459956


On a horizontal plane, they all exhibit the same poor off axis response.

Well, maybe not the "same". You can reduce negative effects by placing woofers closer together. Also, the xover point can be lowered to possibly have any lobing occur below dialogue frequencies, or low enough to a point where we are much less sensitive to any lobing effect.

 

[mayhem13]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jostenmeat /forum/post/15460635


Well, maybe not the "same". You can reduce negative effects by placing woofers closer together. Also, the xover point can be lowered to possibly have any lobing occur below dialogue frequencies, or low enough to a point where we are much less sensitive to any lobing effect.

Good answer Josten, and that's what a lot of commercial manufacturers do. They place the XO between 1600 and 2k with elcheapo tweeters so harmonic distortion of all orders is clearly audible and sometimes unbearable. If you're gonna push a tweeter that low, at least design a suitable waveguide to boost the response above 1K. If that doesn't work, they force a 6.5 up to a 3K xover with midrange cone breakup...lovely. A simple design change such as the centers from NHT and Infinity make so much more sense but yet not a lot of followers. Even a basic MT turned on it's side performs better IMO.

 

[jakewash]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jostenmeat /forum/post/15460635


Well, maybe not the "same". You can reduce negative effects by placing woofers closer together. Also, the xover point can be lowered to possibly have any lobing occur below dialogue frequencies, or low enough to a point where we are much less sensitive to any lobing effect.

That could be the case with the VP150, there is lobing but I certainly don't hear anything wrong, either on or off axis, inspite of varying reviews. I have had no issues in my room with the VP150 and as we all know the room can have a huge impact on what the speakers sound like.

 

[Robert Cook]

They're all good choices, but I think that sonically you'd compromise the least with the Ascend CBM-170 SE. Maybe I'm biased because I currently use this speaker in my home theater, but then again if there were any negatives in comparison to other speakers I've heard, then I would know about them by now. None of the others you've mentioned are more articulate, detailed, efficient, or dynamic to my knowledge, although I have not heard the Axioms myself and have only heard the older HTM-200 model. The main drawback of the CBM-170 SE is that it's rear-ported, but from my experience all it needs is a few inches (the more the better, though).

Quote:
Originally Posted by smokey982 /forum/post/15452581


As for te Ascend speakers, I may consider upgrading to the CBM-170 speakers here http://http://www.ascendacoustics.co...70/cbm170.html . I assume that is an upgrade.

It is an upgrade, but from what I gather it's not quite as much of an upgrade as it used to be, making the latest version of the HTM-200 SE a good alternative when a smaller speaker is desired. You may have to use a higher crossover than 80 Hz if you play it very loud, though. There are others here who are more qualified to address this comparison, however. If you can physically accommodate the CBM-170 SE, then that would be my recommendation in this price range. It makes a great center speaker whether vertically or horizontally oriented, although at 9" tall when horizontal, it's not the slenderest center around. And it's not an MTM, for what that's worth.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDudeAbides /forum/post/15453260


You may want to consider the HSU Ventriloquist series and go with a HSU Sub. I have a sub from them and love it--and have heard the speakers are quite capable as well.

I'd recommend against the Ventriloquist because the satellites are tiny and suspiciously have the very same driver size and lower frequency cutoff as Bose cubes. Admittedly, I have not auditioned this system personally, but using 2.5" full-range drivers in the satellites and a 2.5" mid-high driver (probably the very same driver) in the center speaker with no tweeters anywhere does not inspire confidence in its sound quality. My RPTV's speakers have a somewhat similar design and they sound pretty good in comparison to typical HTIB systems, but they're not in the same league as the other speakers being considered by the OP--not even close.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDudeAbides /forum/post/15453260


It should be noted however, Ascend used to recommend HSU's in pairing with the CBM's, so it's kind of a wash there.

Dude, you're comparing the Ventriloquist to the CBM?

Perhaps you really meant the Hsu HB-1 instead?

If you meant the latter, then that would make more sense, although I would still recommend the CBM based on its well-deserved (in my opinion) reputation.

Quote:
Originally Posted by smokey982 /forum/post/15458269


I know this is probably a stupid question, but will the (1) 6.5" woofer on the CBM's really sound better than the (2) 4" woofers on the HTM-200's???

Putting aside all other considerations for the moment, it depends on how the woofers are designed, but the single 6.5" woofer actually has more total area than the dual 4" woofers, making the CBM bigger in this regard, if that's what you were wondering about.

Quote:
Originally Posted by smokey982 /forum/post/15458269


What else on the CBM's make it a better choice than the HTM-200's? Thanks.

The CBM goes lower, and is more efficient and powerful.

 

[TheDudeAbides]



Quote:
Dude, you're comparing the Ventriloquist to the CBM? Perhaps you really meant the Hsu HB-1 instead? If you meant the latter, then that would make more sense, although I would still recommend the CBM based on its well-deserved (in my opinion) reputation.

My intent was not to compare--as with the other links, I simply believe the Vents would be worthy of consideration if they were a better fit for his price range. I have read and heard good things about the Vent set and, while they may not be my or your personal preference, I believe it is a good idea to provide alternatives--my ears are certainly not the best and I would not go so far as to say they are even "normal" insofar as their appreciation of sound, so the more options the better. In saying it was "a wash," I only meant as to pairings with a HSU sub woofer--which was actually intended to favor the Ascends if budget allowed (I edited to clarify

).


However, I do believe I made my appreciation for the Ascend brand clear--David Fabrikant is an excellent ID provider, gives honest service and support, and is prompt and concise in his responses; I would be hard-pressed to be more appreciative of someone with whom I have conducted business.


That said, I believe HSU is also a fine company and, depending upon the poster's budget, he may wish to take the time to investigate alternatives.

 

[Veda]

I haven't heard the rest but avoid the C200. It was one of the worst speaker I've ever owned.

 

[jmorris644]

I did 7.1 surround with all CMT-340s. I am very happy with them.


You can see how I mounted them in my theater thread.


Joe