I read a few posts stating that the ascends are thin and bright...

[mark]

what are your thoughts on this?

[Quinn]

Accurate, neutral, and articulate come to mind.

If someone has been listening to a speaker that is very laid back and warms/colors the sound a good bit they aren't going to like the Ascend neutral sound right off. Now give them a week of ABing and see if they notice the Ascends picking details in familiar music they hadn't heard before and then ask what they like and don't like about the speakers.

[shane55]

My wife is thin and bright.

My Ascends are as the recordings are. If it is a warm recording, the speakers transfer that warmth. If the recording is hot, the Ascends will put that forward. If the recording is thin, the Ascends will sound thin.
In other words, Ascends seem to be very true to the source. They are neutral.

shane

[RJW]

shane55- I really like those stands in your pictures. May I ask where you purchased them?
Thanks!

[Galwin]

My initial impressions were that the 340SE's were on the bright side. Over time, I realized my perception was shaped by the speakers I had been listening to for many years. The Ascends are accurate and detailed. They are incredible on mid range sounds - vocals. My old speakers now sound veiled. I guess I have a new frame of reference.

The auditioning process was quite educational to me. I regularly listen to live music and have auditioned a range of other speakers, but my ADS towers were the real reference for how I heard music. I takes time and lots of listening to open your mind and to truly appreciate the various nuances of sound. By the way, the 340SE's are an outstanding deal - you could spend 2K or more and not do better. Pair them with a good sub, and you're all set!

I noticed that you using a Yamaha RX V2400. I was using the 1400, which is identical in sound. I did find that to be bright with both my old speakers and the Ascends. I know that many people love the Yamaha sound; it is a matter of taste. I switched to a separate amp and am quite pleased with the results. The Ascends are accurate and sensitive to source material and to each link in the audio chain.

[Eddie]

what are your thoughts on this?

Probably posted by jealous av123 or Axiom owners. :D

[shane55]

shane55- I really like those stands in your pictures. May I ask where you purchased them?
Thanks!
RJW...
They were purchased from PSB when I bought a pair of their speakers... to audition along with the Ascends and some others. You know how that ended.:D
They are PSB brand. They are just ok, but have served me well.

shane

[mark]

My initial impressions were that the 340SE's were on the bright side. Over time, I realized my perception was shaped by the speakers I had been listening to for many years. The Ascends are accurate and detailed. They are incredible on mid range sounds - vocals. My old speakers now sound veiled. I guess I have a new frame of reference.

The auditioning process was quite educational to me. I regularly listen to live music and have auditioned a range of other speakers, but my ADS towers were the real reference for how I heard music. I takes time and lots of listening to open your mind and to truly appreciate the various nuances of sound. By the way, the 340SE's are an outstanding deal - you could spend 2K or more and not do better. Pair them with a good sub, and you're all set!

I noticed that you using a Yamaha RX V2400. I was using the 1400, which is identical in sound. I did find that to be bright with both my old speakers and the Ascends. I know that many people love the Yamaha sound; it is a matter of taste. I switched to a separate amp and am quite pleased with the results. The Ascends are accurate and sensitive to source material and to each link in the audio chain.

Actually, I'm using a panny xr57 now. The rxv2400s in my room now. The Ascends dont sound bright to me unless its at really high levels. I found out today that the cause is the dvd player that I was using.

[Eddie]

Actually, I'm using a panny xr57 now. The rxv2400s in my room now. The Ascends dont sound bright to me unless its at really high levels. I found out today that the cause is the dvd player that I was using.

If you are still experiencing brightness issues with the Panny, this was my advice to another Panny owner in that situation:

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showpost.php?p=18060&postcount=9