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View Full Version : Should I demo 170's or 340's?



ClutchBrake
01-22-2004, 01:40 AM
Will you be coupling the speakers with a subwoofer? If so I'd recommend the 170s. If not... well... your call.

I don't own Ascends yet, trying to work out a way to use 340s as rear surrounds, but I have listened to the 170s and the 340C. The 170s sounded phenomenal when coupled with a subwoofer. They sounded good even without a sub, but the music was fuller with a sub.

The reason I say "your call" when it comes to using the 340s is that I have never heard a pair of 340 l/r. They do have a bit more extension and from what I have read offer a larger soundstage. Whether or not that will suit your tastes without a subwoofer only you will know.

Either way, good luck. I hope you enjoy whichever model you choose.

ClutchBrake
01-22-2004, 01:42 AM
One more thing. Aside from the 70% music will you be rounding out a full 5.1 setup? If so I highly recommend the 340c. I am a firm believer in getting the best timbre matched center available.

oontahey
01-22-2004, 01:45 AM
Thanks clutch. Yes, I will be running a sub regardless. However, for the demo I will not have a sub because I don't want to order the whole package until I am sure this is what I want to go with.

Yes, it will be a 5.1 setup...eventually 6.1.

december11
01-22-2004, 02:08 AM
Get the CMT 340 L/R. I have them. They sound great.

Curtis has both, and he prefers the 340's for his front soundstage.

azanon
01-22-2004, 02:31 AM
The prices for these speakers reflect what you get IMHO - at least for the 170 vs 340.* If you pay more for the 340s, you'll get more. So, get what can you afford.

* (The htm200s almost cost what the 170s do, but the 170 is a far better speaker, i think. Get the htm200 only for either ergonomics reasons or because you're going to flush mount them).

curtis
01-22-2004, 02:31 AM
How big is your room? How close do you want to place the speakers to the back wall?

-curtis

oontahey
01-22-2004, 02:44 AM
Not sure of the exact dimensions of the room I will have to find out. It's a small 2 bedroom house..small living room, rectangular, with hard wood flooring and lots of windows. The room is bright..I am going to have to lay down carpet etc. I don't have to put them too close to the back wall...as far as needed. I would definetly get the 340c for the center if I chose ascend.

curtis
01-22-2004, 03:55 AM
The 340's have a wider dispusion than the 170's. So if the room is really reflective, might be better off with the 170's.

My room is 14x18x9, and the 170's did very well. The 340's play bigger.

Best thing is to give Ascend a call and discuss the room and needs with them.

-curtis

oontahey
01-22-2004, 04:03 AM
Thanks guys..I think I'll try the 170's..if I like em' then I might try the 340's for the front and just move the 170's to surround duty. Sounds like a plan.

azanon
01-22-2004, 04:17 AM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Arial, Verdana, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The htm200s almost cost what the 170s do, but the 170 is a far better speaker, i think.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
ugh... i meant "about" what..., not the same. $278 compared to $328 for a pair.

oontahey
01-27-2004, 12:04 AM
Somewhere in one of these threads is a picture of the 340 on it's matching stand but I cannot no longer find it. If you know where it is will you point me to it please? Also, if there is somebody from Houston who will let me stop by for 10-15 minutes to hear their speakers I will bring them a sixer of their favorite hops. Thanks!

curtis
01-27-2004, 12:10 AM
here you go:

http://www.thechangs.us/tp24_grille.jpg
http://www.thechangs.us/tp24_nogrille.jpg

-curtis

oontahey
01-27-2004, 01:09 AM
Thanks curtis..those look pretty cool. Makes em' look like towers. Does anybody know if they are fillable?

curtis
01-27-2004, 01:51 AM
yes...they are fillable.

-curtis

azanon
01-27-2004, 08:51 PM
Man that looks dangerous, Curtis.... if one has little ones running around, anyway. I'm nervous enough about my HTM-200s sitting on small 2.5' stands.

I have an almost 6 month old boy that's growing up fast.

curtis
01-28-2004, 02:04 AM
The Ascend stands are 24", my stands are 31" high, but the bases are a bit larger. The Ascend stand's column looks like it would hold more sand than my stands, mine are narrower.

Putting those factors together, I think the Ascend stands would be pretty stable.

I have a 6 yr. old and a 4 yr. old.....no problems at all....yet.

-curtis

oontahey
02-03-2004, 08:11 AM
I ordered 340's all the way around...what the heck. Also went with the hsu vtf2. Can't wait. Thanks all.

ClutchBrake
02-03-2004, 12:11 PM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Arial, Verdana, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by oontahey

I ordered 340's all the way around...what the heck. Also went with the hsu vtf2. Can't wait. Thanks all.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Mine shipped today. [:)] Four packages weighing in at 151lbs for five 340s and matching stands for the fronts. No new sub for me. I already have an SVS 20-39 PCi.

An infinite baffle subwoofer is next. Unfortunately it will likely be a Summer or Fall project because of financial and other issues.

oontahey
02-03-2004, 12:35 PM
Cool man! Email me when you are all fired up and let me know what you think. I went with the hsu cuz they had it for 449$ and free shipping...but I might order that little svs cylinder and AB it...should be fun.

ClutchBrake
02-03-2004, 12:40 PM
Will do. Just out of curiosity, what did you decide to do in regards to placement for the surrounds?

Once I get mine set up and broken in a bit I'm hoping to get Azanon to bring his 200s by and AB them with my 340 surrounds. Maybe I could talk CliffL into coming over and bringing his 170s! [:D]

oontahey
02-03-2004, 12:46 PM
I ordered the stands for all of them so I am going to place the surrounds behind the couch 3-4 feet facing each other and see how it sounds. If that doesn't work I'll try them in the far corners of the room facing the listening area. If that doesn't work and I still love the speakers I'll get a new house. ;-)