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View Full Version : New Ascend owner (almost) from South Florida



javijc26
05-29-2012, 03:01 PM
Hi all,

Well, after a long and exhaustive research process, I finally ordered a pair of Ascend Sierra-1 Nrt's in gloss espresso. These will be for a dedicated 2 channel music system in my small living room. I will be running them with an NAD C356BEE amplfier with a built in DAC module, and fed from a Logitech Squeezebox.

During my research I went back and forth between several speakers, including KEF Q300s, Dynaudio Excite X12 and Monitor Audio Silver RX6. I finally settled on the Sierras based on the many positive reviews and user comments all over the web. They seem offer perfect balance of size and performance which is just what I've been looking for.

I will post my impressions once I have had an opportuity to enjoy them for a while, needless to say I'm extremely excited :)

brocken
05-29-2012, 08:48 PM
Sounds great. I'm doing a 5.1 speaker upgrade and have also been considering KEF Q300's vs Sierra-1's.

Will you be using a subwoofer with the Sierra-1's?

javijc26
05-30-2012, 08:13 AM
No Subwoofer, since my system will be for music only, I think the Sierra's will provide more that enough bass, especially since I live in a Condo.
I corresponde with David F a few times about this and he seemed really conifident wiht the bass output of the Sierras for Music.
If however,you are using them for HT, I think a sub is needed.

brocken
05-30-2012, 01:47 PM
From what I've been reading, people are in agreement about how satisfying the bass extension of the Sierra-1's are for music listening, especially in a smaller space that enhances bass response. I look forward to a lot of 2.0 music listening with the Sierra-1's.

javijc26
05-30-2012, 02:46 PM
From what I've been reading, people are in agreement about how satisfying the bass extension of the Sierra-1's are for music listening, especially in a smaller space that enhances bass response. I look forward to a lot of 2.0 music listening with the Sierra-1's.

So am I, I took advantage of the Spring sale that Ascend is curretly running on the Sierras, I am also getting ready to order the rest of the equipment that I listed in my first post. As I said, it was a long research process, but it's all part of this fun hobby.

Gotta tell you, sometimes I felt overwhelmed and even confused by the amount of information and opinions out there, the Sierras are one of the few products with almost a full concensus as to how good they seem to be.

brocken
05-31-2012, 12:17 PM
Gotta tell you, sometimes I felt overwhelmed and even confused by the amount of information and opinions out there, the Sierras are one of the few products with almost a full concensus as to how good they seem to be.

Sierra-1's are definitely an easy choice in the $750-$1000/pair range. :)

billy p
05-31-2012, 04:09 PM
So am I, I took advantage of the Spring sale that Ascend is curretly running on the Sierras, I am also getting ready to order the rest of the equipment that I listed in my first post. As I said, it was a long research process, but it's all part of this fun hobby.

Gotta tell you, sometimes I felt overwhelmed and even confused by the amount of information and opinions out there, the Sierras are one of the few products with almost a full concensus as to how good they seem to be.

I ordered mine last Memorial Day....:)

As for the concensus....it wasn't to long ago that the Paradigm Studio 20's seemed to set the bar for monitors in the ~$1000.00 range. Nowadays all eyes seem to be focused on the Sierras as that standard.
Very seldom... if ever have I read a disparaging remark or negative comment with respect to the Sierra even if they weren't the preferred speakers of choice at the time they usally ranked next best....not to shabby...IMO.

Thanks...Ascends for making affordable & great sounding speakers for us average folk....:)

hearing specialist
05-31-2012, 04:41 PM
Hello there in South Florida! Curious, when you auditioned the Kef product what was the first thing that came to your head when listening? I'm a big Kef fan based on their Doppler research supporting thick baffles as one of the key components to great sound. Now with the Sierra 1's you will have one stout enclosure and thus my love for Ascend products. Welcome again :D


Brian in Bakersfield...

Scooter
03-14-2013, 10:49 PM
Sounds great. I'm doing a 5.1 speaker upgrade and have also been considering KEF Q300's vs Sierra-1's.

Hi, did you ever compare the KEF Q300 vs Sierra 1?

I just heard the KEF Q300 today at a local store -- sounded great.

I am thinking about ordering both the KEF and Sierra 1 and trying them at home.

If you did end up auditioning these two speakers, I'd love to hear what you thought.

Thanks.

javijc26
03-15-2013, 09:34 AM
Hi, did you ever compare the KEF Q300 vs Sierra 1?

I just heard the KEF Q300 today at a local store -- sounded great.

I am thinking about ordering both the KEF and Sierra 1 and trying them at home.

If you did end up auditioning these two speakers, I'd love to hear what you thought.

Thanks.

The KEF is a great speaker, however I found the Sierra-1 to be a little more detailed overall but only slightly. I did upgrade to the NRT tweeter which gave them even more sparkle at the top. I use them purely for two channel music and the bass is more than sufficient for me.
Can't go wrong with either.

Good luck!

Scooter
03-18-2013, 08:51 AM
The KEF is a great speaker, however I found the Sierra-1 to be a little more detailed overall but only slightly. I did upgrade to the NRT tweeter which gave them even more sparkle at the top. I use them purely for two channel music and the bass is more than sufficient for me.
Can't go wrong with either.

Good luck!

Thank you!