Re: It ain't much, but here it is ....
Hi noteworthy,
I haven't purchased any B-Stock yet, but various customer feedback here indicates that B-Stock is nearly identical to A-Stock. Most folks here had to look really hard to find anything, and in many cases they did not find any cosmetic defects. Remember that Ascend includes a full warranty with B-Stock items so there is no need for concern regarding support and performance. You can buy with confidence. :)
Regarding the finish options, I went with Piano Black on my Sierra-1s because I love Piano Black in general. I also keep the grills on and use a little bit of toe-in. Honestly, I haven't noticed any reflections in my setup with this configuration, but I keep the lights down for movies. I also don't watch television.
If you find the PB Sierra-1 too reflective, you might consider using a piece of non-reflective cloth draped over the cabinet for watching television. Otherwise, I'd say follow your heart and just get what you really want. :)
Re: It ain't much, but here it is ....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dark Ranger
Hi noteworthy,
I haven't purchased any B-Stock yet, but various customer feedback here indicates that B-Stock is nearly identical to A-Stock. Most folks here had to look really hard to find anything, and in many cases they did not find any cosmetic defects. Remember that Ascend includes a full warranty with B-Stock items so there is no need for concern regarding support and performance. You can buy with confidence. :)
Regarding the finish options, I went with Piano Black on my Sierra-1s because I love Piano Black in general. I also keep the grills on and use a little bit of toe-in. Honestly, I haven't noticed any reflections in my setup with this configuration, but I keep the lights down for movies. I also don't watch television.
If you find the PB Sierra-1 too reflective, you might consider using a piece of non-reflective cloth draped over the cabinet for watching television. Otherwise, I'd say follow your heart and just get what you really want. :)
Thanks.
Hypothetically speaking, if I wanted (I wouldn't) to display the Sierra-1 as a piece of art I would most likely get the gloss espresso, but for a HT setup I think I prefer the piano black. Lighting in my room varies from ambient or filtered sunlight (not direct) to dim lighting. After thinking about it I don't think the reflectivity of piano black is a deal breaker, especially factoring in the sale price. When I first got my CBM-170 SE's they looked strange in my room, out of place, and stood out. Now they feel like a part of my room. I think the end result will be the same with the piano black finish.
Cover them up? That's blasphemy! :p
What do you watch movies on? I noticed in your pictures that you had the Sierra-1's and Horizon on a small desk with what looked to be a PC monitor? Was that placement just for pictures? That small monitor can't be what you use for movies.
Re: It ain't much, but here it is ....
I don't think you'll have any issues with reflections with the PB Sierra. From the seated position, most of the Sierra would be covered by the cloth grill in the front. Sure the top and sides would be exposed, but unless you have a light shining directly at the exposed side and are looking directly at it, I doubt it'll be a problem.
Re: It ain't much, but here it is ....
Hi noteworthy,
I can say the piano black is really spectacular. In fact, it's the best PB I've ever seen. My comment about covering them up applied only for TV or movies. I seem to recall a thread here a long time ago about a similar thing. Someone had discussed draping a non-reflective cloth over them to help with reflections. Anyway, you can evaluate this potential issue during your 30-day in-home trial.
Regarding my setup, yes...I do in fact watch movies on that PC monitor you saw. It's a 24" Dell UltraSharp with an IPS panel and I have calibrated it appropriately. Unlike many folks here, I don't have a dedicated HT room where I can spread out. My HT room also doubles as an office and workroom/test bench. During the day, I often work at my desk on the computer or elsewhere in the room fixing computers. Thankfully, my job type (IT support/system administration) allows me to work remotely and thus also helps me manage the health issues that preclude me from keeping a "normal" job.
Anyway, during the evening my room becomes the HT for movies and concerts. I sit only 5-6 feet away from the monitor, so it's really not bad at all. The room size is just over 1,000 cubic feet. I cannot fit a proper screen on the wall (due to the Horizon and general setup). It's also why I cannot fit the Sierra Towers in this room. :)
That's probably more than you wanted to know, but I felt the back story helps to better explain why I use a monitor instead of a larger display.
Re: It ain't much, but here it is ....
I had piano rosewood (Onix Ref Series) in my theater with my previous set up and the problem was not with the mains. My center sat a few inches below the screen (120") and the reflection was horrible. Not as bad with the mains but once I started noticing the center it made the mains worse.
I did get rid of those and put in Sierra Towers (Natural) , Horizon Center (Natural) , and 4 HTM200 surrounds. Problem solved and the upgrade to the performance has been fantastic.
I am hooked on Ascend products.
Re: It ain't much, but here it is ....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dark Ranger
Hi noteworthy,
I can say the piano black is really spectacular. In fact, it's the best PB I've ever seen. My comment about covering them up applied only for TV or movies. I seem to recall a thread here a long time ago about a similar thing. Someone had discussed draping a non-reflective cloth over them to help with reflections. Anyway, you can evaluate this potential issue during your 30-day in-home trial.
Regarding my setup, yes...I do in fact watch movies on that PC monitor you saw. It's a 24" Dell UltraSharp with an IPS panel and I have calibrated it appropriately. Unlike many folks here, I don't have a dedicated HT room where I can spread out. My HT room also doubles as an office and workroom/test bench. During the day, I often work at my desk on the computer or elsewhere in the room fixing computers. Thankfully, my job type (IT support/system administration) allows me to work remotely and thus also helps me manage the health issues that preclude me from keeping a "normal" job.
Anyway, during the evening my room becomes the HT for movies and concerts. I sit only 5-6 feet away from the monitor, so it's really not bad at all. The room size is just over 1,000 cubic feet. I cannot fit a proper screen on the wall (due to the Horizon and general setup). It's also why I cannot fit the Sierra Towers in this room. :)
That's probably more than you wanted to know, but I felt the back story helps to better explain why I use a monitor instead of a larger display.
Thanks for the explanation. I wasn't being critical, more a curiosity. That Horizon is a huge center channel for how close you sit. It's almost as big as the monitor. :)
I think I can live with any possible reflection issues that piano black may present. They look awesome. The sale price is the clincher. Only the inside of the cabinet on my 170 SE's creates a visible reflection from my seating position. If it's bothersome with the Sierras I'll find something to cover that portion when watching TV.
As far as the center channel I plan on placing it in the center shelf of a yet to be purchased AV console. I may have one custom built since I haven't found one with the desired dimensions and shelving options that I want. In the center compartment the center will be hidden so the TV shouldn't reflect off of it. Also, I don't turn on the light on the opposite wall that faces the TV. The only light I leave on is a light in the corner, behind the TV that has a dimmer switch.
Re: It ain't much, but here it is ....
Nah, it's cool. I didn't take it as being critical, but I agree with you about the oddity. Ya gotta do whatcha gotta do! It wasn't easy figuring out how to put it there... The Horizon is actually wider than the monitor by over an inch, and almost as tall. It is quite frankly the biggest center channel I've ever had. :)
Another idea I had about taming reflections from the TV would be to install a shroud on the sides of the TV. Think "horse blinders" for the television. This might depend on how far off-axis you sit as well as aesthetics, but it's something I'd consider. It still doesn't address the lamp reflections, though. I'm just thinking out loud here about workarounds.
Good luck!
Re: Ascend Owners Photo Gallery
Re: Ascend Owners Photo Gallery
What a gorgeous setup!!! That is one nice television too. I sent a pm, your setup is very close to what I am looking at. How do you like the Emotiva with the towers???
Re: Ascend Owners Photo Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JLTJR
What a gorgeous setup!!! That is one nice television too. I sent a pm, your setup is very close to what I am looking at. How do you like the Emotiva with the towers???
Everything sounds great...You have a PM