Impression of new speakers

[JohnnyCasaba]

If there is not enough warmth for you, maybe the Ascends are not the right speaker for you. Maybe you should try a pair of the Rocket 150's or 250's to compare with the 170's.

[curtis]

Johnny is right. May be time to listen to other speakers. Are you still in your 30 day window? The CBM-170 is pretty neutral...might not be to your taste. Have you gone to some shops to listen to other speakers?

-curtis

[trekkerj]

I thought ported speakers sound better near walls? If not, where would you say I should place them based on what you saw. How far away from a wall should they be?

I think my main problem is that I've been watching too much TV, and not enough DVDs. Certain channels sound very nice, others are crap. I get digital music channels through cable, and they sound amazing. I never tried those before. My CDs sounded normal, nothing special. I don't think my receiver has a good DSP mode for CDs. Nothing that uses the rear speakers very much anyway.

So is the consensus now that a receiver upgrade from a $200 Pioneer to a $500 HK not going to make a noticeable difference?

[Quinn]

I think the receiver upgrade will make a difference. On your speaker stands can you use wall mount brackets for the surrounds and your present stands for the fronts?

[curtis]

Rear ported speakers need space between the port and the wall to breath.....too close and they may sound boomy. And you really do not want any speaker close to a side wall.

-curtis

[JohnnyCasaba]

I am no expert, but for the surrounds I would try to get some room between the rear port and the wall. I believe the Ascend manual recommends 1 - 2 feet placement from the back wall. I know we all have to make compromises when trying to place our speakers (well those of use without a dedicated room), I have my rears on 30 inch stands. I believe placing a rear ported speaker closer to the wall will help reinforce some of the bass response, but at the risk of boominess.

I would say try a new receiver (as long as you can return it), after all the only person who can tell if it would make a difference is you. You said you were looking for warmth, I would not describe the Ascends as a warm speaker, like Curtis, I would say neutral.

What kind of music do you listen to?

[trekkerj]

When I say warm, I really have no idea what I'm talking about.

I don't listen to a lot of music via the receiver. I mostly listen to mp3s on the computer, so music isn't that important. Although, as I said, the digital music choice channels sound really good.

I am heading to CC right now. Probably won't get a receiver unless there is a really good deal. I am picking up adjustable height rear speaker stands so I can put the rears above ear level. I'll place them as far from the wall as possible, but there's probably only a foot or so to spare, as you can see.

[JohnnyCasaba]

I reread some of your posts, just some random thoughts:

Sounds like you want to use this system mainly for TV and DVD's, if so, I think you should hook up your sub if you have not done so already. To really enjoy most of the good movie soundtracks, you will need a sub. I think with music on the 170's, you would want a sub too!

I do find it odd that you don't think there is much difference in the sound of your CD's, but you seem to enjoy the sound of the digital music channels. I also have the digital music channels, in my area they are broadcast in DD 2 channel, while nice, I find the sound compressed when compared to my CD's.

You also seem to want to listen to your 2 channel music in a surround format, but as you pointed out, I believe the Pioneer you have only has DPL. If you do bring home a new receiver, check out some of the newer DSP's like PL2 and DTS Neo 6.

Another good sugestion that was already mentioned, give the Ascends a few days, try to listen as much as you can. Then swap in your old speakers and do some comparisons.

[Quinn]

what rate are you ripping your mp3s at? Do you have the computer thru your receiver?

[trekkerj]

I now have new speaker stands and everything is positioned as best as possible.

One oddity...I notice the speakers sound better if I get closer to them. They are calibrated, btw. When I am sitting on my couch, it seems to lack something. Granted, my sub is turned down to avoid the disturbance to my neighbors.

One side of my room has a wall and windows, while the other side is open. Does this take away from the sound quality I am hearing on the couch (not that there's anything I can do about it).