Hey guys. I thought I'd make some comments on this forum to keep you Ascend fans in check.
As far as the above post, you may be right about reflections and dispersion, but that's what makes my room great. I have distant side walls and a high cathedral ceiling which I think makes my room sound pretty great. I also have decent room treatments consisting of many 4" thick acoustic panels. I think this should do what we're all hoping which is give the Ascend Towers the best environment we can give to perform their best.
My setup may be tweaked for my Salk HT2-TL's, but that was never my focus. I don't think anyone can or should argue that the HT2-TL is a fantastic speaker. I haven't heard anything "better" since owning them. I'm sure there is better, but I'm also certain I can't afford it. What I do know is that my setup is tweaked for ultimate clarity and balance. I have the best sound stage and separation I've ever had. I expect that all of the attendee's hear that from all the speakers at the GTG or I will be personally disappointed. I think I've done a fantastic job with the mix of gear I have right now and I think the sound is magical for most anything I play. I certainly have never had sound even close to what I have now and that includes the first 1-1/2 years I had my Salk's.
One note I'd like to make is that I've had two different pairs of my own speakers at Brandon's place and they always sound "off" to me. I can't explain it better than to say that there is some sort of distortion that exists from room reflections (I'm guessing) and possibly the difference in front end electronics. I will be honest and say I do NOT think the SB Touch that Brandon uses is a good sounding source, especially using it's analog outs. Even through my DAC, I couldn't find any love for for the Touch when I had one. I also realize that this goes against popular opinion of the Touch.
From my visit to Brandon's place, I can easily state that the Towers are FAR better all around than the Sierra-1. Since the Sierra is a decent speaker, this should be taken as a compliment. I think the tweeter is a huge improvement by itself. If this is the new tweeter in the Sierra, than that too is a much better speaker from the ones I tried a couple of years ago.
Overall, I'm expecting the Towers to perform very well in room. I really hope they do!
I think Brandon would agree here, but my HT2-TL's crushed the Ascend Towers in the bass department. My only point for making this statement is that even though the HT2-TL's have such impressive bass down to 20Hz in Brandon's room as well as mine, I too prefer the sound of my EQ'd subs. There is more weight to the bass and overall tone of the speakers. I've tried at least 10 different times over the last couple of years to run my Salk's full range and I always go back to using subs for music. I now have the best bass I've ever heard anywhere with my dual 18" TC Sounds LMS Ultra's in DIY 24" cube, sealed boxes. They amaze me every time I listen now. I'll find out what the group thinks of them when they are here for the GTG.
The GTG next Saturday should be fun. We hope to have several speakers to listen to, so we'll be busy. I'm sure Brandon will keep you guys posted.
Geez! I just saw my old signature. The only things I still have are the Speaker Craft in-walls and the MX-500 remote.