Sierra-2 Development Thread

[eliwankenobi]

The 5% credit given out for returning the Sierra-1 parts when upgrading to the NrT was valid for 1 full year. If the credit is still valid, then it will most certainly be honored.

That stated, I honestly have not given much thought about any upgrade deals just yet, but I am sure we will offer something for returning old parts. Ascend has invested more into this than any other project and we absolutely must make at least some profit. Even with that, it might take several years before we recoup just our R&D expenses.

So R&D investment on Sierra-2 was more than on Sierra tower? Does that take away our chances for a special introductory price?

[davef]

So R&D investment on Sierra-2 was more than on Sierra tower? Does that take away our chances for a special introductory price?

Yes, because with the Sierra Towers we were not concerned with upgradeability from prior versions. As mentioned, we are tooling new parts for the Sierra-2 and this is extremely expensive.

[davef]

Hey all,

Just wanted to post another tidbit about the Sierra-2. We now have (2) final prototypes complete and we just spent an hour abusing them in our sound room.

You might find this hard to believe (I was quite surprised myself), but with Boom Boom Pow running full range -- we managed to hit a very clean 108 dB measured at 12 feet (stereo pair). This was with a 150 watt amplifier. Keep in mind that this is in our extremely well damped listening room. Even at this extreme volume level, we managed to have a low volume level conversation between the 3 of us in the room and we heard each other speak with ease. This is most impressive for a pair of bookshelf speakers...

[JustABrah]

Hurry up November!... Well with me buying a new AVR and new TV soon this might have to wait till the new year

[Dark Ranger]

Hey all,

Just wanted to post another tidbit about the Sierra-2. We now have (2) final prototypes complete and we just spent an hour abusing them in our sound room.

You might find this hard to believe (I was quite surprised myself), but with Boom Boom Pow running full range -- we managed to hit a very clean 108 dB measured at 12 feet (stereo pair). This was with a 150 watt amplifier. Keep in mind that this is in our extremely well damped listening room. Even at this extreme volume level, we managed to have a low volume level conversation between the 3 of us in the room and we heard each other speak with ease. This is most impressive for a pair of bookshelf speakers...

WOW!!!

I remember when you showed us Boom Boom Pow with the Horizon. That was quite impressive if I do say so myself. However, IMO this takes the cake. We've gone from a highly-capable 3-way system with high power handling to a MUCH smaller 2-way (assumed) bookshelf. Getting a clean 108 dB at 12 feet back from bookshelves in a well-damped room is a huge wow factor indeed. However, the fact that you could have a normal conversation is the biggest surprise at all. Some speakers would audibly distort at those levels. This speaks volumes (pun unintended) of the overall design and component quality.

I would love to see a video of this demonstration. Of course, I can wait until after more details are revealed since a video might give away key details too soon. Or maybe you could just keep the grills on.

Thanks for the tidbit! I cannot wait to purchase a pair.

[Mag_Neato]

Awesome Dave!

Does the prototype you abused have the new, larger port, or the original Sierra-1 port?

If it is with the larger port will those of us who do a Sierra-1/NrT upgrade with original cabinets experience lower output?

Thanks!

[petmotel]

Hey all,

Just wanted to post another tidbit about the Sierra-2. We now have (2) final prototypes complete and we just spent an hour abusing them in our sound room.

You might find this hard to believe (I was quite surprised myself), but with Boom Boom Pow running full range -- we managed to hit a very clean 108 dB measured at 12 feet (stereo pair). This was with a 150 watt amplifier. Keep in mind that this is in our extremely well damped listening room. Even at this extreme volume level, we managed to have a low volume level conversation between the 3 of us in the room and we heard each other speak with ease. This is most impressive for a pair of bookshelf speakers...

Here is that information.

Jay

[eliwankenobi]

I remember Dave speaking about sonething he found on the RAAL that after some tweaks would give a better result or the same result and cost less. Perhaps that pertains to the tweeter for Sierra-2? He even showed a pic of a RAAL employee working on their shop..

[RicardoJoa]

IMO, there is a good chance that it will be a raal 70-20, considering that the port for the sierra 2 is larger, allowing a shallower port length. It could be the one wihout the amorphouscore to keep cost down. I think for the sierra 1 owners, if indeed is the raal 70-20, there is a good chance that the port may need to modify to acomplish the mod. Also if inseed a new woofer is in, it will likely be a version similar to the mid driver of the towers. Just my wild guesses.

[Mag_Neato]

IMO, there is a good chance that it will be a raal 70-20, considering that the port for the sierra 2 is larger, allowing a shallower port length. It could be the one wihout the amorphouscore to keep cost down. I think for the sierra 1 owners, if indeed is the raal 70-20, there is a good chance that the port may need to modify to acomplish the mod. Also if inseed a new woofer is in, it will likely be a version similar to the mid driver of the towers. Just my wild guesses.

I respectfully disagree!

Dave went to extreme measures & cost to ensure this would be as user-friendly as possible for doing the upgrade to a standard Sierra-1/NrT. Even if the tweeter is a customized RAAL it would most definitely be designed as a drop-in replacement w/out need to modify the port tube.

Just my opinion based on Dave's reputation.