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Thread: You Guys Wanna Hear About Some Custom Speakers?

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    373

    Default You Guys Wanna Hear About Some Custom Speakers?

    I've been a big fan of Ascend speakers for a long time. Fell in love with the CBM-170 (the originals, not even the "SE" versions!) a long time ago, and I've remained a fan ever since.

    But I had no idea just how far Mr. Fabrikant is willing to go in order to satisfy his customers and make their speaker dreams come true! Ascend doesn't immediately present itself as a custom speaker company. They've got their lineup of speakers, and they're all tremendous performers and value!

    But it just so happened that my IDEAL setup required customizations to each and every speaker that I wanted to buy! Folks, here is what's on my Ascend Acoustics sales order

    (2) x Custom "Low-profile" Horizon Main speakers in a vertical orientation: 32.5" tall x 8.5" wide x 11.5" deep - front slot ported. RAAL ribbon tweeters with the mid-range drivers above the tweeters (just like the Sierra Towers). Matte Black finish.

    (1) x Custom "Skinny" Horizon Center speaker: 11" tall x 40" wide () x 7.5" deep () - front slot ported. RAAL ribbon tweeter. Tweeter above the mid-range driver (just like standard Horizon). Matte Black finish.

    (6) x Custom Finish Sierra-1 Surround, Surround Back & Front Height speakers. NrT tweeters in all 6. Q-Plugs in all 6. And a custom Matte Black finish for all 6.

    (2) x Custom Sierra-1 Front Wide speakers. RAAL ribbon tweeters. Same mid-range drivers as the Horizon speakers! Q-Plugs for the pair. Custom Matte Black finish.

    Yes, indeed, folks! Every single one of the 11 speakers I am ordering is custom in some way! The Sierra-1 NrT speakers are the most "normal". But even those are getting a custom Matte Black finish.

    And honestly, check out that "skinny" Horizon Center, and the super custom RAAL ribbon and Horizon mid-range Sierra-1 bookshelf Wides! Now THAT'S some seriously customized work!

    Truthfully, I never expected Dave to take on this much work. But he wasn't just open to it, he seems to genuinely get a kick out of it! As I mentioned in the Sierra Horizon sticky thread on this forum, he even worked up a CAD plan for the "skinny" Horizon that I wanted before he even knew if I would buy the darn thing!

    Just tremendous.

    And the price? I won't give the exact figure here out of respect, but believe me when I say that it was considerably lower than what I had imagined, what I would expect to pay anywhere else for this type of design and these types of parts, and lower than what I was prepared to pay. You can probably imagine, it's a pretty good chunk o' change. But for what I'm getting, and for all the service that Mr. Fabrikant has provided? It's a bargain. And the sound quality of these speakers all working together is going to be second to none!

    Speaking of service, I'm truly just amazed at how patient, courteous, open and willing Dave and Dina have been. I've no idea where Dave finds the time to take on an order like this first hand! The money he'll be making from my order isn't nothing, but it's definitely not so much that most people would put in the time and effort that he has. Certainly no one so busy!

    And I haven't been the easiest client. I wanted everything "just so". Like I say, every single one of these speakers is custom in some way, and the "skinny" is basically a one-off! And, on top of that, I'm in Canada, and I use a strictly online-only bank, which has created some rather unexpected headaches when it comes to getting the payment ready. Dina and Dave have both been unbelievably patient and considerate - wanting to make absolutely sure that I pay the minimum possible in fees, and going well out of their way to accommodate my somewhat odd banking hurdles.

    To say I am excited and happy is a massive understatement. This is a genuine "dream system" I will be getting here. But what REALLY makes me happy is that I am buying it from such wonderful people. THAT turns a pleasure into a joy.


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    SouthWest of Cleveland
    Posts
    1,924

    Default Re: You Guys Wanna Hear About Some Custom Speakers?

    Wow! Cha-ching$$$!!

    Sounds like this will be an awesome setup. Did you run out of budget for a pair of 15" Rythmiks?
    Ed

    * Sierra-2EX's W/V2 crossover upgrade
    * (2) Rythmik F12's
    * Parasound Halo P6
    * Audio by Van Alstine DVA-M225 Monoblock Amps
    * MiniDSP 2x4HD For Sub calibration
    *World's Best Cables Canare 4S11 speaker cables

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    373

    Default Re: You Guys Wanna Hear About Some Custom Speakers?

    Thanks, Mag_Neato!

    Nope, didn't run out of budget for subs; I already have a pair of SVSound PC13-Ultra DSP Sledge cylinder subs. Those shall suffice

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    711

    Default Re: You Guys Wanna Hear About Some Custom Speakers?

    Quite the setup, congrats to you! Looking forward to some pics after its all up and running.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    373

    Default Re: You Guys Wanna Hear About Some Custom Speakers?

    Thanks, merrymaid520!

    Yup, it's going to be very impressive. I fully expect the, "my god, it's full of...speakers" reaction from anyone who visits

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Green Bay, WI
    Posts
    180

    Default Re: You Guys Wanna Hear About Some Custom Speakers?

    What size room will you be putting this beast in?
    Andrew
    -------------------------

    TV: Panasonic VIERA TC-P55ST30 55-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR706, Emotiva XPA-5 Gen 2, Blu Ray: Sony BDP-N460
    Fronts/Center/Surrounds: Sierra Towers Nrt, Sierra-1, HTM-200
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-4

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    130

    Default Re: You Guys Wanna Hear About Some Custom Speakers?

    That looks great! Looking forward to your custom center!!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Space Coast, FL
    Posts
    578

    Default Re: You Guys Wanna Hear About Some Custom Speakers?

    OMG!!

    Want!
    -Jacob

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    373

    Default Re: You Guys Wanna Hear About Some Custom Speakers?

    I don't think I even need to say anything...

    Custom Sierra Horizons Wide Shot.jpg

    Custom Sierra Horizons Close Up.jpg

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Space Coast, FL
    Posts
    578

    Default Re: You Guys Wanna Hear About Some Custom Speakers?

    Wow, very impressive. You, sir, need to host a block party once your pallet 'o speakers arrives. I'll bring beer, ribs, pheasant, veal, whatever you want....just please let me bask in the magnificence of these wonderful custom speakers.

    Can someone pass me a napkin, please? I'm drooling again.
    -Jacob

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