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Thread: Sierra 2 EX or Luna for Desktop

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
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    7

    Default Sierra 2 EX or Luna for Desktop

    Hi,

    I sent an email to Ascend but have not heard back yet, so figured I would post the question here where I could get additional input. I am looking for an upgrade to my current desktop speakers. I am currently using a pair of Totem Mites, which ware generally considered a bit warmer than most Totems and are approximately the size of Lunas but with a 5.25" woofer. They are powered by a Parasound Zamp (45w channel), front end is a Schiit DAC and Preamp. The room is 11x13' with the rear of the speakers about 6" out from the front wall. I am located against the corner of the room, (left speaker is 18" from the sidewall, first reflection point treated and large GIK panels on the front wall and I am about 3' from the speakers; see terrible attached photo). Finally, I currently use a Rythmik L12 subwoofer to pick up the bottom end.

    My listening is primarily rock, some electronic, some eclectic stuff, most decently mixed, some not so much. I tend to prefer on the warmer side of neutral with a bit of fatness in the midbass (Vandersteens and Magnepans have always spoken to me, and I use 3.5r Magnepans in my main system). I listen while working during the day, so my average listening levels are in the 55-60 db range, but if I crank it up, 75-80db with no more than 95db peaks. I have my cranked up reference levels set at those used by Bob Katz for his K Mastering with the reference at 75db given the nearfield setup and size of the room).

    I am overall pretty happy with the Totems, but feel they are missing some mid-range clarity/openness. They are a relatively flat measuring speakers (set of measurements attached), but when I compare them to my Magnepans the Magnepans are more open sounding. While I know part of that is the Magnepans, I listened to a pair of Salk Song 3s recently, and found them to be very open sounding, while not bright or forward, so I know that box speakers can have that quality and the ribbons in the Salk's gave some of that Magnepan feel.

    In looking at the Ascend lineup, the Luna seems like a logical choice, but I am concerned about the roll off starting at 200 hz and my preference for a bit of midbass fatness. By the same token, I know I will also get some boundary reinforcement, but am not sure at what frequency that will start. From the comments I see on the Sierra 2 ex, they seem to be a better fit to my listening preferences, as well as their measurements reflecting that, but again, that nearfield listening and boundary reinforcement changes things and I could see me ending up with the speaker sounding bloated. I understand the Sierra's will be larger than my Totems, but have the desk space.

    So my question is would the 2EX or Luna be a better choice for me? It looks like with the 2 ex's extended bass response, I could eliminate my subwoofer and still have solid response to the 40hz range (I have a 15" rythmik if my main system if I want to explore deep bass).

    Thank you,

    Cary
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
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    7

    Default Re: Sierra 2 EX or Luna for Desktop

    Anyone?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Western North Carolina
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    51

    Default Re: Sierra 2 EX or Luna for Desktop

    Sorry I can't give you any first hand knowledge, but I did share a few back and forth emails with Dave on a similar topic. Here's his quote that might help you...

    "With a sub and with the speakers crossed at 80Hz, it is difficult to tell the speakers apart (Luna's compared to Sierra-2EX) -- the Sierra-2EX will be just a tad bit warmer and more dynamic."

    Hopefully someone else will chime in who has heard these.

    Dan

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
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    93

    Default Re: Sierra 2 EX or Luna for Desktop

    Quote Originally Posted by doctors11 View Post
    Sorry I can't give you any first hand knowledge, but I did share a few back and forth emails with Dave on a similar topic. Here's his quote that might help you...

    "With a sub and with the speakers crossed at 80Hz, it is difficult to tell the speakers apart (Luna's compared to Sierra-2EX) -- the Sierra-2EX will be just a tad bit warmer and more dynamic."

    Hopefully someone else will chime in who has heard these.

    Dan
    This is confusing as everyone is saying the Sierra-2EX is a significant improvement from the Sierra 2 even with a sub. And I was under the impression the Sierra 2 is better than the Luna’s.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
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    Default Re: Sierra 2 EX or Luna for Desktop

    Quote Originally Posted by djDANNY View Post
    This is confusing as everyone is saying the Sierra-2EX is a significant improvement from the Sierra 2 even with a sub. And I was under the impression the Sierra 2 is better than the Luna’s.
    I wouldn't say the Sierra-2 is "better" than the Luna's... Running the speakers full range, certainly than the Sierra-2 is the better speaker. When run with a sub, I would say they are roughly equivalent.

    The Sierra-2EX vs the Luna with a subwoofer, the Sierra-2EX and Luna will also sound very similar, with the Sierra-2EX being more dynamic and can play quite a bit louder.

    It really comes down to your particular usage and placement situation.
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    Good Sound To You!

    David Fabrikant
    www.ascendacoustics.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
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    7

    Default Re: Sierra 2 EX or Luna for Desktop

    Dave,

    Thank you. With my planned use nearfield and up against the front wall, will the 2ex be any warmer. I will be high passing the speakers if used with a sub, as I have found doing so improves the sound of main speakers (even my large maggies) as they are relieved of trying to reproduce the lower bass.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
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    93

    Default Re: Sierra 2 EX or Luna for Desktop

    Quote Originally Posted by davef View Post
    I wouldn't say the Sierra-2 is "better" than the Luna's... Running the speakers full range, certainly than the Sierra-2 is the better speaker. When run with a sub, I would say they are roughly equivalent.

    The Sierra-2EX vs the Luna with a subwoofer, the Sierra-2EX and Luna will also sound very similar, with the Sierra-2EX being more dynamic and can play quite a bit louder.

    It really comes down to your particular usage and placement situation.
    I guess I’m getting hung up on it being suggested that the Luna with a sub will sound similar to the 2EX with a sub but other threads saying the 2EX with a sub is a significant improvement over the 2 with a sub. Trying to understand if it’s worth upgrading the regular 2’s I have and how much of an increase in performance there really will be if I’m already running them with a sub.

  8. #8
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    USA
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    Default Re: Sierra 2 EX or Luna for Desktop

    Quote Originally Posted by djDANNY View Post
    I guess I’m getting hung up on it being suggested that the Luna with a sub will sound similar to the 2EX with a sub but other threads saying the 2EX with a sub is a significant improvement over the 2 with a sub. Trying to understand if it’s worth upgrading the regular 2’s I have and how much of an increase in performance there really will be if I’m already running them with a sub.
    It is generally not a good idea to try and compare the performance of 2 speakers (Sierra-2/Sierra-2EX) based on comments comparing each one of those to a different speaker (Luna).

    That said, I have replied to your email

    Thanks again!
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    .
    .
    Good Sound To You!

    David Fabrikant
    www.ascendacoustics.com

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
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    51

    Default Re: Sierra 2 EX or Luna for Desktop

    I haven't tried Sierra Luna, but I have extensive experience with Sierra-2 plus a Rythmik F18 in a tricky room (using XT32). Love the Sierra-2 and sub, but for rock music, the EX is a noticeable upgrade. Warmer without feeling like it lost the neutral presentation, and more full sound. For me (with, full disclosure, only a few hours listening in so far) it's the right move.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Western North Carolina
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    51

    Default Re: Sierra 2 EX or Luna for Desktop

    Mcreyn, did you ever make a decision on these?

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