Page 2 of 7 FirstFirst 1234567 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 67

Thread: Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 Review

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    5,538

    Default

    Hey Nicholas,

    BTW, I LOVE the look of the CBM-170s on those SP-30 speaker stands!
    .
    .
    .
    Good Sound To You!

    David Fabrikant
    www.ascendacoustics.com

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    335

    Default

    Definetly not trying to knock any other speakers Dave has designed. By what I've experienced with the 170s, I'm sure the other offerings are just as great for their intended application.

    I am curious about what you said about the 340 having greater clarity and improved dynamics with less distortion. Would I be right in guessing this is only when playing at high SPLs while pushing the lower end frequencies? I noticed the 340s have a slightly higher sensitivity in the specifications listing, while the 170 frequency response graph shows a flatter plot. Am I seeing two different tweeters between the 170 and 340 as well?

    I was also hoping to get an opinion from you about the HSU subs you deal. How do they sound with 2ch music in your experience. I'm also curious about what equipment you use for your own personal HT & 2ch listening.

    Thanks,
    ~Nick

    EDIT: Thanks for the comment on the SP-30 stands. I thought they matched the CBM-170s quite nicely. They can't be adjusted like the OMNIMOUNT stands you deal, but you can fill them with sand or lead-shot which is cool. Apparently this is supposed to isolate the speaker in space. I'm going to experiment to see if there is any truth behind it.
    Last edited by Nicholas Mosher; 03-03-2005 at 10:14 PM.

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Posts
    92

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by davef
    Now.... if you do intend to place the center on top of or below a TV (subjecting the speaker to all sorts of nasty boundary effects), the obvious choice should be the 340 center.

    Well I don't like to think of it as a band-aid (hey, it was hundreds and hundreds of hours of work) it is the only way to compensate for the boundary effects caused by placing a loudspeaker on top of or below a television. There simply is no other way to do it, other than physically placing the speaker in another location (which can hurt the localization of dialogue, so dialogue sounds like it is coming from the TV and not somewhere else).

    In this regard, I will say that our “band-aid” works quite well
    So...if I plan to put the center on a stand in front of the TV, then you would not recommend the 340 center? Would you recommend getting a 340M or 170 in that case?

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    413

    Default

    nicholas, i would go ahead and get an stf2 with your 170s if you can. it's quite simply an astonishing 2.1 setup for music listening and a superb HT sub to boot. my first hsu sub was the stf2, and i absolutely loved the hsu sound. i brought the vtf3 mk2 into my ht after owning the stf2 for one year just to reach that 20Hz mark and gain some added slam when wanted. although, i'll admit that i don't use the full capability of the vtf3 mk2 by any means. i also think the integrated performance you'll gain from a 5.1 setup is just what you need.

    cbm170s are diamonds in the rough. my 170s serve as stereo monitors in 2 rooms and then as rear surrounds in my HT / living room when needed. my 170s have a strange way of following me around the house. i would say that i listen to more stereo material with my 170s than any other speaker i've ever owned. i can't rave about them enough. imho - dave created a masterpiece. they're so right on the money.

    i believe you should not have any buyer's remorse about your 170s as i feel that they are fully capable of extreme excellence for HT. (you definitely enjoy them and i only sense a 'what if') you have a spectacular setup w/ 5 identical speakers. the only thing you need is a nice sub to fulfill the .1 extension of the HT. complete that .1 then see what you think.

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    335

    Default

    Metalaaron, I have no "what-if" doubts about my five CBM-170s. They are absolutely fantastic for the money. I definetly plan on adding a sub in the near future, but I'm still doing research and auditioning. I'd probably go straight for the VTF-3 MK2 if I went with HSU simply for the extension and headroom. Trying to find out more regarding its accuracy, speed, and ability to dissapear like the 170s.

    Couldn't be more happy regarding the 170s though.

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    413

    Default

    cool.
    +/- 1db 18Hz to 125Hz. highly regarded in the sub $1k arena. the avg. linear response makes it a great choice for monitors w/ similar qualities. i recommend SPL adjustments. i believe it integrates w/ 170s to complete a very integrated 20Hz-20kHz range after SPL is adjusted on the sub. SPL meters are fun anyways. it's pretty cool to know what SPLs your vacuum cleaner will reach.

    some believe speed is a myth. my only observation of the hsu speed is what i'd call accuracy. what i believe is a well controlled woofer combined with a well made enclosure and the right amplification makes it accurate. but, that would also go to describe the unique sound quality a hsu has, IMHO.

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Manhattan Beach, California
    Posts
    7,034

    Default

    I believe "speed" is how well the sub transitions from one note to the next. This something that is not often published and/or tested, and something that Hsu subs excell in.

    Dr. Hsu started out by building his subs for audiophiles first. If you haven't heard the definition differences between subs, most won't understand, it really needs to be experienced. It usually gets glossed over when folks post on the net and high SPL/low Hz gets all the mention.
    -curtis

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    335

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by curtis
    I believe "speed" is how well the sub transitions from one note to the next. This something that is not often published and/or tested, and something that Hsu subs excell in.
    Good to hear. Thats what I was trying to describe by the word "fast". During bass intensive music or soundtracks, with most of the subwoofers I've heard you simply get a humm that flops around and sounds terrible. The two subs I've heard that I do like can play distinct tones that are sharp and defined during complex tracks. Like in Master and Commander, I like to be able to hear the chest thumping crack of the cannon fire and then the impact of the cannon balls without having just one heavy loose tone throughout the entire scene. Or during a drum solo, I hate when a sub can't play tight kick-drum hits with realistic decay and simply gives off a loud loose woof/thump that carries on with a fuzzy sound. I think I'm going to order the VTF-3 MK2 to try. Just have to finish saving up for one...
    Last edited by Nicholas Mosher; 03-04-2005 at 07:30 PM.

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    overland park, ks
    Posts
    70

    Default

    i like those stands, i might get a pair.
    powdered toast man away!

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    335

    Default

    Jeh:
    I'm definetly happy with the SP-30 stands. Hififorless had the cheapest price I could find. They nail you on the shipping, but it still comes out cheaper than any other dealer. Definetly heavy. The UPS package weight for 3 pairs was almost 80lbs. Nice, thick gauge steel that has a black powdercoat finish. Nothing to write home about, but they look clean with the CBM-170s.
    http://www.hififorless.com/categorie...categoryid=694

    On another note, I ordered my first DVD-A titles today. The Eagle's "Hotel California" and Sting's "Brand New Day". Should get them mid/late next week. I'll be sure to post my experience with the 170s.

    Last edited by Nicholas Mosher; 03-04-2005 at 10:07 PM.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •