CBM-170SE Stereo Review

[curtis]

Congratulations on your graduation and employment!

[Galwin]

I am a bit late in finding this thread. Thanks for the great review and for the information on the loudness wars. I share your appreciation for Ascend speakers and concern about music production. Someday, if you get the chance, try to audition the Sierra's (even if they are outside the current budget). They are special and represent at least as good a value as the 170's.

I share your irritation with the recent Springsteen CD's - great music that's hard to listen to - how can that be? I find the recent one more listenable than Magic.

Welcome to the world of Ascend.

[®Magic]

Congratulations on your graduation and employment!

Thank you sir. Now we just need ucla and florida back in the final four.


Or actually, we've sucked so much the past 2 years, I'd take just MAKING the tourney. :lol:

[®Magic]

I am a bit late in finding this thread. Thanks for the great review and for the information on the loudness wars. I share your appreciation for Ascend speakers and concern about music production. Someday, if you get the chance, try to audition the Sierra's (even if they are outside the current budget). They are special and represent at least as good a value as the 170's.

Yes. I plan to go to the Sierra's at some point, and make the 170se's my rear speakers. However, right now I'm in an apartment...so having any more boom would most likely not be appreciated by my neighbors.

Also - being the college football nut I am, my budget right now is actually a bit more focused on building a PA system for our tailgates...EV speakers + Crown Amp + Mackie Board is going to be fun.

I share your irritation with the recent Springsteen CD's - great music that's hard to listen to - how can that be? I find the recent one more listenable than Magic.

Welcome to the world of Ascend.

Yup. It's rather disgusting. Albums with good music suck to listen to. The really depressing thing is that one can't trust the "NEWLY REMASTERED" albums for crap. I've resorted to finding old cd's (manufactured in the ~1985-1995 timeframe) at garage sales.

As just another example, I found John Mellencamp's Scarecrow album the other day.

http://i39.tinypic.com/121e7sy.jpg

Which of those do you think is the original? Which is from the "remastered greatest hits" disc?

[®Magic]

Here's another -

While Circuit City was going out of business, I noticed they had the 30th anniversary edition of Billy Joel's "The Stranger" for 70% off...so I picked it up.

Now, let's compare how this "legacy edition" to the same songs on his greatest hits volume 1 cd from the early/mid 90's.

Movin' Out

http://i44.tinypic.com/255hqjc.jpg


Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

http://i41.tinypic.com/2hhq3dc.jpg


Only the Good Die Young

http://i41.tinypic.com/2iw4zeu.jpg


Disgusting isn't it?

[kylem]

This issue (the Loudness Wars) really gets me fired up. Check out track one from REM's Accelerate. I love REM but had a very hard time listening to this album all the way through (and stupid me bought the "deluxe" version ).

(click to enlarge)


..and Peter Buck is supposedly some kind of audiophile.

[kinggimp82]

Here's another -

While Circuit City was going out of business, I noticed they had the 30th anniversary edition of Billy Joel's "The Stranger" for 70% off...so I picked it up.

Now, let's compare how this "legacy edition" to the same songs on his greatest hits volume 1 cd from the early/mid 90's.

Movin' Out

http://i44.tinypic.com/255hqjc.jpg


Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

http://i41.tinypic.com/2hhq3dc.jpg


Only the Good Die Young

http://i41.tinypic.com/2iw4zeu.jpg


Disgusting isn't it?

Quite disturbing. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant is great for dynamic range. it has a lot of different insturments and the volume fluctuates quite a bit. Its a great song why tamper with it. This Loudness War pisses me off.

[curtis]

This should be interesting regarding this topic:
http://www.digido.com/honor-roll.html

[davef]

Just wanted to drop a quick update; I have graduated, am now employed, and finally have more room in which to set the speakers up.

Dave, they have truly been one of the best purchases I've ever made. Once again, thank you. I can't wait until I get out of the apartment and into a home so that I can actually go with sierras & sub.

Congratuations on your graduation and employment -- and thanks so much for your nice comments. I am very pleased that your are enjoying our CBM-170SE. These speakers have a special place in my heart (and always will)

[®Magic]

Sooooo...7 years later and I now live in Seattle...and despite still loving these speakers (and having to be mindful of neighbors as I'm in high density housing) I'm thinking it is time for an upgrade...



Also...hi again everyone! :wave: