Introducing the CMT-340 and CMT-340c Signature Edition:
Our 340s have been a pleasant surprise to me. I never expected such high volume sales and the daily feedback we receive has been wonderful.. thank you!
Of course, if the CBM-170 is new and improved, the 340 deserves the same or more…
The CMT-340SE uses a new high-performance 27mm chambered tweeter, also built by SEAS of Norway. This new tweeter offers all the same performance improvements as the new 170 tweeter and is perfectly timbre matched with the 170 SE tweeter. In fact, it uses the exact same 27mm dome as the new neo tweeter. The only real difference between the two is that this tweeter uses a larger faceplate and a much larger ferrite magnet (compared to the much smaller neodymium tweeter).
This awesome tweeter offers cleaner and more detailed highs, and addresses what I feel was perhaps the only weakness of the original 340 tweeter. At very high volume levels, the original 340 tweeter started to sound a bit harsh… details would tend to blend together and lose separation, lose “distinctness”. This new tweeter offers a flatter response with greater high-frequency extension, a much lower resonant frequency and much higher power handling. It is also better damped due to a ferrofluid filled voice coil gap.
We have also incorporated the upgraded woofers into the 340SE while also lowering the port tune of the cabinet by approximately 10Hz… What exactly does that mean… Something I have been wanting to say for a while now.. go ahead.. run them full-range all day long if you wish The lower port tune means lesser cone movement at lower frequencies and the increase in woofer excursion means greater control and improved low frequency performance.
I know many of you enjoy running the 340 mains full range without a subwoofer for music. I have never recommended it knowing the limitations of the original aerogel woofers… It is a completely different situation with the 340 SE, and I am most happy to make that announcement!
I want to make something clear so there is no confusion here… Both the CBM-170 SE and CMT-340 SE models are technically more advanced then their predecessors. The enhancements I have made are significant but the sound for both models is still the same great Ascend sound we have become famous for… only better.. cleaner and smoother, with noticeably more punch (note: not boom) in the low-end. Frequency response measurements for the SE models are almost identical to their original’s yet with a wider bandwidth… From an objective standpoint, spectral decay, frequency response, and distortion measurements are improved.. and from a subjective listening standpoint… well, let me just say that I LOVE the new models and I wouldn’t have released them if they didn’t sound better…..
How much will a pair cost?
CMT-340 SE price per pair = $568
The new 340 is quite a bit heavier due to the larger woofer magnets so shipping costs will be increasing to $26 per pair (up from $22 /pr).
When will these be readily available?
I was hoping for before Christmas but as usual, things got delayed.. I expect these to start shipping mid January. (only 2 months away!)
Will upgrades be available from original CMT-340 (which can be referred to as 340 “classics”) to Signature Editions?
Yes.. absolutely..but only in limited monthly quantities, but please contact me privately..
I want to thank ALL OF YOU for being so incredibly supportive and allowing me to spend the time and devote the resources necessary to offer these incredible improvements. This has been a huge invesment for us and it simply could not have been possible without YOUR support... Thank You!
... and please have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!