340's a good pick?

[phipp01]

Frequent lurker here. Due to a recent loss I am researching new HT speakers. I would be coming from Onix Rocket 450 fronts with a Bigfoot center with the Onix 250's as rears. I'm thinking the CMT 340's as front L/R (with stands) with the 340 center. Thinking the 170's as rears. Now I loved the sound of the Rockets and was wondering how these two systems compared to each other. I prefer a "warm" sounding speaker.

Most likely will be powering these with a Denon 3313 with an eye to eventually upgrade the front 3 to the Towers and Horizon.

Good plan? Thoughts from you Ascend experts? Thanks in advance!!

[hearing specialist]

PM sent :D

[curtis]

Frequent lurker here. Due to a recent loss I am researching new HT speakers. I would be coming from Onix Rocket 450 fronts with a Bigfoot center with the Onix 250's as rears. I'm thinking the CMT 340's as front L/R (with stands) with the 340 center. Thinking the 170's as rears. Now I loved the sound of the Rockets and was wondering how these two systems compared to each other. I prefer a "warm" sounding speaker.

Most likely will be powering these with a Denon 3313 with an eye to eventually upgrade the front 3 to the Towers and Horizon.

Good plan? Thoughts from you Ascend experts? Thanks in advance!!
The 450 was/is a warm speaker, but not as warm as some of the others in the Rocket line.

The CMT-340SE is not a warm speaker...it is very neutral. I also believe the Rocket 450 digs a bit deeper in the bass. The result may initially have you thinking the 340 sounds a bit thin at first.

[phipp01]

PM sent :D

Thanks Brian!

[phipp01]

The 450 was/is a warm speaker, but not as warm as some of the others in the Rocket line.

The CMT-340SE is not a warm speaker...it is very neutral. I also believe the Rocket 450 digs a bit deeper in the bass. The result may initially have you thinking the 340 sounds a bit thin at first.

Thank you for the reply Curtis. Do you think that if I run a sub I would still think they were thin? I'm interested in CHT's new 15" sub that hopefully will be in production by January. Im hoping to buy speakers by the end of November.

[curtis]

Thank you for the reply Curtis. Do you think that if I run a sub I would still think they were thin? I'm interested in CHT's new 15" sub that hopefully will be in production by January. Im hoping to buy speakers by the end of November.
Possibly, because of the "warmth" of the Rockets.

[GirgleMirt]

Dont know what the pm was, but I guess the answer is no? A sub will add bass mostly below 80hz, I think warmth is also up till 200hz.... you brobably have bass settings on your receiver though... 340se is a great speaker, but warm it is not... Sierras for deeper bass? (low end more 'fulfilling'?)

[phipp01]

Well I probably wont be buying until at least the end of October but Im thinking I need to give them a shot. Ascend seems like a very good company to deal with and they have the 30 day return window. And like Girgle said, I'll have bass settings in the AVR. For the price point of the Ascends I really dont think I can go wrong.

[phipp01]

Dont know what the pm was, but I guess the answer is no? A sub will add bass mostly below 80hz, I think warmth is also up till 200hz.... you brobably have bass settings on your receiver though... 340se is a great speaker, but warm it is not... Sierras for deeper bass? (low end more 'fulfilling'?)

The PM was just Brian from Ascend giving me his thoughts on the setup Im looking at. I will most likely like a neutral speaker so long as they are not to "bright/harsh". Brian also recommended the stands (which I planned on getting) filled with sand to mass load them.

[Jeff52]

The 450 was/is a warm speaker, but not as warm as some of the others in the Rocket line.

The CMT-340SE is not a warm speaker...it is very neutral. I also believe the Rocket 450 digs a bit deeper in the bass. The result may initially have you thinking the 340 sounds a bit thin at first.

I have never thought of the 340's as being thin even from the very begining of hearing them. When you say warm does this mean colored and not neutral, and how is warmth associated with thin? Just curious.
Jeff :(

[Jeff52]

The PM was just Brian from Ascend giving me his thoughts on the setup Im looking at. I will most likely like a neutral speaker so long as they are not to "bright/harsh". Brian also recommended the stands (which I planned on getting) filled with sand to mass load them.

Phipp, I do not find my 340's to sound niether bright or harsh, they have a well braced and damped cabinet. These speakers grow on you and you acquire a taste of the Ascend sound which to my ears is in a different class of other speakers at this price point. At $560 a pair you won't find a better speaker in my opinion. They continue to this day to amaze me with good source material and used in a HT setup with decent sub you can not go wrong. The only negative I have with the 340's is the disease to move up to the ST's which I hope to do soon. The 340's LCR and 170's surrounds=no regrets.
Jeff :)

[curtis]

I have never thought of the 340's as being thin even from the very begining of hearing them. When you say warm does this mean colored and not neutral, and how is warmth associated with thin? Just curious.
Jeff :(
It really depends on your interpretation of "warm". Some think of it as lack of treble, others thing of it as accentuated mid/mid-bass. Yes, definitely colored.

I also don't think any Ascend speaker is thin.

[natetg57]

I prefer a "warm" sounding speaker.



How would you define "warm"? What would you describe as the opposite of "warm"?

[choirbass]

It really depends on your interpretation of "warm". Some think of it as lack of treble, others thing of it as accentuated mid/mid-bass. Yes, definitely colored.

I also don't think any Ascend speaker is thin.

If it's a combination of lacking upper extension while also having bloated bass, then it sounds like its probably time for a new set of speakers, lol.

[Jeff52]

It really depends on your interpretation of "warm". Some think of it as lack of treble, others thing of it as accentuated mid/mid-bass. Yes, definitely colored.

I also don't think any Ascend speaker is thin.

Thank you Curtis.

[DougMac]

Now I loved the sound of the Rockets and was wondering how these two systems compared to each other.
Just wondering why you're not thinking of going back to the Rockets. I don't think the money is that far apart.

Are you just interested in trying something new or was there something you think the 340's would offer that the Rockets don't?

I have not heard the Rockets so I can't compare. I can list some positives about the 340's. Ascend is indeed a great company to deal with and they stand by their products. I read the Rockets are a little hard to drive and one reviewer felt that external amplificatoin was needed if you watched movies near reference level. The 340's are easy to drive and are relatively efficient. The 340's are neutral which I consider a positive, but folks coming from speakers with a pronounced mid bass hump may not think so. My 340's are in a home theater so I cross over to the sub @80hz. I can't speak much about the low end since I don't recall ever hearing them without it.

I just got a copy of the Fillmore East Allman Brothers album on multichannel SACD. I am very familiar with this album, I bought it when it was first released. "Done Somebody Wrong" starts out with a guitar solo by Duane with rhythm staccato accents. With the 340's and the SACD, I could hear the cymbal details that I've never heard before. Feed them good source material and they really sound great.

Best of luck on your decision. If you decide to audition them, I suggest you spend at least a week before coming to a conclusion if you're a fan of "warm" speakers.

[Jeff52]

Just wondering why you're not thinking of going back to the Rockets. I don't think the money is that far apart.

Are you just interested in trying something new or was there something you think the 340's would offer that the Rockets don't?

I have not heard the Rockets so I can't compare. I can list some positives about the 340's. Ascend is indeed a great company to deal with and they stand by their products. I read the Rockets are a little hard to drive and one reviewer felt that external amplificatoin was needed if you watched movies near reference level. The 340's are easy to drive and are relatively efficient. The 340's are neutral which I consider a positive, but folks coming from speakers with a pronounced mid bass hump may not think so. My 340's are in a home theater so I cross over to the sub @80hz. I can't speak much about the low end since I don't recall ever hearing them without it.

I just got a copy of the Fillmore East Allman Brothers album on multichannel SACD. I am very familiar with this album, I bought it when it was first released. "Done Somebody Wrong" starts out with a guitar solo by Duane with rhythm staccato accents. With the 340's and the SACD, I could hear the cymbal details that I've never heard before. Feed them good source material and they really sound great.

Best of luck on your decision. If you decide to audition them, I suggest you spend at least a week before coming to a conclusion if you're a fan of "warm" speakers.

+1 my friend

[GirgleMirt]

Just wondering why you're not thinking of going back to the Rockets. I don't think the money is that far apart.

The company that was making the Rockets is out of business so as far as I know you can't buy these anymore.


It really depends on your interpretation of "warm". Some think of it as lack of treble, others thing of it as accentuated mid/mid-bass. Yes, definitely colored.

Yeah which is why I mentioned the Sierras. The Sierras are a touch laid back and have deeper bass, which give them a 'fuller sound' as some would say... So in some ways they're closer to warm speakers than the 340SE... They're also more detailed & better imaging...

[RicardoJoa]

It really depends on your interpretation of "warm". Some think of it as lack of treble, others thing of it as accentuated mid/mid-bass. Yes, definitely colored.

I also don't think any Ascend speaker is thin.

To me, warmth speaker interpretation has always associated with me on the overall midrange.
For example, my old altec are warmer sounding then sieera 1 though the sierra digs deeper and altecs has much more treble weight.

[phipp01]

Just wondering why you're not thinking of going back to the Rockets. I don't think the money is that far apart.

Are you just interested in trying something new or was there something you think the 340's would offer that the Rockets don't?

I have not heard the Rockets so I can't compare. I can list some positives about the 340's. Ascend is indeed a great company to deal with and they stand by their products. I read the Rockets are a little hard to drive and one reviewer felt that external amplificatoin was needed if you watched movies near reference level. The 340's are easy to drive and are relatively efficient. The 340's are neutral which I consider a positive, but folks coming from speakers with a pronounced mid bass hump may not think so. My 340's are in a home theater so I cross over to the sub @80hz. I can't speak much about the low end since I don't recall ever hearing them without it.

I just got a copy of the Fillmore East Allman Brothers album on multichannel SACD. I am very familiar with this album, I bought it when it was first released. "Done Somebody Wrong" starts out with a guitar solo by Duane with rhythm staccato accents. With the 340's and the SACD, I could hear the cymbal details that I've never heard before. Feed them good source material and they really sound great.

Best of luck on your decision. If you decide to audition them, I suggest you spend at least a week before coming to a conclusion if you're a fan of "warm" speakers.

Well AV666 went out of business and the owner ended up in jail for fraud. If I could find some I would go back to them. I would go back to the 760's though not the 450's. Those never come up for sale. Found one pair on ebay for 1250 which is about 650 too much LOL. They sold new for $800 all the time. Plus if anything happens to them finding parts is a nightmare.

Also I would like to try something new. I think when/if I buy them I would probably give them 2 weeks of listening. I will give them a proper workout. The neighbors might not appreciate it it but if they complain Ill invite them over for a movie LOL.

[phipp01]

Phipp, I do not find my 340's to sound niether bright or harsh, they have a well braced and damped cabinet. These speakers grow on you and you acquire a taste of the Ascend sound which to my ears is in a different class of other speakers at this price point. At $560 a pair you won't find a better speaker in my opinion. They continue to this day to amaze me with good source material and used in a HT setup with decent sub you can not go wrong. The only negative I have with the 340's is the disease to move up to the ST's which I hope to do soon. The 340's LCR and 170's surrounds=no regrets.
Jeff :)

Thanks for the input Jeff! The sub Im interested in is from Chase Home Theater. Hes testing a new 15" prototype right now and looking at an in stock date of Dec. or Jan if everything goes good. The more I research the more I am coming to the conclusion that this setup is the way to go. Im hoping to buy by the end of Oct. and no l ater than the end of Nov. I'd love to get the ST's and a Horizon but just cant come up with that amount right now LOL. Some day though! They are a thing of beauty!

[phipp01]

It really depends on your interpretation of "warm". Some think of it as lack of treble, others thing of it as accentuated mid/mid-bass. Yes, definitely colored.

I also don't think any Ascend speaker is thin.

I think of it as lack of treble. Well sort of. If the highs are accentuated it bothers my ears. I really cant think of a way to describe it other than that.


How would you define "warm"? What would you describe as the opposite of "warm"?

A warm speaker to me is everything blending well together without "harsh" highs. The opposite would be a speaker that accentuates the highs. I dont know if Im explaining it right or using the right words LOL. Its been a long day!

[Jeff52]

Thanks for the input Jeff! The sub Im interested in is from Chase Home Theater. Hes testing a new 15" prototype right now and looking at an in stock date of Dec. or Jan if everything goes good. The more I research the more I am coming to the conclusion that this setup is the way to go. Im hoping to buy by the end of Oct. and no l ater than the end of Nov. I'd love to get the ST's and a Horizon but just cant come up with that amount right now LOL. Some day though! They are a thing of beauty!

You are welcome my friend, I started with what I could afford and have enjoyed every moment of my allotted funds. I will soon be in a position to move up to the ST's, my system is buildable if you can understand what I'm trying to convey, I don't have to start from scratch, I believe I have a solid foundation with my Ascend products and have no intention of switching brands, just making my "building" bigger so to speak. Ascend speakers have great resale value as well making the transition a lot easier financially.
CHT seems to be making a name for themselves with their passive designs, I was not aware of the new prototype being tested, their facility is about a two hour drive for me and have invited me up for a test drive :D Take care phipp.
Cheers Jeff

[GirgleMirt]

I think of it as lack of treble. Well sort of. If the highs are accentuated it bothers my ears. I really cant think of a way to describe it other than that.

A warm speaker to me is everything blending well together without "harsh" highs. The opposite would be a speaker that accentuates the highs. I dont know if Im explaining it right or using the right words LOL. Its been a long day!

Ok so IMHO, the 340SE will work great then. I was listening to them again yesterday and they again surprised and blown me away.. I was demoing some very heavy bass material (link in my Sierra measurement thread, kawai kenji), and I was honestly expecting the 340SE not to perform as well as they did. I was really surprised. Really amazing. These will really compete about 1000$ (1500$ in other cases ;)) full floorstanders with 6-8 inch woofers and really not end up short.

The highs are definitely not accentuated nor harsh. But they're there, crisp, fantastic. :D Just a superb speaker for the money... Really can't go wrong.

I was fantasizing while listening to the 340SE how it would be with a good sub, or with 8 inch Dayton woofers (or something) on top and bottom of each 340SE in a WMTMW, and actually seriously thought about making it happen.. LOL Maybe encasing the 340SE speaker itself, with a cabinet on top/bottom, active crossover, dual amplification... :eek: That would definitely be a crazy project and a sick result... Maybe one day... :D

Oh, and in the Sierra Tower thread, I also rambled on about the 340SE vs Totems... might be an interesting read if you missed it! 340SEs are really not so little gems ;)

[Jeff52]

Ok so IMHO, the 340SE will work great then. I was listening to them again yesterday and they again surprised and blown me away.. I was demoing some very heavy bass material (link in my Sierra measurement thread, kawai kenji), and I was honestly expecting the 340SE not to perform as well as they did. I was really surprised. Really amazing. These will really compete about 1000$ (1500$ in other cases ;)) full floorstanders with 6-8 inch woofers and really not end up short.

The highs are definitely not accentuated nor harsh. But they're there, crisp, fantastic. :D Just a superb speaker for the money... Really can't go wrong.

I was fantasizing while listening to the 340SE how it would be with a good sub, or with 8 inch Dayton woofers (or something) on top and bottom of each 340SE in a WMTMW, and actually seriously thought about making it happen.. LOL Maybe encasing the 340SE speaker itself, with a cabinet on top/bottom, active crossover, dual amplification... :eek: That would definitely be a crazy project and a sick result... Maybe one day... :D

Oh, and in the Sierra Tower thread, I also rambled on about the 340SE vs Totems... might be an interesting read if you missed it! 340SEs are really not so little gems ;)

Mirt, just when I think I can't be any more impressed with the 340SE they blow me away all overagain. I like the WMTMW idea, go for it :D
Jeff

[GirgleMirt]

Mirt, just when I think I can't be any more impressed with the 340SE they blow me away all overagain. I like the WMTMW idea, go for it :D
Jeff
hahaha! Don't tempt me :p Pair of these (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=295-376) 150$ (look would fit great with 340SE drivers!)
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRHwf89J_9Roxp-e7xJRQ6pkgw_bhzbDinKs75zcXTqjoeQuun4wjMxmgba
But then there's the additional amp, the crossover, cabinets to build, bah! One day maybe lol...

It's too bad that you just couldn't wire them with 340SE with a passive crossover as that would mess up the 340s...

Ooooh, I had my 340SEs temporarily lying on their sides but stacked on top of each other which made me think; stack a bunch on top of each other to make a giant line array, that would also be something... lol Does Ascend offer discounts for multiple pairs? :p

[Jeff52]

hahaha! Don't tempt me :p Pair of these (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=295-376) 150$ (look would fit great with 340SE drivers!)
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRHwf89J_9Roxp-e7xJRQ6pkgw_bhzbDinKs75zcXTqjoeQuun4wjMxmgba
But then there's the additional amp, the crossover, cabinets to build, bah! One day maybe lol...

That will work, start drawing up the plans and Dave may add some insight, let's get started. :D

[darkpoet25]

I think of it as lack of treble. Well sort of. If the highs are accentuated it bothers my ears. I really cant think of a way to describe it other than that.



A warm speaker to me is everything blending well together without "harsh" highs. The opposite would be a speaker that accentuates the highs. I dont know if Im explaining it right or using the right words LOL. Its been a long day!

Okay, going by your definition of 'warm' speakers, the 340's should be right up your alley. The opposite of what you describe I personally call 'bright' or 'forward' sound speakers. Over time they can cause listener fatigue, which the Ascends won't give you. Owning a pair of 170's for my l/r and the 340 center myself, I am constantly in awe of how wonderful they truly sound to me. I will say that they are very accurate, meaning they show the true flaws in a recording. They have nice, clear imaging. Listening to the Eagles Hell Freezes Over DTS-Audio disc, the vocal harmonies sounded very full and rich. To me it was honestly like sitting in the audience. When they performed New York Minute, wow. That song itself reminded me of why I like them so much. I also have a CD called Symphonic Pink Floyd, which was done using the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and two members of Killing Joke. I have an apartment, so I normally listen to movies and music at around -55 to -60dB's on my Yamaha RX-A700. One afternoon, I decided to turn the volume slowly up until I got to around -40dB's. The 170's NEVER got overly 'bright' or 'forward' sounding, just clean pure sound. I hope that when the time comes for you to get the 340's, that you will share your experiences with the rest of us. It will take a few days of listening to get used to the sound they produce, but over time you will get accustomed to them, and truly appreciate the work that Dave has put into his products. :)

[phipp01]

Okay, going by your definition of 'warm' speakers, the 340's should be right up your alley. The opposite of what you describe I personally call 'bright' or 'forward' sound speakers. Over time they can cause listener fatigue, which the Ascends won't give you. Owning a pair of 170's for my l/r and the 340 center myself, I am constantly in awe of how wonderful they truly sound to me. I will say that they are very accurate, meaning they show the true flaws in a recording. They have nice, clear imaging. Listening to the Eagles Hell Freezes Over DTS-Audio disc, the vocal harmonies sounded very full and rich. To me it was honestly like sitting in the audience. When they performed New York Minute, wow. That song itself reminded me of why I like them so much. I also have a CD called Symphonic Pink Floyd, which was done using the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and two members of Killing Joke. I have an apartment, so I normally listen to movies and music at around -55 to -60dB's on my Yamaha RX-A700. One afternoon, I decided to turn the volume slowly up until I got to around -40dB's. The 170's NEVER got overly 'bright' or 'forward' sounding, just clean pure sound. I hope that when the time comes for you to get the 340's, that you will share your experiences with the rest of us. It will take a few days of listening to get used to the sound they produce, but over time you will get accustomed to them, and truly appreciate the work that Dave has put into his products. :)

Thanks for the input Poet! I will definitely share my experience when I do purchase them. Hoping to have them and a new AVR by Thanksgiving. Hopefully soone LOL.

[sonicboom]

I was fantasizing while listening to the 340SE how it would be with a good sub, or with 8 inch Dayton woofers (or something) on top and bottom of each 340SE in a WMTMW, and actually seriously thought about making it happen.. LOL Maybe encasing the 340SE speaker itself, with a cabinet on top/bottom, active crossover, dual amplification... :eek: That would definitely be a crazy project and a sick result... Maybe one day... :D


I simply rest my 340s directly on each of my two 12-inch subs. The subs themselves are elevated from the floor by about 15 inches, and I want to say, the sound is just awesome.