dhobo
12-14-2012, 03:45 PM
Hi folks. I'm a new owner of Sierra-1 with stock tweeters. I thought I'd share my impressions and tastes having gone through years of hearing a variety of types of loudspeakers and setups... and hope to garner info sharing (rather then brand or model bashing).
I'm more 85% music / 15% movies, and over the years have bought and sold and looked for gear under realistic expectations and budgets in likely the "introductory audiophile" genre. I love auditioning and building a taste of what's out there and achievable in the confines of my budget and limitations/characteristics of my room, via self/peer education/experimentation. (mouthful)
I get the feeling my readings over the year this forum (and others) would have a good bunch with own experiences. I respect the generalized capabilities of bookshelves/monitors vs towers but I been more traditional to the smaller guys due to my room fitment.
I finally got Sierra-1s and experimenting to get the most out it. But over sheer enjoyment to share and yearn to learn, I shared some of the models I've listened to and rate by favorite by my tastes.. that lead me to ascend.
I appreciate no speaker can be perfect, but if I reach a level of engagement and enjoyment where I forget about critical listening to various music at that audition, then that is what I call a "favorite" to my ears/tastes...
(least)
Totem Mite (titanium tweeter)
Energy Veritas (new v5.1)
Energy Veritas (new v6.3)
Mirage Omnipolars OMD-28 (looks to share same drivers as Energy RC) Updated Dec 20
B&W 685
Klipsch RB-35 (was a horn fan initially but then is felt too biased unnatural)
Totem Rainmakers (only when coupled with tight sub like JL Audio F112)
Martin Logan Source
B&W CM5 Bass was touch bloated in my room with <=8 ft of separation
B&W CM1 No midrange I felt, just fatiguing high (after 30 mins), bass wasn't as tight defined as Sierra
Energy RC-10 (Reference Connoisseur) Highs and vocals enjoyable but no midrange and lowend compared to B&Ws and others
Energy RC-70 (fuller but notice not as clean, defined midrange, muddy bass)
Ascend Sierra-1 (stock tweeter, still breaking in... UPDATED Dec 20)
Martin Logan Summit (too accurate, too focussed)
Paradigm Signature S2
Energy Veritas 2.2i
B&W 802s
(most)
Thought I stir a fun insight, rather than brand/model bashing...
Dec 25.. Really enjoying the stock Sierras, the midrange and midbass sound have a really nice clarity in my room, as I've gone 12 ft listening distance, close to 8 ft separation. Sofa is right infront of a back wall so I put "egg-carton like soft foam" 2 x 2 ft squares to block dry wall resonating. I played without and with the F12 Rythmik and USB DAC
I'm more 85% music / 15% movies, and over the years have bought and sold and looked for gear under realistic expectations and budgets in likely the "introductory audiophile" genre. I love auditioning and building a taste of what's out there and achievable in the confines of my budget and limitations/characteristics of my room, via self/peer education/experimentation. (mouthful)
I get the feeling my readings over the year this forum (and others) would have a good bunch with own experiences. I respect the generalized capabilities of bookshelves/monitors vs towers but I been more traditional to the smaller guys due to my room fitment.
I finally got Sierra-1s and experimenting to get the most out it. But over sheer enjoyment to share and yearn to learn, I shared some of the models I've listened to and rate by favorite by my tastes.. that lead me to ascend.
I appreciate no speaker can be perfect, but if I reach a level of engagement and enjoyment where I forget about critical listening to various music at that audition, then that is what I call a "favorite" to my ears/tastes...
(least)
Totem Mite (titanium tweeter)
Energy Veritas (new v5.1)
Energy Veritas (new v6.3)
Mirage Omnipolars OMD-28 (looks to share same drivers as Energy RC) Updated Dec 20
B&W 685
Klipsch RB-35 (was a horn fan initially but then is felt too biased unnatural)
Totem Rainmakers (only when coupled with tight sub like JL Audio F112)
Martin Logan Source
B&W CM5 Bass was touch bloated in my room with <=8 ft of separation
B&W CM1 No midrange I felt, just fatiguing high (after 30 mins), bass wasn't as tight defined as Sierra
Energy RC-10 (Reference Connoisseur) Highs and vocals enjoyable but no midrange and lowend compared to B&Ws and others
Energy RC-70 (fuller but notice not as clean, defined midrange, muddy bass)
Ascend Sierra-1 (stock tweeter, still breaking in... UPDATED Dec 20)
Martin Logan Summit (too accurate, too focussed)
Paradigm Signature S2
Energy Veritas 2.2i
B&W 802s
(most)
Thought I stir a fun insight, rather than brand/model bashing...
Dec 25.. Really enjoying the stock Sierras, the midrange and midbass sound have a really nice clarity in my room, as I've gone 12 ft listening distance, close to 8 ft separation. Sofa is right infront of a back wall so I put "egg-carton like soft foam" 2 x 2 ft squares to block dry wall resonating. I played without and with the F12 Rythmik and USB DAC