New Sierra 2 EX Owner

[Paddlefoot]

Just received these yesterday...they won't be going back. More later with Pictures of my setup! Dave you hit these bad boys out the park! Greg Gresham

[racrawford65]

Congrats & Enjoy.

[kdaq]

Glad you're enjoying yours Paddlefoot. I could not agree more! I just finished upgrading my Sierra 2 to a Sierra 2 EX. It changed a fantastic speaker into one that is spot-on what I've always wanted. The added slam is fantastic, and the touch more warmth suits my taste nicely. I feel like I have all of the incredible imaging and detail separation I loved about the Sierra 2, but with a fuller feel. Can't wait to spend more time with it.

p.s. I'd like to say thank you Dave and Ascend for providing an upgrade path for existing customers, I really appreciate it.

[djDANNY]

Glad you're enjoying yours Paddlefoot. I could not agree more! I just finished upgrading my Sierra 2 to a Sierra 2 EX. It changed a fantastic speaker into one that is spot-on what I've always wanted. The added slam is fantastic, and the touch more warmth suits my taste nicely. I feel like I have all of the incredible imaging and detail separation I loved about the Sierra 2, but with a fuller feel. Can't wait to spend more time with it.

p.s. I'd like to say thank you Dave and Ascend for providing an upgrade path for existing customers, I really appreciate it.

Are you using a subwoofer with these? And if so what is it crossovered at?

[kdaq]

Yup, Rythmik F18. I haven't fiddled with crossover with the EX yet, I'm not sure where I left it from the original non-EX setup I've used for awhile. Probably 80 Hz, as I wanted to give the Sierras more room to focus their energy, so-to-speak. Haven't tried these without a sub yet, I have a feeling they will be spectacular.

[Paddlefoot]

Thanks guys, i am enjoying the Sierra 2EX a lot, the amount of bass coming from them just blows me away. At this point I am not sure if I need a sub for the music I play. The speaker has so much detail its almost hard to believe. Ill do some pictures of the setup soon, been real busy at work. The Sierra 2EX are replacing my Vandersteen 2CE Signatures MKII that I sold a few months back.

[davef]

Just received these yesterday...they won't be going back. More later with Pictures of my setup! Dave you hit these bad boys out the park! Greg Gresham

Very happy to hear you are enjoying the Sierra-2EX!!

[Paddlefoot]

Thanks Dave, i am enjoying these a lot. I do have a question, if i were to look into a sub, which Rythmik sub would you suggest for music only between the F12 and the F12G. Also is it necessary to roll off the Sierra 2ex or can they be run full range with the sub. and thanks for the tip on the audiophile grade:D cat little for the TP-24 stands. Greg

[curtis]

Thanks Dave, i am enjoying these a lot. I do have a question, if i were to look into a sub, which Rythmik sub would you suggest for music only between the F12 and the F12G. Also is it necessary to roll off the Sierra 2ex or can they be run full range with the sub. and thanks for the tip on the audiophile grade:D cat little for the TP-24 stands. Greg
I’m not Dave, but IMO for the best sound quality, proper bass management should be applied. Also, one of the reasons for a sub is to reduce the work of speakers’ woofer.

As for the F12 vs F12G, the G supposedly has a lighter cone and is suppose have better transient response, so better sound quality, but not play as deep. That said, I have no personal experience, but have read it is hard to tell them apart.

[davef]

Thanks Dave, i am enjoying these a lot. I do have a question, if i were to look into a sub, which Rythmik sub would you suggest for music only between the F12 and the F12G. Also is it necessary to roll off the Sierra 2ex or can they be run full range with the sub. and thanks for the tip on the audiophile grade:D cat little for the TP-24 stands. Greg

Fully depends on the size of your room. Please send us an email with the details. Also, whenever possible - I never recommend running speakers (any speaker) full range together with a subwoofer. You will not be able to achieve a proper blend.

[Paddlefoot]

here is my setup, all Schiit equipment , all Blue Jean Cables. Cambridge Audio CXC Transport, Project Perspective Turntable. This is without a doubt one of the best sounding pair of speakers in this room. i can't believe how good they are by themselves.1800

[mcreyn]

Nice system. Are you using Aegirs or Vidars?

[Paddlefoot]

Vidars

[Paddlefoot]

18171818

my new sub i added. Rythmik Audio F12G.. LF 80hz crossover and HF crossover also at 80hz

[rickm]

Fully depends on the size of your room. Please send us an email with the details. Also, whenever possible - I never recommend running speakers (any speaker) full range together with a subwoofer. You will not be able to achieve a proper blend.

I've been "dabbling" in stereo equipment for many years by just getting equipment, listening, and replacing, without much rhyme or reason. I wish I had been more studious in learning the terminology of stereo devices as rolled along. When Dave and others use the term "full range" for speakers, I interpret this to mean that the speaker is allowed to reproduce the full spectrum of sound it was designed to - 20 to 20,000 Hz or 38 to 38,000 Hz with the S2EX. I am also using a subwoofer (Rhythmic F12). The speakers (Sierra 2's with EX conversion) are connected to my amp's (McIntosh MC7200) L/R outputs. The sub is connected is connected the my preamp's (McIntosh C37) pre-out output. I would take this to mean that both speakers and sub are operating at "full range." However, Dave does not recommend this. Since Dave has forgotten more than I'll ever know, I'm wondering how I would correct this. My preamp does not have any base correction built in. So, is a different preamp needed? I've looking at Parasound P6 or P7 preamps and these two (among others) seem like they would correct my perceived problem, since they both do base correction. Reading other threads about center speakers, adding one of these might help answering my wife's constant question of "What did they say?" when watching movies or TV shows. That's why the P7 is in my list - multiple speaker outputs. The MC7200 amp doesn't have multiple speaker outlets. Placement of a center speaker would be somewhat difficult, but doable. But, back to "full range" discussion. Is there a way to achieve what Dave is recommending without getting a different preamp? The listening area is a great room open on one side to a hallway and kitchen area. The actual room is about 3100 ft^3 with a sloped ceiling. Any help here would be greatly appreciated, especially a layman's definition of "full range." Thank you in advance for any help.

Not trying to hijack this thread. Mods: Please move this post if needed or tell me to re-post as separate thread. THX

[racrawford65]

You may want to check out minidsp.com. something like the following may work for you.

https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/minidsp-2x4-hd

[curtis]

You may want to check out minidsp.com. something like the following may work for you.

https://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/minidsp-2x4-hd
He should be able to use the crossover on the sub amp, along with sub amp’s RCA inputs and outputs. The L/R sub output would go to the power amp.

[davef]

He should be able to use the crossover on the sub amp, along with sub amp’s RCA inputs and outputs. The L/R sub output would go to the power amp.

Most recent versions of F12 do not have high passed outputs.

[davef]

I've been "dabbling" in stereo equipment for many years by just getting equipment, listening, and replacing, without much rhyme or reason. I wish I had been more studious in learning the terminology of stereo devices as rolled along. When Dave and others use the term "full range" for speakers, I interpret this to mean that the speaker is allowed to reproduce the full spectrum of sound it was designed to - 20 to 20,000 Hz or 38 to 38,000 Hz with the S2EX. I am also using a subwoofer (Rhythmic F12). The speakers (Sierra 2's with EX conversion) are connected to my amp's (McIntosh MC7200) L/R outputs. The sub is connected is connected the my preamp's (McIntosh C37) pre-out output. I would take this to mean that both speakers and sub are operating at "full range." However, Dave does not recommend this. Since Dave has forgotten more than I'll ever know, I'm wondering how I would correct this. My preamp does not have any base correction built in. So, is a different preamp needed? I've looking at Parasound P6 or P7 preamps and these two (among others) seem like they would correct my perceived problem, since they both do base correction. Reading other threads about center speakers, adding one of these might help answering my wife's constant question of "What did they say?" when watching movies or TV shows. That's why the P7 is in my list - multiple speaker outputs. The MC7200 amp doesn't have multiple speaker outlets. Placement of a center speaker would be somewhat difficult, but doable. But, back to "full range" discussion. Is there a way to achieve what Dave is recommending without getting a different preamp? The listening area is a great room open on one side to a hallway and kitchen area. The actual room is about 3100 ft^3 with a sloped ceiling. Any help here would be greatly appreciated, especially a layman's definition of "full range." Thank you in advance for any help.

Not trying to hijack this thread. Mods: Please move this post if needed or tell me to re-post as separate thread. THX

Hi Rick, look for a pre-amp or processor with bass management, that is the proper terminology to look for.

[merrymaid520]

I've been "dabbling" in stereo equipment for many years by just getting equipment, listening, and replacing, without much rhyme or reason. I wish I had been more studious in learning the terminology of stereo devices as rolled along. When Dave and others use the term "full range" for speakers, I interpret this to mean that the speaker is allowed to reproduce the full spectrum of sound it was designed to - 20 to 20,000 Hz or 38 to 38,000 Hz with the S2EX. I am also using a subwoofer (Rhythmic F12). The speakers (Sierra 2's with EX conversion) are connected to my amp's (McIntosh MC7200) L/R outputs. The sub is connected is connected the my preamp's (McIntosh C37) pre-out output. I would take this to mean that both speakers and sub are operating at "full range." However, Dave does not recommend this. Since Dave has forgotten more than I'll ever know, I'm wondering how I would correct this. My preamp does not have any base correction built in. So, is a different preamp needed? I've looking at Parasound P6 or P7 preamps and these two (among others) seem like they would correct my perceived problem, since they both do base correction. Reading other threads about center speakers, adding one of these might help answering my wife's constant question of "What did they say?" when watching movies or TV shows. That's why the P7 is in my list - multiple speaker outputs. The MC7200 amp doesn't have multiple speaker outlets. Placement of a center speaker would be somewhat difficult, but doable. But, back to "full range" discussion. Is there a way to achieve what Dave is recommending without getting a different preamp? The listening area is a great room open on one side to a hallway and kitchen area. The actual room is about 3100 ft^3 with a sloped ceiling. Any help here would be greatly appreciated, especially a layman's definition of "full range." Thank you in advance for any help.

Not trying to hijack this thread. Mods: Please move this post if needed or tell me to re-post as separate thread. THX

I’ve owned both the P6 and currently the p7. Both pair extremely well with the ascends. I have Towers with RAALs and dual Rythmik 15’s as a reference point. The bass management on both preamps works very well, each does it in a different way but the end result is the same. Good luck!

[Mag_Neato]

I've been "dabbling" in stereo equipment for many years by just getting equipment, listening, and replacing, without much rhyme or reason. I wish I had been more studious in learning the terminology of stereo devices as rolled along. When Dave and others use the term "full range" for speakers, I interpret this to mean that the speaker is allowed to reproduce the full spectrum of sound it was designed to - 20 to 20,000 Hz or 38 to 38,000 Hz with the S2EX. I am also using a subwoofer (Rhythmic F12). The speakers (Sierra 2's with EX conversion) are connected to my amp's (McIntosh MC7200) L/R outputs. The sub is connected is connected the my preamp's (McIntosh C37) pre-out output. I would take this to mean that both speakers and sub are operating at "full range." However, Dave does not recommend this. Since Dave has forgotten more than I'll ever know, I'm wondering how I would correct this. My preamp does not have any base correction built in. So, is a different preamp needed? I've looking at Parasound P6 or P7 preamps and these two (among others) seem like they would correct my perceived problem, since they both do base correction. Reading other threads about center speakers, adding one of these might help answering my wife's constant question of "What did they say?" when watching movies or TV shows. That's why the P7 is in my list - multiple speaker outputs. The MC7200 amp doesn't have multiple speaker outlets. Placement of a center speaker would be somewhat difficult, but doable. But, back to "full range" discussion. Is there a way to achieve what Dave is recommending without getting a different preamp? The listening area is a great room open on one side to a hallway and kitchen area. The actual room is about 3100 ft^3 with a sloped ceiling. Any help here would be greatly appreciated, especially a layman's definition of "full range." Thank you in advance for any help.

Not trying to hijack this thread. Mods: Please move this post if needed or tell me to re-post as separate thread. THX

I have a Parasound P5, the predecessor to the P6. The bass management is the same between the two and it works great with the Sierra-2EX and my Rythmik sub.

[Qman]

I sure wish i knew what im doing wrong! I cant get my S2EX s to sound good at all. Glad you're having opposite results.

[rickm]

As I recall, it seemed pretty easy. Defective part? Unlikely, but ... I'd give Dave a call. Hope you can get it straightened out. The EX is an incredible upgrade!