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Thread: Sierra 2EXv2 Review

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
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    Default Sierra 2EXv2 Review

    Background

    After several weeks of reading the Ascend, AVS, Steve Hoffman and ASR forums, I decided to purchase the Sierra 2-EXv2 in satin espresso, to match my satin espresso STC with RAAL. Dave was very helpful and responsive in letting me know about the user upgrade option for my 2009 Sierra 1s. I prefer classical, soundtracks, acoustic, electronic/ambient/trance and jazz and don’t often listen to rock. Occasionally I’ll listen to Smashing Pumpkins or Led Zeppelin for a change of pace. I sit about 8-9 feet from the speakers and my preferred SPL range is about 70-80 db with a peak level in the 90s (reached very briefly in some hi-res music tracks).

    I seriously considered the Sierra LX, but concluded based on all my research, and on my music listening preferences, that I very likely would prefer the RAAL to the Titan because:

    (1) I place a premium on the extra detail and “air” around instruments that many (including Dave F. ) have described for strings, bells, flute, chimes, guitar plucks, etc., Already having owned the STC with RAAL for a few years, the amazingly clear dialogue and mid-bass punch for movies gave me a taste of what to expect.

    (2) I wasn’t worried at all about vertical dispersion. When I watch a movie or stream TV series in 5.1 (20% of the time), or enjoy listening to music in 2.1 (80%), I am always sitting down and fully enjoying the experience for as long as possible. If I need to get up and move around for any reason, I pause the music or the movie. As Dave noted, depending on your sitting distance from the speakers, the vertical listening window of the EXv2 is perfectly wide for a great listening experience, which is absolutely true in my case.

    (3) I don’t need my mains to produce any “extra bass slam” for a 2.0 configuration. I had planned to cross the EX v2s at 60-80 hz in a 2.1 configuration to let them focus on their touted mid-range, with (eventually) dual sealed subwoofers for everything below that point.

    Initial Set-Up

    Using 2.1 system: Mac-mini running Audirvana via coaxial —> Schiit Gungnir DAC via RCAs —> Emotiva XSP-2 preamp (direct mode, no EQ) via XLR --> Emotiva UPA-1 via Blue Jeans Cables -- > Sierra EX-2s with XSP crossed over at 60 Hz and sub-out (summed) to Hsu VTF-2. The room is untreated except for two GIK Acoustics 4” stand-mounted panels for first reflections and dense wall-to-wall carpeting throughout and a 12x10 area rug in front of the speakers.

    Initial Reaction

    The very first thing I noticed about the amazing performance of the EXv2s was the absence of sounds. What I mean:

    (1) Lack of “beaming” or “ringing.” With the Sierra-1s on certain notes I’d experience a sharp, temporary ringing deep in my ears. The best example is Joe Pass’s Meditation (Meditacao), solo guitar, played at volumes I truly enjoy (between 70-80 db on average). The same guitar note would make me cringe very briefly as he performed up and down the scales. With the RAALs I experience nothing but clear, smooth sounds of his amazing guitar playing. It seems as if I could play the EXv2s infinitely loud without any strain or ringing or beaming (but I of course I don’t go there to protect my hearing).

    (2) Absence of “smear” (or “congestion”). Clarity and separation of instruments is far superior to the Sierra 1s. With the Sierra 1s certain dense passages in different genres ( “Today” or “Cherub Rock” by Smashing Pumpkins, Beethoven or Dvorak symphonies) would blur the distinctions between instruments or groups of instruments. With the EXv2s, I can hear clearly hear and focus on the different sections of the orchestra playing concurrently.

    (3) I do believe that a limited amount of physical speaker “break-in” occurs (and no, I am not referring to my ears/brain). Initially all the anticipated hallmarks of sound quality were there, but after about 10 days the integration of sounds across the range of frequencies was tighter. I don’t know how else to explain it, but as Dave himself has noted in the forums very recently, it takes about 50 hours before the LX woofer is fully “broken in". I assume that a similar process occurs with the EX woofer, which improves its integration with the RAAL tweeter.

    Sound Quality

    The “air” around instruments or voices is absolutely amazing. In tracks that I have listened to dozens of times I hear things I did not know were there. Choral or soloists’ voices appear right in front of me, so crystal clear it’s almost startling. The final movement of Beethoven’s 9th, choral music in Bear McCreary’s Rings of Power sound track or the Howard Shore LOTR sound track. Diana Krall. The flutist in the sound track to House of Flying Daggers. Amazing.

    The soundstage is wide and deep - holographic to the point where 2.1 often sounds like 5.1. I would guess that this experience is somehow related to both the RAAL decay time and Dave’s work with the Klippel to update the crossover, improving the Directivity Index.

    The mid-bass punch is wonderful. SunByrne once noted that the original 2-EXs produced (at an Ascend listening session) a large extent of the sound provided by the Sierra Tower (v1s not v2 or ELX). I tried turning off the ported Hsu and found the 2 EXv2s more than adequate for the kinds of music I listen to.

    I definitely was convinced, however, that although I didn’t need the EXv2 to produce the LX-level deep bass, I wanted a more satisfying deep bass experience - a clearer, more powerful low end - that was better integrated with (without overshadowing) the amazing mid-range and treble provided by the EXv2s. So after three weeks I upgraded my subwoofer to an SVS SB-2000, and the result was a substantial improvement in my listening experience.

    Conclusion

    So far this combination of speakers gives me everything I was hoping for in both 2.1 and 5.1 movie watching. I will be adding a second SB-2000 this summer to improve the evenness of the deep bass response in 2.2 listening, and to add more slam for 5.2 movie watching at higher volumes.

    I remain deeply impressed that this ‘bookshelf’ speaker yields so much depth in recordings. The best way I can describe the impact of Dave’s creation is that it has completely transformed my music listening experience. I have fallen asleep during late night listening sessions only to be happily jolted awake by the mid-bass punch or crystal clear voices of a chorus. I have lost sleep (but gone to bed thrilled) by persuading myself to play ‘just one more song’ but then deciding I needed more. I have delved into my Audirvana music library and listened to tracks I hadn’t heard in a very long time, and upon hearing nuances and details that I didn’t know existed, found new enjoyment in ‘old’ music albums. This experience compelled me to purchase several new hi-res or CD-quality downloads of music from Thievery Corporation, Solar Fields, Sibelius, Bruckner, the soundtrack from Season One of The Rings of Power (incredible).

    I could not recommend these speakers more highly. If your listening preferences are anything like mine, and you’re in the market, buy them without any reservation.

    I’m grateful that Dave F. loves music as much as creating fantastic, affordable speakers, while implementing a business model that is incredibly customer friendly. I don’t plan to purchase speakers from any other manufacturer (I also have CBM-170s and a Sierra-1 center).

    Dave describes the ELX as an ‘endgame’ speaker. I believe him. But my experience with my current system is so enjoyable that I likely will wait another 10 years before even considering ELX with RAAL. I will never sell these EXv2s - they have already brought me such great experiences. It would be a waste of their sonic excellence to relegate them to surround duty (I already feel that the Sierra-1s are underserved in this role). Maybe in retirement I’ll have a 2nd room for them and get the ELX with RAAL - we’ll see.

    Thanks for reading.

    Initial “Break-in” Playlist

    Pat Metheny Group - “San Lorenzo”
    Pat Metheny - “Over on 4th Street” - One Quiet Night
    Copland - “Fanfare for the Common Man”
    Copland - “Appalachian Spring”
    Beethoven - All 9 symphonies
    David “Fathead” Newman - “Girl Talk”, “Life”, “What a Wonderful World” - Life
    Hanz Zimmer - “Now We are Free” - Gladiator sound track
    Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard - “Eptesicus” - Batman Begins sound track
    John Powell - “Main Titles” (and many other tracks) - The Bourne Identify sound track
    Solar Fields** - Every track from the album “Movements”, e.g., “Sol” “Discovering” and “The Road to Nothingness”
    Joe Pass - “Meditations” - Meditations
    Howard Shore - “Breaking of the Fellowship” - FOTR sound track
    Howard Shore - “May it Be” - FOTR sound track
    Smashing Pumpkins - “Today” and “Cherub Rock” from Siamese Dream; many tracks from Pisces Iscariot
    John Williams - “Harry Potter’s Wondrous World” - Complete Harry Potter Film Music Collection
    Dire Straits - “Brothers in Arms” - Money for Nothing

    ** - LX owners! - Based on all I’ve read about the amazing tower-like bass from your speakers, I highly recommend playing these tracks running full range. The bass impact from Solar Fields should blow your mind. I am grinning ear to ear with my set-up so I can imagine you bass-heads would be ecstatic to hear these or many other Solar Fields tracks on the LXs.
    Last edited by novaduckfan1; 07-12-2023 at 08:24 AM.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Sierra 2EXv2 Review

    nice review, novaduckfan1
    * LG OLED65E6P, BenqHT2050A
    * Anthem AVM90, Rogue ST100, VTV Pascal 7 ch
    * Sierra Towers/Horizon (all ELX RAAL), S2EXv2 surrounds, HTM200SEx4 heights, Rythmik E15HPx2
    * VPI Classic 1+ (VTA & Fatboy Gimbal), PE Eagle/RR, VAS NOVA, Soundsmith Paua, Manley Chinook, Bob's Devices SUT, SugarCube 1 mini
    * Oppo 203 & 103D, EverSolo DMP-A6
    * miniDSP Flex, Audiosensibility & Blue Jeans cables, Symposium & Isoacoustics, GIK
    * For RDJ: Anthem MRX720, Sierra LX, Luna Duo v2 center, CXNv2, TBD

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Sierra 2EXv2 Review

    Wow - thank you so much for the wonderful review and comments. So happy you are enjoying the Sierra-2EXV2!!! I also love your taste in music, I am actually listening to Solar Field's "Movements" right now. They are my go to for relaxation and have turned both of my kids on to them as background music when they do their schoolwork.

    Thank you!
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    Good Sound To You!

    David Fabrikant
    www.ascendacoustics.com

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Sierra 2EXv2 Review

    Quote Originally Posted by davef View Post
    Wow - thank you so much for the wonderful review and comments. So happy you are enjoying the Sierra-2EXV2!!! I also love your taste in music, I am actually listening to Solar Field's "Movements" right now. They are my go to for relaxation and have turned both of my kids on to them as background music when they do their schoolwork.

    Thank you!
    Dave - That is so cool that both you and your kids also enjoy Solar Fields! I completely agree it's both great background music but at the same time, some albums are amenable to deep listening sessions - like Until We Meet the Sky or Leaving Home, where all the tracks are really just one continuous sonic journey.
    Last edited by novaduckfan1; 05-16-2023 at 07:22 PM. Reason: typos
    Speakers: EXv2 (mains), Horizon w/RAAL, Sierra-1 (surrounds), SVS SB 2000 Pro (x2)
    Source: MacBook Pro with Audirvana Studio
    DAC: Schiit Gugnir
    Preamp: Parasound Halo P6
    Amp: Buckeye 2-Channel Purifi ET400A
    AVR: NAD T-753v3i
    Cables: Blue Jeans XLR

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Sierra 2EXv2 Review

    Quote Originally Posted by novaduckfan1 View Post
    Dave - That is so cool that both you and your kids also enjoy Solar Fields! I completely agree it's both great background music but at the same time, some albums are amenable to deep listening sessions - like Until We Meet the Sky or Leaving Home, where all the tracks are really just one continuous sonic journey.
    I absolutely agree, all listening I do is typically deep listening and I typically listen to Solar Fields albums start to finish. Check out Cell, Solar Quest and Klone (all similar to Solar Fields) Also, All India Radio, their new album "Diamonds in the Dark" is terrific, they have a huge collection of great albums - including a remake of many old school Pink Floyd songs on the Album "On Pink Floyd"
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    Good Sound To You!

    David Fabrikant
    www.ascendacoustics.com

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Sierra 2EXv2 Review

    Quote Originally Posted by davef View Post
    I absolutely agree, all listening I do is typically deep listening and I typically listen to Solar Fields albums start to finish. Check out Cell, Solar Quest and Klone (all similar to Solar Fields) Also, All India Radio, their new album "Diamonds in the Dark" is terrific, they have a huge collection of great albums - including a remake of many old school Pink Floyd songs on the Album "On Pink Floyd"
    If you haven't already, give Marian Hill a listen. I've discovered a few room issues with some of their stuff, like vibrations/rattles!
    Ed

    * Sierra-2EX's W/V2 crossover upgrade
    * (2) Rythmik F12's
    * Parasound Halo P6
    * Audio by Van Alstine DVA-M225 Monoblock Amps
    * MiniDSP 2x4HD For Sub calibration
    *World's Best Cables Canare 4S11 speaker cables

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Sierra 2EXv2 Review

    Quote Originally Posted by davef View Post
    I absolutely agree, all listening I do is typically deep listening and I typically listen to Solar Fields albums start to finish. Check out Cell, Solar Quest and Klone (all similar to Solar Fields) Also, All India Radio, their new album "Diamonds in the Dark" is terrific, they have a huge collection of great albums - including a remake of many old school Pink Floyd songs on the Album "On Pink Floyd"
    Thank you Dave for these music recommendations. Definitely putting these on my list. Really intrigued by exploring the remake of Pink Floyd songs.
    Speakers: EXv2 (mains), Horizon w/RAAL, Sierra-1 (surrounds), SVS SB 2000 Pro (x2)
    Source: MacBook Pro with Audirvana Studio
    DAC: Schiit Gugnir
    Preamp: Parasound Halo P6
    Amp: Buckeye 2-Channel Purifi ET400A
    AVR: NAD T-753v3i
    Cables: Blue Jeans XLR

  8. #8
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    Jan 2009
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    Default Re: Sierra 2EXv2 Review

    Thanks for this recommendation Mag Neato. Added!
    Speakers: EXv2 (mains), Horizon w/RAAL, Sierra-1 (surrounds), SVS SB 2000 Pro (x2)
    Source: MacBook Pro with Audirvana Studio
    DAC: Schiit Gugnir
    Preamp: Parasound Halo P6
    Amp: Buckeye 2-Channel Purifi ET400A
    AVR: NAD T-753v3i
    Cables: Blue Jeans XLR

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Sierra 2EXv2 Review

    Since you like Solar Fields, give Jean-Michel Jarre a try. His music was ahead of its time and still very enjoyable today.

    I suggest, in no particular order, these albums to start with:
    Oxygène
    Équinoxe
    Magnetic Fields
    Emotiva Fusion 8100 AVR
    Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Main
    Rythmik L12 Sub
    55" LG OLED55CXAUA TV
    Panasonic DP-UB420-K 4K UHD Player
    Seiki SR4KP1 Region-free BD Player
    Roku Premiere+ 4k

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Sierra 2EXv2 Review

    Quote Originally Posted by MusicHead View Post
    Since you like Solar Fields, give Jean-Michel Jarre a try. His music was ahead of its time and still very enjoyable today.

    I suggest, in no particular order, these albums to start with:
    Oxygène
    Équinoxe
    Magnetic Fields
    Yep - quite familiar with Jean-Michel Jarre, we have "Concerts in China" disc 1 and disc 2 on our music server here at the office
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    Good Sound To You!

    David Fabrikant
    www.ascendacoustics.com

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