Any Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 owners here? (1 Viewer)

[Marcus Lewis]

How are they compared to the Axiom M22's or Divas?

As a point of reference, I'm very familiar with the Vandersteen 2ce signature speakers ... are the mids and highs of any of the above speakers close to those babys??

 

[RandyKudor]

Hi,

I have been considering the CBM-170 as well. My neighbor has a complete 5.1 system and I love the detail and presence of the CBMs. I am 100% sold on these speakers but I haven't decided on a sub yet.

I have not heard the Axiom M22 but I have heard the M3ti, I preferred the CBM-170s by a wide margin. Much better highs and deeper bass.

Hope this helps.

 

[Marcus Lewis]

Yes this helps a lot!

You just made a sale for the company my friend, lol

 

[Kevin L K]

Hi Marcus. I used to own the CBM-170's(& HTM-200's).I had to sell my system for financial reasons but I'll say one thing: these are the BEST speakers I have ever owned PERIOD(and I've owned quite a few).Not just for the money because they easily sound as good as more expensive speakers,but they just sound so nice.Some of the best midrange I have ever heard and very smooth highs. I just totally enjoyed them so much--I will get them again soon.My friend has a pair of Axiom M3ti's and while the Axioms are great speakers I have to agree with Randy--they just blow the Axioms away(just my opinion).As for the Diva's I have not listened to them yet but would love to some day.You'll be very happy with the Ascends.
I am not afiliated in any way with
Ascend...yadda...yadda...yadda

 

[Marcus Lewis]

WoW!! Now that's a positive review!!

I was kind on on the edge, but I'm sold now!!

 

[Denis K]

Hey Kevin. I, too, have been struggling to decide between the Axioms and the Ascends for a 5.1 setup. One thing I've heard about the Ascends is that the HTM-200 is a bit weak as a center. Since the home theater piece is about as important as the music piece to me, this has me concerned. I’d like to know what you thought of the HTM-200. Was it strong enough? Off-axis response okay? (I can not use another CBM-170 as a center.) I’d also be using the HTM-200s as rears.

Also, can you provide some detail on why you thought the Ascends sounded so much better than the M3ti's? Better highs, mids, etc.

Thanks,

Denis

 

[Kevin L K]

Hi Dennis.You have no worries as to the quality of the HTM-200 as a center channel.Is IS small which is what is so amazing about it. It is a VERY good center channel--has good off-axis response and the transient response is amazing--everything comes through loud and clear.Is the CBM-170 a better center channel speaker? Yes--but that does not mean the HTM-200 cannot fill center channel duties with ease.They are also excellent surround speakers with great dispersion characteristics.I do not feel it is "weak" in any way. The Ascends(CBM-170's) have a TREMENDOUS sense of depth.I swear during some piano passages that music was coming out of my surround speakers--it just freaked me out how 3-dimensional they sounded!They are also "forward" sounding but not what I would consider "bright".The soft dome tweeter is excellent sounding and I have not heard such accurate midrange except on more expensive speakers(substantialy more expensive).The Axioms while good speakers sounded a little too bright for my tastes,and I didn't particulary care for the highs with the tweeter they use.I just thought the the Ascends sounded more accurate,had much smoother highs(but I'm partial to soft dome tweeters),were much more detailed and had better midrange.I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Axioms at all-they are great speakers for the price--I just preferred the Ascends.Just my 2 cents.

 

[Jack Keck]

Do any of you think that the 4 ohm impedance would be a problem given that many people who might consider these speakers would be using them with budget priced recievers??

 

[Dave_Olds]

Do any of you think that the 4 ohm impedance would be a problem given that many people who might consider these speakers would be using them with budget priced recievers??

I posed this question to an Ascend representative and he pointed me to chart showing how speakers vary in impedence. Truth is all speakers vary somewhat, Ascend has decided to take the high road and proclaim 4ohms since their speakers never fall below that point. Some speakers (and I have read this on various forums) can go as low as 2 ohms during certain loads.....I am not an engineer, I dont completely understand it, but was assured by several people (not just Ascend) that this is normal and wil not in any way hurt receivers.
Not only am I not affiliated with Ascend, I dont even own any of their speakers, I have Paradigms....
But I believe Axiom & Ascend are making a great product at affordable prices, I tend to prefer Axiom for surrounds, I love the Quadpole format. I expect to be odering some of them very soon....
Dave

 

[Ben_wood]

Hey Marcus, did you decide on the Ascends yet? If you have got them let us know what you think!

 

[Marcus Lewis]

Unfortunately I've only gotten 1!! Arrggghhh damn US mail sent my other speaker to Germany or something ... Anyway I should get the other next week ...

I'll let you know then ...

Let me just say though that the 170's are huge!!

And I own dual SVS 16-46 CS+ subs!!

lol, more to come ....

 

[Kevin L K]

Huge????

 

[RandyKudor]

I personally dont think the speakers are huge. They are about 12" high and 9" wide, definitely larger than the ht in a box style systems etc. but what a huge difference in sound.

I will be ordering my complete system sometime after the holiday. Still can't decide on which sub though.

regards and happy 4th

 

[JasonFab]

Hi,

Our CBM-170 speakers are 12" high, 9" width, 10" deep (9.5" deep with grilles off), slightly over 13lbs each.

Have a wonderful holiday.

 

[Ben_wood]

Marcus, did you get your other CBM-170 in? How about giving us your first impressions!

 

[Marcus Lewis]

My review of the CBM's can be found here:
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=88431

 

[John F. Palacio]

Are these Ascends made in the US?

How about the drivers?

I know the company is headquartered in Ca.

 

[Ben_wood]

John, Ascends are built in the U.S. out of domestic and foreign components. I have 4 CBM-170s and a HTM-200 center along with a Hsu VTF-2 and I am VERY pleased with this setup for both movies and music. The fit and finish of the Ascends convey the obvious quality of these speakers. This is one company that definitely has it's act together!

 

[JasonFab]

Hi John,

Ben is correct. Our speakers are hand assembled then fully tested right here in Gardena, CA (close to Los Angeles).

The majority of our drivers are built to our specifications in France. Other components are procured from Asia and still others from different locations within the US.

I hope this answers your questions and please feel free to contact us anytime.