The best adjective I can think of to describe these speakers is transparent. The speakers are very clear and revealing compared to the other speakers I got a chance to audition. The sound is crystal clear and does not sound veiled at all. The speakers also create a wonderful 3D-sound stage. When I close my eyes I feel as if the music is being played live right in my room. There is no sense that the music is actually coming from the speakers but is instead permeating from different areas on the stage. The speakers just disappear. Another thing I love about these speakers is their ability to play male and female vocals. The sound of the human voice is incredibly accurate and realistic. I am not really a fan of opera but my mom popped in her Phantom of The Opera CD when the speakers first arrived and the sound of the female singers sent chills down my spine, it was that good. (We ended up listening to the whole first half of the play!)

Being that the CB-170's are my first real pair of speakers it is hard to find any fault with them. To my ears they are as close to audio perfection as I have ever heard. Of course I have never auditioned any high-end speakers. I guess the only thing I can really criticize is the bass but these are bookshelf speakers and are designed be paired with a sub for low-end extension. Nonetheless the first few weeks I listened to the speakers without integrating a sub and they did an adequate job handling the low end.

I started off my speaker search like many audio newbies. I went to all the mass-market chain stores like Best Buy and Circuit City. I listened to a lot of different speakers like the Energy line, Infinity Primus, JBL, and Athena. All the speakers I heard sounded "ok" but nothing blew me away. Thankfully I came across avsforum and after reading through countless posts I discovered that internet direct may be the best bang for the buck as far as speakers go. People had nothing but good things to say about Ascend and after reading some positive reviews I called Ascend and ordered a pair of the CBM-170's. After having the speakers for about 6 weeks and getting the chance to listen to many different CD's, I can honestly say I am in audio heaven :)

Soundstage Vocals are believable Off-axis soundstage quality components

since Ascend Acoustics was upfront about the need for a sub, this is not reeally a weakness, but if you want very load and low base you'll need a sub.

I have researched and auditioned mini-monitor/bookshelf speakers for nearly one (1) year. I have listened to speakers offered by boutique stores, high end audio and box stores including: Axiom Audio, KEF, Monitor Audio, Dali, Von Schweikert, Dynaudio, Triangle, PSB, and other makers of "state of the art" offerings. And how did I come to purchase a set of speakers that I never auditioned? I did so based on the strength of the customer testimonies found on Audioreview.com, the fantastic customer support from David (the owner) at Ascend Acoustics and lastly the professional reviews found on the web. Getting to the point, I find these speakers everything the testimonies and reviews conclude. It was a near revelation when I put on a CD by Diane Krall - When I Look In your Eyes. With the "old" floor-standing speakers the piano seemed to move about the entire width and depth of the soundstage. It was rather annoying. When I put the same CD on with the Ascend Acoustic 170s, I found that what I was hearing was an "echo" during the recording. With the Ascends the primary point source was Diane's piano with a bit of delay noticed off to the left. The Ascends differentiated between the primary and secondary sources (artifacts of recording with multiple mics perhaps). It simply sounded more real. I am especially appreciative of the lack of bass bloom, shrill highs and muddy mids found in my previous system. Overall a good performer. I will add a sub later just to fill in the bottom end a bit (though not absolutely required) and complete the musical presentation. Think pipe organ peddles and good ol rock and roll (EL&P, Pink Floyd, LZ) When I listen to the 170s I think of an athlete: strength and agility; power under control. With the 30-dayguareentee you have nothing to lose.

Purest sound you can imagine, then some! Better than the movies and just like the real thing for music!

None than I can think of.

I replaced a set of suround sound Klipsch speakers with these Ascends as surrounds. I have the 340c for center, 340m for fronts, and these 170's for rears. The difference in sound was immediately noticable and astounding. My wife, a musician with a trained ear, generally does not appreciate my audio pruchases immediately, but when listening to Dizzy Gillepsie on DVD-Audio and Lord of the Rings 1 and 2 on DVD and the detail was incredible! There are numerous posts comparing these speakers to Axiom Audio speakers, which are, themselves, fine speakers. I have enjoyed them a number of times at a good friend's home. They produce an excellent sound with abundant detail and clarity. They sound wonderful on home theater, but may be a little loud or harsh on music on the high-end... this is certainly not a weakness, as some people enjoy that type of sound a good deal. The Ascends: the Ascends produce an enveloping sound in 5.1 that can only be described as awe inspiring. After ordering the Ascends and throwing down the necessary dollars for it I had a bout of buyers remorse because I really, truly, enjoyed the Klipsch and was having a difficult time giving them up. However, when I set the Ascends up that quickly faded away in a room filled with the purest sound I have ever heard. I will have to rewatch all of my movies, relisten to all of my music, and invite all of my friends over, because this is the real deal! Many thanks and much praise to the fine people at Ascend. David Fabrikant has produced a masterpiece here and I can't sing his praises enough. The sound is crystal clear, not too muffled, not too bright, and extremely musical, all the while perfect for home theater. The proof is in the listening! Listening to Dizzy Gillespie, my wife closed her eyes and simply enjoyed the ride. Afterwards she said she the experience reminded her of actually being in a Jazz club listening to live performers. This is no small feat, as she has done so many times, as well as having been the one to perform on stage! As far as I am concerned, there can be no higher praise than my wife's thumbs up on speakers!

Similar Products Used:

Axiom, Klipsch, Definitive, Polk, JBL, etc.

Sweet spacious sound

Nondescript design style.

Price paid is for a pair. The speakers arrived well packaged, in perfect condition. The fit and finish was perfect. They do not look space age or like fine furnature, just small heavy rectangular black boxes. Fairly invisible actually. I initially put together a 2.1 system with CBM-170 L,R and the Hsu VF-2 MK2 subwoofer. I hooked them to a Marantz SR5300 tuner/Amp. I can't even imagine a better sounding set of speakers. Put on a good CD of chamber music, close your eyes, and you are there in the middle of the group. The first time I tried out these speakers with a CD, I sat back in my chair and told my wife, "this is what music is supposed to sound like". A friend of mine who wears double hearing aids came over and I hesitantly ask if he wanted to listen to the system. He said he did, but he would have to turn off his hearing aids, because they always squeal when he listens to any kind of speaker system. Before he could get them off, I had the music on. His jaw dropped. "That is pure music", he exclaimed, "that is beautiful!" That was the first time he could listen with his hearing aids on or off! My mother came for a visit and fell in love with a New Age CD I had. When she returned home she got a copy for herself. She called to complain, "How come it doesn't sound like it did at your house?" It's the speakers, I told her. "Well", she said, "I am going to have to get a pair of those speakers so I can enjoy my CD". I eventually combined those speakers into a 5.1 system for my home theater. Now I am planning on purchasing another 2.1 set of speakers for my living room in my new house. I just can't contemplate using any other product.

Similar Products Used:

Bose Acoustimass

Separation of individual sounds. Easy to pick out individual instruments. IMHO this is the speaker's greatest strength. The balance of every sound makes for an excellent experience of live recorded material as well as mastered material. Integrates extremely well with HSU subwoofers. Vocals are dynamic and feel detatched from other sounds. I found that some speaker's signature sounds attached the vocals to the same sound fields as certain instruments. This is not the case with the CBM-170s. Everything sounds independent and dynamic. Wonderful reproduction of natural sounding vocals.

weaknesses?

Tough to summarize these as I'm finding new things that I like each day. Some say that the finish is plain, but I believe it is great. It won't mark up with fingerprints and it matches HSU subwoofers perfectly. Can't beat that. I found myself playing air guitar while listening to some songs. Heck, I even pulled the ol' guitars out of the closet and started jamming again. I've tried speakers that cost 2 to 3 times as much as these. This is not to say that speakers costing 2 to 3 times as much are not good. I just didn't feel that they were as good for me as Ascend - for the money. Not even close! Bottom line? Ascend's CBM-170s are proof that you do not have to spend A LOT of money for a quality loudspeaker. The CBM-170s are irrefutably unbeatable at this price point. Hands down. Bar none. Somebody call the doctor. It's over, baby!

Similar Products Used:

klipsch, paradigms, rockets, axioms

Clarity, dynamics

none so far

I recently received the 340 center channel to compare against the Axiom VP-100 center channel speaker. The final decision to purchase the entire HT system would be based on this AB test. The Axiom center is so weak, it was hardly worth listening to. It is smaller that the M22ti and sounds more like a transistor radio. The Ascend on the other hand is one of the most detailed and vibrant centers I have heard. I was immediately impressed and ordered the 170s for the front and 200s for the surrounds. I can't wait! If you like a hissing, S sounding tweeter, get the Axioms.

Similar Products Used:

Kef, M&K, JBL THX, Def. Tech.

As above

Bass is weak at the low end but this is by design and not a flaw. This system is meant to be used with a dedicated subwoofer.

Excellent clarity and tonal neutrality. Impressive mid-range. Vocals sound great. Can play at loud volumes with no evidence of strain. Teams well with subwoofer with crossover at about 80 Hz

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Atoms v3 Wharfedale WH2 Paradigm studio 40/v2 Cerwin Vega

OK, some superlatives here: They throw up a nice soundstage, but it's the depth that got my attention. Very nice layering of details. Neutral, not to hot, not to cold. A glimpse into audiophile territory at a budget price. 10 stars for value!

If these were $600 a pair I might complain about the black vinyl finish. But . . . .not today, I love 'em.

After a week with my new CBM's I wanted to leave my impression of these wonderful little speakers. I would rather not get into all the audiophile superlatives (it's all been said), but I did want to reinforce what the VAST majority of reviewers here have indicated: These speakers are perhaps the finest speakers that can be had for $328/pr. These differ from the mass market offerings in one key area . . . accuracy. If you like exagerrated bass, glossed over mids and highs . . . stay away from Ascend! Polks and JBLs are better at this. (Oops, I just used a superlative) If you're looking for a small speaker that offers a glimpse into what "high-end" really means, you must audition the Ascend CBM-170. Sure, there's better, but be prepared to write a big check. I use mine in 2.1 right now, but it didn't take me long to figure out that I really like these, so I ordered another CBM-170 and a pair of Ascend's HTM-200's for surround. A complete Ascend HT set-up for $698 (minus a sub) that ought to compete with some of the big boys.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch LaScala/Forte/KG4/Heresy, Mirage, Mission, Monitor Audio Silver 5i

Great price, quality, service, and above all sound!

Umm...they're not free and I couldn't get Ascend Acoustics to come out to the East Coast to set them up. We all have to make concessions.

Sorry, I don't know all the technical terms involved in an audio review, but I do know what sounds good, as I've had some pretty good speakers in the past, and I've heard some real dogs as well. These little speakers are extremly impressive! They just kind of disappear and the sound is so three dimentional even with less than perfect room conditions (as I have). Unless you have them in a walk-in closet, you'd best use a sub-woofer, although the bass is decent for it's size. No exagerations along the frequency response - just very natural sound. I have noticed a bit more clarity after about 15 hrs of use. Ascend Acoustics is a good company to deal with. I asked a load of stupid questions regarding placement, and connections and always thought I was getting straight answers without being made to sound stupid. I purchased a complete surround system from them including their new 340 center speaker and 3 of the 200's. I'm using a Denon 2803, and the sound in DVD's is better than what I've heard in movie theaters. Maybe not as loud, but the clarity IS better. As far as listening to CD's, I listened to some old favorites with this new system, and it almost brought tears to my eyes. At my age (mid 50's), I really thought my hearing was downhill from 20 yrs ago, but now I feel like (it sounds like) I'm 30 again and took a couple of "tokes" (but I didn't!)!

Similar Products Used:

Marantz HD770 & EPI 100's (both old but great speakers), and Bose Acoustimass 5 (just ok for what they are).

Accurate, Balanced, good power handling, excellent soundstage, Just Awesome and Amazing sound reproduction.

Not a weaknese, however, by design they do not have alot of low end.

The CBM-170's are by far one of the most accurate speakers I've listened to. They play everything exactly as it is recorded errors, clicks and all. The sound stage is awesome and everything is very balanced. I've had a few of my mates over to demo these bad boys, and everyone left staisfied and in awe :-) I recommend getting a good quality sub, it just adds to the speakers performance. The CBM-170's fall of at around 70Hz, so you'll need a sub for the low end. They were not designed to handle the lowend at very high volumes past 69Hz

Similar Products Used:

B&W, Mission.