Ascend Sierra 1's

[DougMac]

muzz wrote:

I run this setup myself, except I have the Sierras in Natural.

This is exactly the setup I'm considering. Would you mind giving a mini review? Also, what sub do you use?
I'm wavering between the Sierra's as fronts or the 340's. They will be in a 16x18x9 dedicated HT.

Thanks,
Doug

[Mitch G]

FWIW, I vote for getting the Sierras.
If you're worried about being able to fill your room, I don't think you'll have any trouble. I have a 15x20 room with a vaulted ceiling plus it opens up to the kitchen. I have yet to run out of loudicity when listening to music or watching movies.

(My set up is a pair of Sierras for mains, a Paradigm CC-170 center (it fits in the TV stand) a pair of Paradigm atoms as surrounds and a SVS 25-31 PC-plus sub.)


Mitch

[Sonnie]

Agree... our great room is even larger and the Sierra 1's do very well.

[muzz]

Well Doug, I'm not much of a writer...
I HAD the 170se's up front, with a 340SEC before I got the Sierra L/C/R.

When going to a matched system(exact same speakers across the front), I noticed that the front soundstage sounded much smoother, which of course makes sense regardless of what folks say about "Similar" voicing.
The same should always sound smoother if there are quality standards.

I feel the Sierras up front sound smoother than the 170's did, especially in 2 channel, much better bass, and the highs seem a bit smoother as well.

For MY use of the 170SES, they are perfectly fine, if not a bit overkill as surrounds IMO, as I don't listen to SACD or DVDA, but they handle the 5.1 Concert DVDS I watch without issue, and sound very good doing it.

My XO is set at 80(I have run it at 60 as well), and my sub is a DIY Rythmik DS12-Sealed.

Considering the $ spent, I feel the system sounds VG, and would not hesitate to recommend them to people that want decent quality audio on a reasonable budget (for average wallets).

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but writing about stuff is really not my thing I guess.

m

[DougMac]

Thanks to all who replied to my question regarding the Ascend Sierra's vs 340's. Your replies are very similar to the responses I received at the Ascend forum.

The consensus from folks who have owned both gives the nod to the 340's for HT applications and Sierras if any degree of music will be played.

I leaning hard towards the Sierras. Here's my reasoning:

We listen to a fair amount of music. When I recently bought my second hand "classic" Ascend HTM-200's that will end up as the rears in the HT, I found myself sitting and listening to them for extended periods. I'm sure Sierra's will entrance me that much more.

My wife and I watch more classic and dialogue driven movies than action movies. While we watch our share of LOTR and Star Wars movies, we rarely watch movies with gunshots, explosions, attack helicopters, car chases and other forms of mayhem.

We don't crank. I measured both movies and music at the loudest levels we use and my readings were in the ~78-80 db range with peaks hitting 88-90db. I don't think I saw >90db. When we go to the Centraplex, I often find the volume uncomfortably loud. I've even considered bringing my SPL meter to check!

Doug

[muzz]

Sonnie,

Any thoughts with a months use?

[Sonnie]

I was thinking about that last night... I have got to get my review done.

I have been thoroughly pleased with the Sierra 1's thus far. I am not sure I can say enough good about them.

I hope I can get the review done shortly. Sorry for the delay... I have had just absolutely too much going on.

[muzz]

Well it sounds like you really like them to me.
I actually expected that myself, as they are fabulous speakers IMO.
I have a pretty decent Rythmik 12" sealed sub, and I keep debating what frequency to set it....
This is because of the Sierras.........I think OK I have it....then I'm not so sure...

I HAVEN'T been watching alot of movies lately, so I set them as large W/Sub............
Sound great.
The Sierras are shining, and that's a pretty good sub for music.
Sometimes I wonder.......