Buy Direct M-F 9am - 10:30pm EST 1-866-764-1801

Vist our Online Store
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1

    Member Sales Rating: (1)

    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Chitown, IL
    Posts
    2,005

    Default Ascend 340SE vs Polk LSi9

    What do you think guys? Has anyone heard the 2 side by side?

    For some reason, I stumbled onto the Ascend website and their forum. It seems to me like Ascend has a loyal following and their speakers are held in very high regard within the Ascend community.

    So I'm wondering, how good are the Ascends, really?

    Joey
    Joey's College Gear:
    Current Gear:
    SB3 -> PS Audio DAC III -> Cary Audio SLP-98Phono Tube PreAmp w/ Sylvania NOS 6sn7 tubes -> Plinius SA102 Class A amp -> Martin Logan SUMMIT/Strata Mini -> :D
    Old Gear:
    Martin Logan Vantage (4.75/5)-ML Mosaic (4.25/5)-Onix Ref1 (3.7/5)-Sonus Faber Concerto (3.5/5)-SF Concertino (3/5)-Axiom M22ti (2.75/5)-Polk LSi9 (3.75/5)-LSi7 (3.25/5)-HK AVR330-Rotel RC1070/RB1070/RB1090-SVS 25-31PC+ sub
    RUSH Med School 2008!!:D

  2. #2
    Stronzo
    Member Sales Rating: (7)

    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Over Yonder
    Posts
    7,851

    Default

    340 ? No. 170 versus the Lsi and others? Check.

  3. #3

    Member Sales Rating: (19)

    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Posts
    8,170

    Default

    I've owned the 340 as a center channel. It is an excellent speaker, but probably should be compared to the RTi series, not Lsi. It was better than the Csi40 that it replaced, IMO, because it was not as bright and slightly more detailed.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."

  4. #4

    Member Sales Rating: (1)

    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Chitown, IL
    Posts
    2,005

    Default

    Hmm... interesting.

    I have a local audiophile buddy with the 340SE. I think I'll try to arrange for a little audition and hear for myself what all the Ascend people are clamoring about.

    I'll post what I think.
    Joey's College Gear:
    Current Gear:
    SB3 -> PS Audio DAC III -> Cary Audio SLP-98Phono Tube PreAmp w/ Sylvania NOS 6sn7 tubes -> Plinius SA102 Class A amp -> Martin Logan SUMMIT/Strata Mini -> :D
    Old Gear:
    Martin Logan Vantage (4.75/5)-ML Mosaic (4.25/5)-Onix Ref1 (3.7/5)-Sonus Faber Concerto (3.5/5)-SF Concertino (3/5)-Axiom M22ti (2.75/5)-Polk LSi9 (3.75/5)-LSi7 (3.25/5)-HK AVR330-Rotel RC1070/RB1070/RB1090-SVS 25-31PC+ sub
    RUSH Med School 2008!!:D

  5. #5

    Member Sales Rating: (2)

    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Marietta, GA
    Posts
    504

    Default

    I had the original 340 and the LSi9 was definitly in a higher class. Dry dry dry. I'm a bit skeptical of the ravings of those guys in the Ascend forums. To me, they're much much more interested in the value HT end of things than in attaining 2ch musical nirvana.

    I can sorta see why they get good reviews for HT, since most HT setups will use a separate sub to make make up for the completely absent bass, and the dry sound signature makes dialogue seem crisp and clear.
    Last edited by mulveling; 10-01-2006 at 11:54 PM.
    Tannoy Dimension TD10, SOTA Star Sapphire, Heathkit W4A's, McIntosh MC2100, Eddie-Current Zana Deux, Singlepower SDS, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica L3000, Sony Qualia 010

  6. #6
    Stronzo
    Member Sales Rating: (7)

    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Over Yonder
    Posts
    7,851

    Default

    The CBM-170's sounded sterile and irritating on any tranitional sand amp. However, they sounded quite pleasant with good upstream components, specifically of the tube variety.

    As for sonic signature.. think of the polar opposite of Polks Lsi.. and thats what you got.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

     

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-26-2005, 05:22 PM
  2. Polk LSi9 vs Onix Reference 1 bookshelf
    By Joey_V in forum Speakers
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 07-16-2005, 09:50 AM
  3. Polk Lsi9 on 8 ohms reciever
    By georgegedulin in forum Speakers
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 12-12-2004, 12:34 PM
  4. POLK LSi9 made #19 on AVREV TOP 100!
    By Joey_V in forum Speakers
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-04-2004, 04:22 AM
  5. NHT M6, LSi9, or Axiom M22ti
    By Rex in forum Speakers
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-09-2003, 01:52 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts