Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1
Well I got my Sierra-1s in today. Very nice speakers. They were packed very well double boxed, with a molded border keeping the speakers in place and each speaker is placed in a white cloth bag. (and yes I am using the LS 50s as stand for now until I get some stands)
Taking them out of the bags, these things are gorgeous.. really nice Dark Cherry on a real bamboo laminate. Very impressive heft and size as well. They are supposedly B-Stock with minor hue and/or grain differences. when placed apart you couldn't tell they are different, but placed both together you can see that the left looks a little darker, but either way just great looking.
I'll probably add a little more to the review when I really get some time in with them, but my first impressions are really really good. They are completely engaging. I listen to a lot of pop/rock that is heavy with acoustic guitar and they just grab your attention in the midrange. I found myself just really drawn into the music I was listening to today. which was some Noah Jones, Jack Johnson and Zac Brown Band. I also put on a little bit of Count basie and piano was very lively and natural as well. Very impressive for a first hour or so listen.
I know its not the most technical of reviews for first impressions but I have to say I'm quite impressed with them at this point. And can't wait to listen some more over the weekend.
Taking them out of the bags, these things are gorgeous.. really nice Dark Cherry on a real bamboo laminate. Very impressive heft and size as well. They are supposedly B-Stock with minor hue and/or grain differences. when placed apart you couldn't tell they are different, but placed both together you can see that the left looks a little darker, but either way just great looking.
I'll probably add a little more to the review when I really get some time in with them, but my first impressions are really really good. They are completely engaging. I listen to a lot of pop/rock that is heavy with acoustic guitar and they just grab your attention in the midrange. I found myself just really drawn into the music I was listening to today. which was some Noah Jones, Jack Johnson and Zac Brown Band. I also put on a little bit of Count basie and piano was very lively and natural as well. Very impressive for a first hour or so listen.
I know its not the most technical of reviews for first impressions but I have to say I'm quite impressed with them at this point. And can't wait to listen some more over the weekend.
Main 2ch -
BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.
TV 3.1 system -
Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.
TV 3.1 system -
Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
Post edited by coolsax on
Comments
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Sat down with these for a good bit today. All I can say is I'm hooked... They are really neutral and extremely detailed. At times the highs can be a little forward, but they are not by any means bright or fatiguing.. I went two sessions today of about an hour and a half each. Listening to the "O' Tannenbaum" by the Vince Guaraldi trio, absolutely just made me giddy w how good it sounded, The piano absolutely natrual and Alison Krauss sounded just amazing off her live Album, and hearing the picking of the strings on many of the songs on that album was just fun. The bass on these is really good too for a speaker this size. It doesn't have the authority in the bass section of the LS50's but it is really tight and definitely there. you could hear the plucks of the string bass on a lot of the pieces I listened to today. I'm really excited about going through the rest of my collection.
my main thing now is trying to see if i can work an A&B comparison with the Dynaudio Excite 12's with the local dealer.Main 2ch -
BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.
TV 3.1 system -
Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22 -
my local dealer allowed me to bring in my Sierras today to do a comparison. hands down IMO I thought the Sierras were the better speaker. They were smoother and more natural sounding. The soundstage was larger and more precise. I was very surprised, I went in thinking that the dynaudios should likely be at least a little better, but for my ears it wasn't even really close. the sierras won out. Doing a side by side with the Allison Krause and union station live CD you could really tell that the Dyn's had a much more boxier sound than the Sierras and that the sound stage was narrower. I also felt that the Dyns were a little harsher in the highs as well. Now I still think that the Excite 12s are a great speaker and had i never ordered the Sierras I probably would have been quite happy with the excite 12s, but I'm glad I was able to order the sierras and pick out the right speaker for me.Main 2ch -
BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.
TV 3.1 system -
Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22 -
Those speakers are gorgeous. Glad you are having fun with them.
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I've read nothing but the highest praises for the Sierra's. Congrats & enjoy!!!"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
