Polk vs. Ascend?

screxer

Hey all, I may get very differing replies to this which is fine, but I've got the upgrade bug and am thinking about upgrading to Ascend's based upon the countless great reviews I've seen all over the web. My current setup is as follows:

H/K AVR635
Front Mains: RTi38's
Center: CSi30
Rear Surround: Monitor 30's
Surround Back: RTi28's
Sub: PSW12

Now, I'm thinking about replacing the system with:

Front Main: Ascend CMT-340m's
Center: Ascend CMT-340c
Rear Surround: Ascend CBM-170's
Surround Back: Ascend CBM-170's
Sub: SVS...haven't decided which yet.

Now, is this a good enough change in quality to justify changing out my Polk's completely? Will I be blown away by the imaging the Ascend's provide? Is it really necessary going to all Ascend's or can I say just get the Ascend CMT-340m's for my mains, move the RTi38's to Rear Surround duty and leave everything else (except sub) as is? Basically, if you had my current HT setup, would you make this huge change? I know it's a lot of questions and I appreciate any and all feedback ahead of time. I've learned a lot on here from just browsing and it's here and at another forum that I discovered the Ascend's and they sound intriguing.

EDIT: sorry, forgot to add that it will be for about 75% home theater and 25% music of just about all genres.

RuSsMaN

The only thing I would consider upgrading is maybe the sub, and focus on the electronics. The speakers you have are great HT speakers.

The Ascend speakers will be a lateral move, if anything - certainly not an upgrade.

Cheers,
Russ

screxer

So in your opinion, if I kept what I've got, hunted down a pair of RT35i's for front mains, moved the RTi38's to rear surround, got an SVS sub, and if I then got an Anthem amp (haven't decided if I just want to get a 2 channel for the front speakers or save up and try to get the 7 channel), would it be as good as the Ascend setup?

RuSsMaN

Like I said, the Ascend is NOT an upgrade, a lateral move if anything.

Cheers,
Russ

screxer

okay, thanks for the feedback Russ....I guess that's the one big problem with the speaker companies that only sell online...I simply can't hear the speaker to truly tell if they are an improvement over what I've got. I know I highly prefer the sound of my speakers over Klipsch, Boston Acoustic, Paradigm, etc. simply because I've been able to listen and compare....with the Ascend's, it's all based on what I can read on the internet and they are getting rave reviews places. If it would only be a lateral move, I won't spend $1300 for the setup I would get through them....I would simply hunt down a pair of RT35i's to round out my system and then save up for the amp and SVS sub.

ohskigod

the difference is 1300 dollars spent on no improvement and huge improvement. you have to know where to put the dough. definitly follow Russmans advise.

Systems

Zero care to elaborate when you said the Ascend presentation is different from the RTi? You mean the Tonal value? Ive heard the ascends are more neutral.

Early B.

This would definitely be an upgrade for you.

I was very impressed with the Ascend center channel that I used to own. To me, it was better than the Csi40 which it replaced. I also used to own the Rti38's and RTi28's. Given the setup you've got now, your propsed Ascend setup will be a vast improvement, especially with music. The Ascends are more controlled, detailed, and laid back than the RTi series. The biggest improvement, however, will be in the sub department.

screxer

Dangit!!! just when you guys had me convinced along comes someone that says it would be an improvement!! Honestly though, I think I might just stick with Polk, possibly get some Monitor 70's (less power hungry than the the RTi towers but still have good detail), move the RTi38's to rear surround duty, pick up an Anthem AVP7 amp, and SVS 12" sub.....gonna take some time, but that's primarily the plan at this point unless someone convinces me otherwise.

screxer

thanks for that extra feedback zero....reading that the Ascend is a forward speaker and not warm definetely makes the decision easier. I like the warmer sound of my RTi's and am not a big fan of bright speakers. Also, thanks for the input on the amp....With the stuff I've got, the HK runs them fine so I may stick with that as the primary amplifier (it should probably handle Monitor 70's fine as well).

Early B.

I like the warmer sound of my RTi's and am not a big fan of bright speakers.

If you don't like bright speakers (i.e., RTi series), then you'll love the Ascend products. Just thought I'd throw that in to cause more confusion for you.:p

As many have said, focus first on the sub. Forget about separate amps, for now. Step 2 would be floorstanders. Step 3 would be to upgrade the center channel. Step 4 would be to upgrade most of your interconnects and speaker cables. Step 5, well....let me just say kiss your money goodbye from now on...

screxer

Well, I went ahead and got some Monitor 70's today and am pretty happy so far.....big difference for mains (just a bit more tweaking than I"m used to now that I have towers). I've moved the RTi38's to rear surround duty and my next step is an SVS sub....thanks everyone that helped me with my decision. I really appreciate it. If it wasn't for this forum I'd be completely lost. I decided to go with the Monitor's because my room is fairly small (the RTi12 would have been overkill) and they are easier to power....very decent sounding speaker too for the money (like the sound better than the Klipsch reference towers....might get flamed for that, but my monitors sound better to my ears)

Frank Z

LSi's..nuff said.

PolkThug

When you swap the PSW12 out for an SVS, its going to feel like a whole new system.