Ascend 340SE vs Polk LSi9

Joey_V
Joey_V Posts: 8,553
edited October 2006 in 2 Channel Audio
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
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
Post edited by Joey_V on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    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."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,553
    edited September 2006
    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.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mulveling
    mulveling Posts: 505
    edited October 2006
    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.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter