Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 Speakers by JLM

Model:	CBM-170
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$360.00
Description:	2-way bookshelf
Manufacturer URL:	Ascend Acoustics
Manufacturer URL:	Ascend Acoustics

Review by JLM ( A ) on February 08, 2003 at 05:44:02
IP Address: 12.245.228.154

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for the CBM-170

Current price $328/pair, see their website for details and specifications.
I've been into audio seriously for 25 years and use these mostly in my 2.1 HT/2nd music system. They have held their own with the associated equipment below and over match the Hsu VTF-2 I bought them with.
While most speakers provide the outlines of sound (detail), these do more, they emphasize the color (tonality) of music. They also image like crazy. These attributes make the CBM-170's most enjoyable and a pleasure to live with long-term.
Highly recommended for a second system, dorm, recreation room, or on the road. Compared to most HT satellites, these are in another league.
Sensitivity and power handling are both respectable.
Money went into the guts, not the rough black vinyl skin. Great value. IMO they blow away the typical brands you know at 5 times the price.
YMMV, I'm not associated with the company, etc. etc.

Product Weakness: Appearance, lack deep bass
Product Strengths: Value, tonality, imaging, quality build

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Rotel RX-975 A/V receiver
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony XA 20 ES CDP
Speakers:	Ascend Ascoustics CBM-170
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber Kable 4TC/PBJ
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	classical, jazz, classic rock/pop
Room Size (LxWxH):	23 x 18 x 7
Room Comments/Treatments:	paneling/carpeted concrete/acoustical drop ceiling
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	none
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Appearance, lack deep bass
Product Strengths:	Value, tonality, imaging, quality build