Ascend Acoustics - any experienced users?


Preparing to sell (actually are sold) very large format horn speakers and have already become attached to my Coherent Audio 12’s. Klipsch LaScala are still in mix so now some sanely priced stand mounts are wanted. Ascend appears to use very high quality divers (RAAL, ScanSpeak) and solid bamboo cabinets. New prices are actually within reason, much less than a comparable Fritz. Opinions from actual owners are those who have any experience is appreciated. I just can’t bring myself to spend $3,4,5 6K on a one or two cubic “box” no matter the name or sophistication behind it. 
Thanks

kckrs

I owned a pair of the Sierra 1s about 15 years ago in piano black which were being driven by conrad-johnson amp (ss) and pre (tube). The only reason they were sold was due to my own economic factors at the time. Nonetheless, they were extremely well constructed, especially the cabinet - quality was impressive at their price point. They were an easier, and perhaps more forgiving speaker with its SEAS tweeter. Bass response was impressive with better than expected mid-bass (“punch”). Seemed like quite a bit of thought, design, and effort went behind this speaker as it really put Ascend Acoustics on the map.

To be honest, I’ve been debating on picking up another pair for my office system. Definitely one of the few speakers I regret selling, but unsure what its competitors are these days. I really can’t see going wrong between either Fritz or Ascend.

I love my Sierra Raal. It blends well in the center with ESLs on its flanks. I ordered it as a center (not stipulating vertical) so I had to turn the ribbon 90°.  No sweat.  Much easier to understand dialogue vs any domes I have tried.

I had the Ascend raal towers for over 7 years. They used to be $3k a pair. Absolutely amazing quality and sound for the money. Surprisingly deep and articulate bass and the raals produced extremely precise treble but without fatigue. Huge sounstage too, covered the entire front wall. Plus Dave Fabrikant is one of the nicest audio company owner in the business. You can't go wrong. Only reason for moving on from them is once I built the house of stereo I went with much larger towers for a bigger sound.

they are tremendous value, any comparable speaker would cost twice as much.  Decent looking too...

I helped my ex-wife put together a small system and picked up a pair of Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1's for her. They are great speaker for their size and cost, but I do not have any experience beyond that.

Enjoying a pre-loved pair of Sierra LX here. Simple and inexpensive setup at the moment. These speakers sound very balanced to me and punch way above their weight. They will definitely not be the bottleneck in your system till you start spending multiple K's on your other components. Amazing value, especially used. Please PM me if you need more details.

Agree with everyone else. Ascend makes great no nonsense designs. Maybe boring looking, the sound offsets that and then some. Reminds me of early Salk speakers before they got more advanced with bigger and better designs or more fancy wood options. Just simple and really good sounding speakers that won't cost 3 months salary.