Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 Quick Manual

Manufacturer: Ascend Acoustics, Inc., 16921 S. Western Avenue, Building 111, Gardena, CA 90247; 310/719-9786;
www.ascendacoustics.com; e-mail: custservice@ascendacoustics.com
Price: $360/pair; $800/pair with Hsu VTF-2 subwoofer; $1258 for five with Hsu VTF-2 subwoofer
Source: Manufacturer loan
Reviewer: Howard Ferstler
Perhaps I should just make this a "speed-record" review and state right off the bat that the CBM-170 is a terrific
speaker – terrific at the asking price and terrific even if it were to sell for twice what Ascend has chosen to sell it for,
factory direct. But, hey, you probably want to read more than just a summary.
Before I get into the details about why this speaker is so great, I will point out that although the CBM-170 is an OK
bass-reproducing system, considering the small size of the cabinet, it is best used as a satellite handling the range
above about 80 Hz. It can actually do a decent job of going somewhat below that frequency, but a pair of them will
best demonstrate their excellent abilities when working with a good subwoofer.
Indeed, the owner's manual for the system encourages subwoofer use, and to press the issue the company has
been offering their speakers in two-, three-, five- six-, and seven-system packages in combination with the Hsu Research
VTF-2 subwoofer that I reviewed in
purchased along with the bigger,
have reviewed for The Audiophile Voice.
Because of these deals and the
review the CBM-170 systems as if a
package. And while any good
however many CBM-170s you choose
analysis will be those two Hsu VTF
hand.
OK, now here is another summary. With the assistance of a Hsu subwoofer, I believe that any combination of
Ascend satellites will stand up and knock a chip off the shoulder of just about any other combination you can think of
that is not designed to fill a huge room with sound. It can do this and still come out looking pretty good after the
resulting altercation. Consequently, I believe that you will want to check out these systems for serious audio use, even
if your wallet is thick as a brick.
As I noted, the CBM-170 is on the smallish side, but could not be considered as a "mini" system in the true sense
of the word. With the stylish grill installed, the rear-ported, bass-reflex enclosure is 12 x 9 x 10 (HWD) inches in size
and contains a 6.5-inch woofer/midrange and a one-inch tweeter. Cabinet edges are rounded, to minimize diffraction
effects, although the grill frame somewhat curtails the advantage.
The woofer has a non-resonant polymer frame, a rubber surround (more long-term durable than foam), a cone
made of something called aerogel, and a phase plug to assist with midrange dispersion. The tweeter is a soft-dome
job, with a neodymium magnet and ferrofluid cooling. Both drivers are magnetically shielded, allowing the system to
be used near direct-view TV monitors. Both are made by Audax and imported from France.
Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 Speaker
issue 88. The systems can also be
seriously potent VTF-3 model that I
nature of these speakers, I am going to
subwoofer were part of the performance
subwoofer will dovetail beautifully with
to utilize, my subwoofer choices in this
models, both of which I still have on