Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It ranks #23 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $798. The Revel Concerta2 M16 ranks #51, rated 4.1/5, at $600, $198 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 does well: High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.99 preference score with a subwoofer. The catch: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33.
The case for the Revel Concerta2 M16: CEA2034 spinorama shows an on-axis response that’s essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz, with some bass boost around 100Hz. Watch for: Harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz and a sharp spike around 350Hz, plus the woofer appears to get a bit unhappy right before handing off to the tweeter.
Worth knowing: the Revel Concerta2 M16 is discontinued, though it still ranks #51 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, so a used unit beats most of what is still sold new.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $198 saving on the Revel Concerta2 M16 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 | Revel Concerta2 M16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $798 per pair | $600 per pair used (about), Discontinued |
| Ranked | #23 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 41.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Sensitivity | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic | 86dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak | - |
| Dimensions | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each | 14.8”H x 8.6”W x 10.8”D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 mm) |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.33 | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.99 | 7.28 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 compares with other leading options:
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- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs GR-Research NX-Studio
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2: $798 per pair Ascend Acoustics eBay
Pros: High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.99 preference score with a subwoofer. Its dual 6.5-inch woofers, 92dB anechoic sensitivity, and 240W continuous power rating support high output and dynamics. Measured bass extension of 77.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33. The 4.35 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation also indicates more off-axis variation than the strongest designs, and the rear port needs placement clearance.
Full Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak |
| Sensitivity | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.99 |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2
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Revel Concerta2 M16: $600 per pair used (about) Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an on-axis response that’s essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz, with some bass boost around 100Hz. Predicted in-room response is very nice, with just extra bass and a bit of roll-off above 20kHz - the reviewer calls it “nice!” Distortion is well controlled through most of the range at both test levels. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz and a sharp spike around 350Hz, plus the woofer appears to get a bit unhappy right before handing off to the tweeter. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows some lingering resonances in the 300Hz-1kHz region. The reviewer cautions not to over-cover the cabinet/grille area with thin fabric, as it can audibly affect the top-end response. Discontinued.
Full Revel Concerta2 M16 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.8”H x 8.6”W x 10.8”D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.28 |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs ELAC DBR62
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs JBL HDI-1600
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Revel Concerta2 M16 vs Technics SB-C700
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