Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs JBL 4367

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower, if you are buying new. The JBL 4367 measures as well as it (#16 vs #12 of 188 floorstanding speakers, 4.6/5 vs 4.6/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower is still sold new at $5,698. The JBL 4367’s replacement, the JBL 4369, is rated 4.7/5.

Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower vs JBL 4367

The Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower is the more accurate option. A RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter and dual SEAS Excel aluminum woofers in a 3-way, 4-driver bamboo tower measure a genuine 38.7Hz extension point with a nearly flat on axis slope of 0.05dB per octave, one of the flattest measured towers we list. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.97 against 5.07 for the JBL 4367. The tradeoff: Listening window smoothness measures a moderate 0.40 and on axis deviation runs 0.286dB average, both trailing the tighter figures posted by some of the passive AsciLab and Ascend bookshelf models in this same batch.

What the JBL 4367 does well: Three-way design pairing a 15” front-ported woofer with a compression driver on a controlled-dispersion horn/waveguide, crossed over at 700Hz. The catch: At roughly $16500/pair, this is a major investment: the reviewer recommends buying from a dealer with a liberal return policy.

Buy the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower if you want one new; the JBL 4367 is discontinued, so only look for it used.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower JBL 4367
Price$5,698 per pair$16,500 per pair Discontinued
Ranked#12 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers#16 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers
Enclosureported-
DriversRAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv midrange (sealed sub-chamber), 2x 6” SEAS Excel aluminum woofers15” (380mm) 2216Nd-1 Dual Differential Drive® woofer, 3” (75mm) D2430K dual compression tweeter
Dimensions43”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (1092 x 190 x 267 mm)37.2”H x 22.2”W x 16.8”D (944.9 x 563.9 x 426.7 mm)
Weight56 lbs (25.4 kg) each119 lbs (54 kg) each
Sensitivity87.5dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer)92.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Impedance8 ohms nominal4 ohms nominal (5.3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner)
Power Handling400W continuous, 600W peak-
Frequency Response36-27,000Hz +/-3dB anechoic (manufacturer)-
Bass Extension (-3dB)38.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data)43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-10dB)28.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data)31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Warranty7 years parts and labor-
CountryUnited States-
Spinorama Preference Score6.975.07
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub8.426.88
DIY KitNoNo
Woofer Cabinet-ported, front

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower:

Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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 ELX Ribbon Tower: $5,698 per pair Ascend Acoustics eBay

Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower ranking card

Same family: the Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Horizon (center, rated 4.6/5).

Pros: A RAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter and dual SEAS Excel aluminum woofers in a 3-way, 4-driver bamboo tower measure a genuine 38.7Hz extension point with a nearly flat on axis slope of 0.05dB per octave, one of the flattest measured towers we list. The bass alignment Q of 0.62 keeps the low end well damped rather than peaky. Backed by a 7 year parts and labor warranty and hand assembled in Orange County, California, with each pair matched within +/-1.5dB. Measured bass extension of 38.7Hz (-3dB).

Cons: Listening window smoothness measures a moderate 0.40 and on axis deviation runs 0.286dB average, both trailing the tighter figures posted by some of the passive AsciLab and Ascend bookshelf models in this same batch. At $5698/pair it is Ascend’s most expensive tower, well above the Titan dome tweeter version of the same cabinet. The manufacturer’s own claimed sensitivity (87.5dB) runs nearly 1.5dB higher than the independently measured average (86.1dB), worth accounting for when matching an amplifier.

Bass Extension (-10dB)28.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data)
Bass Extension (-3dB)38.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data)
CountryUnited States
DIY KitNo
Dimensions43”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (1092 x 190 x 267 mm)
DriversRAAL 70-20xram ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv midrange (sealed sub-chamber), 2x 6” SEAS Excel aluminum woofers
Enclosureported
Frequency Response36-27,000Hz +/-3dB anechoic (manufacturer)
Impedance8 ohms nominal
Power Handling400W continuous, 600W peak
Sensitivity87.5dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer)
Spinorama Preference Score6.97
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub8.42
Warranty7 years parts and labor
Weight56 lbs (25.4 kg) each

JBL 4367: $16,500 per pair Discontinued eBay

JBL 4367 ranking card

Newer model: the JBL 4369, ranked higher, estimated 4.7/5.

Same family: the JBL 4309 (smallest bookshelf, rated 3.3/5), the JBL 4312G (bookshelf, estimated 3.9/5), the JBL 4349 (largest bookshelf, rated 3.6/5) and the JBL 4369 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.7/5).

Pros: Three-way design pairing a 15” front-ported woofer with a compression driver on a controlled-dispersion horn/waveguide, crossed over at 700Hz. On-axis frequency response is nearly dead flat, holding within about ±1.5dB, with the listening window tracking it closely except right at the crossover. Distortion stays below 1% THD across the entire audible band at both 86dB and 96dB. Compression/dynamic-range linearity is exceptional: within about a quarter of a dB from 76dB to 102dB, among the best the reviewer has measured. High sensitivity (about 92.6dB average) eases the amplifier match despite the speaker’s size. Minimal rear radiation thanks to the 15” woofer’s directivity and front-firing ports: rear energy runs about 20dB down from the primary wavefront, giving it a near-cardioid radiation pattern. Well-controlled horn directivity keeps the soundstage from noticeably shifting in width across the 700Hz crossover region. A natural high-frequency rolloff above about 7-8kHz gives it an easy, non-fatiguing character for extended listening sessions. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 92.5dB.

Cons: At roughly $16500/pair, this is a major investment: the reviewer recommends buying from a dealer with a liberal return policy. Vertical response shows dips beyond about ±10-20°, with a larger null further out: an inherent trade-off of mating a 15” woofer to a horn compression driver at a 700Hz crossover, since crossing lower would hurt power handling and dynamic range. Horizontal directivity isn’t perfectly consistent with frequency: narrow (about ±20°) through 200-800Hz, briefly widening to near ±50° above the crossover, then narrowing again at high frequency. An unusual, non-constant pattern. The high-frequency rolloff that gives it an easy-listening character also reduces the sense of air and space in the soundstage when listening from off-center seats. Massive and heavy (about 120 lbs, roughly 36-37” tall): needs to be raised on a stand to bring the horn to ear level, and isn’t something one person easily moves alone. Only modest EQ adjustment is available on the speaker itself (about ±1-2dB bass/treble trim). Discontinued.

Bass Extension (-10dB)31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Bass Extension (-3dB)43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions37.2”H x 22.2”W x 16.8”D (944.9 x 563.9 x 426.7 mm)
Drivers15” (380mm) 2216Nd-1 Dual Differential Drive® woofer, 3” (75mm) D2430K dual compression tweeter
Impedance4 ohms nominal (5.3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner)
Sensitivity92.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner)
Spinorama Preference Score5.07
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub6.88
Weight119 lbs (54 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported, front