Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It ranks #41 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,748; the Philharmonic BMR Monitor ranks #134, rated 3.6/5, and costs $2,200, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 is the better-sounding choice. A ribbon tweeter bookshelf speaker with hand matched pairs, a frequency response printout for each unit, and a long seven year warranty. The tradeoff: On-axis response is relatively uneven, with an average deviation of about 0.45dB, so a listener sitting dead center may notice more unevenness than with smoother AsciLab or Ascend towers.
The Philharmonic BMR Monitor is the deeper-bass option. Three-way bookshelf speakers with premium drivers, a well-built cabinet and extremely wide dispersion for a broad soundstage. Its bass reaches about 47Hz before falling 3dB, against 58.6Hz for the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. The tradeoff: A 1-2dB bump around 2-3kHz creates a “glare” on vocals, guitars, and strings that the reviewer noticed consistently across many tracks.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Philharmonic BMR Monitor and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A ribbon tweeter bookshelf speaker with hand matched pairs, a frequency response printout for each unit, and a long seven year warranty.
Three-way bookshelf speakers with premium drivers, a well-built cabinet and extremely wide dispersion for a broad soundstage.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 | Philharmonic BMR Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,748 per pair | $2200 per pair |
| Ranked | #41 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #134 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | RAAL 10mm true ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv cone woofer | 6” Ceramic woofer, Balanced Mode Radiator 2.5” midrange, RAAL 64-10X OEM tweeter |
| Dimensions | 14.3”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (362 x 190 x 267 mm) | 20”H x 8”W x 12.5”D (508 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 85dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) | 84dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous, 300W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 51-27,000Hz +/-3dB (manufacturer) | - |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 | 6.02 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.95 | 7.67 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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