Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. It ranks #113 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $468; the Dynaudio Emit 20 ranks #133, rated 3.6/5, and costs $1,049, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 is the more accurate choice. Compact two-way bookshelf speakers with a SEAS tweeter, a very flat midrange and smooth sound that suits most rooms. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.30 against 4.22 for the Dynaudio Emit 20. The catch: A narrow dip in the on-axis and listening-window response appears in the 3-5kHz range (down to about -2.7dB), mirrored by a matching dip in the directivity index at the same frequencies: likely a brief widening of dispersion right at the tweeter/woofer crossover.
The Dynaudio Emit 20 is the deeper-bass choice. Bookshelf speakers with unusually deep, low distortion bass for a two-way design and wide, consistent dispersion. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. Watch for: A resonance around 600-800Hz gives snares and similar percussion a muffled, flat quality lacking impact: confirmed as originating in the woofer itself (isolated via measurements of the raw driver out of the cabinet), and attempts at constrained-layer damping didn’t resolve it.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dynaudio Emit 20 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.
Compact two-way bookshelf speakers with a SEAS tweeter, a very flat midrange and smooth sound that suits most rooms.
Bookshelf speakers with unusually deep, low distortion bass for a two-way design and wide, consistent dispersion.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 | Dynaudio Emit 20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $468 per pair | $1,049.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #113 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #133 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 33Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer | 7.1” Magnesium Silicate Polymer woofer, 1.1” Cerotar soft dome with Hexis tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in | 14.6”H x 8.1”W x 12.3”D (370.0 x 205.0 x 312.0 mm) |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms nominal (5.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 | 4.22 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 | 5.92 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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