Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio for better sound quality, the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 for the lower price. The GR-Research NX-Studio ranks #4 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.8/5, at $3,630. The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 ranks #114, rated 3.8/5, at $468, $3,162 cheaper.
Why pick the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2: On-axis response is impressively flat from about 100Hz to 2kHz, staying within roughly ±1dB, with a clean, gradual bass rolloff below that. Watch for: 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 GR-Research NX-Studio is the better-sounding pick. Ultra clean burst decay/waterfall plot. The tradeoff: Bass will be very tight but won’t be quite as deep as others due to the sealed woofer enclosure.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the GR-Research NX-Studio when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 | GR-Research NX-Studio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $468 per pair | $3630 per pair |
| Ranked | #114 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | - |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 87dB |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer | GR-Research M165NQ 6.5” paper cone, non-resonant polymer frame, copper shorting rings and aluminum phase plug sealed enclosure woofer, GR-Research Neo3 Planar Magnetic Ribbon open baffle tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in | 18”H x 8.5”W x 15.5”D (457.2 x 215.9 x 393.7 mm) |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 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 CBM-170 SE2: $468 per pair Ascend Acoustics $468 eBay
Older model: the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Ascend CBM, HTM and CMT generation.
Same family: the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.3/5) and the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5).
Pros: On-axis response is impressively flat from about 100Hz to 2kHz, staying within roughly ±1dB, with a clean, gradual bass rolloff below that. The directivity index rises smoothly and predictably through the crossover region, and the estimated in-room response shows a smooth, consistent downward tilt from 100Hz to 10kHz with no major discontinuities: close to the ideal in-room target shape. Measured sensitivity of 86.8dB nearly matches Ascend’s 87dB spec. The manufacturer’s own preference-score modeling comes out to 6.30 unequalized (rising to 8.66 with an ideal subwoofer, or 6.79/8.86 with EQ applied): a strong result for a compact 2-way, and a clear step up from the original Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE this replaces. Measured sensitivity of 86.8dB.
Cons: 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. High-frequency directivity narrows substantially above 10kHz, typical for a small dome tweeter, so the top octave will sound more reserved off-axis than on-axis. Bass rolls off as expected for a compact 2-way monitor: -3dB around 70Hz and -10dB around 50Hz, so a subwoofer is needed for full-range use. This data comes from the manufacturer’s own Klippel measurements rather than an independent third-party review, so there’s no outside verification of channel matching, distortion, or unit-to-unit consistency.
Full Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2026 (3 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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GR-Research NX-Studio: $3630 per pair GR Research $3630 eBay
Same family: the GR-Research NX-Bravo (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.4/5) and the GR-Research NX-Treme (floorstanding, rated 4.8/5).
Pros: Ultra clean burst decay/waterfall plot. Amazingly open sounding due to the semi open baffle Neo3 ribbon tweeter, will image better than any other bookshelf speaker. Neo3 ribbon tweeter is one of the best ribbons around for detail. Bass will be very tight and fast due to the sealed enclosure, but may possibly need a sub.
Cons: Bass will be very tight but won’t be quite as deep as others due to the sealed woofer enclosure.
Full GR-Research NX-Studio review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 18”H x 8.5”W x 15.5”D (457.2 x 215.9 x 393.7 mm) |
| Drivers | GR-Research M165NQ 6.5” paper cone, non-resonant polymer frame, copper shorting rings and aluminum phase plug sealed enclosure woofer, GR-Research Neo3 Planar Magnetic Ribbon open baffle tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Weight | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs March Audio Sointuva AWG
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs AsciLab C6B
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs Perlisten S4b
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs Audio First Cadentia 3
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs KEF R3 Meta
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs Wharfedale Aura 2
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