Short answer: the MoFi SourcePoint 10 for better sound quality, the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 for the lower price. The MoFi SourcePoint 10 ranks #27 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $3,795. The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 ranks #113, rated 3.8/5, at $468, $3,327 cheaper.
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 4.16 for the MoFi SourcePoint 10. The tradeoff: 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 MoFi SourcePoint 10 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A large bookshelf speaker with a 10 inch concentric driver that acts like a point source, with a huge soundstage and strong, clean dynamics. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. The tradeoff: Like virtually all coincident designs, sounds notably bright pointed directly on-axis due to a deliberate treble lift (meant to compensate for the 28mm tweeter’s earlier beaming versus a typical 25mm/1” tweeter) combined with a diffraction dip/peak from the waveguide edge; needs about 15° of toe-out to sound neutral, and even then benefits from an extra 1-2dB of treble EQ.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the MoFi SourcePoint 10 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
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.
A large bookshelf speaker with a 10 inch concentric driver that acts like a point source, with a huge soundstage and strong, clean dynamics.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 | MoFi SourcePoint 10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $468 per pair | $3795 per pair |
| Ranked | #113 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #27 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 88.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer | 10” Paper-pulp Cone woofer, 1.25-inch soft-dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in | 22.5”H x 14.5”W x 16.6”D (571.5 x 368.3 x 421.6 mm) |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 46.3 lbs (21.0 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal, 6.4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 | 4.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 | 6.17 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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