Short answer: the Perlisten S4b if sound quality matters most, the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 if price matters most. The Perlisten S4b ranks #2 of 216 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.8/5, at $8,000. The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 ranks #112, rated 3.8/5, at $468, $7,532 cheaper.
The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. On-axis response is impressively flat from about 100Hz to 2kHz, staying within roughly ±1dB, with a clean, gradual bass rolloff below that. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.30 against 5.35 for the Perlisten S4b. Its bass reaches about 70Hz before falling 3dB, against 78Hz for the Perlisten S4b. 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 Perlisten S4b is the better-sounding pick. Reference-grade directivity and output from a compact sealed monitor. The tradeoff: Erin measured only 84.5dB sensitivity and an impedance minimum just under 4 ohms, a difficult efficiency/load combination that deserves substantial clean amplification.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Perlisten S4b if sound quality matters more than the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 | Perlisten S4b | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $468 per pair | $8,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #112 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #2 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 78Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 84.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer | DPC array with 28mm beryllium tweeter and dual 28mm midrange domes; 7” woofer |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in | 16.5”H x 9.4”W x 7.3”D |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | Just under 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 | 5.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 | 8.01 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 (measured by the manufacturer) and Perlisten S4b (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Perlisten S4b compares with other leading options:
- Perlisten S4b vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs Perlisten S4b
- AsciLab C6B vs Perlisten S4b
- Perlisten S4b vs Audio First Cadentia 3
- KEF R3 Meta vs Perlisten S4b
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 vs Polk Signature Elite ES20
- Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 vs Philharmonic BMR Monitor
- Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 vs Mission LX-3 MKII
- Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
- Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 vs Dynaudio Special Forty
- See all 48 comparisons
Perlisten S4b: $8,000 per pair Perlisten Dealer Locator $8,000 eBay
Same family: the Perlisten S5m (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.4/5), the Perlisten S5t (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.5/5), the Perlisten S7t (larger floorstanding, rated 4.5/5), the Perlisten S5c (smaller center, estimated 4.5/5), the Perlisten S7c (larger center, rated 4.6/5) and the Perlisten S4s (surround, rated 4.6/5).
Pros: Reference-grade directivity and output from a compact sealed monitor. Erin called its radiation behavior the smoothest he had measured: Perlisten’s DPC array (beryllium tweeter between two midrange domes) shapes vertical output while transitioning cleanly to the 7-inch woofer. Harmonic distortion remains below 1% at 86dB and, above 100Hz, also below 1% at 96dB; compression is exceptionally low. The response is highly linear, the midrange was a listening highlight, and the sealed F10 of 40Hz provides a predictable slope for subwoofer integration. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.5dB.
Cons: Erin measured only 84.5dB sensitivity and an impedance minimum just under 4 ohms, a difficult efficiency/load combination that deserves substantial clean amplification. Its 78Hz F3 means a subwoofer is effectively mandatory for full-range listening despite the 40Hz F10. A roughly +3dB feature around 10kHz appears on-axis, though Erin did not find it objectionable. Price is extreme for a stand-mount and the tightly managed vertical radiation makes correct stand height important.
Full Perlisten S4b review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.5”H x 9.4”W x 7.3”D |
| Drivers | DPC array with 28mm beryllium tweeter and dual 28mm midrange domes; 7” woofer |
| Impedance | Just under 4 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.35 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.01 |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons