Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2, if you are buying new. The Philharmonic BMR (v1) ranks higher than it (#40 vs #112 of 216 bookshelf speakers, 4.3/5 vs 3.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 is still sold new at $468. The Philharmonic BMR (v1)’s replacement, the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, is rated 3.6/5 at $2,200.
The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 is the more accurate 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 4.86 for the Philharmonic BMR (v1). 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 Philharmonic BMR (v1) is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Large three-way combining a Scan-Speak 7-inch paper/carbon woofer, 2.5-inch Tectonic balanced-mode midrange and RAAL 64-10 ribbon. Its bass reaches about 62Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. The catch: The measured 83dB sensitivity and roughly 4-ohm load demand meaningful external amplification.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 if you want one new; the Philharmonic BMR (v1) is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 | Philharmonic BMR (v1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $468 per pair | $2,395 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #112 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #40 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | Approximately 62Hz relative to mean (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner website) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 37.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) | Approximately 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer | RAAL 64-10 ribbon; 2.5” BMR midrange; 7” Scan-Speak woofer |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in | 22H x 9W x 13.5D in |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 37.9 lbs (17.2 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | Approximately 4 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 | 4.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 | 7.17 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Port Tuning | - | Mid/low-30Hz range (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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 Philharmonic BMR (v1) (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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How Philharmonic BMR (v1) compares with other leading options:
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- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs GR-Research NX-Studio
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 vs Philharmonic BMR Monitor
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Philharmonic BMR (v1): $2,395 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, ranked lower, rated 3.6/5, released 2015. See every Philharmonic BMR generation.
Pros: Large three-way combining a Scan-Speak 7-inch paper/carbon woofer, 2.5-inch Tectonic balanced-mode midrange and RAAL 64-10 ribbon. Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB linearity from 80Hz upward, very broad +/-40-degree-or-better horizontal coverage and about 83dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity. The port is tuned in the mid/low-30Hz region without audible chuffing, the midrange provides unusually expansive staging, and distortion remained subjectively unobtrusive. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: The measured 83dB sensitivity and roughly 4-ohm load demand meaningful external amplification. A 1-2dB shelf below about 300Hz reduces warmth unless corrected, while a response/impedance feature near 250-300Hz corresponded with Erin’s sense of resonance. The ribbon produces narrower vertical than horizontal radiation, and second-order high-frequency distortion plus dynamic enhancement near 3kHz appeared in testing. This was an earlier cabinet/version, not the current v2. Discontinued.
Full Philharmonic BMR (v1) review and specifications →
| Released | 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Approximately 62Hz relative to mean (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner website) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 22H x 9W x 13.5D in |
| Drivers | RAAL 64-10 ribbon; 2.5” BMR midrange; 7” Scan-Speak woofer |
| Impedance | Approximately 4 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Port Tuning | Mid/low-30Hz range (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.17 |
| Weight | 37.9 lbs (17.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Philharmonic BMR (v1) vs ELAC VELA BS 403
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