Short answer: the Ascend CBM-170 SE2. It ranks #105 of 203 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $468. The Triangle Borea BR03 ranks #179, rated 2.8/5, at $395, $73 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Ascend CBM-170 SE2 is the more accurate choice. 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 4.03 for the Triangle Borea BR03. 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 Triangle Borea BR03 is the deeper-bass choice. Bass output is genuinely decent for the price: measured extension reaches F3 57Hz/F10 42Hz, which the reviewer had no real complaints about. Its bass reaches about 57Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Ascend CBM-170 SE2. Watch for: A noticeable mid-range suckout, most pronounced in the upper mid-range/lower treble, that the reviewer attributes to cabinet resonances and driver breakup rather than a deliberate voicing choice: it makes vocals and instruments sound recessed and thin rather than warm.
Buy the Ascend CBM-170 SE2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $73 with the Triangle Borea BR03 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend CBM-170 SE2 | Triangle Borea BR03 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $468 per pair | $395.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #105 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #179 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 87.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer | 6.5” natural cellulose midwoofer, 1” (25mm) EFS silk dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in | 14.96”H x 8.11”W x 12.36”D |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 4.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, dual front ports |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 | 4.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 | 6.38 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 3600Hz |
| Recommended Power | - | 100W |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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 CBM-170 SE2: $468 per pair Ascend Acoustics eBay
Older model: the Ascend CBM-170 SE (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5).
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 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 CBM-170 SE2 review and specifications →
| 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 CBM-170 SE2 vs Polk Signature Elite ES20
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- Ascend CBM-170 SE2 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
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Triangle Borea BR03: $395.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Triangle Borea BR02 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 2.7/5), the Triangle Borea BR07 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 3/5), the Triangle Borea BR08 (floorstanding, estimated 3.2/5), the Triangle Borea BR09 (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.3/5) and the Triangle Borea BRC01 (center, estimated 3.4/5).
Pros: Bass output is genuinely decent for the price: measured extension reaches F3 57Hz/F10 42Hz, which the reviewer had no real complaints about. Dual front-firing ports and a well-stuffed, well-braced cabinet. Solid build quality overall. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87.5dB.
Cons: A noticeable mid-range suckout, most pronounced in the upper mid-range/lower treble, that the reviewer attributes to cabinet resonances and driver breakup rather than a deliberate voicing choice: it makes vocals and instruments sound recessed and thin rather than warm. Sibilance in the 4-8kHz region shows up on every track the reviewer tried. Measured minimum impedance dips to about 4.2 ohms (with an even lower EPDR), despite the speaker and its own rear panel being labeled 8 ohms: worth knowing if you’re planning to drive these with a receiver/AVR that assumes an 8-ohm nominal load. The reviewer is upfront that this speaker has a devoted following among other reviewers, but says he specifically doesn’t hear what they hear and wants people who own it to trust their own ears rather than assume something’s wrong with their hearing if they don’t love it either.
Full Triangle Borea BR03 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 3600Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.96”H x 8.11”W x 12.36”D |
| Drivers | 6.5” natural cellulose midwoofer, 1” (25mm) EFS silk dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 4.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 100W |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual front ports |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs B&W 805S
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
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