Short answer: the Wharfedale Aura 2 if sound quality matters most, the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 if price matters most. The Wharfedale Aura 2 ranks #13 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.6/5, at $2,799. The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 ranks #113, rated 3.8/5, at $468, $2,331 cheaper.
What the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 does well: Compact two-way bookshelf speakers with a SEAS tweeter, a very flat midrange and smooth sound that suits most rooms. 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 Wharfedale Aura 2 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. The tradeoff: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Wharfedale Aura 2 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
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 mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms.
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 | Wharfedale Aura 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $468 per pair | $2799 per pair |
| Ranked | #113 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #13 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) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer | 6.5” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in | 22.1”H x 11.3”W x 15.3”D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 | 6.03 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 | 7.65 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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