Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. It ranks #113 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $468; the XTZ Spirit 4 ranks #159, rated 3.4/5, and costs $477, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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 4.18 for the XTZ Spirit 4. 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 XTZ Spirit 4 is the deeper-bass option. Stand-mount speakers with a waveguide tweeter, adjustable treble and port tuning, wide coverage and fairly deep bass. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 10dB, against 50Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. The tradeoff: The third-party measurement is low confidence.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the XTZ Spirit 4 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Compact two-way bookshelf speakers with a SEAS tweeter, a very flat midrange and smooth sound that suits most rooms.
Stand-mount speakers with a waveguide tweeter, adjustable treble and port tuning, wide coverage and fairly deep bass.
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 | XTZ Spirit 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $468 per pair | $477 per pair |
| Ranked | #113 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #159 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | about 40.0Hz (measured, Spinorama data) |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer | 1” dome tweeter, 6.5” woofer |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in | 13.8H x 7.5W x 10.6D in |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 | 4.18 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 | 6.30 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way passive, rear-ported |
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