Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2. It ranks #3 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.7/5) at $1,000 and is still sold new; the Emotiva B1+ ranks #23 (rated 4.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Emotiva B1+’s replacement, the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2, is rated 4.2/5 at $549.
The Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. An extremely accurate bookshelf speaker, with a bamboo cabinet, wide even dispersion and clean output when played loud. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.65 against 5.34 for the Emotiva B1+. Its bass reaches about 55Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Emotiva B1+. Watch for: F3 of 55Hz and F10 of 39Hz mean in-room extension tops out in the mid-40s Hz; the reviewer still recommends a subwoofer for full-range material.
Why pick the Emotiva B1+: Highly rated budget bookshelf speakers with a folded ribbon tweeter, now discontinued but worth buying used. The tradeoff: It needs an external amplifier and thoughtful placement.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Emotiva B1+ is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2 reaches 39 Hz (10 dB down) against 49 Hz for the Emotiva B1+, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Efficiency: the Emotiva B1+ is rated at 85 dB sensitivity against 81.5 dB for the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2, so it plays as loud with roughly half the amplifier power.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2 | Emotiva B1+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1000 per pair | $250 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #3 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.2”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (361.9 x 190.5 x 266.7 mm) | 10.8”H x 7.1”W x 8.3”D (274 x 181 x 210 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 81.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 5.25” proprietary mineral-filled polypropylene cone with cast aluminum frame woofer, 26mm aluminum/magnesium alloy dome tweeter with titanium former (SEAS Titan) | 5.25” woven fiber cone with SBR surround woofer, 25x32 mm Airmotiv folded ribbon tweeter |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each | 8.8 lbs (4.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.65 | 5.34 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.61 | 7.86 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner and Audio Science Review Ascend.
- Emotiva B1+: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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