Short answer: the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini. Both are rated 4.7/5 for sound quality (#2 and #3 of 179 bookshelf speakers), and the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini costs $900 against $1,000 for the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
The Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2 is the more accurate 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 5.77 for the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini. The catch: 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.
The case for the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini: A beautifully finished bookshelf speaker with near reference accuracy, low distortion, a touch of warmth and a wide soundstage. The tradeoff: Somewhat limited output capability for its size: audible woofer compression (“flopping”) around 95dB at 3 meters for a stereo pair, so keep to moderate levels or pair with a subwoofer for home theater use.
Buy the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $100 less than the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2 scores 8.6 against 7.8 for the Philharmonic Ceramic Mini on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (39 Hz vs 36 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2 | Philharmonic Ceramic Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1000 per pair | $900 per pair |
| Ranked | #3 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #2 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 36Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 51Hz (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) | 12” x 8.5” x 11.3” (305 x 216 x 286 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms min, 15 ohms max) (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 81.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82dB (2.83V/1m, measured by 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” ceramic woofer, 1” ceramic dome tweeter |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.65 | 5.77 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.61 | 7.78 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 20kHz (+1.5/-3dB, Manufacturer specified, ported) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2kHz (Linkwitz-Riley 4th order) |
| Country | - | USA (Vienna, Virginia) |
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.
- Philharmonic Ceramic Mini: 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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