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; the Wharfedale Super Denton ranks #28, rated 4.0/5, and costs $1,499, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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 5.90 for the Wharfedale Super Denton. 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.
Why pick the Wharfedale Super Denton: Classic looking three way bookshelf speakers with a dedicated dome midrange, low distortion and a cabinet free of resonances. Watch for: A mid-range scoop from about 200-800Hz and a separate upper-midrange scoop were both audible in direct ABX comparison against a reference-neutral speaker, giving aggressive-sounding material a more subdued character.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Wharfedale Super Denton and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Efficiency: the Wharfedale Super Denton is rated at 86.6 dB sensitivity against 81.5 dB for the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2, so it plays as loud with roughly a third of the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (39 Hz vs 41 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 v2 | Wharfedale Super Denton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1000 per pair | $1,499.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #3 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 61Hz (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) | 14.2”H x 9.7”W x 10.8”D (360 x 246 x 275 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 81.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.6dB (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) | 1” soft dome tweeter, 2” soft dome midrange, 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each | 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.65 | 5.9 (Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.61 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 52Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); -6dB to 40Hz |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 940Hz, 4.6kHz |
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.
- Wharfedale Super Denton: 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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