Short answer: the Ascend Sierra Luna for better sound quality, the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR for the lower price. The Ascend Sierra Luna ranks #57 of 63 bookshelf speakers at $1176. The Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR ranks #58 at $749, $427 cheaper.
On the Ascend Sierra Luna side: Ribbon tweeter and a dense, low-resonance bamboo cabinet give it well-controlled horizontal directivity, since the driver sizes blend together effectively. The catch: Dramatic peaks in the bass region around 400Hz, 800Hz, and 1.2kHz - Amir questioned, “A woofer doesn’t dance up and down so sharply by itself in a few hundred hertz?” The port resonates excessively, actually exceeding the woofer’s own output and creating problematic bass “horns.” Measured sensitivity of 80.9dB falls well short of the 83dB spec, requiring about 6dB more amplifier gain than typical speakers.
What the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR offers: Unique dual-driver design combines a front-facing 3-way speaker with an up-firing 2-way Dolby Atmos coaxial driver in one cabinet, designed by Andrew Jones. Set against that: A wide dip between 3-10kHz makes the front speaker sound “somewhat dull” without EQ, and impedance dips below 4 ohms demand a capable amplifier.
Buy the Ascend Sierra Luna if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 63 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Sierra Luna | Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,176 discontinued, superseded by Luna V2 | $749 pair, discontinued |
| Ranked | #57 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #58 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | Custom RAAL true ribbon tweeter (10mm), 4.5" long-throw dual compliant CURV woofer | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer, 2x 4" aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 1" silk dome tweeter (front 3-way + up-firing 2-way Atmos coaxial) |
| Dimensions | 10.5H x 5.75W x 6D in | 15.7H x 7.4W x 9.7D in |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.1 kg each | 15.7 lbs / 7.1 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 80.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 83dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 27kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 64.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 45.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Impedance | - | below 4 ohms minimum |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Ascend Sierra Luna: $1,176 discontinued, superseded by Luna V2
Pros: Ribbon tweeter and a dense, low-resonance bamboo cabinet give it well-controlled horizontal directivity, since the driver sizes blend together effectively. Solid build quality and impressive power handling for such a compact enclosure.
Cons: Dramatic peaks in the bass region around 400Hz, 800Hz, and 1.2kHz - Amir questioned, “A woofer doesn’t dance up and down so sharply by itself in a few hundred hertz?” The port resonates excessively, actually exceeding the woofer’s own output and creating problematic bass “horns.” Measured sensitivity of 80.9dB falls well short of the 83dB spec, requiring about 6dB more amplifier gain than typical speakers. Vertical directivity is poor, making tweeter-height listening position critical. Initial impressions were bright and fatiguing; even after aggressive EQ, Amir called the result “still a bit too bright but much more manageable” and could not recommend the speaker standalone.
Full Ascend Sierra Luna review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 10.5H x 5.75W x 6D in |
| Drivers | Custom RAAL true ribbon tweeter (10mm), 4.5" long-throw dual compliant CURV woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 27kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 80.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review; 83dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.1 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR: $749 pair, discontinued
Pros: Unique dual-driver design combines a front-facing 3-way speaker with an up-firing 2-way Dolby Atmos coaxial driver in one cabinet, designed by Andrew Jones. With corrective EQ applied, the reviewer found “substantially more brilliance and detail,” and the up-firing Atmos driver produced “remarkable” spatial effects from a single box.
Cons: A wide dip between 3-10kHz makes the front speaker sound “somewhat dull” without EQ, and impedance dips below 4 ohms demand a capable amplifier. Distortion is elevated at the crossover points, around 180Hz and 2600Hz. Amir concluded: “The hole in frequency response and high distortion around the crossover point rule out this speaker for any kind of hifi use, certainly at these prices.” Long discontinued.
Full Pioneer Elite SP-EBS73-LR review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.9Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 15.7H x 7.4W x 9.7D in |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer, 2x 4" aluminum-cone midrange, 2x 1" silk dome tweeter (front 3-way + up-firing 2-way Atmos coaxial) |
| Impedance | below 4 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.7 lbs / 7.1 kg each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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