Short answer: the AsciLab C6B. It ranks #6 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.7/5, at $1,145. The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 ranks #113, rated 3.8/5, at $468, $677 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The AsciLab C6B is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Bookshelf speakers with very accurate sound and an unusually wide, stable soundstage, for any seating position. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. The tradeoff: Bass rolls off around 50Hz in-room (F3 54Hz, F10 35Hz), so a subwoofer is needed for real extension below that.
Why pick the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2: Compact two-way bookshelf speakers with a SEAS tweeter, a very flat midrange and smooth sound that suits most rooms. 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.
Buy the AsciLab C6B. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $677 you would save on the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Bookshelf speakers with very accurate sound and an unusually wide, stable soundstage, for any seating position.
Compact two-way bookshelf speakers with a SEAS tweeter, a very flat midrange and smooth sound that suits most rooms.
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Specifications Side By Side
| AsciLab C6B | Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1145 per pair | $468 per pair |
| Ranked | #6 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #113 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 8”W x 10.4”D (398.8 x 203.2 x 264.2 mm) | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 2.6 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85.6dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6” Aluminium Ceramic Cone with cast Aluminium Chassis woofer, 1” Aluminium Ceramic Dome tweeter | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.33 | 6.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.28 | 8.66 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 200W continuous, 400W peak |
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