Short answer: the AsciLab F6Bs. It ranks #20 of 216 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5); the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 ranks #24 (rated 4.4/5).
The case for the AsciLab F6Bs: A slimmer, sealed, VESA 100 wall mountable variant of the AsciLab F6B, trading the AsciLab F6B’s passive radiator for a shallower 15.4cm deep cabinet that can go straight on a wall bracket. The tradeoff: AsciLab’s own site shows the F6Bs sold out, though it remains in stock through resellers like Audiophonics and Tested Audio.
Why pick the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2: High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.99 preference score with a subwoofer. The tradeoff: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33.
Buy the AsciLab F6Bs. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| AsciLab F6Bs | Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €799 per pair | $798 per pair |
| Ranked | #20 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | sealed | - |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug, 6” fiber cone woofer | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 8”W x 6.1”D (368 x 203 x 154 mm) | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB @ 2.83V/1m (measured, Audio Science Review) | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum | 8 ohms nominal |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1kHz | - |
| Mounting | VESA 100 wall mount compatible | - |
| Warranty | 2 years | - |
| Country | South Korea | - |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB full bandwidth, 102dB above 100Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.24 | 5.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.90 | 7.99 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: AsciLab F6Bs (measured by Audio Science Review) and Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 (measured by the manufacturer), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
How AsciLab F6Bs compares with other leading options:
- AsciLab F6Bs vs Perlisten S4b
- AsciLab F6Bs vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- AsciLab F6Bs vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- AsciLab C6B vs AsciLab F6Bs
- Audio First Cadentia 3 vs AsciLab F6Bs
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
AsciLab F6Bs: €799 per pair Audiophonics eBay
Same family: the AsciLab F6B (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5).
Pros: A slimmer, sealed, VESA 100 wall mountable variant of the AsciLab F6B, trading the AsciLab F6B’s passive radiator for a shallower 15.4cm deep cabinet that can go straight on a wall bracket. Off axis sound tracks the on axis response unusually consistently for a sealed 2-way this size, and on axis deviation measures a clean 0.25dB average. Measured bass extension of 82.0Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.2dB.
Cons: AsciLab’s own site shows the F6Bs sold out, though it remains in stock through resellers like Audiophonics and Tested Audio. Bass extension is measured at 82.0Hz at -3dB, noticeably less than the passive radiator equipped AsciLab F6B, and listening window smoothness measures only a moderate 0.39. The 4 ohm nominal impedance calls for a reasonably capable amplifier.
Full AsciLab F6Bs review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 82.0Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Country | South Korea |
| Crossover Frequency | 1kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.5”H x 8”W x 6.1”D (368 x 203 x 154 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug, 6” fiber cone woofer |
| Enclosure | sealed |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB full bandwidth, 102dB above 100Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Mounting | VESA 100 wall mount compatible |
| Sensitivity | 85.2dB @ 2.83V/1m (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.24 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.90 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2: $798 per pair Ascend Acoustics $798 eBay
Older model: the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Center (rated 3.7/5). See every Ascend CBM, HTM and CMT generation.
Same family: the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.8/5) and the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2 (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.99 preference score with a subwoofer. Its dual 6.5-inch woofers, 92dB anechoic sensitivity, and 240W continuous power rating support high output and dynamics. Measured bass extension of 77.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33. The 4.35 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation also indicates more off-axis variation than the strongest designs, and the rear port needs placement clearance.
Full Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2022 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak |
| Sensitivity | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.99 |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Arendal 1528 Monitor 8
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Dynaudio Heritage Special
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 8
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs Buchardt Audio E50
- Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 vs KEF R3
- See all 47 comparisons