Short answer: the Ascend CBM-170 SE2, if you are buying new. The Revel Concerta2 M16 ranks higher than it (#51 vs #66 of 131 bookshelf speakers, 4.1/5 vs 3.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Ascend CBM-170 SE2 is still sold new at $468.
The case for the Revel Concerta2 M16: CEA2034 spinorama shows an on-axis response that’s essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz, with some bass boost around 100Hz. The tradeoff: Harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz and a sharp spike around 350Hz, plus the woofer appears to get a bit unhappy right before handing off to the tweeter.
The case for the Ascend CBM-170 SE2: On-axis response is impressively flat from about 100Hz to 2kHz, staying within roughly ±1dB, with a clean, gradual bass rolloff below that. The catch: 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 Ascend CBM-170 SE2 new; the Revel Concerta2 M16 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Revel Concerta2 M16 | Ascend CBM-170 SE2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $600 per pair used (about), Discontinued | $468 per pair |
| Ranked | #51 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #66 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Dimensions | 14.8”H x 8.6”W x 10.8”D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 mm) | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.06 | 6.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.28 | 8.66 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Power Handling | - | 200W continuous, 400W peak |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
Revel Concerta2 M16: $600 per pair used (about) Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an on-axis response that’s essentially flat from 200Hz to 10kHz, with some bass boost around 100Hz. Predicted in-room response is very nice, with just extra bass and a bit of roll-off above 20kHz - the reviewer calls it “nice!” Distortion is well controlled through most of the range at both test levels. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Harmonic distortion shows a notable peak around 80Hz and a sharp spike around 350Hz, plus the woofer appears to get a bit unhappy right before handing off to the tweeter. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows some lingering resonances in the 300Hz-1kHz region. The reviewer cautions not to over-cover the cabinet/grille area with thin fabric, as it can audibly affect the top-end response. Discontinued.
Full Revel Concerta2 M16 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14.8”H x 8.6”W x 10.8”D (374.7 x 218.4 x 273.3 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.06 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.28 |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
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Ascend CBM-170 SE2: $468 per pair Ascend Acoustics eBay
Older model: the Ascend CBM-170 SE (rated 2.1/5).
Pros: On-axis response is impressively flat from about 100Hz to 2kHz, staying within roughly ±1dB, with a clean, gradual bass rolloff below that. The directivity index rises smoothly and predictably through the crossover region, and the estimated in-room response shows a smooth, consistent downward tilt from 100Hz to 10kHz with no major discontinuities - close to the ideal in-room target shape. Measured sensitivity of 86.8dB nearly matches Ascend’s 87dB spec. The manufacturer’s own preference-score modeling comes out to 6.30 unequalized (rising to 8.66 with an ideal subwoofer, or 6.79/8.86 with EQ applied) - a strong result for a compact 2-way, and a clear step up from the original CBM-170 SE this replaces. Measured sensitivity of 86.8dB.
Cons: 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. High-frequency directivity narrows substantially above 10kHz, typical for a small dome tweeter, so the top octave will sound more reserved off-axis than on-axis. Bass rolls off as expected for a compact 2-way monitor: -3dB around 70Hz and -10dB around 50Hz, so a subwoofer is needed for full-range use. This data comes from the manufacturer’s own Klippel measurements rather than an independent third-party review, so there’s no outside verification of channel matching, distortion, or unit-to-unit consistency.
Full Ascend CBM-170 SE2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Ascend CBM-170 SE2 vs Polk Signature Elite ES20
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