Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. Both are rated 4.3/5 for sound quality (#41 and #38 of 222 bookshelf speakers), and the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 costs $1,748 against $4,400 for the Revel M126Be, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
Why pick the Revel M126Be: A beryllium tweeter bookshelf speaker with wide, immersive imaging and a smooth, even low end that avoids boominess. The tradeoff: At $2200/pair, the reviewer doesn’t consider it a strong value: an improvement over the less expensive Revel M106 and other Performa3 models, but not proportional to the price jump.
The Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A ribbon tweeter bookshelf speaker with hand matched pairs, a frequency response printout for each unit, and a long seven year warranty. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.88 against 5.08 for the Revel M126Be. Its bass reaches about 58.6Hz before falling 3dB, against 103Hz for the Revel M126Be. The catch: On-axis response is relatively uneven, with an average deviation of about 0.45dB, so a listener sitting dead center may notice more unevenness than with smoother AsciLab or Ascend towers.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $2,652 less than the Revel M126Be.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Revel M126Be | Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,400 per pair | $1,748 per pair |
| Ranked | #38 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #41 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 103Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 8.3”W x 10.3”D (386.1 x 210.8 x 261.6 mm) | 14.3”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (362 x 190 x 267 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.9 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86.1dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Deep Ceramic Composite (DCC) Aluminum Cone with cast frame woofer, 1” Beryllium dome with acoustic lens waveguide tweeter | RAAL 10mm true ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv cone woofer |
| Weight | 22 lbs (10.0 kg) each | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 | 5.88 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 | 7.95 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Power Handling | - | 150W continuous, 300W peak |
| Frequency Response | - | 51-27,000Hz +/-3dB (manufacturer) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) |
| Warranty | - | 7 years parts and labor |
| Country | - | United States |
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