The Ascend CBM, HTM and CMT line on Speaker Ranking spans 2 generations and 5 models, from the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE and Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Center to the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2, Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2 and Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. Ratings run from 2.1/5 to 4.4/5. Of these, 3 are still sold.
Each column below is one generation, oldest on the left. Each row follows one model into the model that replaced it; a long arrow means a model skipped a generation. Ratings are out of 5, and an estimated rating comes from measured models in the same family.
More from this brand: every Ascend Acoustics speaker ranked.
Generation by generation
CBM-170 SE to CBM-170 SE2
The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 replaced the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE. It rates higher, 3.8/5 against 2.1/5.
| Spec | CBM-170 SE | CBM-170 SE2 |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer, 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer |
| Sensitivity | 91dB | 86.8dB |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | approx. 80Hz | 70Hz |
| Weight | 14 lbs (6.35 kg) each | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each |
CMT-340 SE Center to CMT-340 SE2
The Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 replaced the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Center. It rates higher, 4.4/5 against 3.7/5.
| Spec | CMT-340 SE Center | CMT-340 SE2 |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 27mm SEAS soft dome tweeter, 2x 6.5” long-throw polygel woofers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 90dB anechoic | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.7Hz | 77.6Hz |
| Weight | 26 lbs (11.8 kg) | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many generations of the Ascend CBM, HTM and CMT are there?
Speaker Ranking covers 2 generations of the Ascend CBM, HTM and CMT, from the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE and Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Center to the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2, Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2 and Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2.
What replaced the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE?
The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 replaced the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE. It is rated 3.8/5, against 2.1/5 for the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE.
What replaced the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Center?
The Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 replaced the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Center. It is rated 4.4/5, against 3.7/5 for the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Center.