The Ascend CBM-170 SE ranks #131 out of 134 total Large Size Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.
Brand: Ascend Acoustics
Prices on this page were last checked October 1, 2026 at 6:23 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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#131 Ascend CBM-170 SE: $384 per pair superseded by CBM-170SE2 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Ascend CBM-170 SE2, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5.
Pros: US-manufactured 2-way with a custom SEAS silk dome tweeter and low harmonic distortion. Solid cabinet construction for the price class. Measured bass extension of 80Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis response starts peaking above 1kHz and keeps rising, which Amir predicted would create a bright, potentially fatiguing tonal balance: a character he says “can become grating” over time. The small tweeter paired with a larger woofer lacking a waveguide causes significant off-axis coloration, contradicting the manufacturer’s accuracy claims. Impedance dips below 4 ohms in the bass, and cabinet flex was noted, comparable to cheaper competitors. Amir suggests “looking elsewhere for a better design.”. Discontinued.
How it compares: Just above it: Tannoy System 600 - $16 more, 7Hz lower bass extension (-3dB). Just below it: Zu Audio Method - $316 more.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approx. 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | approx. 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 10D in |
| Drivers | 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer, 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified, in-room) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.27 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Weight | 14 lbs (6.35 kg) each |
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