[revrob]

Does anyone have any opinions on the Ascendo C8 or own a pair? It seems as though you can get a real good price on these speakers. Anyone compared them to Pioneer S-2EX or other high end monitors. Former speakers were Salk HT3 and I came across these and were curious. Their resale value doesn't appear as good as the Salks but do they sound as good.

Any and all comments welcome.

Thanks.

[topround]

They were on my list for a while, heard them several times at a dealer and just fell in love with them.
My friend has (had) the HT-3  and I would definetly prefer the Ascendo to the Salk, they are just in another league.
They are beAutiful and delicate. When you get off the audiophile merrygoround this is the type of speaker you tend to gravitate toward. Musical.

I am very happy with my current speakers which I have had for a long time(for me)Audio Physic Virgo2's, If I had to replace my Virgo's the C8 would be on my list as well as Proac d38, and the Gradient Revolution SE> I am sure there are many others that would fit the list but these I am familiar with and they just make music fun to listen to.

I think the Ascendo's get beatup in the used market because no one has really heard of them, and I am sure they have a big markup to start with anyway. But I enjoyed them immensely when I heard them and they are efficientr as well so you can use a beautiful sounding amp instead of an arc welder with lots of watts.

my 2 cents for what it is worth

mike

[revrob]

Mike,

Thanks for the reply exactly the type of information I am looking for. I loved the HT3 but they demand power to sound good. I want to get off the merry go round for several years and I been really impressed from what I read about the C8. I am going to New Jersey next week to have a listen. The dealer has offered me a really good price so I may take them home with me when I leave.

Thanks,
Steve

[topround]

Bretts a great guy

[revrob]

Wow. I must have read 15 different reviews on this speaker from reviews around the world. (thanks to Google translator) All of the reviews seem to say that this is one of the better sounding speakers out there period. Not perfect because no speaker is but I'm amazed that such a well reviewed speaker doesn't get mentioned that much around here.

Is it because its German or maybe I am really late to the party and just discovered them. Going to listen to them next week. I am surprised also because I don't here many people said that they should be on most people's audition list for new speaker in the 5k range especially for the price you can get them for.

Peace

[JerryM]

Ascendo C-8s are great speakers. I was fortunate enough to demo them *in home*. The speakers, and stands, are nearly works of art. As it's a fourway speaker, it's super easy to place. The rear speaker does far more than treble. Fantastic, *lost-in-it* sound.  If I ever try to build a speaker, this will be the model I try to copy.

Have fun,

Jerry

[Letitroll98]

... but I'm amazed that such a well reviewed speaker doesn't get mentioned that much around here.

Is it because its German ....

Yeah, that.  German products often don't get marketed much in the US for a couple of reasons.  It's more expensive for small companies to have a presence here and history shows German sensibilities don't translate well to the American market.  And if the company is selling all they can produce in the Euro market the incentive is even less to adapt to the US.  They find niches usually because of the passion of the importer to develop a presence.  Large companies like BMW need the market share to compete globally and it's easier for them to segregate their marketing and distribution strategies to particular market segments because the volume in each area pays it's own way. 

[Jon L]

It's a shame Ascendo speakers are difficult to audition here in U.S.  I haven't heard the C8, but I really like their System F, which has the rear tweeter and internal woofer as well.  Sounds fabulous, but the pricetag is not easy on the pocketbooks unfortunately.

[sunnydaze]

.....I am going to New Jersey next week to have a listen. The dealer has offered me a really good price so I may take them home with me when I leave.

Thanks,
Steve

That's what happened to me several years ago when I visited Brett at Audio202 to look at a turntable.   I left with a pair of Sunny H2W10.  Great speakers, love 'em, still have 'em.

Brett is a good guy, and I love his place --- a huge converted barn with multiple listening rooms and really different / unique and interesting gear.  He's passionate about audio and has a good ear.  Plan to spend a coupla hours.

My exact pair are pictured on his website:

http://www.audio202.com/about.html

[revrob]

Anyone compare the Ascendo to the Pioneer S-2EX? This is the other speaker I'm looking at to replace my Salk HT3. Any comments appreciated.

Thanks.