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** For a nominal fee, we will take a full suite of CEA-2034 measurements of the speakers you are purchasing using our Klippel NFS. Results will be emailed to you in a PDF file. We can also provide the raw data in text format.

** Note: NFS measurements take ~6 hours per speaker, as such these are not refundable.
$998.00
$948.00

Our World-Renowned Reference Monitor, Now Even Better!


"Innovation, performance, intensive quality controls and environmental-friendliness all precisely balanced in a truly unique loudspeaker."

Our new Sierra-1 V2 is a complete reimagining of our true classic, the Sierra-1. It fully represents the latest advancements in research and development to provide a passive bookshelf speaker with unmatched neutrality yet retains much of the original flavor of our beloved Sierra-1.

A true classic in every sense, the Sierra-1 V2 cements itself once again as the class leader in objective performance in the sub $1000 category. A terrific choice for the most critical audiophile or for those simply seeking to enjoy listening to lifelike home theater or gaming. The Sierra-1 V2 is also the absolute perfect speaker for nearfield listening!

Please see the wonderful review by Erin's Audio Corner!

Follow the development of the Sierra-1 V2 from beginning to end:
Sierra-1 V2 Development

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SIERRA-1 V2 DESCRIPTION

 

Our objective was to follow a less is more philosophy to achieve accurate sound reproduction. Less cabinet resonance, lower distortion, less diffraction effects and fewer directivity errors. In simpler terms, a major reduction of all the negative characteristics the loudspeaker itself imparts on the source material. Those characteristics combined with near textbook perfect frequency response measurements result in a speaker that has unmatched tonal balance in this price range and beyond.

Don’t let the good looks of the Sierra-1 V2 fool you, this loudspeaker was designed from the ground up to deliver exceptional performance. Every component of the Sierra-1 V2 is fully optimized for a single purpose, clean and accurate sound reproduction. From the vertically laminated solid bamboo cabinet designed to reduce both resonance and energy-loss, to the advanced crossover optimized for phase and off-axis response accuracy, this loudspeaker is destined to become the reference by which all other sub $1000 bookshelf monitors are judged.

Hand assembled, tested and packaged in the USA, we are so confident of the component and build quality of the Sierra-1 V2 that we are backing it by a comprehensive 7 year parts & labor warranty. Left / right pairs are matched to within ± 1dB and we are including a printout of the actual production line response measurements of each speaker. We dare say it, but you simply can not find this type of quality control, care and pride from products that are fully assembled and tested in overseas manufacturing facilities.

At Ascend, it is all about performance and we have found a unique way to offer exceptional natural beauty that also offers documented performance improvements. Now you can have that renowned Ascend performance AND good looks, all in a product that represents the very best of what we have to offer while joining the growing trend towards environmental responsibility, this is the world's most affordable high-performance bamboo cabinet loudspeaker.

We thank you for your interest!

SIERRA-1 V2 FEATURES

 

  • All Sierra-1 V2 are hand assembled, tested and packaged at our factory in Orange County, CA
  • A serialized production line frequency response measurement is included with each speaker
  • 7 year manufacturer's warranty + 30-day satisfaction guarantee

Cabinet:

  • Exclusive vertically laminated bamboo cabinet construction dramatically reduces cabinet resonance for a cleaner, more detailed, and transparent performance
  • Cabinet is a stunningly beautiful natural hardwood finish, there are no veneers and as such, no need to be concerned about peeling veneers or wraps or veneer cracks
  • Cabinet is fully environmentally friendly as the bamboo we source is a completely renewable resource
  • Unlike MDF, our bamboo cabinets are formaldehyde free (nearly all speaker cabinets use MDF)

Woofer:

  • Fully custom 5.25” woofer with injection molded mineral-filled polypropylene cone for high stiffness and excellent damping
  • Long-throw design for high power handling and extended bass
  • Cast aluminum frame for exceptional rigidity and reduced resonance
  • Pure copper upper and lower shorting rings to reduce distortion, linearize magnetic flux, and dramatically reduce inductance
  • Vented pole-piece and open spider for enhanced air-flow and cooling, minimizing compression artifacts

Tweeter:

  • Customized version of SEAS Titan dome tweeter
  • Anodized aluminum/magnesium dome enabling pistonic behavior throughout the audible range
  • Titanium former for improved damping, better transient response, and massive power handling
  • Copper cap in the magnet system for lower inductance and reduced distortion
  • Large damped and tuned rear chamber for absorbing back-wave energy and lowering the resonant frequency
  • Integrated hexagrid protects the dome while improving dispersion
  • Very high power handling and a low Fs
  • Extremely wide dispersion with near ideal directivity

Crossover:

  • Large open topology with proper inductor spacing and orientation to reduce mutual inductance and saturation
  • Heavy gauge pure copper traces to reduce resistance and provide higher power handling
  • Featuring metallized polypropylene capacitors
  • Air-core inductors in the direct signal path

SIERRA-1 V2 SPECIFICATIONS

 

Typical In-Room Frequency Response 39Hz - 23kHz
Typical In-Room Sensitivity 87dB @ 2.83v / 1 meter
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Max Continuous Power* 180 watts
Max Short Term Peak Power* 250 watts
Cabinet Detail Exclusive V-LAM™ construction featuring 20mm thick vertically laminated bamboo, internally braced. Bass reflex via flared rear port tube
Tweeter Customized version of SEAS "Titan" dome tweeter, with titanium former, 26mm aluminum/magnesium alloy dome, large tuned damping chamber and copper cap for reduced distortion and inductance
Woofer Proprietary 5.25” long throw mineral-filled polypropylene cone, non-resonant cast aluminum frame, copper shorting rings, low-inductance motor assembly, vented pole-piece and vented spider.
Connections (2) gold plated all metal 5 way binding posts
Inserts 1/4-20 threaded insert for securing to our TP-24 stands
   
Bass Extension (-6dB) 45Hz
Anechoic Frequency Response 53Hz - 23kHz +/- 3dB
Anechoic Sensitivity 83dB @ 2.83v / 1 meter
   
Dimensions H x W x D** 14.25" x 7.5" x 10.5"
Speaker Weight (each) 18.5 pounds
Shipping Weight (pair) 43 pounds
   
Minimum Recommended Amplifier Power Rating for Speaker Distance to Listening Position
3 Feet or Less 3 watts minimum
9 Feet or Less 33 watts minimum
15 Feet or Less 90 watts minimum
21 Feet or More 180 watts minimum
   
     *Unclipped peaks      **Grille On

SIERRA-1 V2 MEASUREMENTS

 

* The below anechoic measurements are high-resolution full-range 360-degree scans taken with our Klippel Near Field Scanner.  A minimum of 800 individual measurements are taken to generate these advanced measurements, typically requiring a minimum of 6 hours.  These are unsmoothed and fully conform to CEA/CTA-2034 standards.

These measurements are as accurate as is currently technically possible.

Due to the costs, space requirements and complexity, very few manufacturers own or have access to a Klippel NFS, nor would they ever publish such detailed data on their products. Ascend Acoustics is and always has dared to be different.

For information regarding the CTA-2034 standard, please click here: CTA-2034

For information regarding the Klippel NFS, please click here: Klippel NFS Video and Technical Data

 

Sierra-1 V2 On-Axis

 

Sierra-1 V2 CEA-2034

 

Sierra-1 V2 PIR

 

Sierra-1 V2 Early Reflections

 

Sierra-1 V2 Contour Plot Horizontal

 

Sierra-1 V2 Beamwidth Horizontal

 

Sierra-1 V2 Contour Plot Vertical

 

Sierra-1 V2 SPL Horizontal

 

Sierra-1 V2 Impedance and Phase

 

Sierra-1 V2 Off-Axis PIR

*Note: Our exclusive Off-Axis Estimated In-Room Response measurement is a critical performance metric. It is an accurate comparison of the differences a listener should expect to hear sitting at different off-axis angles from the speaker; on-axis, +/- 10 degrees horizontally, +/- 20 degrees horizontally and +/- 30 degrees horizontally.

This is a modern and more accurate prediction of in-room speaker performance at different listening angles compared to a simple off-axis measurement graph. This measurement graph accounts for both direct sound and indirect sound and requires thousands of individual off-axis measurements that are then processed through complex algorithms to derive the results. In comparison, an off-axis measurement is just a single response measurement that does not account for the actual directivity of the speaker and is not representative of what we actually hear.

This measurement clearly shows the remarkable off-axis response of the Sierra-1 V2. There is less than 1/2dB of deviation between the different off-axis positions and this is based on accepted science determining what the listener will hear from this speaker in a typical listening environment.

SIERRA-1 V2 SUMMARY

 

With accuracy and dynamics rivaling and surpassing speakers costing thousands more, the Sierra-1 V2 simply offers unparalleled performance!

Renowned Ascend performance and quality, plus astonishing good looks, combined with environmental responsibility... The Sierra-1 V2 is truly a remarkable achievement.

Rather than mention performance, we feel it necessary to highlight the effort involved in bringing the Sierra-1 V2 to market. This was an intense project with many highs and lows. Being a small company where performance, support and quality are our focus, a project of this scale requiring intensive research and development combined with global partnerships, seemed an impossibility at times.

We never lost focus, never looked back and we are extremely pleased to be able to offer you a loudspeaker that, at this price point, is in a class by itself. If the introduction of our original Sierra-1 sent tremors throughout the audio world, the Sierra-1 V2 will most certainly create large scale earthquakes.

The performance of the Sierra-1 V2 speaks for itself and if you are the least bit curious, we encourage you to contact us or, better yet, try a pair in your own home.

SIERRA-1 V2 PAIR

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