Out of these 4 speakers, which 2 should I try out?


Hey guys and girls! Well I just got a pair of AV123 ELT5 speakers that I am trying out, and I would like to get a couple others to compare them with. The ELT525M's are very smooth sounding and detailed. These things can get loud despite their low sensitivity, but I'd like to hear what some of these other speakers sound like.

I have narrowed down my choices to the following:
1. Ascend Acoustics 170SE
2. Axiom M3 v2
3. Wharfedale Diamond 9.2
4. Energy RC-10

They will be hooked up to a Onkyo TX-SR506 and I'd say my listening is slightly more towards music than movies. I mainly listen to rock, indie, experimental, electronic, and hip-hop. Since I can't try out all 4 of these speakers, which 2 would you guys recommend I listen to?
edgeh2o

Showing 2 responses by cleaneduphippy

The Energy RC-10s are very nice sounding, almost got me a pair, and still may. Also, Axioms are great for HT, but are not all that musical, IMHO. So to complete your speaker "shoot-out" I think I would choose the Ascend 170SE over the Wharfdale Diamond 9.2, simply because it'll probably be easier to get a pair, but both have been reviewed very favorably.
Well, Rich

Actually I'm waiting for a pair of Spendor 3SE to appear on the Audiogon listing, as I really do like the sound of that speaker, and know that it works well with Jolida integrated amps, as I've listened to them being driven by a Jolida JD 302B. Of course the 3SE are just a little out of my price range, so I was hoping that I might find a used pair at a good price.

Now for the money ($333), I doubt the Energy RC-10 can be beat. I would buy a pair of the Rosenut colored RC-10 from AA, but I have a dealer in town that sells Energy speakers (along with NHT and Paradigm) that I've dealt with off and on for a number of years, and that also has a pair of the Rosenut colored RC-10 set up in the "demo room" and if I do buy a pair of the RC-10. I'll probably buy from him (especially if I can get him to match AA price).