I think the Ascend is a more open and detailed speaker, but the M30 has much more bass output (perhaps a bit too strong in the midbass for some). The center is very smooth, with a full sound, but as in all pseakers in this package, it is not the most detailed. If you want full bass w/o a sub, this is a tough package to beat for the $. The tradeoff is somewhat less clarity. The Ascend with the later addition of a sub is a better sounding package, IMO, but will cost at least 2x the M30 price. You can't get it all for this $, but the sound is very enjoyable, IMO.
Review: Whatmough M30,M10,M05 Speaker
Category: Speakers
My musical tastes are very eclectic. I use my system for both video and audio. My main system is a $20K retail system that I have put together over many years. I prize clarity, soundstaging, dynamics and speed over warmth and euphonics.
I own 4 stereos, and don't really need more, but at the price offered this system was something I couldn't refuse to check them out. The speakers are made in China, and designed by a long time Australian designer.
The cabinets are built like most modestly priced speakers, comparable to Axiom, Sound Dynamics, and NHT. The vinyl veneer is as good as any, and the overall finish is as good as any in this price range. The speakers use a coated fabric woofer cone, with no foam surrounds(good!), and cloth dome tweeters.
I was most pleasantly surprised to find they are very neutral, pretty detailed, with an overall very smooth and well integrated sound. They play fairly loudly. All the models here have very similar voicing.
I actually prefer them to the NHT 1.5, Sound Dynamics RTS3, and Axiom M3ti and M22ti(all of which I've owned). Although they all have strengths and weakness, I find the smooth, detailed top end easier to listen to, while the mids are gneraaly comparable. What you give up compared to more expensive true high end speakers is the inner voice separation and clarity. While very good for the price, the inner voices sound veiled and a bit blurry and indistinct compared to my $2k plus VMPS 626R ribbons (not surprisingly).
They have no nasty flaws, though, and are easy and enjoyable on the ears, something you usually don't get for the $ that these are offered at. Very tough to beat for the $, IMO.
Associated gear
Various levels, from Yamaha RX396 receiver to very high end components.
Similar products
35 years in the hobby, owned 100+ pair of quality speakers.
My musical tastes are very eclectic. I use my system for both video and audio. My main system is a $20K retail system that I have put together over many years. I prize clarity, soundstaging, dynamics and speed over warmth and euphonics.
I own 4 stereos, and don't really need more, but at the price offered this system was something I couldn't refuse to check them out. The speakers are made in China, and designed by a long time Australian designer.
The cabinets are built like most modestly priced speakers, comparable to Axiom, Sound Dynamics, and NHT. The vinyl veneer is as good as any, and the overall finish is as good as any in this price range. The speakers use a coated fabric woofer cone, with no foam surrounds(good!), and cloth dome tweeters.
I was most pleasantly surprised to find they are very neutral, pretty detailed, with an overall very smooth and well integrated sound. They play fairly loudly. All the models here have very similar voicing.
I actually prefer them to the NHT 1.5, Sound Dynamics RTS3, and Axiom M3ti and M22ti(all of which I've owned). Although they all have strengths and weakness, I find the smooth, detailed top end easier to listen to, while the mids are gneraaly comparable. What you give up compared to more expensive true high end speakers is the inner voice separation and clarity. While very good for the price, the inner voices sound veiled and a bit blurry and indistinct compared to my $2k plus VMPS 626R ribbons (not surprisingly).
They have no nasty flaws, though, and are easy and enjoyable on the ears, something you usually don't get for the $ that these are offered at. Very tough to beat for the $, IMO.
Associated gear
Various levels, from Yamaha RX396 receiver to very high end components.
Similar products
35 years in the hobby, owned 100+ pair of quality speakers.