THE VERDICT

Ascendo Immersive Audio's The 16 SUB is one of the most impressive subwoofers I've reviewed, regardless of budget. Surprisingly tight and agile for its size, it's not only able to bring a level of extension but a tunefulness that brings out the subtlest of bass notes in recordings. As welcome as these qualities are, they're all for nought if a subwoofer cannot produce enough visceral impact. I'm pleased to report that The 16 SUB is equally adept, providing enough blunt-force trauma to create an engrossing home cinema performance. So, despite its price tag, in this reviewer's opinion, this subwoofer is exceptionally good value and should be high on your audition list. Don't be surprised if, after doing so, you no longer feel the need to look any further. It should go without saying then that the Ascendo is highly recommended.

Best By

ASCENDO Home Cinema 7.2.4 Speaker Package

THE5 PASSIVE ON WALL + THE6 PASSIVE ON WALL + THE10 PASSIVE ON WALL +THE12 SUB ACTIVE VENTED

From top to bottom this Ascendo array sounds superb, and surely ranks as value for money – you could easily spend more on a full-fat Dolby Atmos system and not get the same mix of bass energy, mid-range muscle and cinematic attack. It's a sound made for home cinema fun, delivered by on-wall (or in-wall) cabinets that – while not diminutive – will free up more floorspace than a conventional speaker array. An absolute must-audition if you're planning a new system.

THE32 SUB PRO

THE6 PASSIVE ON WALL

THE80 SUB PRO

ASCENDO Home Cinema 5.1 Speaker Package

THE6 PASSIVE ON WALL + THE10 PASSIVE ON WALL + THE12 SUB ACTIVE VENTED

Overall, the Ascendo package is a force to be reckoned with, having a sense of limitless power on tap. This output capability is deeply impressive at any price and translates to a system that was simply just cruising at reference levels in our room. Cinematic events had a dramatic scale, impact and – fundamentally – realism and the sonic landscape was rich in spatial detail, adding to the immersive experience. The6-Ps, in particular were improbably capable given their form factor, and indeed compelled a personal purchase from our reviewer

THE12 SUB ACTIVE VENTED

....good grief, its ‘punch’ was something to behold

ARLED- MOVIE CORE

ASCENDO SPEAKERS:10 x THE DIRECTOR, 15 x THE DIRECTOR SUB, 20 x THE 12 PRO PASSIVE,

ASCENDO SUBWOOFERS: 8 x THE21 SUB PRO PS, 1 x THE80 SUB PRO

ASCENDO AMPLIFIERS: GAN32-32-6704, AIA86004, DSP4-10K2

Trinnov, Officina Acustica, Ascendo, Barco Residential, Kaleidescape, MadVr, Screen Excellence

SPEAKERS: 3 x THE 15 Be PRO ACTIVE EXT, 8 x THE12 BE PRO PASSIVE ON WALL, 8 x THE12 Be PRO PASSIVE WEDGE

SUBWOOFERS: 24 x THE21 SUB PRO PS

ASCENDO AMPLIFIERS LFE: 12 x DSP4-10K

It took Ryan two seconds to fall in love with Ascendo's new Black Swan Beryllium MKII

THE6 PASSIVE ON WALL + THE10 PASSIVE ON WALL + THE12 SUB ACTIVE VENTED

    
ASCENDO Home Cinema 5.1 Speaker Package

Front: 3 x THE12 Be PRO PASSIVE ON WALL

Rear: 2 x The12 Be PRO PASSIVE ON WALL

LFE: 1 x THE18 SUB PRO PS SH + 1 x THE18-2 SUB PRO PS SH 

Comments 

David Meyerowitz, international sales manager at Trinnov Audio, said: “Just incredible best of breed products in a room that is acoustically the best I have ever experienced! Well done everyone!”

“If I had to describe the room in three words, I would say magnificent, insane and incredible!” added Bart Devos, business development manager EMEA at Barco Residential.

ARLED - MOVIE CORE ASCENDO SPEAKERS:10 x THE DIRECTOR, 15 x THE DIRECTOR SUB, 20 x THE 12 PRO PASSIVE

ASCENDO SUBWOOFERS: 8 x THE21 SUB PRO PS, 1 x THE80 SUB PRO

ASCENDO AMPLIFIERS: GAN32-32-6704, AIA86004, DSP4-10K2

AV Conclusion

High-quality driver technology combined with a home theater-optimized housing result in the CCM-10-P set from Ascendo an outstanding sound quality.

Thanks to wall mounting, the ensemble also appears extremely inconspicuous, which further increases the fascination aspect

audiovision

TOP CHOICE 2021

The Ascendo Immersive Audio SV-12 is a chest slamming and toe tapping dynamo. Is there such a thing as Subwoofer of the Year?

That likely will go to their 50 inch sub (which we got in for review yesterday). This is another SCARY GOOD product. The SV-12 is in a very tiny class by itself and this entry into affordable subs is a win for every hobbyist out there.

If you're in the market for a subwoofer, you owe it to yourself to find a dealer of Ascendo and demo!

All of the adjectives that you have ever read explaining awesome systems apply here. Immediate, dynamic, immensely powerful yet non-fatiguing. I lost myself in the audio-visual delight of the AIA system. As impressive as it may be, though – with the 32-inch (!) infrasonic subwoofer shaking you in its Thanos-like grip – the system is more than just another powerful player.

The AIA system has a sense of clarity and tone that left me gobsmacked. Music sounds wonderful, and there is no unwanted resonance or distortion at virtually any volume level. Combined with the superb installation and setup done by Brent Durr of Brent’s Hi-Fi Shack, as well as excellent ancillary equipment, this writer has never experienced home-theatre (or any theatre for that matter) at this level.

AV Conclusion

With the new CCM series, ASCENDO for the first time offers upper class sound at a middle class price.

In addition to the excellent sound, it should also find many friends due to its unusual design.

audiovision

The Ascendo SV-12 is a massively equipped, powerful subwoofer. One that descends to the lowest bass floor, makes the walls in the home theater shake and does not lack in structure-borne sound.

Conclusion

The Ascendo SV-12 is big and delivers what it promises. Merciless low bass, crisp base tones and proper structure-borne sound. All this in rooms up to easily 40 square meters and beyond.
Those who could only dream of an Ascendo subwoofer due to the limited budget can now make their dream a reality.

Sonically, I have not heard a more precise, drier subwoofer in this price range, especially with these really impressive level reserves.

And the fact that this level-fixed bass still plays so cleanly and with such fine dynamics is worthy of all honor and recommends it even in combination with (much more expensive) high-end speakers that also play precisely.

High praise to Ascendo: everything done right.

The new ASCENDO SV12 subwoofer sets a standard for bass performance, low distortion and affordability.

With abysmal bass that really plays deep down, the SV12 subwoofer unleashes cinema-level volume with an amazing ability to convey and articulate the subtle nuances of sound..

We review the Ascendo Immersive Audio SMS18 subwoofer. A killer home theater subwoofer.

The room shakes. Not boomy, but dry and with a punch  the author of these lines has never heard before. 

There is music everywhere. One is literally pressed into the noble seat and hardly understands what is happening here. Time stands still, the mouth wide open with amazement. The notes are dancing. The endorphins too. 

Now Brian May's electric guitar kicks in and cuts like a knife - ultra-precise, almost with surgical precision. I can hardly keep seated in the expensive leather armchair. I want to rush forward, that is how it feels to be in the front row of the concert hall. In the Games of Thrones opening scene, my lips no longer move - my mouth opens in astonishment.

This is what the perfect reality escape looks like.
- No matter whether one prefers life sports, series, music film, live concert, drama or box office motion picture -

audiovision

Conclusion
I wrote these lines with enough distance to the Ascendo visit. But there is no question in my mind that the Ascendo AIA systems currently represent the ultimate in home cinema because of their audiophile approach, the simplicity of their use and the size of the product lineup. And it doesn't necessarily have to be the brute force of the Ascendo cinema in Ansbach. The demo installation in the Galgenmuehle is virtually a muscle show that proves what is possible at the maximum possible expense. And that is breathtaking. Nevertheless, the wide range of products, especially in the field of subwoofers, makes scaling down pleasantly easy.

2 x CCRM12 MKII, 1 x SMS 21

„Without a doubt, these are the finest sounding speakers I’ve had my home, and I’m not even able to come close to maxing them out.“
Mark Henninger on April 27, 2020

Conclusion
If you are looking for the ultimate cinema sound in your own home, Ascendo Immersive Audio is a must.
Elaborate DSP technology and individual adjustment to the respective listening room by Ascendo trained installers also enable perfect, balanced, and thrilling sound quality that is incomparable.that produces a sensational sound experience.

Unsurpassed:
A set of the Active speaker Line by AIA comes up with incredible technology that produces a sensational sound experience.

audiovision

Conclusion
Once again, the AIA demo and development cinema in Ansbach has completely captivated us. As a home cinema and film fan, you simply have to experience such a performance - no home cinema I know sounds as natural, effortless and good as this one. That's cinema at its best!

Conclusion
You are looking out for the ultimate cinema experience? Don't look any further ... the ASCENDO 7.1 cinema system is the way to go. Period!

A full score is a must for a subwoofer costing a lot of money – but with the SMSG50 from AIA the expense is completely justified, as it by far outpaces all other subs in depth, accuracy and power handling.

It sounds like "live": that's what demanding listeners with concert experience expect from music reproduction at their homes - and that's what the Ascendo Live 15 comes up with to promise: this extraordinary active three-way loudspeaker has already caused open mouths at the High End in Munich, and now the Live 15 is ready to conquer also our living rooms, equipped with a puissant coaxial tweeter/midrange driver, a massive 15-inch woofer, an opulent amplifier power of 3,300 watts and an integrated sound and room calibration software - as well as to celebrate its test premiere in the listening spaces of the lite magazine.

Conclusion
The performance of the AIA demo cinema is groundbreaking. For us, it's really a raise of reference level.

These carefully selected systems were considered for the Best of Show. And the ones I revisited the most. It was a very difficult decision as these world-class systems all have their own special qualities. This is the type of sound that is emotionally involving – and naturally convincing. But what they all have in common – is superiority in the reproduction of music.

See, hear, feel, experience: visit the Ascendo democinema. Images in XXL and greatsound: These arethemostimportantingredients for an impressivemovieexperience in a cinema. But, a blockbusterreallygetsunder your skin only when all theingredientsareperfectlymatched to each other and to theroom. This isexactly what I experienced in thedemocinema of Ascendo Immersive Audio.

And what’s the reason behind it? The best cinema in Germany is using loudspeakers and subwoofers from AIA ASCENDO IMMERSIVE AUDIO, and correspondigly the best home theater speakers that have ever been made (find following the summary of the LowBeats report).

For the first time in audiovision's history of test reviews, a subwoofer manages to knock down the maximum score of 100 points.

The SMSG32 from AIA delivers a performance that is second to none.

... .. and why it's all so much fun.

... .. but the sonic performance value for the money is – sorry to say that - absolutely awesome.

Who is Who

Holger Barske about the AIA demo cinema system in Ansbach

A thunder storm in the truest sense of the word.

Holger Barske about the DNA1000.2 HE

AIA Demo Cinema System

Cinema Deluxe – The AIA Demo and Development Cinema System in Ansbach

AIA Demo Theater in Ansbach. 

Live 15

High-End enjoyment originating from the home theater.

Review: ASCENDO Loudspeaker System Live 15

Best Sound of Show – HIGH END in Munich 2016. The most impressive demonstration of the HIGH END 2016 took place in room E214 and addressed eye, ear and belly simultaneously.

Heimkino 5/6 and Hifi Vision.The first Blu-ray in DTS:X mode is inserted into the player and Guillermo del Torro is pulling out all the stops as director to make your neck hairs stand up on end.

This definitely is the reference for immersive theater systems. We try to describe what we have witnessed live on site.

AIA systems are honoured as the best home cinema and multi-room systems at the ISE 2016. Network based loudspeaker systems made in Germany prevail in two categories in the TNT@ISE Award.

Low Beats
What came out of this cinema really rocks!

Undoubtedly, this cinema system already has reference status. The most important question is, "How does it sound?".