C5 Monitor

Ascendo System C5 Loudspeakers

Ascendo’s speakers caught my eye the first time I reported on the High End show in Germany. No wonder -- with their thoroughly modern styling and glossy finishes, they stand out in any room.

But while Ascendo’s speakers have a bold appearance, they certainly don’t fall into the camp of "looks but no substance." The company is steeped in expertise, producing not just loudspeakers but electronic-room-correction devices along with measuring software and equipment. The guys at Ascendo are tech-heads -- and hardcore audiophiles to boot. Therefore, their speakers’ appearance doesn’t overwhelm the main function: producing high-quality sound.

Look beyond the fit’n’finish and you’ll find each Ascendo speaker -- from the flagship System M to the focus of this review, the System C5, Ascendo's least-expensive model -- jam-packed with technical innovation. Ascendo speakers appear to have an equal doses of looks and substance, precisely the reason why the two-way, bookshelf-sized C5 carries a price tag of $2500 USD per pair for the standard high-gloss lacquer finish. There’s much more to the C5 than meets the eye, however, and quite a lot to its sound that is sure to please the ear.