The Official Usher Audio Owners Thread - Page 2

Precisely my sentiments. I'd pair them with an amp that's dark sounding or bright but powerful. The Usher's are far more picky to amp pairing than any other speaker brands I've tried. With the right amp though, they go head to head with the best out there. Unfortunately while they can be had at a bargain compared to the competition, they must be paired with a real musical audiophile grade amp. That's true even for the el-cheapo S-520.

Very curious as to how you like it...I am thinking to pair the Be's with a Bel Canto S300i, mostly because I already have it. But I feel the Be's could use slightly more power.

Plenty of power for the Ushers..............my room acoustics are horrible and need to be addressed asap. Slate floors and empty room do not make a great listening room.

I am using a Cambridge Audio Azur 640R HT Receiver to power an all Usher set-up: two pair of S-520s, a S-525 center, and a SW-103 sub woofer, and am very pleased.

Is this an indisputable statement or just a bad choice of words? I’ve never used an amp but I’m wondering what more power would do for the Usher S-520’s. Would an amp change the dynamics or does the extra power just give them the ability to play louder – sorry, I just don’t know what an amplifier adds.

I have a pair of Usher S-520’s and an S-525 center speaker hooked up to a Yamaha V661 in a medium size room. They sound great and I’m more than happy. However, I’m skeptical that they must be paired with a ‘musical’ audiophile grade amp.

I have to agree with the post above. While I can't say that I've ever had my S520s hooked up to a "musical audiophile grade amp", I'm very happy with the way they sound. I can't say that I've ever felt that my 40 watt receiver didn't have enough grunt to get me what I've needed.

A powerful amp would make it sound like a real high end speaker without that thin edgy vocals that some people including myself notice on the S-520. The dealer even warned me before the purchase and I didn't believe him. It would also compensate for the lack of bass that it's known for. I've paired that thing with receivers from WRAT to Class D, Yamaha, Panny XR57, Onkyo 715 mini system, Sony Pro-Master receiver, Marantz 4002 receiver, Onkyo A9755 integrated, heck even a lowly class d Phillips mini dvd system. For a speaker that has that much recommendations from the media it must sound better than this. What I notice is that it has to be paired with a full sounding powerful amp to sing and produce what I'd call real high end refined sound. It's a very picky speaker but if you can get the components right, it's awesome. Problem is I'd rather mate those expensive components with speakers of higher class.

Of course if you're happy with the way it is at your place, that's great. But I'd wager there are better sounding speakers at the same price if its mated to an underpowered amp or a bright receiver.

Thanks for that, though, I think you're expecting too much out of a mini monitor that costs less than $400 - either that or we just use them different. Comparing the 520 with other speakers in the same price range, even with an average receiver, I think it does quite well and the consumer reviews aren't as far off as you'd suggest.

I am looking to purchase 3 pairs of the BE-718 in Gloss Black for a complete surround system. Does anyone know of a dealer where I can find a great deal? Thanks.

Musik Matters is the importer of the Usher be-718's. I recently picked up a set that were returned to them unused and in immaculate shape on eBay for just over half of what they retail for. They came in perfect condition. I'd give them a call.

http://www.musikmatters.com

I don't own an usher speakers but a HT place just opened up here and I just went by today.

He had me listen to the Be-20 Dance loud speakers. I think I came in my pants when he turned them up to reference level.

Then he had me listen to Be-178. WOW. I never knew of Usher speakers but I do now!

I just found out that my local dealer just picked up Usher Audio and luckily for me, it's about time to upgrade my Synchrony Two B's. I've heard the Be-718's but only with jazz and classical and was very impressed and now I have my eyes set on the Mini Dancer One. However, everything I read about the this line focuses on the Be tweeter and the highs so I'm wondering if any owners know how the Be-718/Mini Dancer One perform with HT. I'll be pairing them with a JL Audio F110. Thanks.

DoingOK, Gorgeous speakers on perfect matched stands. Very nice.

Thanks..............the stands are actually being refinished to match the color better. The stands are really made for the Sonus Faber speakers, hence the walnut color.

Also have the 602's and 603 being driven by my NAD T770; using my B & W CM10's for the surrounds.

They are fantastic for the money and sad to see discontinued with no direct replacment as my brother wanted to buy some and is now looking at Paradigm Monitor 9's as an option.

Are the Monitor 9's as good?

I find that I really don't use my Velodyne sub much any more; only for movies that go "boom." For music, which I listen to in two channel, the Ushers sound better without the sub...even though the sub has a setup mic and I've used a SPL meter and the Sound & Vision DVD to "match" the sub to the room and to the 602's.

The 602's REALLY shine when playing Vinyl though!

They only break up about the time my ears start to hurt, so even though they can't handle monster power like the Dancer series, they are perfect for my rather small and "bright" listening room.

Highly recommended...though discontinued.

Where did you purchase them and how much were they including shipping? I am considering purchasing the same stands for my pair. Thanks a lot!

For those looking for a pair of Usher BE-718, check out Ebay. There is a new pair listed at the moment.

http://coreaudiodesigns.com/ is where I got the stands. I don't remember what shipping was. Thanks.

Rich

Does anyone with the X-718 or X-616's have an opinion on the ability of these Usher's to play loud cleanly?

I notice they have pretty low power handling recommendations (80 & 100 watts respectively). This is a little bit of a concern for me as I like to crank it pretty loud (not ridiculously loud though).

The X-718 sounded quite loud when I auditioned them. Granted I was sitting less than 2 meters from each speaker. They were driven by Usher's own amps.

Turns out the replacements for the $1,040/pair V-602 "affordable mini tower" series is indeed on its way; here's an email I got:

Geoff,

All of the old V-Series speakers are gone. However, usher has a new
replacement line coming out in the next couple of months. The will be
similar in size to the old V-Series, but with a new sloped back cabinet
design and Aluminum/Magnesium tweeters. The prototypes we heard at CES
2009 were fantastic.

Best Regards,

Stan Tracht


USHER AUDIO U.S. Distributor
JPS Labs U.S. Distributor
1303 Motor Street
Dallas, Texas 75207
Office: 214-638-3500
Cell: 214-704-6082
Fax: 214-722-0325
Skype: ernied44
stan@musikmatters.com
www.MusikMatters.com
www.jpslabs.com
www.usheraudiousa.com


While I can afford to spend more, my room is small and would be a waste for the more powerful Usher systems.

I'll save the $$ for another motorcycle!

I wouldn't be concerned about the conservative power ratings from usher. They can handle as much clean power as you can throw at them. My 6311's are rated at 80 watts believe, and I am powering them with an Odyssey Stratos rated at 150 watts with no problems at all. They love current as do most inefficient speakers.

I run my 718's with a Jeff Rowland Continuum 500 Integrated which is a 500 watt per channel amp, great pairing. The Ushers handle it no problem to ear bleeding levels.

Agreed, I have no idea why Ushers are rated so low. These guys almost need power.

I recently got to Demo a pair of BE-718s, I currently think this is their best offering. They tweeters were incredibly smooth the speakers had "height".

Also, man are these good looking speakers.Gotta save up for a pair soon!

Interesting to note, my dealer told me they are going to be introducing a floor standing version on the "Tiny Dancers". I wonder how these would fair in comparison to the other offerings.

I think he's talking about the Mini Dancer 1 which is already shown on the Usher's website.

I can't wait to see the pricings on the new V series replacement. Haven't heard anything from my dealer though...

I just ran across this article. http://blog.hometheatermag.com/ces2009/011209Usher/

This must be the replacement for the V series. Looks very nice!

what would be the best matched integrated amp for the Usher Be-718 ?

I am using the Emotiva RPA-2 amplifier and am very happy with the end result. Also, you can send it back within 30 days if you are not satisfied with the Emo unit.

So far? Any ICE 200ASC based amp.

Guys, I just noticed that with the S520 the binding posts and their faceplate vibrates a lot when running the speakers on normal listening volume. They vibrates so much that I can feel the speaker cable up to 1ft vibrating as well. The cabinet itself is dead solid though. I wonder if this is present with other newer S520's as well and whether it degrades the sound quality.

Looks like the KEF iQ series stuff... hopefully doesn't sound similar.