Change Back To Monitors, Usher Be-718 Maybe?

Posted by Chris K. (A) on December 6, 2009 at 09:26:16

When I first got sucked into this hobby nine years ago, my initial set of speakers was the B&W Nautilus 5. Imaging was great and I supplemented the low end with a cheap Yamaha sub. Six years ago, after complaining to myself about having to dial the sub in to different settings for different recordings, I sold the B&Ws and purchased Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v3 speakers, which are my current ones. The Paradigms image well for floorstanders and offer the dynamic range I longed for without necessity of a sub. Difference is that while they present great depth and soundstaging, especially on orchestral music, a solo singer or instrument can seem rather recessed, or more like a seat several rows further back. My best test recording for this is Sonny Rollins, "This is What I Do" CD. With the B&Ws, he was virtually present in my living room. With the Paradigms, the image is good, but you're sitting back and there's nothing spectacular in the presentation.

After these years, I've learned a lot about good speaker setup and mine are now setup optimally and with decent homemade room treatments. If I make a change back to monitors, I have to remain revenue neutral because of my budget. I'm thinking of a used pair of Usher Be-718s based on the outstanding consumer and professional reviews. My Paradigms and them go for about the same price used. I would have to augment them with a better quality sub than I had before to get that extra bit of bass. My goal is to upgrade the imaging and soundstaging to what monitors do best.

Thoughts or opinions on this plan?

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Topic - Change Back To Monitors, Usher Be-718 Maybe? - Chris K. 09:26:16 12/06/09 (4)

Go active - Panelhead 10:01:47 12/06/09 (3)

RE: Go active - Chef Henry 04:57:50 12/07/09 (2)

Very well said - Panelhead 08:46:39 12/07/09 (0)

RE: Go active - Tom Brennan 06:51:36 12/07/09 (0)

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