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Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Usher S-520 Speakers by jonbee

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REVIEW: Usher S-520 Speakers

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Model: S-520
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $479
Description: small 2 way stand mount
Manufacturer URL: Usher
Model Picture: View

Review by jonbee on January 21, 2011 at 09:49:50
IP Address: 24.18.209.64
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for the S-520


I'm always interested to see if there are any giant killer standmounts on the market. Many systems have been hyped as such, but I've nearly always been disappointed. A few years back one of Danny Richie's early efforts, the Paradox 1, really did fit the bill. The Energy RC10 came pretty close. Others, such as Axiom M3 and M22, Epos ELS3, and many others didn't do it for me.
There has ben a lot of buzz about the Usher S-520. The sound was hyped, but one thing I require for long term satisfaction is fine cabinetry (no vinyl!), something the Energys and the Ushers do offer. At under $300 for a used pair in mint shape, they seem to be a no brainer.
I've been listening to them in my office, where Volent VL-2s have reigned supreme. I power them with a Red Wine Audio 30 clone (battery powered),
and a Sony 999 as transport feeding a modded Zhaolu 2 DAC.
Swapping directly from the $5k Volents to the $500 Ushers was very interesting. The Volents did everything better, of course, but the 520 were still listenable, which is a real accomplishment.
Let's run down the details. As small speakers, the bottom end is good to only around 60-70 or so, but has no exaggerated hump. It is pretty punchy, and surprisingly well defined. They do congest a bit by 90 db. or so, but are quite dynamic to that point.
The mids are very flat and nicely detailed, although not nearly as open, uncolored or 3-D as the Volent. They are uncolored and open enough to portray a pretty well defined soundstage on their own terms, though, which most cheaper speakers fail utterly to provide. for me that is the biggest surprise.
The top end is where the problems lie. The highs are fairly extended and detailed, but to me the highs are pushed forward some. They sound like they measure - a bit tipped up. There is also a bit of grain and glare, although much less than most cheap speakers. The overall effect is that of brightness and a bit of congestion in the top range.
Taken as a whole, these are pretty enjoyable. As is, not really giant killers, but I like what I hear (and see) enough to take some extra steps with these.
I've noted that the DIY crowd, as well as Response Audio, have worked out simple mods for these, mostly directed at the tweeter (upgraded caps and resistors, wiring, some extra tweeter padding, and removal of the tweeter screens).
If these mods work out, these just might become giant killers, at least for the $1k and under class.
Usher offers dedicated subs that integrate with these as stands for $900 or so, which have received good reviews. That ups the ante a lot, but these do have enough potential to warrant that kind of investment, IMO. Modded, and with integrated subs these could make quite a fine system.


Product Weakness: Limited bass and loudness capability. Top end a bit hot and grainy.
Product Strengths: Nice soundstage, generally flat response. Dynamic and lively. Mostly uncolored. Gorgeous cabinets. High quality driver construction.


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: see review
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): see review
Speakers: see review
Cables/Interconnects: Anti-ICs, Goertz MI2
Music Used (Genre/Selections): lots
Room Size (LxWxH): 12 x 16 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: a bit bright
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Usher S-520 Speakers - jonbee 09:49:49 01/21/11 ( 3)