just found this thread and don't know if you're still checking out different bookshelf speakers, but if you haven't already, you should check out the Usher BE718.
I believe the MSRP was real close to $3000 and I'm not sure they're produced anymore, but I read a ton of reviews before I scored a pair on the used market for my office and I think you would find them t be a standout in the crowd. I researched quite a bit before I scored a pair on the used market and given that I hung out for a minute and waited for something to show up ... I think it only took two months, but including delivery I paid twelve hundred total.
Looking at them, you would think (I would think) that they're Italian, because I think they're sexy as hell. But like I said, I read a ton of reviews and learned that they're actually produced in Taiwan. The story is that someone decided they were going to produce a bookshelf speaker that included everything someone would look for in a bookshelf speaker ... or something to that effect.
I haven't been in to high end stereo for very long and personally wasn't aware of the Usher brand, but I guess they've made some nice speakers along the way.
The thing that every review mentioned is the bass response. The bass is not boomy, it's very solid and the thing that's surprising is just how low it goes. I think we hear this from time to time ... that "you really don't need a subwoofer with these speakers" but with these it's true. They definitely need to be fed some power, as a matter of fact I would call them power hungry, but when you do feed them some good solid power you will be rewarded handsomely.
The image and soundstage is exceptional, even in terms of what bookshelf speakers can do. Interestingly, the shape of the cabinet is literally almost identical to the shape of the bass cabinet of my Martin Logan Summits. Like I said I'm kind of newbie so I'm not real sure how that translates into performance in the real world but I'm thinking it's way more than cool looks, and the similarity with my ML's is interesting.
The thing that's most special, to me anyway is the beryllium tweeter. I scored these speakers for my office, but I set them up right next to my ML Summits and was kind of blown away that they actually do strings better than my ML's. Along with the way they soundstage and the bass response, esp that it's so low I think they're just a real standout standpoint performer.
Oh one more thing I learned about them from reading reviews. Apparently Usher produces their own midrange speakers, and in this particular model they use their top of the line 7", if I'm not mistaken. I'm thinking that's one of the reasons they perform so well though. From a price performance standpoint I bet they'll stack up pretty well.
Forsure the Elac Vela 403, the New Jet-5 AMT tweeter is excellent and won several awards ,the Diamond facet aluminum,paper composite is fast but very accurate with down firing port.
I appreciate good audio. I have about $9000.00 invested in my current system. I am looking for new speakers and this extreme diversity of opinion tells me only that differences among speakers are really quite small. It’s kind of frustrating.
Get a pair of the older KLH 5's in good condition. They use a different midrange configuration and despite audiophile angst about cross-firing mids, the image very well and very precisely. Would make an interesting comparison, and with some careful shopping the older version can be had for about $250-350 per pair.
Just to drive the point home, my "old" pair have replaced my Thiel 3.5's in my main system, and I don't miss a thing.
Thanks for all the input. To respond to last questions:
Amps: We have access to some decent integrated amps. Pass Labs INT25,Leben 600, ARC I-50, Luxman 509. Dan D'Agostino was generous enough to loan us an Amp last time. Perhaps we can borrow his newer Integrated.I will also ask the makers if they have any preferences.
Source: Turntables are available but CD will be safer. We have access to a Hegel Mohican and a dCs transport.
Rooms: 14' x 19' x 10' were used in the 2019 event. Limited glass surfaces with some diffusion. They worked well. Seating for about 25 people who make good absorbers. We have panels to use as needed.
Format: Two equal sized listening rooms.Set up 5 speakers per room. Play each speaker for 15 minutes using 3-4 different songs covering jazz, classical, electronic, pop/rock. 70-80 db range. One day event. $10 entry fee to offset space cost.
Lot of work and a lot of fun. Hope to be held in June 2022.
i don’t know if proac and atc have an entry level standmount under 3 grand retail price anymore, if so, they should be included in any comparison trying to cover ’best of breed’
I really love the sealed-box speakers from Studio Electric. Their M4s are standmounts in your price range and would be great to include in your comparison. I understand that these are the monitors that Dan Wright of ModWright uses.
I second Sioux’s suggestion of the LSA-10 Statements. I have found them to sound balanced throughout their range. Also, they do better with lower frequencies than many stand-mount speakers. Lovely cabinet and finish. I haven’t personally heard the lower-priced LSA-10 signature, but the specs are similar and the reviews are solid. I think the main difference is upgraded tweeter and crossover in the Statement.
as the comments accumulate, i have not yet seen a reply to jim’s queries above, which are important
also, to his second point, i am wondering what is the purpose of the shoot out - there are standmounts of vastly different sizes, used for vastly different applications - for example a harbeth p3 and a monitor 40 are both ’standmounts’, but vastly vastly different in use, ability, purpose, and need for room or equipment based ancillary bass reinforcement
the op might shed some light on all this, so the ’help’ he seeks on this thread might be more on target
After you waste time and hurt everyone's ears listening to all those boxes, hook-up a pair of Magnepans and let your group hear what was actually recorded on whatever source you are using.
Warning: You only hear what you feed them, so GIGO applies.
I have three that I own.
CSS Audio Criton 1TDX, JBL 1600 HDI. Both excellent. My latest speakers are a pair of used Dynaudio Special 40s I got for $2500. These are indeed special. Love them.
@chorus--if I am one of the posters at which this was targeted...
"If you want to explain why you suggested the model that would be lovely!"
These have had some strong reports so far such as from Audioholics, are built like tanks, and sound wonderful to my ears in my room.
I have only received one of these as a Center in a surround and it is identical to the units sold for L / R except for the location and orientation of the badging. Waiting additional shipment!
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