The affordable Usher Loudspeaker

Bill Baker · « **on:** 14 Jan 2005, 12:24 am »

During conversation with "carlman" as well as a few other people now that have heard these speakers. I am going to start working on the little S-520 from Usher.
The people I have spoken with mentioned they thought this little speaker had a lot of potential and all mentioned it needed some taming in the upper end.

My plans are to develop a simple upgrade while also smoothing out the upper end and keeping the price at a point where it is still an exceptional value. No, these will not be elaborate modifications but rather a few critical improvements.

The speakers we have coming in are the gloss black as can be seen through the link below.
Thoughts are welcome.
http://www.usheraudio.com/speaker-s520.html

doug s. · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Jan 2005, 07:46 pm »

Quote from: Response Audio

During conversation with "carlman" as well as a few other people now that have heard these speakers. I am going to start working on the little S-520 from Usher.
The people I have spoken with mentioned they thought this little speaker had a lot of potential and all mentioned it needed some taming in the upper end.

My plans are to develop a simple upgrade while also smoothing out the upper end and keeping the price at a point where it is still an exceptional value. No, these will not be elaborate modif ...

excellent idea - i own a pair of these, & they are amazing at their price point. any chance you will have a kit for us diy'ers - shipping these back-n-forth will likely add way too much to the cost of the speakers!

regards,

doug s.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Jan 2005, 08:03 pm »

Quote

any chance you will have a kit for us diy'ers

Absolutely,
I will post my findings for all to see. No secrets will be kept and obviously, all components used will be readily available. I may even go to the extreme with a personal pair for those who want to take them to the top.

I will offer finished pairs for those who don't want or don't have the ability to do their own work and only want a decent speaker at a reasonable cost.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Jan 2005, 04:00 pm »

Whats everyone's thoughts on the finishes. When I place my next order, I would like to get more of the Gloss black, gloss white and a few of the wood veneer pieces.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Jan 2005, 04:05 pm »

The White looks nice, sort of retro 1980s, but with the driver array it gives a nice visual contrast. How much are these buggers anyway?

Bill Baker · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Jan 2005, 04:09 pm »

For the gloss finishes, the price is $350. I don't have any gloss white or wood veneer units available yet, just the gloss black. I have to wait for another shipment as the original was sold out before CES even ended. Aparently I was a bit late getting my order in and could only grab the last few remaining pair.

nature boy · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Feb 2005, 12:57 am »

Bill,

Have you received your new shipment of S-520's yet? What will you charge for the modifications?

I am putting some HT system's together and may be in a position to order 4-5 pairs within a month or so.

NB

Bill Baker · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Feb 2005, 01:01 am »

Hi NB,
At this time, I have only 4 pair available. I have put in another order for several more pair but they move fast. I will put in a much bigger order next time around to have plenty on hand. With the new showroom opening up locally (in a big collage town) I think this will be a killer product.

nature boy · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Feb 2005, 01:50 am »

Bill,

Will you be doing a mod as you indicated in your first post, to smooth out the treble?

NB

Bill Baker · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Feb 2005, 02:15 am »

Hi NB,
Yes, I will be looking into a very simple upgrade for these speakers which will also address the upper end that I have been hearing about.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Feb 2005, 12:55 am »

I now have a few pair of Gloss Black and very few pair of Gloss White available. I honestly can say that the S-520 is one of the best mini -monitor speakers I have heard under $1,000. I am in awe everytime I sit and listen to these.
Today I installed a pair into my reference system and could not get away for over an hour. Here is the main components in todays listening:

**Heavily modified 40 watt Signature Plus Ming-Da 805 amplifier
**ModWright SWL 9.0 linestage (with cryo treated Tung-Sol 5687 tubes)
**Custom Jolida JD100 CD player
**Thorens 190 turntable
**Jolida JD9 phono stage

Tomorrow, they come out and the Daedalus DA-1 goes in!!!!