Usher Dancer Mini 2's: IN THE HOUSE!!!
Comments
-
I've owned everything up to the CP-8571, of which were just loaned. Yes, the BE series in Bookends and Floorstanders.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
-
audiocr381ve wrote: »I've auditioned the 3.7's as well. I think if I heard them with a sub I might have a different opinion of them, or maggies in general (I've auditioned almost every pair and owned 2 pairs, not my faves). I may try a set of MMG's again one day, this time with a nice sub.
I guess I need to go hear the 3.7's. I was under the impression that they blew the 3.6's away. Not the case? I've owned and compared the 1.7's and 1.6's, and I thought the 1.7's were a big improvement. Is the difference between the 3.6's and 3.7's not as big as I think it is???2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
I've owned everything up to the CP-8571, of which were just loaned. Yes, the BE series in Bookends and Floorstanders.
Nice. You are quite an expansive man.
2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
Very surprised by your "pressurize" comment. What's the Usher's sensitivity rating? (Looked it up... 90 dB?)falconcry72 wrote: »Ushers:
Pros: - more visceral bass impact. they can pressurize the room, you feel the kick drum in your chest.
Cons:- bass is slightly bloated, or boxy.
Maggies: Cons: - not as dynamic.
First thought, it seem like your Ushers need to move ... that they haven't found their sweet spot yet. Probably out into the room some. (BTW... love your Maggie marks...) Is your room tuned to the Maggies?
+1... my SRS's will always have a place here (still the best rock speakers I have heard), but they're not the closest as I have come in the quest for a "do-it-all" speaker. Those would be my Carver Amazings (best symphony orchestra speaker) and I still like others better for some things. Years ago I discovered I do not need a do-it-all speaker. Three or four pairs of "does-this-thing-great" speakers will do... :cheesygrin:falconcry72 wrote: »What the SDA's lack in resolution they make up for with a liquidy-velvet envelopment that can transport you to a live venue. I would call the SDA's a whole third class of speakers: you got cones, ribbons, and SDA's.
... for me, there is life after SDA.
+1 on Steve's observation, but a couple cons are closely paired to a Pro, e.g., ultra-detailed highs and fatigue.falconcry72 wrote: »I could add subs to the Maggies, but to do it right I'd have to spend a couple grand, and at that point I'd rather just get the 3.7's...
I've not auditioned the 3.7's, but if they offer no more incremental bass vs. the 3.6's as the 1.7's do vs. the 1.6's, I can't see them doing it for you.
Adding a Sub to the 3.6's seems to me the next natural step, but not sure what you have your ear set on... Rel subs are a pretty natural pairing for Maggies and used models are fairly plentiful under $1000.
Just spitballin' here...More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD -
First thought, it seem like your Ushers need to move ... that they haven't found their sweet spot yet. Probably out into the room some. (BTW... love your Maggie marks...) Is your room tuned to the Maggies?
I've been playin' with it a good amount. Right now they're 30" from the front wall, and 36" from the side walls. They still seem to exhibit a hump in the mid-upper bass, like 50-100hz'ish.
Yea, I've got marks for one placement of the 3.6's, one placement of the 1.6's, and three placments of the Ushers, as I haven't quite figured them out yet.
I want those 8571's doro mentioned!!!!Adding a Sub to the 3.6's seems to me the next natural step, but not sure what you have your ear set on... Rel subs are a pretty natural pairing for Maggies and used models are fairly plentiful under $1000.
Just spitballin' here...
I like the Rel's. I also have my eye on the HSU ULS-15. Sealed box. Flat to 5 or 10hz in most rooms. -1db of 15hz in most rooms. Supposedly very musical. I'd have to get the Rosenut finish to match the Maggies and my rack, which runs 1200 new. (2) would be ideal, but ****, another 2500 on top of the cost of the Maggies would bring me into a whole new level of used speakers.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/uls15.html
Thanks for helping me think this through!:biggrin:2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
falconcry72 wrote: »I've been playin' with it a good amount. Right now they're 30" from the front wall, and 36" from the side walls. They still seem to exhibit a hump in the mid-upper bass, like 50-100hz'ish.
Yea, I've got marks for one placement of the 3.6's, one placement of the 1.6's, and three placments of the Ushers, as I haven't quite figured them out yet.
I want those 8571's doro mentioned!!!!
I like the Rel's. I also have my eye on the HSU ULS-15. Sealed box. Flat to 5 or 10hz in most rooms. -1db of 15hz in most rooms. Supposedly very musical. I'd have to get the Rosenut finish to match the Maggies and my rack, which runs 1200 new. (2) would be ideal, but ****, another 2500 on top of the cost of the Maggies would bring me into a whole new level of used speakers.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/uls15.html
Thanks for helping me think this through!:biggrin:
Exactly dude! You gotta have that low end. I say buy some less expensive subs for the 1.6's to complete that pair, that way you'll have a magneplanar setup, an SDA setup, and a kick **** all-around primary pair of 2 channel speakers. Ya dig? :biggrin:
Did I mention how jealous I am? -
do these new ushers take lead shot, if so about 50 lbs or more each will tighten up the bass.Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
Puritan PSM156 -
Those are really sharp looking and great sounding loudspeakers Falconry. The main reason I was able to get so much of them was my dealer connection, same with Magnepan. I haven't heard an Usher I wouldn't own again but I've many Magnepan that I wouldn't buy or bother with again.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
-
Those are really sharp looking and great sounding loudspeakers Falconry. The main reason I was able to get so much of them was my dealer connection, same with Magnepan. I haven't heard an Usher I wouldn't own again but I've many Magnepan that I wouldn't buy or bother with again.
Just curious, which Maggies didn't wet your whistle and which ones did? -
My favorite was the 3.x series(Owned 3.3, 3.5 and 3.6). I'm running 1.7's now but will flip them for something else that's been on my mind. I've owned almost 2 dozen vintage models. I'm just over the whole vintage thing as a whole since there's really no need to own any of them that are <1995 since the used market is flush with great deals on everything modern and without delamination problems.
I've only had a couple delamination issues and knew that from the start. Half the sob stories I've read historically are from newbie owners or abuse, so I have little patience for it anymore as it's the first thing ppl say when you talk about your "newsed" Magnepan. Oh boy....watch out for....oh shut up.
The newer drivers are better anyways and aesthetically cannot stand the tweed and frame patterns on the vintage ones either. Do I sound bitter? Probably.
Are they fun to get your feet wet and try out if you can step into them on the cheap? Of course but don't lay your whole faith in Magnepan and the beautiful way they perform based on a semi-reliable pair of crappy ones you found at a estate sale. If you want to hear Magnepan's right, find a friend or local that owns them and ask for a demo. That's the BEST way to get your ears on a solid demo and will most likely solve the waffling you have over the investment.
Magnepan owners, and electrostat owners as well, seem to always have some kind of room correction and treatments in place. At least partially addressed because it's a serious consideration with owning that type of loudspeaker. Monkey coffins and traditional speaker owners almost NEVER have given any thought to this at all. That's a make or break for any setup and a quick killer when it comes to a really good demo.
Enough about Magnepan....this is about Falconry's Usher's. Back to your regularly scheduled programming.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
...My favorite was the 3.x series(Owned 3.3, 3.5 and 3.6)...
Yep. I loved the 1.6's and 1.7's, but the 3 series, with the true ribbon tweeter, is a different beast.Enough about Magnepan....this is about Falconry's Usher's. Back to your regularly scheduled programming.
The Ushers are currently jammin' some Jeff Beck... "Wired" MFSL.:cheesygrin:2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
...The main reason I was able to get so much of them was my dealer connection, same with Magnepan. I haven't heard an Usher I wouldn't own again ...
Yo doro, have you heard the DMD tweeter? Is it better than the BE???2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
Sweet Speakers!Linn AV5140 fronts
Linn AV5120 Center
Linn AV5140 Rears
M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
Odyssey Mono-Blocs
SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D -
Thanks for getting me thinking...falconcry72 wrote: »They still seem to exhibit a hump in the mid-upper bass, like 50-100hz'ish.
I like the Rel's. I also have my eye on the HSU ULS-15. http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/uls15.html
Thanks for helping me think this through!:biggrin:
Starting to seem like your hump may be a floor-ceiling interaction... Is it there standing as well as sitting at your listening position? Any adjustment to the ports available? (other than a couple pair of balled-up socks...
)
And sorry, but every time I read "HSU"... I can't help but think, "Gesundheit."
The hell with the speaker envy, what I really want are some connections... (shuffles off to find his Montrose - Paper Money LP)... of course, I guess it would help if I moved to where the audio is.The main reason I was able to get so much of them was my dealer connection, same with Magnepan.
True... wondering if treatments that help Maggies sing, might actually work against boxes...Magnepan owners, and electrostat owners as well, seem to always have some kind of room correction and treatments in place... it's a serious consideration with owning that type of loudspeaker. Monkey coffins and traditional speaker owners almost NEVER have given any thought to this at all. That's a make or break for any setup and a quick killer when it comes to a really good demo.More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD -
And sorry, but every time I read "HSU"... I can't help but think, "Gesundheit."
Ha. That's funny.
Hey congrats on 10k!:biggrin:2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
Enjoyable thread. Beautiful speakers, that remind me quite a bit of my new Wharfedale speakers in terms of appearance. I bet they sound great.
It's funny that you (falcon) mention the differences in how electric guitar is portrayed through panels and cones. That is why I can't live with panels. As a guitar player I love the sound of accurate and dynamic electric guitar sound. I tried Martin Logan but it just wouldn't work for me. I wanted to like them, and thought I would, but I now know that I'm a cone guy. I really wanted to be a panel guy ... but I'm just a run-of-the-mill cone guy.
Two Channel Setup:
Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
DAC: Arcam irDac
Source: iMac
Remote Control: iPad Mini
3.2 Home Theater Setup:
Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
Center: Klipsch RP-160M
Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
TV Source: DirecTV Genie -
Loud & Clear wrote: »...It's funny that you (falcon) mention the differences in how electric guitar is portrayed through panels and cones. That is why I can't live with panels. As a guitar player I love the sound of accurate and dynamic electric guitar sound...
It makes perfect sense. An electric guitar's sound is produced through a cone driver in an amp, so, naturally, a cone speaker is going to be better at reproducing the sound of a cone speaker. Now a saxophone on the other hand, or a piano, strings, a human voice, an acoustic guitar etc, those sounds are produced in ways that are more similar to a ribbon speaker, so it makes sense that a ribbon speaker would be better at reproducing their sounds.
I play guitar too. I used to play 90% electric, 10% acoustic, now I'm 100% acoustic, but I'm going to start back at the electric this month. I'm using an original 1966 Fender Bandmaster head through an 80's era Marshall 4x12. Ain't no ribbon gonna do that creamy tubey tone any justice. :cool::biggrin:2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
Loud & Clear wrote: »Enjoyable thread. Beautiful speakers, that remind me quite a bit of my new Wharfedale speakers in terms of appearance. I bet they sound great.
It's funny that you (falcon) mention the differences in how electric guitar is portrayed through panels and cones. That is why I can't live with panels. As a guitar player I love the sound of accurate and dynamic electric guitar sound. I tried Martin Logan but it just wouldn't work for me. I wanted to like them, and thought I would, but I now know that I'm a cone guy. I really wanted to be a panel guy ... but I'm just a run-of-the-mill cone guy.
Love the way you put that. I'm in the same boat. -
falconcry72 wrote: »You could be right. I love both of these pairs, but I feel like there's somehthing better out there... the problem is that I don't know if it exists at this price range. I'm open to suggestions on alternatives in the 3k range.
You might want to look into Emerald Physics. There are sometimes a set of CS2.3's for sale on the 'gon. They image like Maggies and totally disappear in a room, but have the dynamics of a box speaker and are flat to 20Hz within a half db. Also are OB (bi-polar) so soundstaging is incredible and bass is incredibly realistic (as you said, textural).
Also worth checking out are Hawthorne Audio's offerings. You would be well served speaking to SolidSquall on these. It seems that his journey for the ultimate speaker parallels yours in some ways, and as far as I know, has ended on Hawthornes.design is where science and art break even. -
falconcry72 wrote: »I like the Rel's. I also have my eye on the HSU ULS-15. Sealed box. Flat to 5 or 10hz in most rooms. -1db of 15hz in most rooms. Supposedly very musical. I'd have to get the Rosenut finish to match the Maggies and my rack, which runs 1200 new. (2) would be ideal, but ****, another 2500 on top of the cost of the Maggies would bring me into a whole new level of used speakers.
I second the REL subs. I purchased a REL Stadium III and it is incredible. If you grab a friend to help with the simplified setup, it gets you 90% there in about 15 minutes. I've never heard a sub integrate so well as this beast. If you go REL, be sure that it has the ARM loading. It makes a great difference in response and coherence. I have listened to it against a pair of HSU ULS-15's and against a pair of di-polar Titanics. The Stadium is just crazy good. It paced them on HT and trounced them on music in the listening room.design is where science and art break even. -
Rel makes a nice sub no doubt, congrats on yours, hard to do any better thats for sure.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
You might want to look into Emerald Physics. There are sometimes a set of CS2.3's for sale on the 'gon. They image like Maggies and totally disappear in a room, but have the dynamics of a box speaker and are flat to 20Hz within a half db. Also are OB (bi-polar) so soundstaging is incredible and bass is incredibly realistic (as you said, textural).
Also worth checking out are Hawthorne Audio's offerings. You would be well served speaking to SolidSquall on these. It seems that his journey for the ultimate speaker parallels yours in some ways, and as far as I know, has ended on Hawthornes.
I am very interested in that Emerald Physics 2.3. I've never heard a pair. I need to get my ears on them. I'm also interested in the Thiel 2.4. Again, never heard'em.2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
You might want to look into Emerald Physics. There are sometimes a set of CS2.3's for sale on the 'gon. They image like Maggies and totally disappear in a room, but have the dynamics of a box speaker and are flat to 20Hz within a half db. Also are OB (bi-polar) so soundstaging is incredible and bass is incredibly realistic (as you said, textural).
Also worth checking out are Hawthorne Audio's offerings. You would be well served speaking to SolidSquall on these. It seems that his journey for the ultimate speaker parallels yours in some ways, and as far as I know, has ended on Hawthornes.
Wow, just checked those out on their website. There are so many companies out there. So much to see/hear. These definitely have my attention, although I don't think I'll ever be able to afford them. :redface: -
Nobody's audio journey ends...it just takes a vacation every now and then.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
falconcry72 wrote: »I am very interested in that Emerald Physics 2.3. I've never heard a pair. I need to get my ears on them. I'm also interested in the Thiel 2.4. Again, never heard'em.
Maybe pick up the CS3's so I can live vicariously through you? -
Nobody's audio journey ends...it just takes a vacation every now and then.
That's the truth.
Music and gear are two separate hobbies for me. Sometimes I sit on the same gear for a while and explore new music, then while I digest the new music I'll play with swapping out gear. There's always new ground to explore.:biggrin:2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
Hear, hear! What's out of reach today will someday likely be within reach. You save, their used price declines and worlds collide...Nobody's audio journey ends...it just takes a vacation every now and then.More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD -
Very nice setup Ben! I'll bet they sound exceptional!
Regards,
CarlCarl -
I've always loved the sound of ribbons. I heard the 3.7's at T.H.E. Show last year and the sound was spectacular :eek:
-
Very nice setup Ben! I'll bet they sound exceptional!
Regards,
Carl
Thanks, Carl!
It's the best my system has sounded, that's for sure!:biggrin:2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
