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Thoughts on Usher S-520's...upgrade?

Hello all.

First let me say that I'm fairly new to the hi-fi world (about 5 years now) and have so far centered on "budget hi-fi".

I love monitors (and they fit in my office where I do most of my listening) so a few years ago I did my research and bought some Usher 520's (before the price hike) based off the glowing reviews (professional and user). I added an Outlaw LFM-1 Compact to fill out the low end (I'm not a huge bass head; the Outlaw's volume is halfway and the crossover is right at 60 where the Ushers start to drop off) and it integrates well I feel with the 520's.

Well I've loved this combo for years now (I am running it off of a Cambridge azur 640a v2 amp and DAC Magic with lossless files from my computer) and have left it alone since it is certainly "good enough", if not great sounding to me.

But...sooner or later upgradeitus hits us all right? Or, if not that, just curiosity at what other monitors might sound like and if I'd prefer them over my 520's, since, after all, these are the only "real" pair of speakers I've ever owned.

So my question is what the general consensus is of the Usher S 520's here, especially compared to more expensive speakers. Is it worth it to go up to $500 to $700 ish (new msrp anyway) monitors? Will it be enough of a step up in SQ to justify the cost (remember I got the 520's for $330 shipped)? Or do the Usher's lack in some criteria that I can't really hear since I've never compared them to other good monitors in their price range or higher? I will say that I love their neutrality and transparency, detail and accuracy (I don't like "warm" or "natural" sound), but it seems that they are a little lifeless or flat as well, maybe even a little recessed in the mids (voices can be a little distant it seems).

So, short version, is there something in the next tier of monitors that will have much of the Usher 520 SS (accuracy, transparency, revealing, detail, neutrality, tight/taut bass, etc.) while adding maybe some excitement or energy? Perhaps also go lower in the bass region so I can listen to them without a sub without them sounding as lean as the 520's do without my sub. I'd like an all-rounder since I listen to much of everything, although I mostly listen to rock (all decades and genres), synth pop, and singer/songwriter. I also would need speakers that sound good a lower volumes (I mostly listen at mid volumes) although can crank too (the 520's seem to do this).

Thanks for any input, so far I've got a list of about 20 monitors to look at, but that's fun to do and I take a long time looking and considering before I buy anything!
pw_09
pw_09 OP
12 posts
 
Thanks guys!

Thanks for the recommendations Timrhu. I've heard of a few of those (at least the makers if not the models). Am I off in thinking that PSB and Polk are kind of mid-fi brands? You recommend them, but it seems A/V boards are filled with those brands for HT and "music" listening...

And Tholt I know what you're saying, and I have probably 30 speakers on my list (in fact I'll post it), but I wanted to get a consensus on how well the 520's were liked in general, and also if there was another easy recommendation for a similar speaker to the 520's only "better" (like maybe even another Usher...but I'd kind of like to try something else). Or one that most would recommend given my tastes.

PS: What's TAS? The absolute sound? I will say I'm semi-wary of pro reviews because it seems all speakers they review are good/great (including several reviews of the 520's) and they are all recommended. Well are all speakers really that good these days, or are these people and/or their mags getting paid to say so by the speaker makers?

Anyway, I think the more and more my ears "evolve" the more I hear flaws in the 520's. I still think they are great speakers, but it seems they might be kind of hard or flat in the highs, and lack treble sparkle or air. And they can be kind of flat or cold/clinical or dull overall in a way. Exciting music will not be colored, but it might not be as exciting as it should be. It's hard to know in a way because, again, I lack the direct comparison with other speakers (at least in my house with my set up...I'm not a big believer in hearing speakers at other places with other setups than ones own since the SS can change so much with so many different factors and I need hours and hours with any new piece of gear to really start to get a good handle on it's SQ and SS).

Here's some speakers I'm looking at (sorry for dupes, so many to keep track of):

Era Design Five ($750-$900)
Four ($500-$600)

Epos ELS3 ($330)
Epos M5 ($650) (4 ohms)
Epos M12.2
Epos M12i

Aperion Audio Intimus 6B ($500)

Swan Diva 2.1 ($330-$450 ozht, free shipping)
D2.1SE ($679)
D1.1se ($570)

Monitor Audio BR2 $450
Gold GS 10
RS1

Mordaunt-Short Avant 902i
Mezzo 2

Totem Dreamcatcher

Tannoy Mercury F1 Custom

DALI Lektor 1

Acarian Alón Li'l Rascal Mk.II

Revel Concerta M12

Triangle-Stella-ES Triangle Comete

Silverline Minuet

Amphion Helium2

Quad 12L2

ACI Sapphire

Swan Tempus

Totem Mite

Spendor S3/5

Dynaudio Audience 42
DM 2/7

DALI Lektor 1

Quad 11L2

Acoustic Energy AE22

Mordaunt-Short Mezzo 2

Neat Motive 3

DALI Mentor Menuet

Nola Boxer

Btw, how well is Swan regarded, because those things are like 40% off right now!
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
Tholt really does give good advice for your search. I will add the best way is to purchase used from reputable sellers and listen yourself. Over the years I have done this and it is telling. So many speakers that were hyped by professional reviewers did not work for me at all.
I paid less than your budget for my Soliloquy 5.0s with their dedicated stands, best stands I've seen btw. Their are bargains to be had, you just have to be willing to go for it when they present themselves.
I stand by my Polk Audio suggestion. One of the best sounding monitors I have had in my room. I understand Polk Audio has a less than hi-end reputation but they do build some nice speakers. I can only speak from my experience, with my equipment in my room. YMMV. Good luck.
pw_09 OP
12 posts
 
I know Timrhu, I didn't mean to imply he didn't.

And yes, you never know until you get a speaker in your room, with your set up, and listen to it for hours/days with all sorts of material whether it will work for you or not. That's why I understand why people buy 2 or 3 at a time and either return the ones they decide against or resell them. This method costs more, but you've got a better chance of getting something you really like. I've actually been doing this with headphones and headphone amps over the last few months. I still have some of each to sell back!

One problem I have with used speakers (or headphones) however: How can you tell if they are damaged or not when you get them?

Yes, I know many audiophiles treat their equipment well, but I also have seen a few stress their gear to the extremes either testing it or showing it off. I was yelling at this one guy once above the screaming loud music (friend of a friend) that his speakers where distorting and he just laughed it off. I went right up to the drivers, and, (going nearly deaf in the process) clearly heard them distorting. He sold them used a few years later. Were they damaged by this? He listened to volumes that would cause distortion often. But at low volumes his speakers still sounded fine. Do you have to literally blow out the cone or fry the spider or whatever to truly damage speakers? Or will they lose fidelity even if they still work ok (at low volumes at least) with no real audible distortion?

Anyway, thanks again for your input.

And if anyone has any experience with the 520's and wants to rip on them, that's fine with me. I'm not the type that gets offended by what other people say about my stuff, especially people more knowledgeable than I about it. I can admit I made a bad purchase (I have before with audio gear) and won't get defensive. That's immature. I don't think the 520's are bad or were a bad buy, but then what do I know? I just have reviewers to back me up and some people on forums. I did see that WhatHiFi wasn't that impressed by them and was surprised since they seem to know what they are talking about (right?).

magnumpi205
504 posts
 
First of all, the 520's are pretty good speakers for the money.
Great list by Pw 09.
Unfortunately, I have heard most of the speakers on the list. Don't smoke or drink, so I need some kind of vice.
Have the original Quad 12 and 11. Very good monitors and probably trump most speakers on the list.
The 2 steller nearfields on Pw 09"s list are the Dali Minuet and the Nola Boxer. The Boxer is an extemely good speaker.
tholt
551 posts
 
The 520's aren't bad speakers. I own them. But they're small and need to be used in the context that they were intended.

Make sure you're room is up to snuff -- ie you've addressed it's shortcomings (adding room treatments like absorption/diffusion, perhaps corner traps). This is true regardless of any equipment upgrade. Room is critical.

The other piece is matching the right amplification to the speaker. I don't know the specs on the Cambridge, but I know Ushers like good quality power, the more the better. You may be surprised if you add a more powerful amp to your speakers what they will sound like, and could give you the body you're looking for. If you still pursue speakers, try to determine that the Cambridge is a good match for them. You've already got a decent sub.

If you go with something like Aperion or Swan on your list (assuming buying new, Swan from The Audio Insider) or if you buy from someone like Audio Advisor, you get a return policy.
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