nixon76 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I've seen them down in Hamilton at AudioArt Cafe (aka AudioReference). Nice things - less imposing than the bigger versions (IMO). Didn't hear them mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triguy Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I have never found the Ushers to be an engaging listen. Great looking speakers and well built though. The latest generation of Paradigm Studio series speakers would be well worth listening to as they sound much superior to previous versions and would be very well suited to Plinius or perreaux. Image Rev or ProAc Studio 140 would be high on my list. Maybe something from the Dyn Audience range as they are old models now so you should be able to get a good deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexterg Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I had a pair of Usher CP-6391's a few years ago and liked them but fwiw, they need a high current amp and a re fairly ruthless in their neutrality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopper1553552708 Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 curious_george;91535 wrote: Although not floorstanders, the Usher Be 718 is suppose to be the business. US model has higher spec crossover, etc. Not sure available in NZ in that spec. Danny from GR-Research did the xover upgrade, you could probably source them from him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie1553552694 Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I'd be happy with BE 718s... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electra Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 triguy;91598 wrote: Image Rev or ProAc Studio 140 would be high on my list. Maybe something from the Dyn Audience range as they are old models now so you should be able to get a good deal. In my experience, the ProAc's wont be gutsy enough - this being a stated requirement. The only speakers I have ever contributed to blowing were a pair of Studio 140, with toasted woofer voice coils AND the crossover driving them on a 200wpc Rotel in a largish room ( 10 meters by 7 meters ). They were not being driven into significant levels of dynamic compression, and the tweeters survived, so the amp was not apparently being over driven. I also found them to not be that engaging for rock or dance, and to not have the bass response claimed. I much prefer Image 414's to the Studio140 price being taken into account. The Image Illusions are more than a match for them, in my honest opinion. Interestingly the person who has the Studio 140's which were not up to the task replaced them initially with some Paradigm Studio 80's but didnt find the sound to be satisfactory. and then after several other sets of speakers had passed through his house, he settled on Image Revs. His budget was limited at $6K. He is planning on supplementing the Revs with a Velodyne DD12 in the future. Please take into account that I am not a fan of ProAc speakers in general, I find them to be over priced, over hyped, and under performing considering the elevated expectations people have lead me to have. B&W's upper ranges also fit this category, in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electra Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 BTW the BE 718's are excellent sounding speakers, but at their sensitivity, the OP would really struggle to get them working until a much more powerful "gutsy" amp was purchased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squid1553552671 Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 These have been on and off TM for a little while now http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Speakers-and-stands/Floor-speakers/auction-218824314.htm Don't know what their efficiency is like so your 50 watter may struggle to control those 3 8" drivers but I'm sure the future Perreaux purchase will get a grip on them. Helluva lot of speaker if you pick them up for the opening bid - just our of your budget perhaps but I'm sure they'd deliver the goods on what the type of music you like (and the SPL's you want to listen to, on occasion). Only downside maybe a little dowby on looks, but conservative enough for them to blend in a large room. Not exactly elegant Italian beauties, but I can't imagine you'd be that entirely happy with anything less than the Cremona M's in your sized room for your tastes. They're way over your budget but the cost new is not far off the cost of the T8's when new. Maybe Tristar could comment here? Good luck with your decision - it's a hard thing getting big-speaker performance AND looks for $5k (which is still a lot of money, so choose wisely). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedog Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Hi i think that the theophany speakers would be well worth a listen they look great and new zealand made. A good mate has got into them in a big way and they sound fantastic http://www.theophanyloudspeakers.com/m5.php?t=m or try the VAF I66 http://www.vaf.com.au/detail.asp?audio=signature&grunt=s200r26720 I have the I66 and love them and so do most that hear them we are getting together quite a Vaf community up here one thing to think about is that both theophany and Vaf sell factory direct thus cutting out the middle man IMO you are getting a speaker of much higher quility for the same money as in a retail shop.The thing with Vaf is they have had the same high end modles for the last 15 odd years makes me think they cracked it back then ? If you like tight deep deep base cant go wrong :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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