Response
Audio has been providing upgrades for the Usher Loudspeaker for several
years. The X-718/X719 upgrade has been our most popular with dozens of pairs
still proving beautiful music for many discriminating listeners. Over the
years, many Usher loudspeaker owners have asked us to take these as far as
possible for them but still maintain the sonic signature our "Silver & Oil
upgrades have always been known for.....see comments below. The (BE) Extreme
Silver & Oil is the result of over 5 years of listening to our customers and
giving them what they ask for.
Designed
by Joseph D'Appolito both the X 718/719 are truly fantastic stand mount speakers. These
speakers are high achievers from the stable of Usher Audio. Offering
exceptional clarity and dynamic range for their price these beautifully crafted
stand mounted speakers feature a distinctive front panel slant (x-718) that in an
unparalleled configuration improve the time/phase alignment and further
reduce cabinet resonance. These diminutive speakers offer stunning levels of
sonic performance for your money. Suitable for small to medium sized rooms where larger floor standers wouldn't have
enough air to perform.
Using
Usher high performance high definition bass / mid drivers that feature a
heavily damped and carbon fibre impregnated paper cone. A design that has
proven to be free of resonance's normally associated with stiff paper cones.
Setting new standards the quality control Usher Audio offer throughout their
build is second to none.
The EXtreme
Silver & Oil crossovers are built from the ground up with no original
components reused. These upgrades bring this speaker up several notches bringing
forth even more resolution and transparency while smoothing out the upper
end without sacrificing air and extension. Also enhanced is the dynamic
speed in the lower regions.
Crossovers features
-
Fully
custom built
-
Point
to point connections.
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Crossover assembled on 1/4" Birch Ply. No circuit boards
-
VH
Audio Oil Impregnated Metalized Poly capacitors used in the high
pass filter.
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Sonicap capacitors used throughout rest of circuit.
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SoniCap Teflon bypass capacitors in high pass filter
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SoniCap Gen II bypass capacitors in all other areas.
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Alpha-Core copper foil inductors for critical applications
-
Mills
resistors
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Most of the original cabinet damping will be
removed in favor of a combination of a thick felt and a
predetermined amount of carded wool for a more true-to-life
presentation.
-
Heavy
damping material applied to the mid/bass driver frame to help
further eliminate vibration.
-
High
quality 14 awg. DH Labs Silver coated OFC cabling w/Teflon used
throughout.
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High
quality RoHS compliant silver solder used for all connections.
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Break-in requirement: 400 hrs for full potential
-
OPTIONAL: Bybee Purifiers installed at the positive and negative
tweeter terminals; 4 pieces required:
Standard Bybee $400 installed / Gold Bybee $960 installed.
-
PRICE:
$1,195 + return shipping
-
Warranty: 3 years parts and labor crossovers components only.
Where to buy -
This dealer list will be updated shortly. If you do not
already own a pair of X-718 / X-719 loudspeakers, you may purchase the loudspeakers through
your local dealer and then send them to Response Audio for the EXtreme Crossovers to be installed.
International inquiries welcome.
What our customers are
saying:
....I could list at least 20 adjectives to describe
the staging, depth, transparency and width of this meticulously crafted
system, and still not completely describe the awe I experience when I sit
and listen to my music.
Ultimate X-718 <READ
FULL TEXT>
.......I
have found them to be the kind of speakers that unlock aspects of my
favorite LP's and discs that I truly had not heard before. The bass on the
Ushers is incredible, both in depth and focus. No mush or boom here, just
tight bass that makes listening to Earl Klugh or Bella Fleck a pure joy.
It is obvious that the crossover mods, reference grade resistors and
premium wiring wring every pleasant bit of sound out of what start out as
very good speakers.
Ultimate X-718 <READ
FULL TEXT>
.....
just wanted to let you know that after auditioning the Ultimate 708s at
your store this weekend, it gave me a new perspective of what is possible
from an already affordable speaker system. The level of realism and
transparency that was filling the room made it very hard for me to leave.
I most definitely want to come back for another listen after you finish
the new Reference 718s you are currently working on. Please let me know
when you are done with them so I can make arrangements to hear them before
you send them off to your customer.
Ultimate
X-708 <VIA
EMAIL>
........Overall,
I'd have to say you nailed the system with respect to what I was looking
for. I can't imagine that things could get much better,
honestly. The presentation is pretty much what I was
after...natural, balanced, unstressed yet articulate, no excessive sibilance,
excellent command of the lower registers which delve deeper than expected
in my setup with tightness verses flabbiness.
"Silver and
Oil" X-718 <READ
FULL TEXT>
"......99
times out of 100 I would take the upgraded X-718s over stock. The stock
X-718s were a little more relaxed in a couple areas... which I liked. But
it was readily apparent that the upgraded parts in the modded X-718s took
resolution, imaging, soundstage placement, and bass detail to a new
level...".
"Silver and
Oil" X-718
Shane - Home
Theater Doctor
<READ
FULL TEXT>
".......We
compared the speakers first, upgraded vs. non-upgraded (Usher X-718's) and
everyone agreed it was an improvement. The specific things I heard were
better instrument and vocalist placement. Also, the bass was less 'wooly'
or warm... or just cleaner. The highs were more extended but not harsh.
Overall, a good investment. The nice thing about the mod is that it
doesn't lose the sound I liked about the 718's but makes them better. I
also think they need a wee bit more break-in...."
"Silver and
Oil" X-718
Carlman - Circle
member
<READ
FULL TEXT>
