USHER CP-8571 Diamond DMD
Floorstanding loudspeakers
The Usher CP-8571 DMDs are specified from 26Hz, however, subjectively they go far lower than that. In the bass region the difference between the Dancer Mini Ones and the CP-8571’s is like the difference between driving VW Golf and VW Passat.
Function and form
They are typical Dancers with a deep (76cm) backwards tilted baffle which is used for Usher’s flagship model Be-20. The units are sculpted from up to 65mm thick HDF boards covered in satin wood veneers. There is no single wall that would be parallel; on top of that, there is hardly a surface to be found to be planar, rather the design follows different curvatures and transforms the speakers into a kind of art. Since I have reviewed my first Usher speakers, the Be-10, I am upset with the metal plate bluntly mounted on the front baffle with company’s logo – the detail I think is inappropriate and spoiling the classic design of the speakers. In my opinion.
The Dancer CP-8571 Diamond DMD are three-way speakers with the DMD diamond tweeter, 180mm midtone woofer and 200mm woofer, both using paper cones reinforced with carbon fibres. The cabinet is ported by 2 ports. The CP-8571’s are not easy to move around as they weigh 87kg each. Unfortunately, you have to move them around to find the best placement which is necessary to make them sing, which is something shared among all Ushers.
Bass management
The cabinets of the CP-8571 Diamond DMD’s are very rigid and I could not sense any hint of resonances even during very loud parts of playback. It is good to know that one does listen to a music rather than to the cabinets. The Ushers do not lose their authority as well as their soundstage does not collapse with increasing loudness. I was listening to the thundering big drum and cymbals in 6th movement of Peer Gynt (Arabian Dance): this is the track that peels plaster off your listening room’s walls at high volumes. Despite this the the orchestra was perfectly organized and individual instruments nicely delineated within a realistic soundstage. Not speaking about the Usher’s baffles that remained dead as a concrete block (no wonder, they are reinforced by a cast iron frame and filled with a lead composite).
Clarity & delicacy
The DMD Ushers perfectly delineate tambourines within the soundstage and beautifully portrait the trailing off. I suspect Usher’s designers to fine tune their speakers for classical music. Therefore it comes as no surprise to hear chamber quartet (Telemann, Paris Quartets) with great dynamic portrayal of harpsichord and cello and natural imaging.
Tonal accuracy
The Ushers can easily pressurize a room with energy to the extent of having an issue with bass modes. I cannot recommend the CP-8571 for rather small rooms if you like playing loud – of course you may put them into a small room, be prepared for using 50% of their potential, however. They like plenty of room around; the further they are from front and side walls the better, their toe in may be smaller than usual. Position them correctly and their soundstage opens up and shuddering power of Prince of Persia soundtrack will nail you to the seat. Also with Tom Petty’s Good Enough (Mojo) there was a lot of weight and definition for the bass guitar and the midrange had great depth of the sonic picture and I had a sense of good authority and control over the music I played.
Spatial resolution
In the process of audio review the ideal situation is the following: I stop making notes and starts to listen. Then, after a CD is over, I start looking for another one and then another to hear how they sound through the reviewed equipment. This is what happened to me with the Usher Audio’s CP-8571 Diamond DMD speakers.
The Dancer CP-8571 Diamond DMD’s are arguably the best buy from the whole Usher Audio’s catalogue. Stay away from tubes and if you insist on using some, stick to the ones with authority and control like Audiomat or Audio Research. Avoid placing them into small rooms and close to room boundaries.
Recommended resellers
Horizon Trading Prague, Praha, +420 222 715 959
PP HiFi Studio, Otrokovice, tel. +420 603 581 305
SK: Nisel SK, Bratislava, tel. +421 905 203 078
Manufacturer's website: http://www.usheraudio.com.tw
Associated components
- Sources: BMC AUDIO BD CD1 + DAC1
- Amplifiers: Luxman M-600A, Luxman L-550A II, McIntosh MC501 and BMC AMP C1
- Interconnects and speaker cables: Rapport, Audioquest Gibraltar, Crystal Cable Piccolo, WSS, Oehlbach Crystal Silver Star
Gallery
ACOUSTIQUE QUALITY AQ Passion
Acoustique Quality has been around since early 90’s. The company’s loudspeakers were always close to what can be characterized a good value for money, with a bit of pre-2000 vibe. Speaker by speaker the guys in Acoustique Quality ...
Recommended resellers
AQ s.r.o., Červenka, tel. +420 585 342 232
ANTE Supersonic One
The Supersonics were visually inspired by Lamborghini Countach racer. The functional elegance of the Lamborghini does not come at budget costs and neither the Ante does. The price tag of €160,000 keeps the Supersonics in the company ...
Recommended resellers
Media Control, Bratislava, SK, +421 905 613 928
AQ Canto 5
An experience that moves your soul. This is how Czech loudspeaker manufacturer presents the brand-new Canto range. For the company, the Canto is a milestone, so important that they decided to dedicate a special website to it. The ...
Recommended resellers
AQ s.r.o., Červenka, tel. +420 585 342 232
AUDIO PHYSIC Avantera
The Audio Physic’s HHCM midrange drivers are fantastic. The realism of both male and female vocals through the Avanteras is nothing short of magic. The Avanteras skillfully blend a cocktail full of colors, sonority, textures, ...
Recommended resellers
CZ: High-End Audio Studio, Praha, tel. +420 224 256 844
SK: Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802
AUDIO PHYSIC Cardeas Plus+
Audio Physic's original Cardeas was like an album of a respected band that was recorded just because it had to be recorded due to a contract. Not like the album that was recorded because the band wanted to. I sighed with relief that ...
Recommended resellers
CZ: High-End Audio Studio, Praha, tel. +420 224 256 844
SK: Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802
AURUM CANTUS V6F
The Aurum Cantus V6Fs have the ability to dissapear from your ear-view - they move an orchestra to your living room instead and let you bathe in an expanding and transparent soundstage. After listening to the V6Fs you'll find ...
Recommended resellers
Hifi studio MeLissa, Brno, tel. +420 777 04 1313
AVANTGARDE ACOUSTIC Uno Fino
Should your priority is to blend the speakers with your interior and make them visually disappear, the Avantgarde Acoustic Uno Fino is not for you. I am not in favor of color lacquers on speakers and prefer natural veneers where ...
Recommended resellers
HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894
