On the Bench

For the THD+N tests (bandwidth 10 Hz - 22 kHz), the microphone was placed 1 foot from the respective driver. For the room response, the microphone was at 1 meter, pointed at the center of the enclosure.

At 30 Hz (woofer), THD+N was less than 10% and 100 dB output, which is acceptable, especially for only an 8" driver.

At 50 Hz, THD+N was less than 3%.

And at 100 Hz, less than 0.7%. All in all, pretty reasonable performance for the woofer.

The midrange driver had less than 0.25% THD+N at 1 kHz.

And, the tweeter had less than 0.2% THD+N at 10 kHz. If you compare these results with some of the other speakers we have performed bench tests on, you will see that the CP-6381 has very good distortion figures in the midrange and tweeter.

The Room Response was relatively flat up to 16 kHz and then rolled off. At the low end, there was a bump at about 70 Hz, and the response rolled off below 50 Hz.

The impedance stays pretty close to 8 ohms between 1 kHz and 20 kHz, but dips to 4 ohms in the 100 Hz range. The electrical phase stays between + 40⁰ and - 60⁰. These speakers seem relatively easy to drive, so any amplifier should work, but I would suggest at least 100 watts per channel.

Conclusions

Frankly, for $3,400/pair, the Usher CP-6381s are incredible. I am used to seeing a price tag of $10,000/pair for something that is built like and sounds like these speakers. They have a very focused soundstage, natural timbre, and low distortion. And, don't forget, the CP6381s are in the middle of Usher's price and quality range. I can only imagine what the Dancer Series sounds like. Hmmm . . . let's get a pair of those and find out.
 

- John E. Johnson, Jr. -

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