Most of the numerous hi-fi loudspeakers that Tone has had the pleasure of reviewing over the past 10 years have been British, American or Canadian in origin. This reviewer has enjoyed a pair of Yamaha speakers (Japan), but really, that’s the sum total of Eastern delights we’ve been able to sample. Until now, that is.

The Mini Dancer Ones are from Taiwanese speaker specialist Usher, a company that has been acclaimed by overseas hi-fi magazines such as The Absolute Sound and Stereophile for its Dancer range of large floorstanders.

Usher is notable for offering the same technology as some high-ranking brands but at a lower price, although the company has its detractors too.

The Mini Ones sit right at the bottom of the Dancer range, but the luxurious real wood veneered cabinetry and splendid piano gloss front baffle suggest they should be much dearer than their $3950 list price.

Usher’s 32mm beryllium dome tweeter is joined by a carbon fibre/paper mid-bass driver, the sturdy enclosure ported at the front by a slit at the foot of the cabinet.

The attractive plinth adds stability and a touch of chic to the already impressive aesthetic, while both the five-way binding posts and speaker spikes are of true class.

Good looks amount to naught if they aren’t up to the task sonically, but Usher had the most important aspect of a loudspeaker’s design criteria well covered.

There was a moment where I found the tweeters just a touch bright, but after two weeks of run-in they settled down and began to integrate. With a sound quality just on the bright side of neutrality, the Mini Ones suited my system extremely well. Tracks from Fat Freddys Drop’s new Dr Boondigga CD were very pleasurable to listen to, and bass transients were allowed to breathe because of the surprisingly deep bass response. Tori Amos also fared well; her Bösendorfer piano had real body and timbre, while her sweet vocals had realism and tangible emotion. I was impressed.

The Dancer Mini Ones are rated at 90 watts and have a lowish 86dB sensitivity, but drive them with a decent high-current amplifier of around 80 to 100w and they’ll make you smile.
GARY PEARCE

Tech Specs

Usher Dancer Mini One Floorstanding Loudspeakers $3950

Enclosure type: Floorstanding, two-way front ported reflex
Components: bass/mid – 178mm carbon fibre/paper, tweeter – 32mm pure beryllium dome x 1
Frequency Response: 38Hz-40kHz (-3dB)
Sensitivity: 87dB @ 1 watt/1m
Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal
Recommended Power Handling: 90W
Dimensions: 105 x 310 x 36.5mm (H/W/D incl plinth)
Weight: 28.2kg per speaker

Pros

• Open, detailed and punchy

• Above average sound-staging

Cons

• Better when used with powerful amplifiers

Verdict

Luscious looks, great sound quality and very reasonably priced — prepare for the stampede!

CONTACT

www.audioreference.co.nz