Usher BE20D xover upgrade via GR Research

sbo6

VIP/Donor
May 18, 2014
1,659
593
480
Round Rock, TX
Just upgraded the xovers in the Usher BE20Ds to GR Research upgrade kit. Changes include:
- tube connector speaker terminals (internal wire to speaker cable banana terminal now <1/4" away
- upgraded internal wire to custom oxygen free copper
- all components upgraded to Sonicaps, Erse coils, Mills resistors. Also went above kit to add Sonicap poly bypass caps.
- Kit modifies xover points for the woofers and mid (woofer now less intrusive in mid frequencies)
- Kit allows for stock bass output or 2 levels of change (-1.5dB or -3dB)
- All drivers now direct soldered to terminals with Mundorf silver solder

Currently breaking the xovers in with my cheapo Yamaha HT receiver. GR recommends 200 hours for all components except the poly caps which can take up to 500 hours. Will be interesting to hear the results in a few weeks.....
 

sbo6

VIP/Donor
May 18, 2014
1,659
593
480
Round Rock, TX
100 hours in this weekend had a quick listening session - some things already have improved. Increased clarity in the mid range and tighter bass. However, sound stage is a mess, some songs sound quite compressed, just disorganized. Next listening session will be Friday night; should have ~240 hours so I hope it's 90% baked! :)
 

sbo6

VIP/Donor
May 18, 2014
1,659
593
480
Round Rock, TX
500+ hours and they are fully baked. Definitely better, just more of what I last posted. 1 note for anyone thinking of doing this upgrade - be careful what you wish for in terms of increased resolution and clarity, you'll get that goodness along with the badness of hearing any imperfections of upstream equipment and poor material. But in the long run, to me it was well worth it.
 

steve59

Well-Known Member
Jan 7, 2018
356
110
150
BUMP, It sounds like that upgrade could be room/equipment dependent? If I go this route is it a kit you order and then do the work yourself?
 

sbo6

VIP/Donor
May 18, 2014
1,659
593
480
Round Rock, TX
Steve59, please see the other thread with my reply. Net is - yes I ordered a kit from GR Research and it was well worth it.
 

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