Zu Audio Omen Dirty Weekends

[AlphaEcho35]

Just ordered a set. They are apparently victims of their own success - there is a 4-6 week backlog. They still offer the 60 day return with free shipping. I am willing to wait - gotta clear out some gear to make room for them anyway.

Planning to run them with my tube gear - Fisher 800B and Magnavox 4 watt single ended. 97db sensitivity.

Actually tried to grab a nice pair of Klipsch Heresys, Forte's or Cornwalls, but they sell before I can get to them and usually go for two thirds the cost of the Omens.

Stay tuned for a review in two months LOL.

 

[cubdog]

Congratulations, I look forward to your review.

cubdog

 

[Poultrygeist]

Good choice and congrats.

 

[AlphaEcho35]

I can't believe I ordered these only two weeks ago.:sigh: Still got four weeks to go! I sure hope they are worth the wait.
I know these are controversial speakers, but after everything I have read (I haven't heard Zu's with tube amplification) I think they will have the sound I am looking for.

Nothing like rolling the dice!

 

[Crestwood23]

 

[AlphaEcho35]

CNet - "Outrageously Awesome Speaker"

Well, I wonder how this is going to affect my six week delivery date...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57591543-47/zu-audios-outrageously-awesome-speaker/

My expectations are getting ramped up pretty high - I hope these Omen DW's can deliver. One takeaway from the CNet article is the fact that the power you drive them with has a large impact on the sound (I guess that is really just common sense.)

I plan to have several of my amps in line for the testing - my 4watt single ended amp, my 25wpc Fisher 800B and my 70 watt wpc Marantz 2270.....

 

[MikeCh]

Never listened to them. Do tell once you receive them.

 

[AlphaEcho35]

Did you guys see this news report on Zu Audio? It was apparently on the local TV station near Zu International Headquarters...
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1194&sid=26044164&s_cid=rss-1194

Called them today, since it has been 6 weeks since I ordered. Still another two weeks before they ship out. I sure hope these speakers will make me forget how long it took to get them....

 

[Zonker92]

Nice. They look like a great value. I'll be curious what you think, too.

 

[AlphaEcho35]

Finally here!!

After almost eight weeks, the Omen DW's have arrived!

Hot off the UPS truck, here are some pics of the packaging. The cardboard had two punctures, but they seemed minimal, and I had the UPS driver note them in his delivery log. Upon inspection, the speakers were not marred.

Here's the first one with its speaker cover still in place....

Here they are together, fully unboxed, with the Monitor Audio Silver 5i that they will (hopefully) be replacing in the background

 

[sebrof]

Sangria Red, very nice. I had the Ghost Black.
Lots of setup tips and tweaks if you search, don't be afraid to paly with positioning, height (critical IMO), rake angle, etc. Once I got mine set up properly I liked them a lot.
I thought they did fine on only a few watts.
Enjoy!

 

[AlphaEcho35]

Underneath shots...

Here's the bottom of the speakers - Zu insists that these "finger port" are not the same as traditional bass-reflex ports, but they must be at least 1/4" clearance between them and the floor.

The carpet feet are basically threaded rod inserts about 2 inches long, with "rounded" bottoms.

 

[Poultrygeist]

Gorgeous color. I posted lots of tips on set up and they're here somewhere.

I believe I read the drivers are trade-ins so you won't need to break them in. But if you've never listened to full range speakers before your ears may need the break in.

 

[Taowolf51]

A gorgeous set of speakers to be sure, I hope the sound matches the stellar looks.

 

[Mystery]

After almost eight weeks, the Omen DW's have arrived!

Hot off the UPS truck, here are some pics of the packaging. The cardboard had two punctures, but they seemed minimal, and I had the UPS driver note them in his delivery log. Upon inspection, the speakers were not marred.

Nice! :thmbsp:

Hopefully, UPS driver didn't think they are something to get dirty in the weekends.

 

[AlphaEcho35]

Powering them with my Fisher 800B right now - using the 8ohm taps. So far, they have a forward presence, with lots of detail. I am trying to wean myself from using a sub - my MA sub is a beast, but I want to want to run the system without it. Flicking on the loudness contour switch on the 800B produced copious amounts of low frequencies, but I am trying to run all tone controls flat.

 

[StevenZ]

Great looking speakers, Greg. I'd love to swing by for a listen one day

-Steven

 

[Crestwood23]

Very cool - congrats! Are those carpet spikes in that little baggie? If so, do you plan on using them? So far have you found the speakers to excel with any specific music genres in particular?

 

[Zonker92]

if you've never listened to full range speakers before your ears may need the break in.

I thought they were coax? Anyway, they look really sweet.

 

[ChuckNOS]

Congrats! Please post a review when you get a chance especially how they compare to the Monitor Audio Silvers you had. I auditioned silver MAs but they seemed to be missing something and were more expensive (I think)than the Omens. (Sales guy wouldn't give me a price till I was ready to decide!)

So I just put a call into Zu to order a pair of the same. The web site said a 3 week wait but on the phone the rep said about 6 weeks.

I'm ordering based on reviews and dissatisfaction with auditioning speakers at local shops that would not allow me to bring home a pair to audition. And i just don't like most sales people. At least if i don't like the Omens I can send them back.