The Two Biggest Falsehoods About Zu Audio Omen Dirty Weekend Speakers
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But frankly-I don't see a huge difference hear between Zu's, Tekton Lore's-or Tekton's in general, and alot of Klipsch speakers.
People really seem to love them, and other really don't like them.
Lot's of used ones for sale it seems.
With horns-it's usually fatigue-but maybe some of these super dynamic, made to sound live speaker simply wear people out after awhile.
Myself why I moved away from horns-didn't enjoy them over extended periods.
With my modded AMT3's have much of the same fast powerful dynamics, but are far from fatiguing.
But it took some serious work.
With the exception of a soon coming cap change-my Infinity RSiiia's are easily listenable for hours.
Having tube preamps/amps also helps IMHO.
I have more then a few friends that have-what are most likely transparent, neutral systems.
I can appreciate them-but not for more then a relatively short time-and depending on genre as well.
I do find it surprisingly someone here found these reproducing piano correctly-I found them waaay-off-esp decay.
People really seem to love them, and other really don't like them.
Lot's of used ones for sale it seems.
With horns-it's usually fatigue-but maybe some of these super dynamic, made to sound live speaker simply wear people out after awhile.
Myself why I moved away from horns-didn't enjoy them over extended periods.
With my modded AMT3's have much of the same fast powerful dynamics, but are far from fatiguing.
But it took some serious work.
With the exception of a soon coming cap change-my Infinity RSiiia's are easily listenable for hours.
Having tube preamps/amps also helps IMHO.
I have more then a few friends that have-what are most likely transparent, neutral systems.
I can appreciate them-but not for more then a relatively short time-and depending on genre as well.
I do find it surprisingly someone here found these reproducing piano correctly-I found them waaay-off-esp decay.
I too cannot do horns in any way or fashion. They seem rough and unfinished. Dynamic, well yeah. But lots of stuff is dynamic and ugly sounding.
and yes I have really tried. One exception is the DD-67000 Everest. But they are costly.
Pio1980
AK Member
The Advent based Econowaveguide project to me doesn't have the negatives of exponential horn types.
Horn, wave-guide, lens; whatever you want to call them there are probably infinite possible geometries with varying effects on sound. Whatever, some will hate them while others love them. There a quite a few speakers out there that generate the love/hate response, not just those with horns.
Perhaps some of the issue is presenting our opinions as facts, such as the title of this thread. I will admit that some of this is caused by the marketing statements; but please aren't we all experienced enough to know that one cannot blindly take the word of marketing and salespeople?
To not get sent back my DW's had to do one thing: beat the best speakers I already had according to both my and my son's ears. Could other speakers in that price range have done it? Probably. Would these other speakers have looked good enough for my wife to let them in the family room? Not nearly as many. Would any of these other speakers have blown the DW's away? I have my doubts either way but they work for me.
And I still don't understand how listening to pink noise reveals a speaker's short comings. (post #56)
Perhaps some of the issue is presenting our opinions as facts, such as the title of this thread. I will admit that some of this is caused by the marketing statements; but please aren't we all experienced enough to know that one cannot blindly take the word of marketing and salespeople?
To not get sent back my DW's had to do one thing: beat the best speakers I already had according to both my and my son's ears. Could other speakers in that price range have done it? Probably. Would these other speakers have looked good enough for my wife to let them in the family room? Not nearly as many. Would any of these other speakers have blown the DW's away? I have my doubts either way but they work for me.
And I still don't understand how listening to pink noise reveals a speaker's short comings. (post #56)
Well I don't think anyone here seems to think, or is stating their opinions as fact so far.
Unless I missed something..
IMHO-rhis is not much difference think Schiit as well.
Some products are polarizing.
Zu sure seems to be one.
Klipsch/horn speakers.
Whatever.
Myself, they didn't sound good to me-too bright, unbalanced.
IMHO a simple user adjustable. L-pad could probably cure alot of this particular issue.
Save alot of time, and effort.
In general I prefer sealed bass box 3-way speakers.
All of my current speakers have means of adjusting the mids, and tweets.
There are good quality l-pads out there these days.
4 ohm units as well.
Esp with highly dynamic speakers-or any speaker for that matter-it makes little sense not to be able to adjust them to your listening environment.
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With just the first few responses their pickiness about placement and equipment makes them sound like more of a pain than their worth.
If you don't like horns you should try Altec Boleros. What they did there was a rolled off tweeter horn monster mids and accurate bass
If you don't like horns you should try Altec Boleros. What they did there was a rolled off tweeter horn monster mids and accurate bass
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Zu Audio - What is Going On?
First, a disclaimer: I have never heard any Zu speakers. Second, I have no axe to grind with the company, having no interactions with them. I don't even know anyone who is a customer of is affiliated. But, when I read about their designs, and see some measured results, I see a bunch of red...
www.audiosciencereview.com
How Good are Zu Speakers?
I feel a need to take care of the this itchiness caused by the Zu Definition IV, someone please tell me about Zu speakers in general. :D
forums.stevehoffman.tv
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Removing the grain (Part 2 - Zu Soul MKII and ClarityCap MR) | Darko.Audio
Swapping out the stock ERSE capacitors for ClarityCap MR in the tweeter's filter network is a simple, cost-effective way to juice a little more performance from the Zu Audio Soul MKII.
darko.audio
Eh.......
Better off going with a EL cap, then a cheap poly IMHO.
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Okay, point to a review on ASR that compares motorcycle exhaust tuning to fart sounds . Brilliant. Competitive exhaust tuning is aimed at optimizing the flow of exhaust gases to improve engine output. No reason the same type of flow analysis, with different goals, can't be applied to speaker cabinets.
I am willing to admit that the main driver on the DWs is not a true full range driver. It's a woofer that has been tweaked to not behave too badly at its extreams. I will also say that with the 'lens' on the tweeter the crossover is most likely effectively lower than the 12K stated by ZU particularly when it is a first order crossover.
I am willing to admit that the main driver on the DWs is not a true full range driver. It's a woofer that has been tweaked to not behave too badly at its extreams. I will also say that with the 'lens' on the tweeter the crossover is most likely effectively lower than the 12K stated by ZU particularly when it is a first order crossover.
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IMHO, to me alot of this stuff is marketing-whatever if it works for you.
Closed box, vented-box, PR, TL, spin offs, mods, as well as cabinet damping, volumes of books have covered these in depth (Dickason, etc).
Nothing wrong with experimenting-but's its not like people haven't done the same stuff in the past...
These guys act like they’re the only ones that have experimented this way…
Lots of big words, phrases, basically describing port, venting, resistive port damping/ experimentation
Whatever…they are a DIY.. so you have to add some splash. I get it.
Why he doesn't use a regular vent is beyond me.
You can always use foam, straws etc if needed.
Frankley-IMHO use a regular Eminence woofer.
Tune the box right-or seal it.
The port damping usually means things aren't ideal with your bass box.
I never was really satisfied with the bass on speakers with their ports plugged/partially plugged- resistive damping.
(I'm a closed box bass guy for large floor standers-dual woofers are ideal here though- the doubling/3db increase in output is heloful).
Use damping on the cabinet walls!
Use a Eminence Alpha 6a as a mid.
And your tweet.
Put l-pads on it.
That way your customers can tune it easier.
Carpet, wood floors, furnishings etc.
Good tweet/midcaps-Superior Z's/etc.
You will have more then enough "live detail' without such a driver compromise.
Or at least design a crossover that minimizes the issue with the Zu 8" chrome domer.
They wouldn't look as cool-or have the nano-marketing-that's seems to be a big part of Zu-so probably would flop.
You can always add some chrome trim to the driver edges/etc.
But I can't help but believe Zu speakers are a example of poor speaker design practices-maybe thats the ZEN???
Closed box, vented-box, PR, TL, spin offs, mods, as well as cabinet damping, volumes of books have covered these in depth (Dickason, etc).
Nothing wrong with experimenting-but's its not like people haven't done the same stuff in the past...
These guys act like they’re the only ones that have experimented this way…
Lots of big words, phrases, basically describing port, venting, resistive port damping/ experimentation
Whatever…they are a DIY.. so you have to add some splash. I get it.
Why he doesn't use a regular vent is beyond me.
You can always use foam, straws etc if needed.
Frankley-IMHO use a regular Eminence woofer.
Tune the box right-or seal it.
The port damping usually means things aren't ideal with your bass box.
I never was really satisfied with the bass on speakers with their ports plugged/partially plugged- resistive damping.
(I'm a closed box bass guy for large floor standers-dual woofers are ideal here though- the doubling/3db increase in output is heloful).
Use damping on the cabinet walls!
Use a Eminence Alpha 6a as a mid.
And your tweet.
Put l-pads on it.
That way your customers can tune it easier.
Carpet, wood floors, furnishings etc.
Good tweet/midcaps-Superior Z's/etc.
You will have more then enough "live detail' without such a driver compromise.
Or at least design a crossover that minimizes the issue with the Zu 8" chrome domer.
They wouldn't look as cool-or have the nano-marketing-that's seems to be a big part of Zu-so probably would flop.
You can always add some chrome trim to the driver edges/etc.
But I can't help but believe Zu speakers are a example of poor speaker design practices-maybe thats the ZEN???
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Detraction is the new substitute for connoisseurship.
Besides, how can one complain about proper match up when all properly made electronics are transparent to the source and, therefore, are indistinguishable from one another. This 'system match up' stuff just tells us people must be using varying levels of crap electronics. Logically, speaking.
If you have been around this hobby long enough, esp dealing with speakers.Detraction is the new substitute for connoisseurship.
Besides, how can one complain about proper match up when all properly made electronics are transparent to the source and, therefore, are indistinguishable from one another. This 'system match up' stuff just tells us people must be using varying levels of crap electronics. Logically, speaking.
You know when something sounds good, or sounds ok-but has potential, or simply sounds bad and not worth the effort.
All the zen and nano driver marketing in the world won't change that.
If you like them great!!
Who really cares??
Where all happy for you!!
Zu's ain't badges, are they??
Cheez....
Look at the title of the OP's thread...
This is the nature of audio.
People DO, and will continue to have opinions.
Yep-some of them strong...
Part of the gig........
And as I mentioned certain products, such a Zu, Schiit, Klipsch are some of those products.
Zu, they say up front about their intentional coloration.
Thats them that's setting the stage-not the consumer.
If you like it great.
But if you don’t understand, or act, oblivious, and/or feel wounded as to why other people don’t like that type of coloration, especially when it’s been explained here more than a few times-shown graphically etc-
You honestly can't be surprised about this....
As the opinions here are being formulated largely, from what I can tell, from several hard to dispute findings.
As marketing/etc studies of speakers have shown over the decades-people usually prefer speakers with a reasonably flat frequency response, at minimum.
Not ruler flat-but reasonably so-esp in certain areas where the average human ear is most sensitive.
That's pretty much a given, and hard to dispute.
Zu's FR is very ragged.
Zu Audio Dirty Weekend vs Tekton Lore Reference vs ELAC DBR62
I'm looking for comments on the above speakers...I know they aren't comparable. I've got a 25' x 30' x 8' room (living room) and I'm looking at speakers that can handle that. In this comment, Galliardist mentioned that it would be wise to go with a floorstander with an 8" or 10" woofer to get...
www.audiosciencereview.com
At least in my experience, they sound like the above FR graph...
Not close to ideal...by any measure honestly.
Plus the compromised resistive BR bass box and resonate cab's only adds to the coloring-IMHO.
Thats why many don't like them.
Duh!!
And part of the reason they are a pain to match up right, and position right.
A hot mess...
Anyone that claims these are transparent isn't being honest,”logical” or that it's "crap electronics" causing the issue.
Look at the FR graph-that's likely the main reason!!
Even the DIY Parts Express speakers have a smoother/flatter frequency response.
The Hitmakers and humble powered C Sharps for example...
(Add some great caps and you have a even bigger "it" factor....)
Just my opinion-I don't think Parts Express they would be selling many kits if they had a FR like the Zu's.
At least without prefacing them with big marketing claims.....
It's commendable if your able to work around all of this to make them sound good to your taste etc.
A BIG DOG Chopper, made into a daily driver-so to speak??
I still haven't heard one of these setups that sounds good.
I'm skeptical, as IMHO they are simply too colored for me to appreciate them.
Again, looking at the FR graph-why anyone in their right mind would question "have you given them a serious listen", etc.
Seriously-without mentioning this at the start??
I do know over the years-I have listen to some system incarnations I thought sounded "real", "live", "organic".
Way different then before.....
But it was simply a un-even frequency emphasis..combined with maybe some colorful distortion.
Nothing earth shattering, mythical or nano-zen.
Easily explained.
If you listen to a wide range of music genres like I do, one will most likely tell you the real tale-so to speak.
And while interesting …it’s not sustainable long term.
A good system-IMHO should do justice to any genre, and probably overall your best value, and bang for the buck.
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I put in the stirring emoji to try to let people know I was joking around.
I'll be more clear next time.
Gottcha.
MaxP
Super Member
I don’t think pink noise is a substitute for music. I didn’t have to do anything special as far as setup is concerned. Fairly straightforward. They didn’t sound great initially, but after putting about 500 hours into burn-in, they opened up nicely.
How long did you play with them before you decided to move them on? Did you buy them new? Did you break them in per the manufacturer’s suggestions?
Some folks just don’t like them. I cringe when I hear Heresies while some love them. That said, when set up properly (and I apply the same standards to all speakers), they sound great. I pulled them into the room, tilted them up in front with spikes, and played with toe-in a bit and that was that. Nothing complex, just common sense set up. And this was before I got serious with room treatments (I had some but not to the extent I have them now.).
This is similar to the Bose 901 debate. I have found that those who criticize the loudest have usually not had much more than a passing exposure to them - if that.
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MaxP
Super Member
I haven’t found them to be particularly finicky as far as placement is concerned.
MaxP
Super Member
If you have been around this hobby long enough, esp dealing with speakers.
You know when something sounds good, or sounds ok-but has potential, or simply sounds bad and not worth the effort.
All the zen and nano driver marketing in the world won't change that.
If you like them great!!
Who really cares??
Where all happy for you!!
Zu's ain't badges, are they??
Cheez....
Look at the title of the OP's thread...
This is the nature of audio.
People DO, and will continue to have opinions.
Yep-some of them strong...
Part of the gig........
And as I mentioned certain products, such a Zu, Schiit, Klipsch are some of those products.
Zu, they say up front about their intentional coloration.
Thats them that's setting the stage-not the consumer.
If you like it great.
But if you don’t understand, or act, oblivious, and/or feel wounded as to why other people don’t like that type of coloration, especially when it’s been explained here more than a few times-shown graphically etc-
You honestly can't be surprised about this....
As the opinions here are being formulated largely, from what I can tell, from several hard to dispute findings.
As marketing/etc studies of speakers have shown over the decades-people usually prefer speakers with a reasonably flat frequency response, at minimum.
Not ruler flat-but reasonably so-esp in certain areas where the average human ear is most sensitive.
That's pretty much a given, and hard to dispute.
Zu's FR is very ragged.
Also hard to dispute...Zu Audio Dirty Weekend vs Tekton Lore Reference vs ELAC DBR62
I'm looking for comments on the above speakers...I know they aren't comparable. I've got a 25' x 30' x 8' room (living room) and I'm looking at speakers that can handle that. In this comment, Galliardist mentioned that it would be wise to go with a floorstander with an 8" or 10" woofer to get...
At least in my experience, they sound like the above FR graph...
Not close to ideal...by any measure honestly.
Plus the compromised resistive BR bass box and resonate cab's only adds to the coloring-IMHO.
Thats why many don't like them.
Duh!!
And part of the reason they are a pain to match up right, and position right.
A hot mess...
Anyone that claims these are transparent isn't being honest,”logical” or that it's "crap electronics" causing the issue.
Look at the FR graph-that's likely the main reason!!
Even the DIY Parts Express speakers have a smoother/flatter frequency response.
The Hitmakers and humble powered C Sharps for example...
(Add some great caps and you have a even bigger "it" factor....)
Just my opinion-I don't think Parts Express they would be selling many kits if they had a FR like the Zu's.
At least without prefacing them with big marketing claims.....
It's commendable if your able to work around all of this to make them sound good to your taste etc.
A BIG DOG Chopper, made into a daily driver-so to speak??
I still haven't heard one of these setups that sounds good.
I'm skeptical, as IMHO they are simply too colored for me to appreciate them.
Again, looking at the FR graph-why anyone in their right mind would question "have you given them a serious listen", etc.
Seriously-without mentioning this at the start??
I do know over the years-I have listen to some system incarnations I thought sounded "real", "live", "organic".
Way different then before.....
But it was simply a un-even frequency emphasis..combined with maybe some colorful distortion.
Nothing earth shattering, mythical or nano-zen.
Easily explained.
If you listen to a wide range of music genres like I do, one will most likely tell you the real tale-so to speak.
And while interesting …it’s not sustainable long term.
A good system-IMHO should do justice to any genre, and probably overall your best value, and bang for the buck.
Longest post in this thread which corresponds with the amount of time you’ve spent playing with a pair, right?
Me thinks you’ve made up your mind about the Zus and no amount of facts, opinions, experience is going to change that. Do you know how I formed my opinion about Klipsch Heresies? I ignored the online chatter, got a pair, set them up in my dedicated listening room, and put them through their paces to include different amps, sources and music genres. I tried to like them but alas found them fatiguing. But I gave them a good workout before drawing conclusions.
Marketing is marketing. Every speaker manufacturer uses it to make their products look good. Nothing unusual about it IMHO.
I’m still trying to figure out why Dirty Weekends (what a great moniker!) bring out so much emotion.
I had a pair of Heresy's as well. Crossovers were redone then brought home the Boleros mention in the above post and knew the Heresy's were leaving and that was with the Boleros needing a recap. Heresy's are an entry level speaker at best and the reason you see them for sell all the time it's not hard to find a better speaker.Longest post in this thread which corresponds with the amount of time you’ve spent playing with a pair, right?
Me thinks you’ve made up your mind about the Zus and no amount of facts, opinions, experience is going to change that. Do you know how I formed my opinion about Klipsch Heresies? I ignored the online chatter, got a pair, set them up in my dedicated listening room, and put them through their paces to include different amps, sources and music genres. I tried to like them but alas found them fatiguing. But I gave them a good workout before drawing conclusions.
Marketing is marketing. Every speaker manufacturer uses it to make their products look good. Nothing unusual about it IMHO.
I’m still trying to figure out why Dirty Weekends (what a great moniker!) bring out so much emotion.