I've got to believe ZU's marketing is just better at getting under some peoples skins.
For the record I kind of liked Heresy's when I heard them, though that was close to fifty years ago.
The Two Biggest Falsehoods About Zu Audio Omen Dirty Weekend Speakers
- Thread starter Shug451
- Start date
-
- Tags
- dirty weekend omen zu audio
For the record I kind of liked Heresy's when I heard them, though that was close to fifty years ago.
Pio1980
AK Member
Heresey was an old-school 3-way smaller center channel "fill" for the larger models, that also served as a managably sized entry level offering in the original Klipsch line.
Read the postLongest 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.
"If you like them great!!"
If you figured them out-super duper.
But a quick look at the FR graph tells you why some don't like them.
Again-title of OP's thread....
I have heard them more then a few times
I wasn't impressed each time.
To me they sounded thin, tilted, overly colored mids-and the FR graph confirms what I heard.
(FIY-thats my own opinion I formulated. The other thread links were other peoples opinions.
I never mentioned I agreed with everything contained in them-they were FIY's)
Again in person hearing them-more then once-and after the fact looking at a FR graph
Yep thats what I did seem to hear.
Thats enough for most reasonable people to say "hey they aren't worth the hassle".
Lot's of great sounding speakers with the "it" factor out there.
Again-it's commendable you put in the effort to make them work.
Never mentioned I was not open to hearing a good sounding Zu setup.
I said I was skeptical given #1-my in person hearing the DW's so far, and #2 the awful FR graph.
Audio is full of surprises.
I do know, from personal experiences with working, and modding speakers for years- that sometimes a tilt with certain frequencies can cause one to think they are hearing more detail, a inner perspective, Memorex or live-when it's simply a frequency emphasis, etc.
Esp when you knee deep in a project.
So it's not like I haven't heard my share of different sounding speaker etc to begin with.
NOS Dac's also come to mind.
Some people feel they are life changing, organic, true to life-Memorex or live.
Others can't stand them.
To me the Zu's sounded like a incomplete DIY speaker project.
Zu did set themself up marketing wise IMHO.
Thats a valid part of this discussion, as to claims vs reality.
But that's not why I didn't like them so far.
As I pointed out.
I love some of Schiit's DACS, and own 2.
I think some of their marketing is lame-most of it honestly.
But I appreciate the end result in the 2 products I do have
As far as long post-I do it all the time
Whatever.....
Heresy's, the originals were made to be center speakers.
Bass thin, in your skull, narrow imaging.
Don't like the early versions.
The new ones sound pretty good IMHO, esp compared to the older ones.
Deeper bass, smoother FR, and wider sweet spot.
Frankly one of the best early Heresy's I heard had Dayton ST-255-12's in it.
For main listening I prefer full size floor standers without the need of subs.
Speakers that are high enough to project the sound throughout the room, regardless if your sitting or standing.
And have a wide sweet spot.
People, here including myself are passionate about audio.
Has little to do with a emotional response. per se.
Shop talk like lots of threads here.
Last edited:
I'm a fairly new owner of some DW6's, they sound great - love em. They replaced some Vandersteen Model 1's, which I like a lot. The Zu's are much more dynamic and the bass sounds so much cleaner and articulate (in my room).
The new DW6's have a rear facing port BTW, easier to set up and place than the older ones.
I don't find them fatiguing, I've had some long listening sessions at hilarious SPL's. They sound great at low volumes too.
It's all a matter of taste. One can find a trollish reviewer on a forum that posts some FR sweeps that confirm what you hear, great... move on to another speaker. I could find some great reviews and post links to those "confirming" what I hear - but I know that would be a waste of time. Either way, it is a matter of taste.
The new DW6's have a rear facing port BTW, easier to set up and place than the older ones.
I don't find them fatiguing, I've had some long listening sessions at hilarious SPL's. They sound great at low volumes too.
It's all a matter of taste. One can find a trollish reviewer on a forum that posts some FR sweeps that confirm what you hear, great... move on to another speaker. I could find some great reviews and post links to those "confirming" what I hear - but I know that would be a waste of time. Either way, it is a matter of taste.
I couldn't tell you anything about the DW6's.
Myself was referring to the OG models.
FIY all the FR's I have seen have the same basic lines, more or less despite differing degrees.
Thats the basic character...
Like any other speaker on the planet.
Not a end all-be all but they have information that's important as a starting point.
If you happen to like those speakers-it doesn't make you a idiot.
But if you read other experiences-that's why alot of people don't like them.
It has a similar theme.
And parallels with those FR graphs-from different sources.
Even those who do like them, and the involved work around reflects those graphs.
No conspiracy-no us against them...n
Yes, there are many work arounds-as one can read @ AK for short comings in rooms or speakers.
If you have found that place great!!
I don't think I have read here anyone thinks Zu owners are tinned eared, or idiots.
But the FR graphs don't lie what your up against.
No conspiracy...
Maybe I missed something?
Whatever...
Agreed audio is up to taste....and can be a very subjective hobby.
For myself-my main issue with the OG's DW's was the bass.
Unbalanced making it sound bright.
Why I mentioned the l-pad perhaps being helpful as a start.
If it was full, low distortion and tuneful bass, the other issues would be easier to work around IMHO-with out a total redesign.
Tektons go the opposite route.
Almost too forceful, perhaps a little bump (the Lores can hoot at times as well )
Softer on top.
But for my taste-that would be easier to deal with.
Put a Great Heil on them and enjoy for example.
Their FR graphs BTY reflect their sound character as well.
As mentioned, -I have not heard the array models.
They seemed to have solved the laid back nature.
But a matter of taste.
Last edited:
Curious, is this supposed to be directed towards me?
I would assume this thread and it's adult participants haven’t resorted to some sort of snarky, passive/aggressive name calling in a indirect random post without even the courtesy of proper direction?
Wow how lame can you get?
Not to mention it’s a great way to get the thread shut down...
Disagree if you will, state your case, but resorting to name calling, regardless of your reasoning has no place here.
If this wasn't the case, my bad....
I apologize for jumping to conclusions.
If it was the case-knock it off...
No one here needs to ever apologize, for their opinions, thoughts or taste in audio.
The beauty is the free flow.
If you don't like a post or thread-move on!
But resorting to name calling, is totally uncalled for regardless of your position on any of the above.
Because it's simply a lame-but obvious attempt at stifling the free flow of ideas.
Grow up…
Thanks
Last edited:
MaxP
Super Member
I think all is copacetic. I personally have no issues with any of this. Everyone is endowed with an opinion they are free to share. Everyone seems to be playing respectfully.
I really like my brother-in-law’s system (the one with the DWs I broke in). My only criticism is the lack of sorely needed room treatments. It would sound even better. All that said, and I won’t be trading my Von Schweikerts in on a pair in the foreseeable future.
I really like my brother-in-law’s system (the one with the DWs I broke in). My only criticism is the lack of sorely needed room treatments. It would sound even better. All that said, and I won’t be trading my Von Schweikerts in on a pair in the foreseeable future.
Agreed.I think all is copacetic. I personally have no issues with any of this. Everyone is endowed with an opinion they are free to share. Everyone seems to be playing respectfully.
I really like my brother-in-law’s system (the one with the DWs I broke in). My only criticism is the lack of sorely needed room treatments. It would sound even better. All that said, and I won’t be trading my Von Schweikerts in on a pair in the foreseeable future.
I could be off base-but frankly it seems a bit too obvious.
I don't take offense personally.
I'm 60+ and have been called plenty of names.
Whatever man....
(try to tell your 15 year old twin girls this!!)
The implied intent behind any sort of garbage like that here on this forum is what I don't appreciate
Not good…
I do think some-for whatever reasons are oblivious to even their own intent….not good either…
OK-enough garbage talk.
I would imagine the newer Zu's with real porting might be fine.
Hard to say.
Again-I find it commendable people are making these work.
I think it's awesome.
And a testament to their audio fortitude
Very cool..
I find the parallels and non parallels between ZU and Tekton fascinating.
In Erics case, he is certainly making the pages these days....
The VS are interesting speakers and much appreciated here.
I'm down to 2 the 3's in RSiiia for big ones.
I have had the luxury of years dialing in the floor standers.
The other Mojo 3 pair went to a owner of a 150 year old bridge building company in Iowa
Also have a few P.E. kits for the kids studio.
And a Fostex TL kit.
I have to say-efficient dynamic speakers are easier to dial in if you have tube amps and preamps.
They seem to go hand in hand.
I was a SS guy for years-but went back to my fist exposure to audio, and my dads H/K kit built Citation gear.
I should have done it 30 years ago!
The nice thing with tubes-esp PL's is you can roll preamp, and power amps, and totally change how your amps sounds driving your speakers.
For ex the OG DW's
Some KT88's and PSavne preamps would most likely help them sound better.
To me these Zu's and Tekton Lores and the like scream tube amplification.
Last edited:
MaxP
Super Member
I ran them here with solid state amplification and where they landed they are also being powered by solid state. I would love to hear them with tube amplification! I have a Conrad Johnson hybrid amp in my main system that I would love to hear with the DWs…just thinking out loud.
Sure.
To me-looking at Zu's, and Tekton's first creations-the scream tube amplification.
I have a EVO 300/AVA Trancendance 10RB I run my Infinity's with.
And a Prologue 5/AVA CFRB combo with the 3's.
The Evo's are a step up-but the later Prologues are great.
Better internals then the originals
I mainly stick with KT88's (Mullard NP) and Gold Line small signals.
The Evo uses 4 driver 12AU7's-alond with the mains.
GL in the mains-but using them in all 4 driver slots sounded great, but leaned out the bass a bit too much.
The Infinity's are online for a total recap-new pot's and Mojo mods-so who knows after that.
I have a bunch of different power tubes I will swap out at times.
KT88's are the all around go to IMHO
Anything above a KT88, sounds too SS for myself.
Speaking of Primaluna-they are not without their conspiracy guy's
Mainly because they think they don;t use the different tubes right/and or should stick with certain types of tubes.
IMHO it's just the opposite-you can here, and appreciate distinct differences.
Weird, but that's the way we seem to roll these days...some sort of catch, etc..
Last night I pulled the trigger on a pair of DW6 Superfly that were in the Ready To Ship section (the actual ones pictured below). They are new, but were called out as having a unique veneer that I guess they didn't want to sell as new...I like it. There was a discount for that + I live in Salt Lake City and will pick them up and save shipping.
I'm going to have fun, my amp collection consists of (in order of power):
--Decware Zen
--DIY Pass Amp Camp Amp
--DIY Aleph J clone
--Rotel RA-12 integrated
--McIntosh MC275
--McIntosh MC462
I'm eager to see how these do with 450 watts a channel in my 15x25' room
The catalyst for this purchase was my current upstairs system (vs. my downstairs system in its own room) is the Rotel paired with KEF LS50 Metas. It sounds good, but I use it to fill the entire upper floor. As you can imagine, those KEFs are working very hard and not really cutting it. The plan is using these in their place. However, I am eager to try these in my main system and see if I like them. That would create a whole new set of problems, as it doesn't solve the original reason for buying them!
With that, this is a hobby for me, and despite having 3 low-power amps, all my other speakers have sensitivity ratings in the 80's and really are not ideal for those. This gives me something to play there. My other speakers also tend to be more on the polite side of things.
Probably will be next Friday before I can sneak out of work to get them, then I have a business trip the next week, so few weeks before I will have any sort of feeling for them.
I'm going to have fun, my amp collection consists of (in order of power):
--Decware Zen
--DIY Pass Amp Camp Amp
--DIY Aleph J clone
--Rotel RA-12 integrated
--McIntosh MC275
--McIntosh MC462
I'm eager to see how these do with 450 watts a channel in my 15x25' room
The catalyst for this purchase was my current upstairs system (vs. my downstairs system in its own room) is the Rotel paired with KEF LS50 Metas. It sounds good, but I use it to fill the entire upper floor. As you can imagine, those KEFs are working very hard and not really cutting it. The plan is using these in their place. However, I am eager to try these in my main system and see if I like them. That would create a whole new set of problems, as it doesn't solve the original reason for buying them!
With that, this is a hobby for me, and despite having 3 low-power amps, all my other speakers have sensitivity ratings in the 80's and really are not ideal for those. This gives me something to play there. My other speakers also tend to be more on the polite side of things.
Probably will be next Friday before I can sneak out of work to get them, then I have a business trip the next week, so few weeks before I will have any sort of feeling for them.
I had great luck with the Camp Amp and my old Altec 601-D's.Last night I pulled the trigger on a pair of DW6 Superfly that were in the Ready To Ship section (the actual ones pictured below). They are new, but were called out as having a unique veneer that I guess they didn't want to sell as new...I like it. There was a discount for that + I live in Salt Lake City and will pick them up and save shipping.
I'm going to have fun, my amp collection consists of (in order of power):
--Decware Zen
--DIY Pass Amp Camp Amp
--DIY Aleph J clone
--Rotel RA-12 integrated
--McIntosh MC275
--McIntosh MC462
I'm eager to see how these do with 450 watts a channel in my 15x25' room
The catalyst for this purchase was my current upstairs system (vs. my downstairs system in its own room) is the Rotel paired with KEF LS50 Metas. It sounds good, but I use it to fill the entire upper floor. As you can imagine, those KEFs are working very hard and not really cutting it. The plan is using these in their place. However, I am eager to try these in my main system and see if I like them. That would create a whole new set of problems, as it doesn't solve the original reason for buying them!
With that, this is a hobby for me, and despite having 3 low-power amps, all my other speakers have sensitivity ratings in the 80's and really are not ideal for those. This gives me something to play there. My other speakers also tend to be more on the polite side of things.
Probably will be next Friday before I can sneak out of work to get them, then I have a business trip the next week, so few weeks before I will have any sort of feeling for them.
View attachment 3175704
jazzmans - thanks, I do like the finish, and it certainly played a factor in getting them. If they end up living upstairs, they will be highly visible and while it's just me at home, I wanted something that looks nice in my main room.
automojo - yes I am excited to finally have some high-efficiency speakers to let it really work. Right now the ACA is doing computer audio duty (with a Schiit Asgard Multibit...how is THAT for another controversial piece!) and a pair of very low sensitivity Sonus Faber Lumina I (84 db, yikes!).
My main speakers are Sonus Faber Liuto Towers (large 3-way design) with a REL S/812, I alternate between the two Macs (though the MC275 has really won my heart, especially with 6550s in place of the KT88s). The funny thing is when I first got the KEFs, I tried them on the MC275...and I felt it just didn't have the grunt to really make them come alive. Put them on the MC462 and they just explode. Of course, nobody in their right mind would pair those two units!
So I will certainly compare with the LS50 Meta with the Zu, but also use the Sonus Fabers as another reference point. I am prepared to possibly fall in love with the Zu and want to keep them in my main system. Again, I'm going to have a lot of fun playing with all the amp/speaker combos.
automojo - yes I am excited to finally have some high-efficiency speakers to let it really work. Right now the ACA is doing computer audio duty (with a Schiit Asgard Multibit...how is THAT for another controversial piece!) and a pair of very low sensitivity Sonus Faber Lumina I (84 db, yikes!).
My main speakers are Sonus Faber Liuto Towers (large 3-way design) with a REL S/812, I alternate between the two Macs (though the MC275 has really won my heart, especially with 6550s in place of the KT88s). The funny thing is when I first got the KEFs, I tried them on the MC275...and I felt it just didn't have the grunt to really make them come alive. Put them on the MC462 and they just explode. Of course, nobody in their right mind would pair those two units!
So I will certainly compare with the LS50 Meta with the Zu, but also use the Sonus Fabers as another reference point. I am prepared to possibly fall in love with the Zu and want to keep them in my main system. Again, I'm going to have a lot of fun playing with all the amp/speaker combos.
Those look great. I received a brand new pair last week in the basic satin black. I really wanted the hickory or cosmic carbon, but i had to keep the cost down considered the shipping charge to Alaska. But I’m happy the finish is flawless and the color absorbs light in a very cool way. I think you’ll find they are constructed very well, and nice to look at.Last night I pulled the trigger on a pair of DW6 Superfly that were in the Ready To Ship section (the actual ones pictured below). They are new, but were called out as having a unique veneer that I guess they didn't want to sell as new...I like it. There was a discount for that + I live in Salt Lake City and will pick them up and save shipping.
I'm going to have fun, my amp collection consists of (in order of power):
--Decware Zen
--DIY Pass Amp Camp Amp
--DIY Aleph J clone
--Rotel RA-12 integrated
--McIntosh MC275
--McIntosh MC462
I'm eager to see how these do with 450 watts a channel in my 15x25' room
The catalyst for this purchase was my current upstairs system (vs. my downstairs system in its own room) is the Rotel paired with KEF LS50 Metas. It sounds good, but I use it to fill the entire upper floor. As you can imagine, those KEFs are working very hard and not really cutting it. The plan is using these in their place. However, I am eager to try these in my main system and see if I like them. That would create a whole new set of problems, as it doesn't solve the original reason for buying them!
With that, this is a hobby for me, and despite having 3 low-power amps, all my other speakers have sensitivity ratings in the 80's and really are not ideal for those. This gives me something to play there. My other speakers also tend to be more on the polite side of things.
Probably will be next Friday before I can sneak out of work to get them, then I have a business trip the next week, so few weeks before I will have any sort of feeling for them.
View attachment 3175704
I too use mine to listen from the whole lower level of my home, and the sound excellent at high SPL. They really keep it together when they are loud. I’m enjoying them a lot, very fun speaker. Interested in how they compare, to your ears, agains your current loudspeaker.
Hi all, as promised a follow-up. VERY long post with images.
Zu Audio - picking up my new DW 6 at the factory in Ogden, UT (5 images!)
First part will be my factory visit, second part a quick initial review of the speakers. For years, the Dirty Weekends have been on my radar as a fun, high-sensitivity speaker to contrast all the other speakers I have with sensitivity in the mid-80s. I just never got around to it, and I also...
audiokarma.org
ernieS
Well-Known Member
I picked up a pair of 2021 dirty Omens. I put Jupiter caps in yesterday. Oh my heavens, what a gorgeous top end. I have my pair running on a Rotel RC-1570 preamp, RB-1092 amp, Node2i streamer. Absolutely beautiful sounding. I made a 1” thick Black Walnut pad, then set them to 1/2” altitude. I won’t change a thing. Their perfect.
Every speaker has setup issues. Nar one of my sets sounded good without tweaking a bit. My favorite setup for most of my speakers uses old Mitsubishi gear.
Attachments
ernieS
Well-Known Member
Late to this discussion, but it’s all great reading. Had my DW Omens (2021) for some time. Ive tried them with Rotel, Hafler, Adcom. My fav is Mitsubishi DA-P20 preamp, DA-A15DC amp. Mitsubishi made incredible gear back in the 70’s. I also used their spike kits to both raise, and lean them to the rear 6 degrees. Really helped the low end. It also helped the top end. I’ve Jupiter caps. They seem far less bright.
Attachments
Sniffy
New Member
Exactly the same experience. My Stereomour II plays incredibly well with the DWIIs. Also, completely agree with OP that placement is paramount. The DWs are very fussy about where they sit in a room.