RGA
Super Member
That's not fair - everything sounds better with 2A3 - maybe not better "loudly" but better. I LOVE the 2a3
Zu Audio Speakers...Not a Discussion!
- Thread starter Art K.
- Start date
R Martellaro
New Member
I listen at 75db to 80db. Bass and dynamics are strong and satisfying. Less than 75db runs into Fletcher-Munson. Amps are Rogue Audio Atlas Magnum (kt120) and 99 Magnum. Room is 16x19, listening to both kinds of music, that is, Rhythm and Blues.
Best regards,
Robert Martellaro
This is with a Musical paradise MP301 at 6.5 watts and average 73db listening level and is plenty for me .
freQ(*)Oddio
Super Member
I Always wondered why most speaker manufacturers always choose crossover points in the most critical and sensitive listening ranges, Zu is a very smart design, a design I have often wondered about, that is, choosing a much higher crossover point, so the low, mids, and high mids, have no crossover, thus putting more range on 1 driver, and then adding a crossover point only on the very high end, where we expect a change naturally to happen anyway. Excellent work and thanks for the "out of the norm" engineering and perfect results Zu audio !!
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
I Always wondered why most speaker manufacturers always choose crossover points in the most critical and sensitive listening ranges, Zu is a very smart design, a design I have often wondered about, that is, choosing a much higher crossover point, so the low, mids, and high mids, have no crossover, thus putting more range on 1 driver, and then adding a crossover point only on the very high end, where we expect a change naturally to happen anyway. Excellent work and thanks for the "out of the norm" engineering and perfect results Zu audio !!
The Omen tweeters come in so high the speakers could best be described as a 1 1/2 way.
The big 10 inch wide band Eminence drivers practically run full range.
freQ(*)Oddio
Super Member
yes true my friend, full range, with just a little more magic on top
subtlebeast
Active Member
I usually listen around 75-80 db. It took me months to get the placement right for me. I noticed the bass and imagining changed with the slightest movement. Probably not the best positioning but it works for me and that's really what matters 
. I was torn between The Omen Def Mk 2 with Radian tweeters and the Soul Supremes but Sean recommended the Omens with my room, amp, and the fact I listen in a seated position. Overall, I just love them. 
. I was torn between The Omen Def Mk 2 with Radian tweeters and the Soul Supremes but Sean recommended the Omens with my room, amp, and the fact I listen in a seated position. Overall, I just love them. 
avanti1960
Well-Known Member
I Always wondered why most speaker manufacturers always choose crossover points in the most critical and sensitive listening ranges, Zu is a very smart design, a design I have often wondered about, that is, choosing a much higher crossover point, so the low, mids, and high mids, have no crossover, thus putting more range on 1 driver, and then adding a crossover point only on the very high end, where we expect a change naturally to happen anyway. Excellent work and thanks for the "out of the norm" engineering and perfect results Zu audio !!
they choose crossover points at critical frequencies because the drivers (and usually the speaker system) sounds their best when restricted to the ones in their chosen bandwidth. the masterful ones do this very well- e.g. Harbeth 2-ways with a 3Khz crossover frequency.
for example, a larger driver tends to laser beam frequencies depending on diameter. e.g. a 6-1/2" driver starts beaming / becoming highly directional at ~ 2000 Hz. This affects the tonality at the listening position as well as creating a very narrow sweet zone.
another issue driver harmonic distortion. most woofers regardless of size have higher amounts of harmonic distortion as they try to broadcast higher frequencies. look at the sites Zaph audio or SoundStage Network for response and distortion plots. In addition to the distortion, when larger drivers start playing higher frequencies the response becomes uneven or ragged, creating nasty peaks that are audible if not handled in the crossover with something called a notch filter, which creates its own set of issues.
however there is a great way to do this and I am not sure why more speaker makers do not make use of multiple midrange size wideband drivers. some 4" wide band designs can play most of the frequency spectrum without fuss- e.g. 200 to 5000 Hz. crossovers in those frequencies tend to minimize the ill effects of phase miss-matching.
i'm sure the Zu speakers have minimized some of the issues mentioned above within their designs but they are far from a panacea and are not without compromise just like any other speaker.
avanti1960
Well-Known Member
As an example to the above post, the link shows some frequency and distortion plots from the Zu Cable Druid.
No offense but I do not have to listen to them to know that I could never own them.
http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/measurements/zucable_druid/
No offense but I do not have to listen to them to know that I could never own them.
http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/measurements/zucable_druid/
Poultrygeist
Lunatic Member
I recall one owner of the early Druids preferred his less expensive Omens. Thankfully most of us judge speakers by the way they sound.
avanti1960
Well-Known Member
I do the same- but have built and measured so many speakers over the years that predicting how they will sound and how they measure does have a relationship.
I wanted to hear the Zu Soul Supremes at the AXPONA audio show but the Zu Audio room did not open on the day I attended. I bet those sound great and have the dynamic realism that they are known for while minimizing any design and response compromises.
ernieS
Well-Known Member
I’ve just purchased a pair of 2021 Dirty Omen. When paired with my Mitsubishi separates, I can stop your heart. I’ve never heard the like. And I’ve owned, and do own, some very fine speakers. Am I a fan!
