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Zu

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Wideband / Full range Speaker Design

Some people when offered a selection from a box of chocolates will only choose what they consider their favorite, or the only one or two they "like" to the exclusion of all others...:banana:

Wideband speakers run full range (no crossover) definately have a different presentation than say a 4way with associated complex crossover. Done right, either design can sound amazing, but not even the same. Peoples likes or dislikes can vary as much as their individual experiences, thinking processes, their individual biological ears, canals, inner ears.

Partisanism to one design or against another can be based on actual individually drawn conclusions, dominate peer group pressure, limited equipment access, laziness, economics, lack of curiosity / adventure, etc...:scratch2:

What matters most is how they can sound in your system, in your room, with your equipment, to your ears...:thmbsp:
 
Tom Brennan said:
Soul Superfly? I thought that was a joke. And from Utah no less.

Note that for the above mentioned speaker Zu claims 101db AND 30hz bass with a cabinet of less than 3 cubic feet; that doesn't sound Kosher. However they don't claim a response window, maybe that 30hz is 300 db down?

I prefer the Bose method of simply not supplying specs to this.
Click to expand...

Bose and Zu? Sounds like an Apples to Apples comparison to me. :thmbsp:

It's interest to note that, as some have mentioned, that the recent Audio Rag's reviews are evidently quite good........as the reviews were earlier, when they gushed over the (truly awful) Druids!

I'm afraid that in this case it's hardly reassuring.

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
One reason I consider the Zu Omen is it's price--1000.00 is not chump change to me, but it is very affordable. Not to many ''box store " speakers I would consider for that price.
 
JoMoCo said:
Some people when offered a selection from a box of chocolates will only choose what they consider their favorite, or the only one or two they "like" to the exclusion of all others...:banana:

Wideband speakers run full range (no crossover) definately have a different presentation than say a 4way with associated complex crossover. Done right, either design can sound amazing, but not even the same. Peoples likes or dislikes can vary as much as their individual experiences, thinking processes, their individual biological ears, canals, inner ears.

Partisanism to one design or against another can be based on actual individually drawn conclusions, dominate peer group pressure, limited equipment access, laziness, economics, lack of curiosity / adventure, etc...:scratch2:

What matters most is how they can sound in your system, in your room, with your equipment, to your ears...:thmbsp:
Click to expand...

To my highly trained ear, the ones I heard certainly sounded awful, almost like an extremely poor design.
:thumbsdn:

Thanks for bringing these sociological factors to mind.

My only other problem with the Zu speakers is that they have misrepresented so many aspects of their product (there's a harsher word for it, but I'm a very sensitive sort).

Here's a question: Is it possible for a Company have a congenital defect... like lying?

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
People will lie for any of the big three. Materialism /personal gain, Religion /self engrandisment, Politics /power lust. :scratch2:
 
It's choice a) in Zu's case JoMoCo. There are probably less than 200 dollars worth of parts in those 2600 dollar speakers and no trained engineers involved that I can see, butter up a couple of "audiophile" rags and you've got a nice racket assuming you have no scruples. :( x 100

This is the sort of thing that kills the hobby IMO.
 
Wow, this is pretty interesting. I was hankering for them after reading 6moons review of the original MiniWatt, where they featured prominently.
 
6 Moons equals nice graphic design and totally misleading articles on actual equipment in my not so humble opinion having heard a *lot* of systems and learning about setting up pro gear currently.
 
HepCat if you really want to go the low powered tube route get some old Altecs or Klipschorns, or Tannoys, they'll walk all over that Zu junk.
 
I've heard 3 systems with Zu Druids and attended a conference in Vegas that used a few of Zu's higher end speakers in a PA system.

In all three Druid systems I've heard, I honestly didn't get the appeal, at all. Heard them used with some SET amps, i don't recall the amps used at the AKfest in 05 or 06, and heard them with a low powered Pass amp of some sort. I can usually find things I like about most high end speakers, but not so with the Druids. There was essentially no ability to produce anything resembling deep bass. The highs, even with the magical SET smoothness bandaid, were harsh. Moving around the room changed the tonal presentation significantly. If you think the druids sound bad, there is a sure fire way to make them worse. Use the Zu subwoofers designed for them. There are no "highend" subwoofers on the market with greater ability to produce only a single note.

In their PA application in Vegas, they actually did a real nice job or relaying vocals for the conference I was attending and later on, during dinner, they did a fair job reproducing background music in a very large venue.

I have the opportunity to hear some high end Zu speakers a local purchased. His system is very impressive otherwise (avid turntable, atmasphere OTL amps, and a very nice phono preamp. I'm looking forward to seeing how they sound.

In case my description wasn't clear enough, I consider the Druids the very worst "high end" speakers I have ever encountered and I can't imagine a scenario where I'd want to subject myself to them. HOwever, other people seem to love them, so if you have a chance to hear them, i'd encourage it.
 
Just to be sure to clarify, two of the three druid systems were 5 years old, the other was new. They had the same sonic character. IOW, no bass, shouty mids, annoying highs.
 
Thanks Barredowl, I've heard Altecs and Klipsch (Heresy only), and have yet to hear Tannoys, but I'll keep a lookout for any of them.

This is a very eye-opening thread with posts from several members whom I respect quite a bit, thank you for your thoughts.
 
Klipschorns are waaaaaaaay better than Herseys and can be had for about the same price (used in great shape) as the Zu super flies. Which Altecs did you hear?
 
As usual Zu brings out the best in everyone. Interesting that the Druid seems to be the only Zu speaker anyone here has heard. Keep in mind that I am not a Zu fan or a detractor and in fact couldn't care less one way or another. I just think it's interesting or at least funny how so many with so little experience with a speaker line can have such strong opinions about them.
 
dnewma04 said:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~snip~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you think the druids sound bad, there is a sure fire way to make them worse. Use the Zu subwoofers designed for them. There are no "highend" subwoofers on the market with greater ability to produce only a single note.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~snip~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click to expand...

Dave,

That's quite a statement, as there's some pretty heavy competition out there.
It would seem that their whole system was designed to a certain level of consistent synergy and that ain't easy.

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
Art K. said:
I just think it's interesting or at least funny how so many with so little experience with a speaker line can have such strong opinions about them.
Click to expand...


One needn't be experienced with a speaker to know it isn't going to give much 30hz bass if it's 101db sensitive and in a box less then 3 cubic feet.
 
In my years, I don't recall hearing anything I liked from Zu. In fact, I don't recall hearing Zu speakers at all... Certainly, I had to hear them at least once.. Now in my mind, that's telling. I don't remember bad, at least I try not to..

Further, in my years on this board, I don't recall a thread where some of the normally neutral members that posted negatively on this thread, ever posted anything as negative as they did here. Incredibly telling to me..

Would I recommend listening to them? Yes. I'd like to listen to them now! Just for yucks, mind you.. they must be horrid.. :yes:
 
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