[jcoat007]

I wanted to relay an experience that I recently had with Zu Cable.  In this business of audio, the smaller firms have to go above and beyond because word-of-mouth is so important.  That goes for product quality, value and customer service.  I have always received exceptional customer service from the guys at Zu and I have been buying their cables for several years now.  I recently had an exceptional customer service experience that I wanted to relay to you all here at AC.  

A few months ago I purchased the Druid loudspeaker and have been very happy with them.  Extremely happy would be more appropriate.  Well, Mom said, “Never play ball in the house” and one day I should have remembered that.  My five year old boy and his buddy were playing in my music room (which I never, never allow) and all of sudden the worst sound you can imagine fills the room.  One of my Druids had crashed and on the way down it hit my equipment rack.  It narrowly missed my transport, put a big dent in a Neuance shelf and did some pretty sever damage to my Druid.  

So I ship it to Zu immediately and call them to tell them my story of woe.  I really had no idea what to expect.  Worse case, I may have to buy a new single speaker.  Best case, maybe they can repair it.  Well, the result was neither.  I get a call telling me that the cabinet is toast.  The joints were broken and there really is no way to fix them.  So they are going to build me a new cabinet and put all of my drivers and wiring into the new cabinet.  Great solution and one that saves me from having to break-in one speaker.  Two days later it is on its way back to me.  

I never asked how much it was going to cost, but when I got the bill I was shocked.  Let’s just say that if I gave up Starbucks for a month, I could easily pay for it.  It was a very reasonable price to pay for a brand new box, swapping the drivers and shipping back within a couple of days.  Some of the least expensive power cords that I own cost more than this cost me.  Unbelievable!!!  I just do not see how they can provide this level of customer service, especially since this was not a warranty issue.  It was my freakin fault and they could have raked me over the coals.  

I cannot say enough about the guys at Zu.  Product quality, value and customer service are all there, in spades.

[NealH]

Everything that I have read about Zu indicates they are a class outfit.  And, they have probably the best trial policy in the industry.  It says a lot about their conviction and confidence in their products.

[mihilli]

Everything that I have read about Zu indicates they are a class outfit.  And, they have probably the best trial policy in the industry.  It says a lot about their conviction and confidence in their products.

Hmmmm, I've heard nothing but good things about their service.  Unfortunately, I haven't had the same experience so far.  I put down a deposit on a pair of Definitions 2 months ago and despite repeated promises they still have not shipped yet.  Maybe it's because I'm outside the US so it's not perceived to be as important as their home market?

Supposedly my speakers are leaving the US on Friday but suffice to say, if that is not the case I'll be cancelling my order.  Disappointing because I was really excited about the speakers after all the hype but now, even if they show up, I'm afraid I may not be feeling quite as positive as I would have otherwise.

Am I being hard on them?  I don't think so but happy to entertain other opinions.

[ton1313]

Have you called them to ask why so long? If not, here is their #1-800-516-8925.

They are agreat bunch of guys to work with, so I am sure they will take care of you.

Todd

[mihilli]

And life is good..........................

Not broken in yet, not properly setup yet (I'm waiting till they get a few more hours on them) and I'm absolutely blown away.

The detail, the upper register extension, the dynamics, balanced across all registers, now I know what they mean when they talk about full range speakers.

HOT DAMN!, I'm in love.

[miklorsmith]

Break them in LONG and LOUD.  Loud enough that you'll be compelled to leave the house while they're doin' the business.  I'm guessing 105 to 110 db to really get the cones moving.  It's one place where all that surface area works against you.

The drivers are exceptionally stiff and you have to get some big excursion to loosen them up.

Glad you didn't cancel, and congrats!

[Russell Dawkins]

I guess it goes without saying to face them together, front to front, and play a mono signal to keep the apparent levels down. A blanket over the top will help, too. I'm just thinking of the neighbors!

[miklorsmith]

Wire them out-of-phase if using Russell's technique and they'll mostly be pretty quiet, though the subbass units will be facing outward and shaking the foundation still.  Your neighbors might think you have a band practicing in the house.

You might be money ahead to face the backs toward each other, with the same recipe.  Or, turn it up and hear what those puppies can do (before leaving the room, obviously).

Aside - the Giant Volume ability is NOT the primary appeal of these speakers, but boy oh boy will they play loud.

[Russell Dawkins]

miklorsmith, I meant to say out-of-phase, of course!
I also figured that with all the mids coming out of the front, those were the most important frequencies to cancel, and with the low crossover to the subs on the rear that significant cancellation between the subs would happen even when they were 3 feet apart, given the long wavelengths involved. What leaked out of the house would sound like some car down the block with one of those huge one-note bass systems.