[parmiep]

Hi everyone! I've been scouring this forum for weeks now as part of a speaker hunt, and particularly since my focus has zeroed in on Omega, trying to absorb as much as I can from all of you current and former owners ahead of making a decision. The short version: I'm very torn between the Super Alnico High Output XRS and the Zu Soul 6/ DW6 Supreme, but currently leaning towards the Omega based on the absolutely effusive praise from everyone, and because of how nice it's been to deal with Louis so far.

My situation: I currently have a Sonnet Morpheus Mk II feeding a Rega Elicit Mk 5 feeding some Mission 700s. They're fun, they're punchy, they're groovy. They play great with my wide range of musical tastes from George Harrison to Air to Daft Punk to Tame Impala to Al Green to Queens of the Stone Age to Justice and Fred Again. But they're not particularly refined. I started my quest by looking into Philharmonic BMR Towers, and auditioned some monitors. Very impressive, but also very polite sounding. A deep rabbit hole that took me past ATC, Spendor and Neat took me to DeVore, which eventually led me to Zu and Omega. Much as the DeVores seem lovely, my space doesn't allow for pulling speakers out deep into the room, so that seemed like a square peg into a round hole. Then I realized how much I could get for less of my money with Zu and Omega, and I could get bespoke wood of my choosing, and I'm pretty set on this path, but at a fork in the road.

I had a great chat with Louis, and we arrived at the SAHO XRS with 2 of the Deephemp subs and the upgraded internal material. I'm close to pulling the trigger. I just want to do my due diligence with Omega owners who also own or have owned Zu speakers and can comment here around the Zu Soul 6 and the DW6 Supreme. I realize my Rega SS amp isn't ideal here given the type of speakers and how they're meant for tubes, but I want to swing for the fences on speakers and worry about getting the right amplification later, while also going with a speaker that I can still very much enjoy in the interim.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I'd love to hear!

[FullRangeMan]

Welcome to AC 
Alnico 5 or 8 always will delivery better sound quality than a speaker with ceramic magnet and a crossover.

The Rega Brio amp that I listen sometimes in a friend home has a nice sweet sound.

[seikosha]

If you like the Devore’s, why would you not consider the DynaTens?

[parmiep]

If you like the Devore’s, why would you not consider the DynaTens?

We discussed it, that was his first recommendation. I mentioned that I had read there was more of the midrange magic with the SAHO XRS and he said that was true, and then suggested if that was of interest to me that the SAHO XRS with subs would give me both punch and fun with the mid range of the Alnico and the speed/dynamics/imaging.

Truth be told though, I'm somewhat flying blind here and going off of what I've been reading. It just seems like there's a lot of love for the alnico drivers and if I'm going to with an Omega, go for what they're offering that's really special. But I'm not opposed to a Dynaten. I think that's part of what I'm looking for advice on honestly, so I appreciate the suggestion.

Welcome to AC 
Alnico 5 or 8 always will delivery better sound quality than a speaker with ceramic magnet and a crossover.

The Rega Brio amp that I listen sometimes in a friend home has a nice sweet sound.

I do really love my Rega Elicit, I feel like it's pretty special. I had just read that higher wattage might not play as nice with Omega speakers, but maybe that was just one person's opinion and it's not something to worry about.

[FullRangeMan]

I do really love my Rega Elicit, I feel like it's pretty special. I had just read that higher wattage might not play as nice with Omega speakers, but maybe that was just one person's opinion and it's not something to worry about.

Big power amps are more expensive than a small tube amp and sound cold and sterile, say hi-fi, not as real music, due many output transistors.

But all these monsters have smart marketing ads behind them to golden the pill.

EDITED

[seikosha]

It’s hard to make a recommendation without knowing how loud you play your music, how big your room is, and what you can and can not forgive in a speaker, because in the end, every speaker is a compromise and there is no perfect one.  I’ve got 4 different models of Omegas and I could not name which one is best.  Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses.

I’ve got some Zu DW’s, DynaTen Experts and SAM’s.  While I don’t have Devore’s, I have heard them (Orangutans) and the Dyna’s have what I would consider the closest sound to that speaker.  I would also say that the while the single drivers really shine with good tube amplification, the Dyna’s do quite well with solid state as well.  I actually like mine with the Rega Brio.

Single drivers are unique, and with the right music, they can be very very magical.  In the end, it all comes down to the question of whether or not your listening habits keep a single driver system in that special zone.

[parmiep]

It’s hard to make a recommendation without knowing how loud you play your music, how big your room is, and what you can and can not forgive in a speaker, because in the end, every speaker is a compromise and there is no perfect one.  I’ve got 4 different models of Omegas and I could not name which one is best.  Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses.

I’ve got some Zu DW’s, DynaTen Experts and SAM’s.  While I don’t have Devore’s, I have heard them (Orangutans) and the Dyna’s have what I would consider the closest sound to that speaker.  I would also say that the while the single drivers really shine with good tube amplification, the Dyna’s do quite well with solid state as well.  I actually like mine with the Rega Brio.

Single drivers are unique, and with the right music, they can be very very magical.  In the end, it all comes down to the question of whether or not your listening habits keep a single driver system in that special zone.

I got a little shy about writing out too much with the intro and worrying I'd over do it 

The Mission 700 are 86db sensitive and the Rega is a 105W amp. I'm usually in the 9 to 11 range for music, and never past that because I'd be getting noise complaints otherwise (and honestly it's pretty loud). The room is 14 x 20, with the speakers along the long wall flanking a long TV stand, so about 7 feet apart, and about 7-8 feet away from the listening position. Given NYC apartments, I'm somewhat space limited and there's no choice but to have the speakers two feet away from a corner, and max 2 feet away from the wall behind it.

As to what I can't forgive, boominess and muddiness, slow syrup-iness, or at the other end of the spectrum, politneness and sterility. I want something fast, snappy, energetic, clean, groovy, fun and detailed. I'd like to hear what's all in the song and hear it all be beautiful or well done, but not to the point that it's more using the music to hear the speakers or like hunting for gear to put microsope on the music for the sake of being able to say I have the best gear. When speakers are described, when reviewers describe it as toe-tapping and head nodding, but also when they talk about good imaging and soundstage or the quality of how voices sound or float in the air. When I decided on the. Missions, I tried the Wharfdale Lintons but they really didn't work in my space, where the Mission 700s worked much better. But as much as they've been fun, I wouldn't say they blow anyone's socks off or that they're magical or hauntingly good.

Hope that helps!

[seikosha]

Yes, it sounds like what Louis recommended would be a strong choice.  Good luck with your decision!

[parmiep]

Yes, it sounds like what Louis recommended would be a strong choice.  Good luck with your decision!

I know you said you can’t pick a “best”, but could you speak to the different strengths and weaknesses of the different Omegas vs. the DW? I’d be curious to hear your perspective on what each one gives you/gave you.