Check out the new Sub Woofer from Zu!!

ton1313 · « **on:** 17 Jan 2003, 05:26 pm »

http://www.zucable.com/ces2003.html

That is a BIG box! (20" square)

nathanm · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Jan 2003, 07:44 pm »

Quote

Adam and Steve

Oh my, the fundamentalists won't be happy about that!

20" square eh? Boy, that's the funniest looking cube I ever saw!

But seriously, those are some really nice-looking speakers they've got there. First time I ever saw a flame job on a speaker - very cool!

It's nice to see stuff a little more stylish than the usual. "The Druids - Nobody knew who dey were, or...what they were doing. But ohh how they danced..."

ton1313 · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Jan 2003, 03:06 pm »

I already have my name on one of the yet to be named subs! I have had my Druids almost a year, and can't be happier

. I will be receiving my sub near the middle of February, I will post my opinions then.

shaynet · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Jan 2003, 04:03 pm »

If the bottom is 20x 20, then it must be 30" vertically.

Of course, having the larger volume eliminates the necessity of using huge gobs of power.

jcoat007 · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Jan 2003, 05:18 pm »

I didn't see any reference to a 20" square box???

Looks a lot bigger than that to me.

jcoat007 · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Jan 2003, 05:24 pm »

How much are they?

Anthony C · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Jan 2003, 06:26 pm »

Way bigger than 20" cube. I'm interested .
I guess if they are called Druids the subs volume may go to 11

ton1313 · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Jan 2003, 05:12 am »

The box has a 20" footprint and a height of @ 32" and the driver is a 15". Price of course should be confirmed with Zu, but preliminary talks indicate one Sub and the outboard processor should be around $2K. That does include the applicable programming for the DSP box (which has 99 different available presets). Please note that the Sub is passive and requires amplification. Picture a fast 15" that is great for music, it should really kick for HT! Jim Rickets from TMH Audio said he listened to them at CES, and that they integrated quite well with the main speakers.

Anthony C · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Jan 2003, 12:16 pm »

Sounds great but $2000 without amp is a bit $$$ for their first sub. Add $500-$1500 for an amp and your in the price range of Revel/Talon and just about any (Aerial/velo/) used and massive systems from SVS.

ton1313 · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Jan 2003, 02:38 pm »

The Sub is 93 db sensitive, so it can be driven with a small amp. I have spoken with Zu and I will be using one channel of my Carver 5 channel @ 85 watts. Not to mention that the new "M" block from outlaw audio is a single channel amp for only $299. Keep in mind that with the DSP unit this sub will not have placement issues like some others. As far as those subs you mentioned, Zu has used them as benchmarks for the performance of their sub. They are striving to have "the sub to talk about".

Anthony C · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Jan 2003, 04:44 pm »

Sound very promising, I'm holding off my sub purchase until it comes out. I would be careful about using a channel from your 5 ch receiver to power it though as I've never had good luck doing that. I had a pair of SVS CS subs and tried to use to channels of an ATI 1505 amp (150X5) and though it was decent the draw from the subs strained the amp and performance suffered not only for the subs but for the other 3 channels also, it's fine if your using the amp for subs/surrounds/center but not mains (imo)
Your right about amps being very affordable now though as besides the Outlaw you can get great deals on Pro amps.
Does the Zu sub have crossovers/filters/etc built into the DSP in some way

ton1313 · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Jan 2003, 11:49 am »

The DSP box has all of the crossovers and DSP modes programmed into it.

Side note about the amp, I am only using the 5 ch for center and surrounds. I have an Odyssey Stratos for the mains.

JoshK · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Jan 2003, 05:37 pm »

Anthony,

That is because the 1505 has only one transformer for all 5 channels. The 1506, 1504 have their own seperate transformers for each channel and also are bridgeable.

Anthony C · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Jan 2003, 08:22 pm »

No doubt thats the problem with the 1505, I didn't realize the other ATI amps had a transformer for each ch, thought it was two to a tranformer.

Using the Odyssey for your mains is a good idea and should work out fine

When will this sub be available?
Does Zu expect it to be equal/better than the Revel, Aerial, Thiel, etc?

Anthony C · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Jan 2003, 08:29 pm »

No doubt thats the problem with the 1505, I didn't realize the other ATI amps had a transformer for each ch, thought it was two to a tranformer.

Using the Odyssey for your mains is a good idea and should work out fine

When will this sub be available?
Does Zu expect it to be equal/better than the Revel, Aerial, Thiel, etc?

ton1313 · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 Jan 2003, 02:19 am »

No firm release date yet, early/late spring. Give them a call.

They are shooting to be better than all of the subs that you mentioned.

ton1313 · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Mar 2003, 12:31 am »

Check It Out

I will post impressions in a few days

doug s. · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Mar 2003, 03:47 pm »

nice looking sub. but $2k - OUCHIE!!! my entire sub system cost me ~$2.5k. it originally consisted of a pair of fully optioned vmps larger subs, a pair of adcom gfa55 amps, and a marchand delux xm-9 active outboard crossover. well, i admit it's now up to ~$3k, since i yust recently hooked up my electrocompaniet w75dmb's, to replace the adcoms. (i sold one of 'em for ~$50 less than i paid for it some eighteen years ago!

) the other will serve me well in the game-room system...

anyway, while i am sure ya will enjoy yer sub i tink there's better performance awailable for less $$$ out there...

ymmv,

doug s.

jcoat007 · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Mar 2003, 03:59 pm »

Holy cow!!!

How big is the master bedroom in that thing? Does it have an indoor pool and gourmet kitchen as well?

nathanm · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Mar 2003, 04:03 pm »

That cat is doing a perfect RCA Dog pose there! Heh! It's thinking, "As soon as the master isn't looking I'm shacking up inside that awesome port hole! This thing is a kitty clubhouse!"

The sub looks giant and menacing, all good things.

(that's not covered with tar is it?) Still not quite sure why it costs 2 grand though. Yikes!