[jakebake]

Hey guys,

I am interested in the Zu omens. I know there is a big thread on them already and I h ave read through the whole thing. I was wondering the thoughts on these speakers from you guys who have had them for a little bit now? How is the imaging soundstage? Do the speakers disappear? I was also looking at the tekton lores... has anyone compared these yet?

Thanks!

[Noseyears]

Haven't had the chance to audition them..yet.

But, i found a review about the Zu essence. They have the same wide range driver, and similar cabinets.

It will give you an idea. Check:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/zu-essence-loudspeaker-measurements

[Sam-fi]

Yes, they disappear.

They do very well 3 things that I find most important in a speaker. 1) Tone. 2) Dynamics (most importantly micro-dynamics). 3) Soundstage. They also scale very well with big recordings or can be intimate with small ones.

Personally, they are my keeper speaker. I never imagined I would reach this level of audio.


Now take this with a total grain of salt but I was listening to a <100k speaker system at my dealer the other day and I was honestly not jealous or squeamish about the quality of my system.

Sam


PS. not saying they are perfect.

[Noseyears]

Yes, they disappear.

It is hard to find a pair of these then?

[Sam-fi]

  I believe he was referring to sound staging.

[Noseyears]

I believe he was referring to sound staging.

i was lost for a moment, because you mentioned they disappear...i said, what? 

My bad.

[sebrof]

If you read the other thread then you read what I have to say on these (I have them and like them, still working with them).
Last I checked they were still $1K at Music Direct and Zu was honoring that price also. Not sure if that's changed though.

[RCduck7]

I have read good things about the Zu Omens, they sound "live" is a comment that came up a few times.
I also read that Tektons sound a bit smaller in scale (not sure about the lore's) but reveal a little bit more detail.
Lately i'm very intrested in Zu, Tekton and Magneplanar speakers.
I like to audition those but it just isn't possible, at least not where i live.
Rightnow i have Hyperion HPS938's witch got very good reviews and i'm very pleased with and are chearfull but not exactly cheap.
Who knows my current speakers can be bettered with cheaper speakers, it wouldn't be a first!

[Bugs]

Mine are arriving tomorrow.  Woot.

[Noseyears]

Mine are arriving tomorrow.  Woot.

I would love to know your impressions on them! Sadly my budget is not very good in this moment to buy the Omens.

[Bugs]

I would love to know your impressions on them! Sadly my budget is not very good in this moment to buy the Omens.

So far so good.  Out of the box I think they are equal to or slightly better than my old speakers which are a pair of 25 year old Boston A400s which have been refoamed and the cross overs upgraded to new film capacitors.  The 400s were Boston's top of the line speaker back in the day and many people still like them.

My initial impression is that they are slightly reserved in the mid range.  Vocals seem to be a little muted, but the Zu literature that came with the speakers said to expect this untill they are broken in.

I odered mine from Zu a few weeks ago and they will still honoring the $999 price with free shipping.

[sebrof]

My initial impression is that they are slightly reserved in the mid range.  Vocals seem to be a little muted, but the Zu literature that came with the speakers said to expect this untill they are broken in.

Bugs, just curious as to what amp you're driving the Omens with. I ask because the mids and vocals I'm hearing with a 2A3 SET are far from muted, even right out of the box.

[morganc]

The muted vocals could very well be the break in.   I noticed dramatic changes for up to 300-400 hours.   Prior Zu Druid owners have commented that they felt the break in wasn't complete for a few years! 

I think this will change though as most people feel the strength of Zu is with vocals and stringed instruments.  It certainly is at my house:).

And yes, the Zu is very sensitive to amplification.  There are many cheap and cheerful amp choices that will make them sing from a Virtue amp to a small tube amp.  What are you currently using?

Hopefully they open up for you. Please keep us updated over the next few weeks.   

[Bugs]

Bugs, just curious as to what amp you're driving the Omens with. I ask because the mids and vocals I'm hearing with a 2A3 SET are far from muted, even right out of the box.

I'm using an Almarro A205A MkII, it's a SEP EL84.  About 5 watts per channel.  I swapped out a pair of Mullards of unknown age and condition with a pair of NOS Tellefunkens with a couple hundred hours on them and that brought the mid range up nicely.  I'm very happy with them at this point and look forward to getting them broke in.

[Sam-fi]

The zu's changed so much for me up until the 400 hour mark I can't take any assessment seriously until it gets to that point. Things even seem to be changing a bit at around the 600 hour mark - though subtly.

[morganc]

I'm using an Almarro A205A MkII, it's a SEP EL84.  About 5 watts per channel.  I swapped out a pair of Mullards of unknown age and condition with a pair of NOS Tellefunkens with a couple hundred hours on them and that brought the mid range up nicely.  I'm very happy with them at this point and look forward to getting them broke in.

I think that is a good combination.  I heard the Mini Watt EL84 on mine and it was amazingly good for the price.  I am sure the Almarro is even better.    Keep us informed as your break in continues. 

[RCduck7]

Very nice setup/room zmanastronomy! I have read about the Tekton Lore and Zu audio speakers the last couple of days and from what i read about the Zu speakers is that there are very different opinions, to some they sound "live" and to others they don't. I read that the Tekton Lore has many qualities but do they give that "live" feeling? To answer that i would like to know if you regulary go out to live performances, concerts...

[Gopher]

I've got Soul Superflys which share some similarities with the Omens, but are a little higher in their product catalogue. 

One observation with Zu speakers I can share is that although they are high efficiency, they DO open quite a bit with some muscle power.  My primary amplification is 845 SET which puts out about 25 watts per side and I was quite pleased with what I was hearing, but when a power tube went down recently, I had to borrow a high current, 120 watt solid state integrated from a fellow ACer to get back in business.

To my surprise, I retained almost all of the tone and texture of my SET amplification with added drive, dynamics and bass quality--I also gained even more nimbleness and speed.  Some of the beauty was lost, but damn is the pairing engaging. 

I'm now bugging my buddy to sell me his integrated.  Only time will tell if it takes the place of SET or remains along side it for a great contrast when the mood strikes...  Both are extremely well suited for different types of listening.

From what I've read, the Zu boys actually prefer SS amplification over tube for the Omens and I can understand why.  From reports of the slightly lower efficiency leading to a less dynamic presentation (though still very dynamic an class leading), a SS amp with balls probably really wakes them up and gets things stirring.

[lonewolfny42]

I'm now bugging my buddy to sell me his integrated.

 ....He really likes that Redgum Fred.....

...a SS amp with balls probably really wakes them up and gets things stirring.

It does...at a past Rave with Zu, 250 watts....very nice.

[morganc]

I agree.....the Omens love a good SS.   The Pass Labs XA 30.5 is my favorite so far....would love to hear that Redgum.  I just plugged in a Art Audio Carissa 845.....time will tell, but honestly, the XA 30.5 might be better all around.....i will need more time for research though .