Hello to all from England,
I myself having only owned Zu speakers from early 2008 started with the Druid then progressed to the Essence in summer 2009.
Although I have not heard the Soul Superfly, yet. My experience with Zu speakers is that they show up anything that is wrong with a systems components, whether it be a defect or the tonal accuracy of the music.
Room differences can play a part, but these are usually very minimal, unless you have an overly damped room, then IMO you will not get what the Zu speakers do for the music.
I am currently running with solid state amplification from Rega with the Osiris and the Rega Isis CDP, which I find is a very good match/balance with the Essence over the Druid, the Druids sound very good on this system, but the Essence is a better match IMO.
I think Phil's posts and comments about tonal character of the system with Zu speakers is to be heeded, as this can make or break whether the Zu's work, this might change with the Soul Superfly.
Waiting in anticipation for the Souls to land in England. |
"To be frank the only thing holding me back from a punt on the 60 day return right now is that there just aren't enough images of the Soul/Superfly to get an idea of finishes. I'm sure that will change soon. Least I hope it will."
(Apologies in advance if I am a bit too blunt and forward for some people)
Interestingly if you put lower wattage bulbs in your lighting at home then the finish of the speakers will not make one bit of difference.
The Zu speakers could be in cardboard boxes for me if they produced music the same as what I am experiencing.
Use the statement, "yeah I know the colour is not very nice, but that's the only colour they do them in, and they are the best speaker that I have come across for music, so I have ordered them." This statement is best said via a phone call or via email, to give the other party chance to cool.
Alternatively if you are feeling brave you can say it face to face, but ensure that you have your full ice-hockey kit on at the time! |
Zanon: When I first heard the Zu Druids they were in the same Matt Black, and they do look nice, but when you hear that sound come out of them, the fit and finish become secondary to me.
My first pair of Druids were in gloss black as are my current Essence speakers (there was no difference in price to us on this side of the pond at the time, where there is now), if it were the matt black or the cosmic carbon I would be happy as it is a reasonably neutral colour, and the performance of the Zu speakers make them disappear visually to me.
I think any paint finish/colour (within reason) on the Zu speakers looks very good.
In addition, Zu offering to do other customized finishes is something that we do not find with manufacturers in the UK. The manufacturers in the UK are a bit reserved when it comes to finishes. |
Mike: Your patience and resolve is to be thoroughly respected and is admirable.
Music is an integral part of the WAF, and as Phil says is there for all to enjoy.
Interesting and enlightening times are ahead when the Soul's land in the UK.
ATB |
"06-08-10: Mahughes
Can we just clarify the maths as those figures don't tally with quotes I've had from Zu in the past for bringing into the UK. The costs quoted on their site don't appear to equate with that either. If I'm wrong then cosmic carbon it is :)
Mike"
I was quoted $2000 for the gloss black and approx $350 for the shipping on the Zu Soul Superfly. |
On another issue, came across this, this morning:
http://www.blu-ray.com/community/gallery.php?member=RedcastleProductions&folderid=4013 |
"Also, the oddball Zu speaker referenced by Avonessence above is a recently-built one-off pair commissioned by one of Zu's suppliers, which essentially funded finished prototyping of an idea Zu had for a Definition-scale, Griewe-cabinet speaker (no powered sub). Consider it an exploration, not a product."
Nothing wrong in that whatsoever. |
Gopher,
Keep writing your experiences with the Soul Superfly, it is building the anticipation over here in the UK. Keep holding myself back from contacting their UK agent to see if they have arrived yet.
Mahughes has got first dem, so will be round at his for a listen, hope he has spare bed, as from you are experiencing loss of sleep is on the agenda.
Cheers
Avonessence |
Mike,
No sleepovers! :( I have just wasted my time clambering over stuff in the garden shed for my sleeping bag in anticipation.
Cheers
James |
QUOTE "If you put Zus in room without care then you will not get their tonal honesty in midrange, or dynamic life. They will sound good, but nothing special. That is what my Zus sound like off axis, good, but not special. So they will ask "why all the hype?" END QUOTE
I do not want what I am about to post as being negative to Zu or their business.
Zanon makes a point with regard to just plonking the speakers in a room. Here in the UK, a large percentage of people buy from dealers, some of which are experienced in setting up and placing speakers in listeners rooms to get the best out of the system.
There are not many of us who have the expertise and patience to get such a speaker as Zu's to work at the optimum easily, unless by pure luck you plonk them down and it just happens to be the right position, distance from walls, toe-in etc.
That is why certain manufacturers in the UK have been the market leader, it may not be the best available but properly set up produces music which the best available not optimally set up would never attain (unless expertly set up).
Since owning the Zu speakers I have learnt more about music, room acoustics and what to do to set up a system to get the best out of it.
This brings me onto the subject of direct selling, a good experienced dealer is worth his salt with equipment/speakers such as these, and will bring more positive feedback from owners than otherwise, which in turn enhances the brand, giving them more business, which assists in R&D. We as the owners loose out because we have to pay more, but for that extra money we get excellent service, excellent installation/set-up, and excellent back up.
Manuals, talking with distributers is all well and good, but if you are not trained or it is not explained what someone is listening for when setting up systems/speakers then this will be all completely wasteful, and end up with the product being dismissed as not suitable.
This is all in my humble opinion.
Zu make excellent speakers (to date I have not heard anything better), have rock solid integrity and want to bring to people what they are passionate about - music.
Would love others feedback and opinions of the above.
James |
PS I think 213Cobra might have already provided his answer in his last post to mine. |
QUOTE "06-19-10: Hifin
Anybody pair Zu's up with Naim? I have the Superfly on the way and have both a Supernait and Nait 1 at home to drive them."
Hi Hifin,
I had Druids and then Essence with Naim amps (552/250.2, CDS3/XPS2) before moving onto Rega Isis CD, Rega Osiris with the Zu Essence.
A friend has Druids with CDX2/555PS, 252/250.2, which is very good.
I have heard the Zu Essence with the Naim Uniti and to me it was superior in all aspects of music than with £25K of Naim Electronics with the Naim Ovators.
I suspect that you will thorougly enjoy the ZU Souls with the the Naim amps.
Out of curiosity, what source are you using?
Best regards
James - Manchester UK |
The comments/experience on this thread are very interesting.
For me Zu have not produced a poor speaker, of the ones that I have owned Druid and Essence and others heard extensively the Presence and Definitions.
The Essence speaker to me is more or less a plonk and play speaker, it can be improved by fine placement, and with my current system is a very good match/balance with the other components, I can just plonk any CD on and really enjoy the music.
My experience with the Druids is that the system components need to be carefully matched, and the speakers do need time investing to get the best out of them (placement). Get the components wrong and you will be chasing the speakers around the room trying to get to the best sound, which IME can never be achieved, believe me I have spent months just doing that. Putting the Essence on the same system resolved some of the problems exhibited by the system with the Druids, but were not a complete fix, changing the system components did provide the solutions to the problems experienced with the Druids and partnering equipment.
I totally agree with Phil's findings re the power amp signature and matching with the Zu speakers, as I have experienced such, if the amp is dark sounding then the Zu speakers will show this, the same can be said of source components, dark sounding CD players IME do not work with the Druids, but are a better match for the Essence.
Zu speakers IME produce what is given to them they do not add or subtract to the music, they are the purest transducer of music that I have come across to date.
There will be times when people will say that they do not like what the speakers are doing, my question to this is "are you sure that it is the speakers, or are they highlighting a problem or less than appropriate matching of source components/amplification?"
Still waiting for the Zu Soul Superfly's to land in the UK, as so far anything from Zu has lived upto expectations. |
Zanon: For F***'s Sake!
Just go and listen to the Soul Superfly's and trust your ears. |
"BTW, PRaT is a joke."
I would love to learn from your opinion/experience in relation to your statement Audiofeil.
It is always enlightening to hear someone's take on such things.
BR
James |
Hi Phil,
Every post you write I find very interesting and a joy to read, your explanations of your experiences and the effects on the Zu FRD are clear and concise.
Look forward to your next post.
Best regards
James |
Hi Mike,
The Druids that the Audio Counsel were demming were the 4.08.
The weekend we did the Zu, back in 2008, was brilliant. The Presence and the Druid really stood out.
To me the more we listened to the Definitions I started to drift off thinking about the Druids or the Presence.
I think the charm of the Druid and my Essence, is that they are not imediately impressive, they sneak up on you with their charms and slowly win you over.
If I have not thanked Sean at Zu and Simon at Musicology for getting the Presence over for that day, many thanks, it was a great day.
In the UK, we have to thank Simon from Musicology for discovering the Zu speakers, and for Dave at the Audio Counsel in Manchester for stumbling across the Druids when he visited Simon in 2007.
For me I certainly would not have learnt about Zu loudspeakers if Audio Counsel had not come across them and brought them to my attention.
Even today, my dealer is more than happy to pop in to set up my system after a recent DIY spree, you can't buy that sort of customer service.
Sorry for taking the thread slightly off track.
James |
Brings back good memories of the day, I remember someone working out if he sold his power supplies, headphones, headphone amp and one of his kidneys, he could just afford the Zu Presence.
It was really strange with the Druids that day, they did not like being shunted about, and were mesmerising once they were sat in one place for a hour or so.
The Superfly are going to be very interesting based on Phil's reports so far.
It's going to be a very long few weeks........... |
You could be waiting months for the Zu's to bed in, although this time of year is better for running speakers in, then when it is cold.
I suspect the other 8 or 9 owners are lying comostose in their listening chairs, surrounded by CD's and Albums, having forgotten to eat and drink due to their state or euphoria produced from their Zu Soul Superfly's ;)
James |
All are now probably on vacation.
Sit back relax and wait for yours to arrive. |
08-29-10: Cwlondon
Is anyone here affiliated with the manufacturer in any way?
Hi Cwlondon,
I am affiliated with the manufacturer by buying firstly Zu Druids and then Zu Essence speakers. Over here in England we are waiting to take a listen to our favorite music through the Soul Superfly's when they eventually land here.
Get a listen to your favorite music through any of the Zu speakers (on the end of a well selected system) and you might understand why there is over 300 posts on this speaker(s).
Best regards
James |
F*** me that is one hell of a shipping cost $1743.00 for shipping, have they got a first class seat on a plane to the purchaser? |
Had the same shenanigans this time last year with Zu Essence on the change over from Dealer Network to Direct Sales, that was one hell of a frustrating 3 months from placing my order with my dealer in the UK, no one knew what was happening at all levels, exacerbated with little or no communication being forthcoming from all levels.
Anyone had similar experiences?
It seems to be a common trait, direct sales - dealer network - direct sales - price increases out of no-where, makes one think twice about dealing with a company with such inconsistencies.
Although Zu speakers are spectacular in my opinion. |
"Essence lovely but a bit too hi-fi (oh noo!) and with some cuppiness in the vocals."
As Phil has stated in the past, you need to get the amp right with the speakers. I personally do not experience any hifi-ness or vocal cuppiness with my Essence's, to my ears the Essence are much more engaging in all aspects than the Druids. |
"Don't you love when blank statements are made about a unit that is not thought out.
This is HI-FI sounding and this is not. There are 10 different factors in play for the final sound and not just one unit. To say the Essence is Hi Fi sounding is ........."
Hi Glory,
You are quite for using such generalising terms.
IMO HiFi sounding is something that sounds accurate and detailed but is not engaging.
Cheers
James |
The Essence with Naim gear IMO is too much, the Essence speaker isn't a good balance overall, they do have some outstanding traits with the Naim amps, but swapping to other manufacturers amps brings them to life.
The Druids are a fine match with the CDX2 and Naim amps as they calm their (what can be termed) as bright and glassines, with the further opened tweeter unit in the Soul Superfly I wonder if this will still be the case? In my experience the CDS3 that Mahughes moved upto when listening to the Essence at our dealers, is a better match with these speakers, but IMO not a very good match with the Druids (that I once had), with the slightly dark nature of the Druids presentation coupled with a similar darker sounded CDS3, culminated in a sound presentation which was not engaging or enjoyable overall.
I do believe that mine and Mahughes requirements regarding engaging music are one and the same, it is just that we have/are tackling in it in a different direction. But I could be wrong;) |
"Holy crap. Have you guys read the 2010 Q4 entry in the company history part of their page?"
Hi Gopher, yes I have read this, and it takes some serious guts for a company to be so open about what has gone on.
For me it just makes me proud to own their products, it is a breath of fresh air to have such honesty in the industry.
James |
V****s - Would I mention that here to you, no way, I have got text and email to do that directly. Hee Hee
I can see you in a nice cardigan, tarten slippers and smoking a pipe handling a big round black disk whilst you are bathed in a soft orange glow in your future
Our well know dealer is slowly coming to see the "glow" :D |
Hi Wilsynet,
My Druid V's are in a room very similar in size to yours.
No issues what so ever with placement.
If you do go for the Druid V's the Dueland Black Copper Caps are a must on the high frequency network, expensive but definately worth it IMO.
The Druid V is an investment in your connection to the music IME, well worth every penny.
James from the UK |
