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Zu Omens Vs Dali Vs Vandersteen Vs Sonus Faber


This post is FYI for those wondering about the quality of the Zu Omens (Don't worry, Be Happy and get them!):

At my personal recommendation, two friends here in Tucson bought Zu Omens, and one replaced her floor standing Dalis with the Omens and another replaced his Vandersteens with the Omens. He recommended them to two other friends here in Tucson who replaced their speakers with the Zu Omens. Once of the pairs replaced were Sonus Fabers.

I imagine that the Soul Superfly's are better of course.

BTW, I have Zu Druids. I am hesitant to replace them because I like them so much that I have painted them piano black and put granite bases on them. They bested (for my preferences of course for immediate rich sound) some Dynaudio, Dali, and Spendor floorstanders. However, I have not heard the Zu Omens and Druids in the same room. However, at another person's home the Omens sounded wonderful. Similar magical sound as the Druids with perhaps a little more bass and they are certainly less imposing in size (but not in quality) in the listening space. Hmmm, maybe I can get a pair of Omens and paint them piano black...
128x128plangco
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,850 posts
 
OK, so you like how they sound which is great but I would really like to hear more about the quality? What can be said about that compared to the others?
plangco's avatar
plangco OP
158 posts
 
I found that the Zu Omens in comparison to my Spendor speakers sounded a tad richer yet still very immediate and present. Front row center with a strong tube glow if you will. Everyone who chose the Omens has tube amplification if that gives you a clue. Not overly warm or mushy like some of the older CJ gear, the Zu speakers convey instruments richly. Acoustic guitar, most instruments and voices are not only rich, but extended and very present.

I understand an analysis of reasons for choosing is in order to be helfull as well as accompanying equipment, tubes used, sound desired, personal preferences and all that. All I have is that each and every one of these four people, five including myself (although I have Druids and heard the Omens), ditched their speakers after comparing the Omen's in their house. That says something yet unfortunately leaves you to experiment. A limited risk considering the 2 month return policy (the Omens need 200 hours breakin, but sound good out of the box).
eniac26
97 posts
 
I would also be curious to hear more details about the quality of the ZU speakers and what they are capable of. I have to admit that based only on pictures alone I can't help but walk away leery on the use of the paper cones and whizzers. The drivers and their materials just dont "Look" capable of dishing out or taking a beating.

I think I would need to sit down and listen to them with a fist full of Paul Van Dyk Trance CD's played at a spirited volume to give these their fair shake and dispel any assumptions or fears I may have of their design.

Please dont take this as a knock on the brand or the speakers at all as I have not heard or seen them in person but only going on some detailed photos I looked at of the various models they offer. And I am well aware that looks can be very deceiving
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,850 posts
 
I've read some unconfirmed frequency response measurements on some Zu speakers in blogs (not always the most reliable source for these things and can't remember which Zus exactly, Druids perhaps, but not the newer models) that were not favorable at all from a flatness perspective. The full range drivers used were indicated as the culprit.

I do not know if this is the case or not, but such info is out there, so it would be helpful if someone could address it.

Maybe even if so that frequency response issues do not practically matter to the owners, though I think what I've seen would matter to me if I heard it. The benefits of teh full range driver approach in terms of coherency, soundstage and imaging, plus the high efficiency and synergy with tube amps could far outweigh any other issues.

After all, no speaker is perfect, especially those in the less expensive Zu's price range typically anyway.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,230 posts
 
Treated paper drivers when done correctly can sound very natural and dynamic. I don`t own Zu speakers but one hugh advantage they have is high sensitivity and benign load characteristics. You are`nt forced to settle only for high power amps, but have the option to use high quality but low power amplifiers (SET,OTL,First Watt etc.) which can often sound better.
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