Zu Audio Essence is the least favorite in the Zu line up for me. I have owned the Essence and the Omen Defs and if you have $5000 to spend, call Sean at Zu and ask him about the Definition mkiii's. Maybe he has a B Stock pair that he would sell you for a good price. That would be a much much better speaker than the Essence IMO and in the opinion of many Zu owners. Even the Superfly's would be preferable to the Esence if you prefer musicality. The Essence are more "hi-fi" sounding, whereas the rest of the Zu line up is more musical, more engaging, and just all around a better speaker.
If you would like to spend less, the Tekton Pendragons are spectacular for the price. They are very similar to the Zu's.
Both of the company's have great owners and both Sean at Zu and Eric and Tekton are easy to talk to and will spend all the time with you that you need to make a decision. You can't go wrong with either nor will you find more musical speakers out there IYAM.
If you would like to spend less, the Tekton Pendragons are spectacular for the price. They are very similar to the Zu's.
Both of the company's have great owners and both Sean at Zu and Eric and Tekton are easy to talk to and will spend all the time with you that you need to make a decision. You can't go wrong with either nor will you find more musical speakers out there IYAM.