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Zu Essence vs Devore Nine vs Maggies

Greetings all! I currently have some Dynaudio 52Se monitors with a REL R-205 sub and am looking for something with the same or better quality sound, yet a deeper, richer, more engrossing sound. I've considered the Contour series floorstanders, but haven't heard them.

My room is 15x25 with a vaulted ceiling 8-10ft. Speaker placement is on the long wall on the short side of the ceiling. I run a Sony ES CD source to a Rogue Perseus tube preamp with a Quad 909 SS power amp. I'd like to spend $1000-3000 (used, preferably).

I've auditioned the Magnepan 1.6R and loved them quite a bit. I've also heard the ProAc Response D2, Dali Helicon, and Devore Super 8. Honestly, I really like the Magnepan, especially for the price. I also really liked the Dali, but it's too much and the Devore Nine killed the Super 8 to me, but again is a little pricey. After much reading, I think the Zu Essence might be what I want and at a great price now, $3500.

So... has anyone heard the new Essence and compared it to the Devore Nine? Also, would my setup be too much for such sensitive speakers? I like everything from jazz trios to arena rock. For that amazing encompassing "live", rich sound, with clear detailed highs and nice lows, can I beat the Maggies? To be fair, I had a whole week to audition them at home while all the others were at dealers.

Thanks in advance, Dave, Austin, TX
daveed_tx
bmckenney
91 posts
 
If you can only come out 36", I don't believe Maggies will work as well as they should or can. They need more room. It would be such a waste. My planars are 5 and a half feet out in to the room and sound like crap any closer. Your dimensions are similar to mine but you have the speakers on the long (wrong) wall. Speaker selection is so critical to a good system. Matching to amp. And matching to the room size, dimensions and speaker placement. Get the best speaker for your room constraints, not the speaker you like best.
saki70
907 posts
 
Bmckenney;
"Get the best speaker for your room constraints, not the speaker you like best".

Now there is some good advice !

Happy tunes.
mlg
56 posts
 
I acquired a pair of Zu Essence speakers a couple weeks ago. I am still dialing them into the room, and I believe they are still breaking in, but the level of output in the high frequencies can be adjusted by degree of tow in and the distance from the listener. This seems to match the comments made in Stereophile where John Atkinson indicated that if the tweeters face the listener, the treble output is way too high, which I agree with. He also said the highs were rolled off in Art Dudley's listening room. I find you can reduce the treble output by aiming the tweeter away from the listening position. Increasing the distance of the speaker from the listener also reduces the high frequency output, as well as increasing the size of the soundstage. I believe you can probably adjust the speakers for the level of high frequency output that you want. I personally find them to be quite engaging due to the rich tone, high dynamics, and enveloping sound stage.
daveed_tx OP
9 posts
 
Awesome input everyone.

Bmckenney, any thoughts on determining how to match speakers to your amp, room size, dimensions, and where they can be placed? A link or resource?
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