Who OWNS Zu Audio Speakers- Especially Definition

I have Mk4 Druids, not definitions. I listen to them about 7 feet away, but in a large space (vaulted ceilings, have to sit nearby to avoid reflection).

I think they are great. They've given up a lot of freq. responsiveness flatness for dynamics. Tone is also fantastic, although I don't know how you measure that. So they don't sound like "hi fi" speakers, but are engaging.

They also totally crank. I run them off a 15 W amp and can get them to do everything shy of concert level opera.

I'm finding I need stereo subs too btw.

If you are unable to listen at the suggested distance, you might consider the Presence or the Essence. If your room is small and you crave low bass, the Presence should couple to the room less. The Essence does not go as low.

Like the Definitions, the Presence has the built in bass amp but it can be biamped with your own amps and suitable external EQ/crossover box. You only need to run EQ/crossover to the woofer section since the Presence has no bass/midrange filter connected to the midrange driver. When using the built-in bass amp, that adds a roll-off and EQ boost to the woofer section. Using hardware/software such as XTZ, you can determine PEQ parameters. I use the dbX Driverack 260. It has a serial interface and you can program the box using the GUI from the listening position.

The Essence uses a ribbon tweeter and should have a bit more sparkle on top.

Toe-in and height leveing can effect the sound significantly. Jim Smith's book is very useful in getting the most out of speaker set-up.

BTW there is a 30-ohm version of the Definition that works great with smaller tube amps- its a bit more transparent, not for any other reason than tube amps like the higher impedance and so have less distortion, which translates to transparency. I have several customers who just rave about them!

i had an opportunity to hear the Zus this evening on different amplification---the Zu owner switched to a metal 845 and it was extremely different. the loss i previously heard at the high end was completely gone---detail was very good this time around. the midrange was still quite compelling and it seemed very coherant (which i admired the first time) i switched to my integrated amplifier (BAT), and the bass slam was awesome. great dynamics---though tone in the midrange wasn't quite as pure as on the SET amps. this speaker can change significantly based on amplification i can tell.

overall, a much better demo this time around and i'm probably going to order a pair and demo in my house this time around.

Keith

Dotsystem:

Let me second your recommendation for Jim's book. I spent a weekend with it, tweaking the position, and it made a big difference.

I don't have the $ to upgrade to the presence or essence, so it will need to be subs and a receiver. Frankly, I'm nervous about Zu's change to a ribbon tweeter. I don't want that hi-fi top end "sparkle" and I don't want to give up any sensitivity/efficiency.

I do need help with a 2.2 amp/receiver question.

Just for fun, I ran the Zus off my old Yamaha HTIB since it had SPDIF input and I was hoping to run the system wirelessly through airport express. The Yamaha was notably worse than the sonic-T, so that is out.

Looking for a good amp that does better than 15W and can support 2.2. I also want it to have optical input and a good DAC.

Considering the Onkyo 5AV-L, Harmon Kardon 5490, but I have not heard them and don't know much about them. Onkyo has 40 W d-class and is meant to be "audiophile" but how it sounds, I do not know. HK 5490 has more Ws, but I have no idea how what class amp it is. Peachtree would also be a good choice, but $1200 is too much for me.

Suggestions?