Zu Soul Superfly

Thanks for clearing that up! Its a shame you won't be reviewing this one as I love your reviews and your site.

I usually find myself auditioning gear based on your endorsement--I wanted to see if my early adopter/unbiased findings mirrored yours this time around with the tables turned.

Keep writing great reviews!

Fred

Using common sense, my prior exposure and current ownership of the Essence, I would predict a return to the Zu house sound,i.e. less concessions to a modern 'commercial' sound as the ribbon tweeter in the Essence was supposed to do. To match the ribbon, the widebander's sensitivity had to be padded down. With the Soul, I think it's back up. The Griewe loading of the Essence (that foam cartridge) really works and apparently the Soul's turned/twisted design and new 'breathing holes' are an advancement on that.

My assumption is thus an upgraded Druid Mk IV with more bass power and an improved widebander in a stumpier box for what until recently was a better price. Today the site when accessed from Switzerland shows $4.543 which isn't exactly the $2.600 it was when I was first solicited. Not sure what happened there and whether this is the price *delivered* (i.e. including shipping) to the EU - which would be first-class expedited shipping plus unless the base price too has increased.

Zu will hopefully make a public statement on this price increase (American readers apparently see $3.500).

The Zu website has always had different pricing for US and non-US readers. Non-US pricing has always been a lot higher. It seems as if there was a glitch; and US readers (for a while) saw $4543. It is now $3500.

I know. My point was, an increase from $2600 to $3500 or 35% up isn't insignificant and a further sign that I was approached prematurely. The current direct-sales model does not explain why foreign pricing outside the US would be another $1000 more, does it? It's an entirely different positioning and value proposition.

After I published the Presence review in which Zu announced a return to dealer distribution, the company shortly afterwards reverted to direct sales again and the Presence was quickly discontinued. Given that experience and the current delay and price changes of the Soul, I'm merely reinforced in my decision to sit this one out.

Srajen,

Apologies if wires have gotten crossed. No offence intended.

I was talking to a couple of friends about this last night and I think zu are going to need to act quickly to put this to bed.

One friend noted that they were behaving exactly like a company with excellence in production but perhaps not marketing vacillating between direct sealing dealerships. Next step will be to outsource it.

The reply I had from Gerrit at Zu didn't really enlighten me on why the price rise but, to me, it looks like either the inclusion of first class shipping as you've stated, or, a dealer cut.

Either way, some clarity is urgently required.

I should also add my voice to Fred in saying that I love the reviews. They have been highly influential. I'm still unclear though as to what 6mooons lose b the delay. It's Zu that lose rep rather than 6moons surely and an update to the preview, rather than outright pulling, would surely have been enough for most of us.

Mike