2. speakers
  3. 1299724595

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...
plangco
morganc
255 posts
 
charlesdad: I 100% agree with your description: the paper cones on the Omens are very dynamic with an exceptionally natural tone.
james63
534 posts
 
Not the Omen but the Essence was measured by Stereophile (link below) and they are by far the worst measuring speaker I have ever seen them measure. I have never heard anything by Zu, just read the reviews...

"In many ways, the Zu Essence is an underachiever, measurement-wise. But the surprise for me, when I auditioned it in AD's room, was how much of its measured misbehavior was not too audible, other than the rolled-off highs and the lack of impact in the lower midrange."

http://www.stereophile.com/content/zu-essence-loudspeaker-measurements
morganc
255 posts
 
James63: I know nothing about measurements, but I do know from the first moment that I heard the Omens that they were much better to my ears than the Essence that I had for over a year. I compared the two side by side for about 5 minutes and then promptly sold the Essence. The Omens are much more open and dynamic and the highs are much easier on my sensitive ears. Just FYI.
paulfolbrecht
603 posts
 
Hey Morgan what 845 SET you running there?

I've found the First Watt F3 to be a completely divine match for Def 2.0s as well as the Wavac MD811 integrated (amazing amp).

The Tom Evans Linear A is also completely stunning with these speakers. An amplifier in its own category in many ways actually.

As for turning one's nose up at "paper drivers", they (and other natural materials - hemp) seem to nail the tone of real instruments better than anything else. Poly and the like always sounds at least a wee bit plasticy in comparison.
pizzatheorem
8 posts
 
Indeed, PHY makes some of the best drivers around and their cones are paper.

http://www.phy-hp.com/English/Products/KM30_E.html
More to discover