Zu vs. Tekton? -- your comparisons on price, build, sound


My brother in law just bought a pair of Zu Soul Supreme speakers to go with his Rogue RP7/First Watt J2 combo. 

He's clearly chasing that lower watt/higher sensitivity magic.  

I've asked him about his interest in Devore, AudioNote and some other pricier, high sensitivity speakers, and they're just not coming up used at a price he wants to buy. 

So, he's going with Zu.

Zu and Tekton are in the same price region. How do their similarly priced models compare?

If you have researched Zu and Tekton and compared similar priced models:

What differences in your system did you notice in their sound?

How would you compare their build quality — cabinets, drivers, etc.?

hilde45

@riley804 I'm really not about to change speakers. I did write to Jim Salk about considering making a more sensitive speaker. The problem he cites is accuracy. But he's thinking about it.

What I'm interested in is -- if you will -- the "tier below Devore" for sensitive speakers. I know folks love/hate Tekton, but since Zu is just down the road in Utah and is a similar kind of company and price-class, I'm wondering about them in comparison. Both those speakers can show up at The Music Room, to which I can drive and try out a pair.

 

 

 

I've had Tektons and as good as they sound (for the money) they are not made that well or should I say they are made to a price point. its the cabinet work that's lacking IMO, that is where they are saving money to keep the pricing down. From pictures I'd say Zu is ahead in this area, sound I do not know. 

Personally i couldn't live with the looks of the semi gloss paint and poor cabinet quality. Not saying they are bad just that's where Tekton saves money to meet a price point. it would be nice it they offered an upgraded cabinet for those who wanted it. 

 

Sound wise, it's up to you and your room.  Zu's to me are more focused and etched sounding and boarder on bright but in the right room are tough to beat.

Tekton have their own sound too which I have liked so far, great live sound.

IF you consider build quality and WAF then Tekton takes a loss every single time.  Zu's are beautiful looking speakers, Tekton are far from that.

Zu Audio is by far superior, no comparison. You can understand all of the words in vocals, piano and strings are well defined. To me Tekton sounds muddy.

Apples and oranges in both design and sound. I’ve heard both, Zu many times, but neither is my cup of tea. I do like Zu aesthetics . Tekton is best for folks with modest tube amps looking for a lot of speaker for the $$$ and probably go loud well. Zu is a fit for modest tube amps also and I always want to like them but sound has always been a bit thin and not involving nor well balanced when heard to me. Very midrangy and a bit shouty. Definitely a unique sound. Also I think Zu prices have gone up quite a bit in recent years based on their niche.