Zu Definition owners who stepped up to the Def 4

Phil, is there any reason Zu haven't fitted an internal amp for the 15" sub driver in the Dominance? I would love to be able to afford this model one day, but need for more expenditure on bi amping the speaker takes it further out of range.

There's certainly room for an internal amp in Dominance. In designing a SotA speaker, Zu just took the absolutist route to require external amplification & control for the 15". As a Zu customer I've expressed my preference for a version of Dominance with the Def-like integrated amp/control module internally mounted. It remains to be seen whether the market gets it. I'm sure it's not Sean's highest priority nor should it be.

Phil

Phil,

"The one area of theoretical compromise is that the sub's internal amp is
proximate to the 12" driver"

I just had a talk with Sean about this. I was reassured that the amp being
close is not a problem with the woofer doing its job. And that more of a
concern was the woofer vibration to the amp. He mention that is why they
use extra measures to keep the amp assembled strongly as so not to let the
vibrations of the woofer rattle anything in the amp.

" If you really worried about that the amplification could be
externalized, but then the elegant unitary integration of all Def4 elements into
one simple box would be ruined"

Yes, very true. We also talked about this too. Sean mentioned to me that they
are coming out with a kit that will allow one to remove the amp from the Def
4 (and I'm thinking possibly the prior defs as well?) and incorporate their own
amp to drive the sub. There will be a plate that will fit over the amp opening
to cover the hole and you will receive a credit for returning the amp. This kit
will be posted on their website soon. What a great idea for those who want to
go that route.

I am with Phil on this. The integrated solution is so elegant and in only a 12"x12" foot print. Plus, some of the hassles with accessing and servicing the built-in amplifier in the Def 2s have been solved with the design of the Def 4s. As I understand it, Zu did consider eliminating the built-in amplifier in the Def 4's design; I am glad that they did not.

I don't think that I would consider opting out of the built in amp either now that I have a better understanding of the pros and cons.
However, I think Sean scored big here giving the end user the option. As I understand it, some like the idea of having all their electronics together, on one rack. I have to admit, I sometimes find myself running over to the speakers to adjust the volume when switching to different kinds of music. Not a problem with me (after all, anyone who plays vinyl is always jumping up anyway), but for some I'm sure.