2. speakers
  3. 1368991327

Zu Omen Def's, Tekton Pendragon SEAS, or Omega's?

After a ton of research, I've, more or less come down to these as my best speaker options. I am looking for big sound, even in my limited space. My room is 10x10, with a built in shelf, in front of which the speakers must be positioned. Listening distance is 5.5 feet, and the speakers must fit into an equidistant footprint 5 feet apart forming a triangle with the listing spot.

That hasn't presented issues with some larger speakers, as I've borrowed both a friends Harbeth 40.1's, and another friends Gallo 3.5's which both worked very well. However, both are too inefficient to work with the amplifier solution I want, and the Harbeth's are far, far beyond what my budget can handle.

I've communicated extensively to both Sean from Zu, and Louis from Omega/Hoyt-Bedford, each of who are simply great and incredibly helpful people who truly care about audio and music. Both have a number of speakers that they say will work exceptionally well in my listening space, and with the medium powered class of SET amps that I plan to use them with (12-16wpc)

I've also read many, many remarkable personal accounts and reviews of the Tekton Pendragon (clearly too big for my situation) and, much more recently the Pendragon SEAS/SE, which was designed for smaller rooms. I've not yet spoken to Eric at Tekton, but understand they are swamped with orders. I'm also a little concerned that people who have commented on the smaller Pendragons are using big power amps to run them, so perhaps they will not match up effectively, as I would have expected, for my intended SET amplifiers limits. They appear to be a spectacular value otherwise, so that would be disappointing if true.

I would greatly appreciate any commentary from those of you who have heard at least two of these speakers and can compare them. I have not had the opportunity to listen to any of them, and while they all offer an in-home audition period, it's still a great leap of faith to actually make the move and place an order for one of them.
nightfall
holley
79 posts
 
I have also owned 2 pairs of Zu Omen Defs and the Pendragon (non-SE version). I am pretty sure the Pendragons would overload that small room. If you want to stay with Tekton, you might consider the Lore (I hava a pair of M-Lores, and they are terrific).

Personally, I think Zu would be the best solution (I slightly preferred the Omen Def to the Pendragons I had). They have a number of models to choose from, and were very easy to drive with both SS and tube amps. Plus, you get a 60 trial period. No amount of recommendations is a substitute for being able to have the speakers in your actual listening room.
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
There is no way you should even consider the Pendragon for that room. And you won't get 100% out of any larger speaker you put in there. Just sayin.......

Shakey
morganc
255 posts
 
How about the Lores on one end of the price spectrum or the new Druid mk V on the other hand? Both are phenomenal in the nearfield.
nightfall OP
188 posts
 
05-21-13: Morganc
"How about the Lores on one end of the price spectrum or the new Druid mk V on the other hand? Both are phenomenal in the nearfield."

The Lores, while an exceptional value, won't get me where I want to go. Especially given that I am looking for a soundstage, overall depth and presentation roughly along the lines of what I heard when I auditioned the borrowed Harbeth 40.1's, and Gallo REF 3.5's in my room. And you do have great taste. I would absolutely love to go with the new Druid's, which Sean and I discussed, but the over $5k price simply is beyond my budget. I can manage $3500-4k, max.
roundmoundofsound
74 posts
 
Here is a wild card you probably have not heard of...the Art Deco single driver from Bogdan Audio Creations in Ohio. 3 of us that went to Axpona Chicago were amazed at their performance for $2000. The 3 of us normally listen to Shahinian's, Quad electrostats, Green Mountain's and Kef's. I mention what we listen to so you can appreciate the quality of the Art Deco's. The quality of construction was impressive and they looked good as well. I normally haven't been impressed with single driver units but these were special.
More to discover