Zellaton Plural Evo - My Review

[SeagoatLeo]

I auditioned the Zellaton Plural Evo's for two months in my home. Something that I can state is that it does not perform at all with low and moderately high powered (120w ) monoblock Class A/B tube amps and a moderate powered (70w.) Class A tube amp. The videos I viewed prior to trying them used high powered/high priced solid state amps. The primary reviewer/owner used 400w. Goldmund Telos 300s, 400w amps.

I read that they also prefer something like the Octave MRE220SE Amp, a tube amp with 220w. into 4 ohms, the Goldmund Telos 3300 with 500w into 8 ohms and Burmester 159 monoblocks with 1,200w into 4 ohms (and $350,000). It just proves that my amplification was either insufficient and/or inadequate in damping factor to control the Zellaton speakers. So, I really never heard them function yet.

 

[AudioLibertarian]

I auditioned the Zellaton Plural Evo's for two months in my home. Something that I can state is that it does not perform at all with low and moderately high powered (120w ) monoblock Class A/B tube amps and a moderate powered (70w.) Class A tube amp. The videos I viewed prior to trying them used high powered/high priced solid state amps. The primary reviewer/owner used 400w. Goldmund Telos 300s, 400w amps.

I read that they also prefer something like the Octave MRE220SE Amp, a tube amp with 220w. into 4 ohms, the Goldmund Telos 3300 with 500w into 8 ohms and Burmester 159 monoblocks with 1,200w into 4 ohms (and $350,000). It just proves that my amplification was either insufficient and/or inadequate in damping factor to control the Zellaton speakers. So, I really never heard them function yet.

Don't you have the Westminster Labs amps that you have been so enthusiastic about? Those should work with Plural Evos very well, as they (I think) will provide "flesh" in the lower midrange &upper bass pretty effectively. Dynacos won't be as effective IMHO.

" So, I really never heard them function yet." - What do you mean?

 

[morricab]

I auditioned the Zellaton Plural Evo's for two months in my home. Something that I can state is that it does not perform at all with low and moderately high powered (120w ) monoblock Class A/B tube amps and a moderate powered (70w.) Class A tube amp. The videos I viewed prior to trying them used high powered/high priced solid state amps. The primary reviewer/owner used 400w. Goldmund Telos 300s, 400w amps.

I read that they also prefer something like the Octave MRE220SE Amp, a tube amp with 220w. into 4 ohms, the Goldmund Telos 3300 with 500w into 8 ohms and Burmester 159 monoblocks with 1,200w into 4 ohms (and $350,000). It just proves that my amplification was either insufficient and/or inadequate in damping factor to control the Zellaton speakers. So, I really never heard them function yet.

To me that is a failure of a speaker then. The classic Zellatons sound very good but IMO, the Plural Evos the two times I have heard them did not sound special.

 

[Audiohertz2]

How is that a speaker failure if they are being under amplified ..!

 

[Steve williams]

I auditioned the Zellaton Plural Evo's for two months in my home. Something that I can state is that it does not perform at all with low and moderately high powered (120w ) monoblock Class A/B tube amps and a moderate powered (70w.) Class A tube amp. The videos I viewed prior to trying them used high powered/high priced solid state amps. The primary reviewer/owner used 400w. Goldmund Telos 300s, 400w amps.

I read that they also prefer something like the Octave MRE220SE Amp, a tube amp with 220w. into 4 ohms, the Goldmund Telos 3300 with 500w into 8 ohms and Burmester 159 monoblocks with 1,200w into 4 ohms (and $350,000). It just proves that my amplification was either insufficient and/or inadequate in damping factor to control the Zellaton speakers. So, I really never heard them function yet.

Hi Leo

What Im really confused about is that there seems to be enough evidence out there by users with low powered tube amps who seem to really think otherwise. I know Emile in Holland uses low powered tube amps to drive his Zellaton Reference ll and recently gleeds posted here recently about the virtues of Trafomatic on Zellaton . This, plus there are countless users that I have seen who are using such with good results. I just think it boils down to listening preference rather than saying inadequate amplification

 

[Steve williams]

here is a photo of the speaker using Trafomatic

 

[morricab]

How is that a speaker failure if they are being under amplified ..!

Because it supposedly needs high power to "wake up"...a fail, IMO.

 

[morricab]

here is a photo of the speaker using Trafomatic

View attachment 146438

Might work at lower levels. It really depends on how low the impedance goes (nominal 4 ohms) in the bass. Could sound anemic if impedance dips in the bass region.

 

[Porsche]

Because it supposedly needs high power to "wake up"...a fail, IMO.

that has zero to do with the speaker, all speakers have a sensitivity rating, this is by drivers used and how complex the cross over is, needing power to drive a speaker is a mis match with amps, not that the speaker is a fail, the failure is whoever chose the amp. with your thought process 90% of speakers are failures unless you have a very high sensitivity speaker that rocks with low wattage tube amps, that's why higher wattage amps exist

 

[Steve williams]

Might work at lower levels. It really depends on how low the impedance goes (nominal 4 ohms) in the bass. Could sound anemic if impedance dips in the bass region.

I was sent that photo a year ago and the information I received was that it sounded excellent . I think it boils down to room, system and preferences

To say speaker failure IMHO is somewhat far fetched

 

[Porsche]

Well, I think the number one reason for poor sounding systems is the electronics. If you can't drive the speaker with an amp that sounds good then it won't sound good. IMO, all high powered SS amps and most high powered PP tube amps sound poor, no matter what speaker they drive.

ALL high powered SS sounds bad, that's absurd and silly but to each their own. again, all speakers have requirements, to get its full potential it takes power and that comes down to sensitivity of the speaker matched with the proper amp

 

[pdubya]

I auditioned the Zellaton Plural Evo's for two months in my home. Something that I can state is that it does not perform at all with low and moderately high powered (120w ) monoblock Class A/B tube amps and a moderate powered (70w.) Class A tube amp. The videos I viewed prior to trying them used high powered/high priced solid state amps. The primary reviewer/owner used 400w. Goldmund Telos 300s, 400w amps.

I read that they also prefer something like the Octave MRE220SE Amp, a tube amp with 220w. into 4 ohms, the Goldmund Telos 3300 with 500w into 8 ohms and Burmester 159 monoblocks with 1,200w into 4 ohms (and $350,000). It just proves that my amplification was either insufficient and/or inadequate in damping factor to control the Zellaton speakers. So, I really never heard them function yet.

Curious what “not perform” and “inadequate … control” means, exactly. When Gideon set mine up in a 17x37 room and played some big bass music to get the break-in process going he nearly brought the house down - in a good way - with an Esoteric integrated putting out 60w into 4 ohms.

 

[Al M.]

with your thought process 90% of speakers are failures unless you have a very high sensitivity speaker that rocks with low wattage tube amps,

Of course they are failures. At least by the dogmatism of a certain crowd.

 

[SeagoatLeo]

Don't you have the Westminster Labs amps that you have been so enthusiastic about? Those should work with Plural Evos very well, as they (I think) will provide "flesh" in the lower midrange &upper bass pretty effectively. Dynacos won't be as effective IMHO.

" So, I really never heard them function yet." - What do you mean?

Don't you have the Westminster Labs amps that you have been so enthusiastic about? Those should work with Plural Evos very well, as they (I think) will provide "flesh" in the lower midrange &upper bass pretty effectively. Dynacos won't be as effective IMHO.

" So, I really never heard them function yet." - What do you mean?

I purchased the REI's over a year after I returned the Zellatons. They were returned to Hear This who used them with his REIs.

The Dynaco with the radical change from an ultralinear to a voltage regulated (transformer tap change) beefed up power supply, etc. makes this a unique and very powerful little amp. It has deep and punchy bass like no other ST70 (although I do have NOS Mullard output tubes). However, my 125w monoblock tube amps did not work on the Zellatons either or my EAR 890. So, there's that.

It's okay though because I was seeking a mint condition Von Schweikert VR9 SE Mk2 which I purchased with Masterbuilt Ultra rewire, new Foundation sub amps and reconditioned supertweeters from Hear This. I'm ecstatically happy with these speakers.

The VS speaker works with less power but full bodied sound from the Dynaco, no problem from the 125w monoblocks either (but I moved away from those amps as the designer made 6 changes to it in a year). The EAR 890 amp just isn't in the same league as the REIs (I kept one as a back-up anyway).

 

[SeagoatLeo]

Curious what “not perform” and “inadequate … control” means, exactly. When Gideon set mine up in a 17x37 room and played some big bass music to get the break-in process going he nearly brought the house down - in a good way - with an Esoteric integrated putting out 60w into 4 ohms.

My Legacy Signature 3s in the living room wiped the floor, that's how bad the Zellaton's sounded. My friends who are known mastering engineers and record dealers couldn't stand coming over for the two months and laughed at them. I really wanted them to sound great but they never did. As I said, I have not heard the Zellatons with matching amplification. The Trafomatic works for someone which is great. Gideon was very tired when he arrived at my home and they were improperly set up (no footer cups). They improved when the cups were installed but still were very thin sounding with no real bass. Something about my amps did not jive with those speakers. I am not blaming the speaker. I am not denigrating my equipment either.

When I purchased my Signature IIIs in 2003, the seller had them hooked up to a big Boulder amp and a tube pre-amp. They sounded awful. I brought a Sherwood 7100 (16w solid state receiver) to test them. The owner was blown away with the sound and couldn't believe it. He had already purchased another speaker so I got them for $1600 in mint condition. Apparently, there was a huge mismatch with his preamp and amp (maybe impedance issue). They are no VS VR9s but they have superb dispersion, easy to drive, full bodied and out of the box sound (disappear in my living room-the entire 1,600' living area gets great sound). Voices, stringed instruments and pianos sound better than any Maggie I've heard. The Dynaco amp powers the Sig IIIs.
My VS VR9s are in a dedicated custom built listening room with high end associated equipment and cabling.

 

[pdubya]

My Legacy Signature 3s in the living room wiped the floor, that's how bad the Zellaton's sounded. My friends who are known mastering engineers and record dealers couldn't stand coming over for the two months and laughed at them. I really wanted them to sound great but they never did. As I said, I have not heard the Zellatons with matching amplification. The Trafomatic works for someone which is great. Gideon was very tired when he arrived at my home and they were improperly set up (no footer cups). They improved when the cups were installed but still were very thin sounding with no real bass. Something about my amps did not jive with those speakers. I am not blaming the speaker. I am not denigrating my equipment either.

When I purchased my Signature IIIs in 2003, the seller had them hooked up to a big Boulder amp and a tube pre-amp. They sounded awful. I brought a Sherwood 7100 (16w solid state receiver) to test them. The owner was blown away with the sound and couldn't believe it. He had already purchased another speaker so I got them for $1600 in mint condition. Apparently, there was a huge mismatch with his preamp and amp (maybe impedance issue). They are no VS VR9s but they have superb dispersion, easy to drive, full bodied and out of the box sound (disappear in my living room-the entire 1,600' living area gets great sound). Voices, stringed instruments and pianos sound better than any Maggie I've heard. The Dynaco amp powers the Sig IIIs.
My VS VR9s are in a dedicated custom built listening room with high end associated equipment and cabling.

Sorry you weren’t able to experience all they have to offer. In addition to the Esoteric I’ve connected mine to JMF 7001 monos (300/600 AB) and Absolare stereo hybrid (175/275) with no negative impact.

 

[microstrip]

(....) that comes down to sensitivity of the speaker matched with the proper amp

Unfortunately sensitivity can be used mainly with solid state amplifiers - when using tube amplifiers things get more complicated - we need details on the power of the amplifier, as well as output impedance and the impedance curve of the speaker. Dispersion can also be relevant.

Listener preference is a key point - some types of music match well with the soft clipping characteristics of some tube amplifiers, others not so well.

 

[Audiohertz2]

Because it supposedly needs high power to "wake up"...a fail, IMO.

Hillarious …!

 

[morricab]

Hillarious …!

Have you heard this speaker?

 

[exupgh12]

Heard the plural evo with CH M, Engstorm, MSB, Absolare amplifications, they sound wonderful, very dynamic and capable speakers. Also herd the Stage with the last three amplifications, absolutely loved them.