ANY speaker out there (other than Horns) that can match $999 Zu Omen Dirty Weekend Dynamics?

[DSkip]

I recently took in a pair of Wilson Watt/Puppy 5.1 and am extremely impressed with the dynamics of these things, even on SE amplifiers. I haven't had a pair of Zu in yet but I imagine the WP5.1 will give them a run for the money.

 

[morricab]

Hi Dave,
I am not sure what they are doing, but it may be more than the size of the driver, which measures 10". They also use some other engineering trickery... here's some marketing language ...

"The center cylinder (phase plug) in a Zu 10” driver

A machined phase plug assembly, which is not in motion, directly connect to the frame/motor assembly, with both visible and hidden features allowing for the following benefits:

Extending high frequency limits of the driver assembly through a combination of whizzer cone and center pole detail profile and acoustic impedance matching.
MLS diffuser function of pole piece profile and rings aids in the widening of the high frequency (polar plot or beam pattern).
Aids in control of dynamic behavior through diamagnetic shunting (shorting) of spurious B fields.
Zu’s implementation of shunting is regulated, providing virtually no dynamic damping at low level play and increasing logarithmically to maximum in high SPL play.
Dramatic improvement in cooling as the assembly is press fit and uses thermally conductive adhesive. (Only significantly in play when you are pushing huge power, but there nonetheless.)"

and...

"Zu-Griewe driver/box/acoustic loading technology, developed by Sean Casey and the late Ron Griewe, allows improved driver-to-room coupling, fidelity, and bandwidth.

Let us introduce you to Zu’s driver/box/acoustic impedance matching technology. Zu has designed a speaker-driver/box/room loading technology that reduces the acoustic impedance ratio of loudspeaker cone to room, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing cone motion. This original technology significantly widens the usable bandwidth and reduces distortion. It does not introduce distortions common to horn-loaded speakers and is operable through several octaves."

Here's some "white paper stuff"/ marketing:

https://www.zuaudio.com/questions-list/2013/8/18/what-is-a-full-range-driver
https://www.zuaudio.com/questions-list/2013/8/18/tell-me-more-about-zus-10-full-range-driver

https://www.zuaudio.com/questions-list/2013/8/18/what-makes-zu-loudspeakers-so-good

I suspect the bass loading is similar to a TQWT design. This is a really good loading idea if done right...

 

[morricab]

Hi Dave,
I am not sure what they are doing, but it may be more than the size of the driver, which measures 10". They also use some other engineering trickery... here's some marketing language ...

"The center cylinder (phase plug) in a Zu 10” driver

A machined phase plug assembly, which is not in motion, directly connect to the frame/motor assembly, with both visible and hidden features allowing for the following benefits:

Extending high frequency limits of the driver assembly through a combination of whizzer cone and center pole detail profile and acoustic impedance matching.
MLS diffuser function of pole piece profile and rings aids in the widening of the high frequency (polar plot or beam pattern).
Aids in control of dynamic behavior through diamagnetic shunting (shorting) of spurious B fields.
Zu’s implementation of shunting is regulated, providing virtually no dynamic damping at low level play and increasing logarithmically to maximum in high SPL play.
Dramatic improvement in cooling as the assembly is press fit and uses thermally conductive adhesive. (Only significantly in play when you are pushing huge power, but there nonetheless.)"

and...

"Zu-Griewe driver/box/acoustic loading technology, developed by Sean Casey and the late Ron Griewe, allows improved driver-to-room coupling, fidelity, and bandwidth.

Let us introduce you to Zu’s driver/box/acoustic impedance matching technology. Zu has designed a speaker-driver/box/room loading technology that reduces the acoustic impedance ratio of loudspeaker cone to room, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing cone motion. This original technology significantly widens the usable bandwidth and reduces distortion. It does not introduce distortions common to horn-loaded speakers and is operable through several octaves."

Here's some "white paper stuff"/ marketing:

https://www.zuaudio.com/questions-list/2013/8/18/what-is-a-full-range-driver
https://www.zuaudio.com/questions-list/2013/8/18/tell-me-more-about-zus-10-full-range-driver

https://www.zuaudio.com/questions-list/2013/8/18/what-makes-zu-loudspeakers-so-good

I recently took in a pair of Wilson Watt/Puppy 5.1 and am extremely impressed with the dynamics of these things, even on SE amplifiers. I haven't had a pair of Zu in yet but I imagine the WP5.1 will give them a run for the money.

Ummm...doubtful...

 

[Lee]

Not in the dynamics arena.

And I know this is subjective, not in emotional engagement. I take a $4K Zu over any wilson, excepting alexandria, if I am listening to rock n roll.

You must be thinking of the older designs. It doesn't sound like any of the newer ones I have heard.

 

[caesar]

I recently took in a pair of Wilson Watt/Puppy 5.1 and am extremely impressed with the dynamics of these things, even on SE amplifiers. I haven't had a pair of Zu in yet but I imagine the WP5.1 will give them a run for the money.

I really think you should hear it. And I imagine your Mastersound amps and integrateds can work as a great complementary product. Like chocolate and peanut butter.

 

[caesar]

Caesar, it's taken me a long time to crack the Zu combination.
And now I reach for my classical Lps first.
I'd seriously audition Zus further before finally choosing to keep them or dismiss them as rock spkrs only.
So yes, they are rock speakers first, but they're serious all rounders as well.

I don't doubt it one bit. I'm just experientially impoverished.

And what is really amazing, they start at $999 and give one intoxicating tone density and top notch dynamics

 

[andromedaaudio]

I ll wait untill the end of the year , they Will be on discount for something like 699.

Damn ceasar i never thought you were in the hifibizz, lol