The End Of A 35 Year Journey ---Zellaton -The Reference Ultra Final Frontier

[MarkusBarkus]

he'll do the jig, maybe with a slight twerk

...video, please, Steve.

 

[John T]

Cool optical illusion/reflection!

 

[LL21]

I listened to the Zellaton Reference speakers this past week, just outside of Toronto at the Boutique Audio Gallery — website: boutique.audio

The Zellatons were powered by numerous amplifier brands. It was fortuitous to swap them out at will: JMF, Alieno, Engstrom and SPEC.

It also wasn't too shabby that I was able to compare (A/B) to the YG XX speakers that were also on hand.

Photos of the Zellatons from different angles. I had a real blast up North, so much so that I'll be heading back.
View attachment 149860View attachment 149861View attachment 149862

Wow...unusual opportunity indeed! Any listening notes on what you heard...how the speakers reacted to the different amps? And any comparison of the YG XX and the Zellatons?

 

[Steve williams]

Hi David

Were those Reference Ultra or Reference Klassik

 

[Steve williams]

...video, please, Steve.

Only my wife sees me twerk

 

[davidavdavid]

Hi David

Were those Reference Ultra or Reference Klassik

Hi Steve

Those Zellatons up in Canada were/are Reference Ultras, as I believe the Reference Klassik possess silver/metallic colored drivers, and the ones in my photos have dark drivers. The finish was/is custom, identical to the pair Zellaton debuted at Munich in 2024.

I trust this sufficiently answers your question.

 

[Steve williams]

Hi Steve

Those Zellatons up in Canada were/are Reference Ultras, as I believe the Reference Klassik possess silver/metallic colored drivers, and the ones in my photos have dark drivers. The finish was/is custom, identical to the pair Zellaton debuted at Munich in 2024.

I trust this sufficiently answers your question.

Porsche Aventurine Green with chrome rings. That was exactly how I ordered mine

 

[davidavdavid]

Porsche Aventurine Green with chrome rings. That was exactly how I ordered mine

Exotic combination, when appropriate, I'd like to see a picture. #norush

 

[Steve williams]

you are correct....

Here is the Reference Mk ll Klassik

Zellaton - Reference Mk II

here is the Reference Ultra

Zellaton - REFERENCE ULTRA

tweeter size is different as is sensitivity

From what I understand the crossovers are also different. Cabinet dimensions are identical as is weight

 

[Steve williams]

I think this Reference Ultra speaker is Porsche Aventurine Green with Chrome rings --identical to what I ordered

 

[John T]

Very impressive! Stunningly beautiful...I love your choice of color Steve...

 

[Big Dog RJ]

Attn: David
I've heard those Alieno amplifiers before, driving Wilson's, Alexia V's I think or Shasa Daws... think I've got the speakers mixed up. Anyway, driven by the Alieno amps, it wasn't that great. However, the Momentum preamp and VAC tube gear was far better, it had all the poise, authority, control and finesse. It was really tops.

Have also auditioned the Spec gear, another fine SOTA design done by the Japanese team at Spec, really marvellous gear.

Trust you had a blast! I can see sheepys grazing in the background... I reckon they were doing the twerk! Whiles those finest tunes were played on those Zellaton's! Go sheepy, go sheepy, twerk twerk... brilliant!

That deserves a mighty WOOF!
RJ

 

[Kvali1]

I find it very interesting when members describe specific cabinet type speakers to emulate Electrostats... very interesting. I'm thinking on the same lines in fact, during my limited audition with them last year (about 3hrs on private demo) driven by CJ's ART amplifiers. I can certainly relate to the Electrostats indeed, such that the Zellaton line seems to present the sound wave from one type of material. Or at least it seems to be the case.

Hence, when comparing to other high performance cabinet types, you can certainly hear the array of drivers using multiple types of materials, including the tweeters which vary drastically. Being an electrostat owner for as long as I first ever opened a glass bottle of Coke, I can distinctively hear that cabinet and multiple drivers associated with them, no matter how complex the design.

However, when you hear a Zellaton speaker for the first time, all those preconceived notions of cabinet resonances and box design is completely wiped out! There's hardly any coloration if at all, and like I said the presentation seems to emanate from one driver. It's bloody marvellous!
I'm not sure how Zellaton techies have accomplished this in a cabinet type system but whatever they've done and whatever they've used is simply outstanding! A true SOTA design I must say. I don't think I've ever heard a cabinet type speaker with an array of dynamic drivers sound quite the same.

In fact, having previously owned Wilson's for a short while, I can confidently admit that the Zellaton design is far superior, yet far more simple in driver technology, and this is what results in a far more natural reproduction of the source recording.

Obviously when it comes to panel type speakers, and Electrostats for that matter, there's nothing on earth that's man made in terms of cabinet/ dynamic driver design that can represent Electrostats, no chance! The physics is totally different and it would be quite silly to replicate this design up against a cabinet/box-less design... there's absolutely zero chance of that ever happening.
Nonetheless, like I said before, if I were to ever change from my current Stats to a cabinet type system, Zellaton would be that speaker.

Attn: Steve
BTW I checked with my good mate in Spore, yes he was using the ART27A with the Z-Ultra Reference, along with the Art88 preamp. I also remember the SACD player used was a T+A HV series player, now that was one fantastic stop the train moment for me. I'll never forget those limited 3hrs I had with that system, every second and every minute was worthwhile.

You don't get these sort of chances or opportunities at hifi shows...and so the vast number of people who've heard lofty systems in such shows (when not placed optimally) will always criticise the gear, especially the speakers. Then there are shows where they've done the best possible and placement seems to be optimal with top gear, great! BUT the biggest let down is the source. Useless mediocre digital streaming with minimal bandwidth and connectivity cutting out, absolutely useless.

Whenever I visit Spore, which is once a year every Feb or May, I always make it a point to experience something new. Something out of the ordinary and something of supreme quality. Zellaton was all of that, and had a very fine level of finesse that's unmatched by a far magin. It's not even funny. Nothing more to add really.

Cheers Stevo! And do enjoy those finest tunes.
WOOF! RJ

This is amazing. I’m newer in my love for electrostatic speakers but I 1000% agree with everything you’ve said here !!!