Это видео недоступно.
Сожалеем об этом.
Zu DWX: the thinking man's Klipsch
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 15 авг 2024
- This video is brought to you by Cambridge Audio:
www.cambridgea...
🎥 Camera: John Darko / Olaf von Voss
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🌈 Colour: Olaf von Voss
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
💰 Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan
🎵 Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video - and other videos - can be found on PATREON: / johndarko
0:00 Intro
3:47 Supreme
7:06 High efficiency
12:19 Not all plain sailing...
15:31 Why not the DW6?
Zu DWX info page
📖 www.zuaudio.co...
Zu DWX intro video
📺 • Zu & You Episode 2 (DWX)
Zu Audio factory tour (2016)
📺 darko.audio/20...
Srajan Ebaen's DWX review
📖 6moons.com/aud...
B&W 705 S3
🛒 howl.me/ckghPk...
Wharfedale Linton
🛒 howl.me/cjSVVj...
PSB Passif 50
🛒 howl.me/cisaDs...
Audiolab 6000A Play
🛒 howl.me/ckanjd...
Cables and power products by AudioQuest
🛒 howl.me/ckbW8Z...
Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
🛒 howl.me/ckbW99...
Room treatment by Vicoustic
📖 vicoustic.com/
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, which are indicated with a '🛒'.
__________________________________________________________________
📖 PLEASE READ *before commenting*!
1) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome
2) No URLs, racist/sexist remarks or conspiracy theories
3) All comments here are moderated by a third party
__________________________________________________________________
⏰ How our RUclips videos get made:
darko.audio/20...
Darko.Audio FAQ:
darko.audio/faq/
Why are/were comments turned OFF?
darko.audio/20...
What the bloody hell am I talking about?
• What the bloody hell a...
How is Darko.Audio funded?
darko.audio/fu...
__________________________________________________________________
🎧 Check out the Darko.Audio podcast:
podcasts.apple...
open.spotify.c...
/ johnhdarko
__________________________________________________________________
Web: Darko.Audio
Instagram: / darkoaudio
Love the warm, punchy sound of the DW with clarity caps. Fun speaker that plays loud and fits in many rooms. The midrange and voices that come through are distinctive and never harsh. 👍🏼
At a certain age for many of us old folks, hearing disappears above 15 khz. This seems like a coherent-voiced speaker system that would suit us.
I don't know, I am hearing things out of these speakers that no other speaker I have owned has been able to reproduce with such an in the room soundstage. I was listening to some Art Blakey the other night, and Art and his band were in the room. Paired with a 1970 model year Sansui 4000 receiver, these Zu speakers are phenomenal.
Everything John is saying about the DWX is true in regards to the DW6 towers with Supreme package, which I own. I paired them with a vintage 1970 Sansui 4000 stereo receiver and found audio nirvana. I bought the Sansui on a whim, as my modern gear was not doing it for me. I wound up selling a lot of gear, Denafrips Venus II 12th, Athena, Thallo, Parasound A23+, etc... I kept a PS Audio GainCell DAC/Pre to handle the digital with the Sansui... Sansui = BEEFCAKE. And it only cost me $200. ;-)
If you like Jazz, R&B, Blues, Classic Rock and Vinyl, this $200 Sansui kicks some serious ass. The phono preamp in the Sansui is very hard to beat, I own three, the Sansui wipes the deck. Airy tube like sound, that warmth John spoke of. The bass, OMG, the BASS. The treble, just as John described, dynamic, soundstage, and just downright fun! Welcome to Zu.
If you do the inflation numbers, the Sansui is a $3000+ unit in todays numbers, and it is 100 times better, at least to my ears, and others that have had the pleasure of hearing it all. Thousands of dollars in modern gear could not do what the Sansui and Zu's are doing to my ears. The modern gear was a waste of money for myself.
The Zu's are the icing on the cake. I think Sean and Sansui had something going on in an alternate universe.
I'm listening right now, I walked in, hit the on button, no internet, no phones, no computers, just hit the on button... The Sansui has an FM tuner! Now your messing with a SOB... Local FM BABY! Love it after a hard day at work.
Thanks John! I just checked what the price for a pair of DWX speakers would be factoring in shipping, import duties and currency exchange to the Netherlands where I live. For the base model with no frills it comes to €1930 in total. Just thought it might be interesting for reference.
Zu seem to be Klipsch without the stigma. RP600 owner here. Voiced similarly, largely due to their high sensitivity, if you don’t want the tacky gold cones and horn-loaded stereotypes that unfortunately burden the Klipsch brand within the hifi realm, Zu is the ticket. Great review!
I don’t normally care about looks in stereo gear, but compared to everyone, especially the bronze klipsch bullseye, these are beautiful.
Kudos to Zu for that!
Nice looking shot you've got there. The speakers, your sweatshirt and the other bits in the frame make for a nice mix of colors.
Wow... Listening to The Final Cut! Nice one, John!
Nice one, thanks! I really like your down to the earth presentation and out of the box thinking. Not sure that I would try the speakers upside down. Great!
Zu have to work out their shipping to EU. Burying a pair to Portugal means 23% VAT + custom fees + shipping. This brings these speakers to a different price point. Vinshine have worked this out to a reasonable cost. Would be a happy customer if so.
I can say the same about Focal to the states
One of the (many) things I enjoy in your reviews is your struggle to find specific language that conveys the listening experience. Your awareness and avoidance of standard audio-review tropes is refreshing. Thanks.
Yes, you are so right!
Thanks for covering this unique brand. I love my Omen Dirty Weekend II. Fun, spirited and a joy to hear. Appreciate you, John.
What are you using to drive your DWs? Have you tried any vintage receivers with them?
@@michaelwright1602 I have tried several amps. Vintage Audio Research Tube hybrid with just 30 WPC. Parasound solid state with 200 WPC in 8ohms, Odyssey solid state with huge power supply, etc. I have not tried a vintage receiver. My guess is that with a decent mosfet set up will be great. They are pretty efficient and very dynamic. They truly do rock! I am thinking about doing a couple of upgrades that Zu has available to see if they makes any difference. They are just a fun speaker from a fun company. I truly respect the company and its mission. I have Maggie's, Dynaudio and KEF speakers, and the Zu approach is really different and very enjoyable.
A terrific review. I think you really nailed why I was dissatisfied with the dirty weekends during my long trial period. The slightly recessed presence region with less clear layering bothered me. Because the driver sat so low, well below ear height, and the sound stage seemed low, I bought footers that allowed me to tilt the speakers slightly up. Unfortunately that did not get me where I needed to be. They definitely had that bass kick that you mentioned. Definitely dynamic and exciting. In the end, I returned them. Turning them upside down sounds like a great option, but without solving the recessed presence region issue, I don't think I will give them a try. So appreciative of this fine review!
Great video! Keep them coming! I have the Zu Omen Def Supreme and absolutely love them. Small amps work good, my preference is large amps though. They just sing with details and energy that is just amazing. The headroom from large amps to me is the best. Once again this is what I prefer. Plus I have large areas to have filled with sound. Thanks again!
I’ve got speakers in my living room ( and bedroom ) that are sideways with the tweeters closer to centre.....
Works for me 😉🙏
Zu speakers are a love or hate sort of thing. Sean doesn't care too much about measurements and you hear that. They are meant to be a fun, dynamic, lively, colored sound.
@@goodsound4756, what is an audiophile? In my eyes, it is a person that loves listening to music and cares about the sound. And that is exactly a typical Zu customer.
This original comment comes from someone who hasn’t heard these speakers and if they have were using the wrong amplifier . They’re fantastic for the price. DW is the best line for the price.
I can’t believe how gorgeous their finish options are. They really stand out.
John, I've been orbiting the DW6, and now the DWX, for a while as I wait on funds. I have been looking at other brands (Q Acoustic 5000-series maybe?), but I keep coming back to that 'high efficiency = involving sound at low volume level' quality. Your FUN + FINESSE + FUNK summary has pretty much confirmed my leanings towards a Dirty Weekend speaker, so I thank you for that. Thinking of driving it with some quality Schiit, such as the apparently popular Freya+ / Aegir combo so many Zu owners rave about. How fun!
That is exactly what I'm currently using (Freya + Aegir + DW), and it's great, although I think now I would go on a different path like the Audiolab 6000a. The Freya its a bit underwhelming to me and it does not justify the use of space.
@@johnenglishIII That's some valuable insight and it points to one of the reasons I like the 'separates' route versus the easier, simpler route of an integrated like the Ragnarok 2... if a particular part of the chain ends up feeling underwhelming, that part can be easily swapped out for a different component, the preamp in your case, to see what it brings to the party.
How do you like the Aegir? I've heard that it does tone very very sweetly on DWs. And have you tried any different tubes in the Freya? Or is yours the solid state version?
I have the combination you are considering and like it very much although I did get another Aegir so I could run monoblocks. I also occasionally get great enjoyment from switching out the Schitt stack with one of my DIY tube amps, one triode amp at around 5 w/channel and a push-pull amp that runs from around 25 watts to 35 watts depending whether it is in ultralinear mode or not. The tube amp combos sound luscious ( a technical term) due in part to the high sensitivity of the DW6s.
@@waltergist8923 Great info! Is that 'ultra linear' amp a PrimaLuna perchance? They're a good bit out of my budget but I've been thoroughly enjoying the 300 Evo my friend has in his system.
I’ve also been thinking of driving these with the aegir and the new preamp from schiit that replaced the freya called the “Kara”. But I don’t need a lot of volume so I think one of schiit’s new smaller amps (probably the Gjallarhorn to be safe)will do it for me.
But I’m highly tempted to get the aegir as it seems like a popular choice for the Zu speakers and I already have one in my other setup with klipsch and I’m convinced the aegir is legit!
Any reason the aegir would be a better option than the ghorn if not needing to go to high listening volumes?
It looks as though they were influenced by full range drivers of the 1960's, large paper cone, mid-range wizzer cone and compression type horn. Very cool in my opinion.
I LOVE this review John!!! I Love that you point out that these very affordable speaker are not Made in China!!! Where are the other speaker made?
Always love your videos, and love your podcasts even more! Thanks!
They’re gorgeous! I have a pair of Celestion DL8 which I have had for, oh, 35 years and thinking about what I would replace those beauties with one day…these seem like a very similar speaker. I have always enjoyed my Celestions as warm, almost soft, sound but still having ability to impress at higher volume. ✌️😊
I have these with a Marantz 30 amp, a Technics SL-1210GR and an Eversolo DMP-A6 and they sound amazing. The Zus replaced Q Acoustics Concept 50s. Unsurprisingly the DWX sounds better in every regard. The direct to consumer model plays a role as the Supreme DWXs cost $2400 and the Concept 50s $3000. Recently ordered Buchardt A500s with the Platin hub. There is real value in buying direct as the distributor and dealer markup means you are getting twice the value when you go direct. Of course you need to live with not having the dealer nearby for service…
I just took delivery of the DW6 with Supreme package... I was thinking of the DWX, as I already have a pair of the Omen DW's, but then I would have to get the stands, and then I am well past the DWX price point. All I can say, is that these new DW6 speakers are not going anywhere any time soon. I have them paired with a vintage 1970 Sansui 4000 receiver, which in my mind, was made for the Zu's. Airy tube like sound, the bass is simply nuts that the Sansui can produce with the Zu's, just incredible sounding for the $200 spent. And vinyl using the Sansui phono stage, magical is all I can say, takes me back in time with the Mofi StudioDeck with Master Tracker cart... The cool part, the Sansui has an FM tuner... It is so nice to walk in from work and simply hit one button, and I have my local classic rock station playing. No phones, no streamers, no internet... Heaven!
Love my DW MKII. Hope your health is doing well John.
Magical how the loudspeakers invert periodically...
Glad Darko got a chance to get his mitts on these.
Thanks for the recommended album, it's on Apple Music 😊. Keep up the great review.
Great video! I saw The Final Cut in one of the shots and now I have to listen to it!
Excellently detailed review! Thanks Darco!
Fine Review, still enjoying my 7 years old ZU Union Mk 1, which deliver the 3 mentioned F.., too
The dead stock album is actually on apple music but not available in lossless. They also have some newer singles from 2018
Wow! Thank you for letting us know where it is truly made! I appreciate your report.
Great review! Really fascinating pair of speakers! Thanks, as always!
looking good on the Linton stands!
You could probably add another F for fast. I don’t know if it’s efficient speakers in general or Zu specifically, but that’s the first thing I noticed with the previous DW model. I hadn’t heard those kind of dynamics from my previous speakers. It was a sharp crescendo on Saint-Saëns: Danse macabre that startled me the first time I heard it. Immediately made me into a Zu convert. As always, thanks for the review.
Have you considered making a text disclaimer screen so you don’t have to repeat every video that comparisons are limited to what you currently have on site?
Been a very happy Zu Audio spkr. owner for over 2 years - totally agree... Zu Audio make pretty darned special speakers! Cheers.
Found myself chin stroking in agreement with your comparison of the Lintons and Passif 50. Love them both but in my room the PSB need a sub. The Zu’s sound like they’d be a great speaker to live with and maybe a great value tube option especially with decent £1k Chinese integrateds. Zu is a bit aesthetically marmite though.
Nice to see Robertson screws being used instead of Phillips garbage
I have the Zu DW'S. I drive them with an 8 wpc tube amp. They sound great with this pairing. To me the sound is very natural, never fatiguing. I am sure the DWX is very similar but maybe a bit more versatile.
Always entertaining, John. I really enjoy your content.
It's funny how many times the need for a subwoofer is mentioned along with the speakers, but the need for a super tweeter is rarely mentioned. Thankyou so much for the videos.
Thanks John, very interesting video.
Nice review. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Great video John. Really appreciated the broad comparison speaker review.
Another excellent video. Re stands, I wonder if the Mission 770 stands would be a good fit? I think they are available to buy seperately.
Comprehensive review. Well done. Informative.
Wonder if I can get a discount by selling the tweeter back to them' since I can't hear anything above 13k.
Hi John, what are the speaker stands you cut to at 12:19? I didn't see them in the solid steel catalogue. Cheers.
Love to see them upside down.. a homage to Z review who NEVER uses a speaker like it is designed and ment to be used :P
Thank you! I was wondering what that was about.😂
Nice review. I have owned a pair of DWs since 2011. I have a love-hate relationship with them. An inverted V sound curve. I might upgrade the drivers after listening to your review. Thanks!
ZU audio gets the "Most Sexy, USA made" speaker award. Okay its not taking Focal or Sonus Faber to task but... A year ago I asked Sean if he had a stand mount under $3k in the line to use in SpeakerFest 2022. He did not. But he seems to be a fast learner. I bet a 2nd stand mount is in the works.
Hi John. That Deadstock album is available on Apple Music, but only in lossy format as far as i can tell. Couldn't find it on Tidal.
I suppose the real question is, was anything blown out of the water?
💥
I could be mistaken (thats rather easy to verify I suppose) but at one point the speakers are definitely upside down.
That got me thinking for a bit. ◾
Ah, I see. :)
Hey John it’s a good looking speaker I love ZU🎸
Nice one John. As a Linton owner I was curious how the DW6 stacked up in comparison. Food for thought.
Never heard the Lintons, but sold my KLH Model 5's... The DW6 with Supreme upgrade walked all over the 5's, not even in the same league, especially in the bass department. No subs required, and I own two SVS SB3000 subs... Great for movie night!
These might be the speaker to replace my Dali towers. I like the Dali, but I got them because I thought I needed them for a large room. However, my listening spot is still close.
I’ve spent time with both. The Dali are refined; Zu is another experience, visceral when cranked even just a little with all genres. The one I live with (upgraded Druid IV 08).
Excellent review, as always. I see that Urd in the background. Patiently awaiting your thoughts.
Had the dirty weekend for a test drive. Almost kept them. Beauties in person, well-built, definitely fun and punchy at higher volumes. Did some news radio listening and heard something I hadn’t picked up on until I just had a single voice speaking normally - the paper in the full-range driver. I’m a fan of horns, but I couldn’t un-hear what sounded like someone using a rolled up piece of paper as a megaphone. It wasn’t shouty, but it did have the sound of paper in the voicing. Hated to pack them up, but they went back. Went with where my heart always was - klipsch.
Totally different experience here... These Zu speakers are a bit finicky. The best all around match I found was a $200 Sansui 4000 stereo receiver.
did you listen to music? how did that fair?
Btw that deadstock album is available on apple music
Hi, Darko, as always nice review. I hope your allergy will go far away soon !
The DW6 have the ST at the bottom . Yes i like the comparaisons.
This is what I came to point out. I have the DW6 and the ST location is below the driver (matching Darko’s preferred orientation). No need to turn them upside down 😁
I totally agree re passive crossovers.
Unfortunately almost all non-pro ‘audiophile’ systems are passive and the few active ones mentioned are the compromised‘amps in a speaker’ variety.
Wauw! Hegel Viking 🤤
Mission have tweeters on the bottom in many cases. Makes sense. Good to see such versatility.
I have the Zu Druid MkIV. So good I bought two pairs. I'd love to know whether Zu's later models are such a step up from mine.
Same here, though with the main driver upgrade; the DWX has to perform differently.
Great review. Thank-you!
Which speakers would you want to have on a nut free desert island, the DWX or the DW6?
Hope you find the solution to your allergies asap.
Wasn't ever expecting Darko to drop a Death Grips reference in one of his reviews. 👏
I need to try some zus, they sound right up my street.
Yup. Same here. Growing up in yhe 80s/90s, I love paper cone full range speakers.
Thanks John, great review as always. Even if it not in the same price range, I wish you have had compared sound signature of DWX with RP-600M which many of us have owned or heard🙏
Rubber surrounds on this Zu woofer. Any thoughts on foam vs rubber surrounds?
Looks like the same Eminence driver with cloth surround they always use to me. Just needs to be sealed every 5 to 10 years depending.
I'll stick with my 55 year old Spendor Studio monitors . Built with baltic pine timber., I'm quite happy with these. ( as I was when I first heard them 55 years ago!) And I have the original stands 😊
This is magnificent but maybe they need a recap to sound the way they must sound 😊 .
@hamidrezahabibi8111 already checked, they dont !
A recap and replace the drivers.
Over time it all degrades but you don’t notice.
Spendor is a living legend, one to be held onto.
Please can you review the CSS Criton 1-TDX bookshelf speakers.
Running DW6's in walnut. Cannot beat the sound and build qualities for the money. The base level DW6 and DWX should sell for 2-3x what they are selling for. Direct sales, not spending a bunch of money on marketing all add up to less out of pocket for us lucky owners. BUY ZU.
Got Deadstock on Apple Music.
John, I think you’ve teased the Meze Elites way more than you have other products. How much longer?! Looking forward to that video. I recently re-watched your Empyrean review from years ago - one of your best vids for sure.
For a while I was thinking of getting a more powerful amplifier but recently I have been researching more efficient speakers. Thanks for this video.
For a few speaker brands the smaller speakers are less efficient than larger models. Seems counter-intuitive but I guess that’s physics.
I recently picked up a pair of the Zu Omen Dirty Weekends, 95db @ 12 ohm. I have these paired with a 1970 produced Sansui 4000 recieiver. The 4000 is a true 45w per channel into 8 ohm little powerhouse. No fun and games with power output measurements back then. It drives these Zu speakers with ease. And loud? 45w can take these speakers to ear shattering levels. I have never been past half volume with these and the Sansui. Everything sounds so clean with these speakers, especially at low volume. The airy tube like sound that the Sansui produces is simply something that no modern gear has been able to deliver that I have owned. Find some efficient speakers. And if you find a nice pair of new/used Zu speakers, pick up a vintage tuner/amp to power them with. They do not make sound like this anymore.
Eat your cake and have it too. Has a good back story actually. At least I can understand your reviews. 6 Moons not so much.
Well I can't get them, I wish they would have a EU warehouse of some sort. I will not pay 12.5% tax and then there will be put another 25% local VAT on it as well. I will end up paying nearly 40% more when i'm all done and set
Does well at lower volumes, magic words to apartment dwellers. 🙂
Seriously. Must consider this.
And that’s an F for this video… it is very Fun to watch!
I wish Zu had a proper distributor in Australia. DW6 and X not available, i doubt shipping direct would be economically viable.
Is that the KEF Reference 1 in this video? Will there be a video on those speakers too in the future?
Deez nuts, lol! Thanks for the review and the comparisons! Anyways, the Zu just on look alone, are something else! The Soul 6 are lookers too but man these look fantastic!
Can’t wait for the pod focused upon positioning! Genuinely! This is the sort of (apparently) shit that makes me tune in!
More so however, as much as it’s great you listen to Death Grips, what do you think of the spatiality of the new AE Live’s?! London B ending is the one man!
That super tweeter does a lot of work though, as it rolls off rather slowly. I know because I have a pair of Dirty Weekends :-)
Not a fair comparison, but how would you compare them with Klipsch Forte 4 that you have, I am aware they are on a different league, but from a Fun,Finesse,Funk level that higher efficiency speakers seem to offer do you think they are comparable? And from what I gather from what you said on the video, would you say the Zu's are the more forgiving of the two?
I’m 😮😮h
Hi John, enjoyed your review - 'super' tweeter is a new one on me. Like you, I also enjoyed Hijack on Apple TV. I'm curious, could I ask what the mats are that you use on the arms of your couch in Berlin? Thanks again.
Great review. I've always wanted to know what that framed yellow poster is sitting on your floor in Berlin....
With 95dB sensitivity, would like to hear it with a good tube or class A amp.
I have used DW6 with both my Elekit DIY triode amp and the somewhat higher powered Elekit push-pull amp. That give a range of amps from about 5 to as high as 34 watts in triode or ultra-linear mode. I enjoy the combination very much.
Put some Jethro Tull on and rock
The paper cone in my experience offers a transparent sound scape.
Great review. Something to think about seeing as I'm looking at the Lintons. Ps- I hope your health is improving
How does it compare to buchardt A500 or A700 at low volumes … is great dynamic better than fletcher munson compensation ?
We be very interested to hear your thoughts with different amps. I saw your PrimaLuna but only a tease. I currently have an older PrimaLuna with el-34 tubes and about 35 watts. Basic amp. Pre amp is one of those $1200 ish NAD analog units that have been around for years. I believe to be totally neutral from what I have read. And Zhu Union 6. Next model level up…more or less.
Similar taste in music. I also have one of those “fancy” Martin and Logan 10 inch sub for music. It is music focused system.
I find the sound to be extremely exciting, quite detailed, wide soundstage. But I get fatigue. Simply too bright for me. Listen to cd and Title through a $1500 Marantz combo unit. The room is bright and not likely to put up curtains. The last speakers were Martin Logan Motion 40i. I much prefer their top end. That folded AMT tweeter is special.
Not sure what to do. I can play with the input tubes on the PL to fine tune but not sure if that would be enough. Speaker wire is 20 year old Audioquest, more entry level. Inner connects are various companies $75 average price.
A penny for your thoughts
Luckily enough I managed to find the Deadstock album on Apple Music 🙂
V. entertaining & informative video. Always enjoying the side-by-side comparison and your attitude towards hi-fi and music. Please name/share an amp
I have serviced Audiolab and would agree with you. Hegel H120 would be plenty of power for these.
$1100 for two caps and upgrade wire? Super easy diy upgrade for a fraction of that!
The $2500 he mentioned includes the upgrade cost of the color he reviewed. The base price is $1400, the Supreme upgrade is $700 and the Ruby Red Hickory color option is $300.
John, did you have a chance to try these with the PrimaLuna you had recently? Your comments about the DWS sounding great with vinyl had me wondering whether Zu sounds better with analog sources and/or tube amplification or both. The perception Zu fans have created for me was that Zu ♥️ analog everything.
Sadly, being in Europe, makes importing them out of reach for most of us at this price point. The duty and vat costs put anything by Zu well out of reach, which is a shame as they look to make decent and interesting speakers.
You showed the Klipsch RP600m ii and Kef R3’s. Even if you didn’t do a side by side, since you have them in-house, could you please give some commentary on DWX vs R3 at the very least?
This!
If totally different presentation is in your vocabulary, then that's my answer