Anyone try Zaph's ZD5?

[chuck55]

Any comments on how it sounds? I cannot stand any harshness. Will it run on a 40wpc gainclone? Looking at using the Parts-Express cabinets which are not an exact macth (in 7" width) but is th eclosest i can find.

Zaph|Audio - ZD5 - Scan Speak 15W8530K00 and Vifa XT25

[chuck55]

I'm not really surprised considering the high cost / complexity and his no support policy. Looks like a nice speaker though.........

[benchtester]

I built a set of speakers based on the ZD5 and am very happy with them.

Techtalk at Parts-Express.com - Entries for January 17, 2009

I consider the ZD5's complex to design, but not to build. Zaph considers them complex build because of the chance of mis-wiring the crossover. He has helped a lot of people in the past, by troubleshooting over the phone; and he found that it was often mis-wiring the crossover. I assume one should be able to check their own wiring (3 times if necessary). Also if you mount the crossover inside the cabinet, it takes a little creativity to lay it out well since it is a big crossover in a small box.

I am sure you would be happy with the sound if you like a flat frequency response. These are the lowest distortion speakers I have ever built and compare with the best. In particular human voices sound very life-like; probably an effect of the LR2 crossover design. It is not harsh at all and the 40 watt gain clone is enough (if rated at 8 ohms). These are 8 ohm speakers so you will run out of voltage before you run out of current. (i.e. relatively low voltage sensitivity ~80 dB/2.83 volts)

Although the 5 1/2 Scanspeak goes lower than other drivers of a comparable size; most will want to use a subwoofer for HT and drum "slam".

The XT25 tweeter is a good buy, but there are better tweeters for significantly more money.

[s7horton]

Jed at clearwave loudspeaker has a very similar design, only it uses the SB Acoustics ring radiator and a much simplier crossover (and even at the current price, is still less expensive than building the ZD5). Zaph himself admitted that once Jed's design came out, no one would build his anymore.

Many people have built Zaph's speaker and have been very happy with it.

[flemo]

I have built a set of the ZD5 floorstanders and happy with their imaging, detail, smoothness, and find them musically engaging.

I do find them lacking in midrange and bottom end weight, and wondered if this was a characteristic of the ZD5 partly because they are more suited to SS amplification, and woofer crossover design?

I was looking at ways to improve the situation and considered maybe a more powerful amp, different speaker cables, or changing the caps in the woofer crossover?

I am using a SS Accuphase 80wpc integrated amplifier, LP12 TT, and my system has no silver cables or bits in it anywhere.

Has anybody encountered this problem with the ZD5's, or can anybody suggest something which may add particularly more midrange weight?

I have tried a highend tube power amp but the ZD5's simply didn't fire with the tubes, as per the designers design brief.

Cheers, flemo.

[johngalt47]

I have a set of ZD5 speakers and I think they are great. I probably should tweak the crossover a little...

[gtforme00]

The ZD5 has a rising frequency response which you may not find favorable in your listening environment. I prefer a slightly declining frequency response, and have adjusted my ZMV5's to achieve this. Previous to this adjustment, I had similar concerns about midrange weight. Tilting the top end down brought out the midrange presence that I wanted.

My room has very little sound absorption, and this modification is a reflection of that and my personal taste rather than any shortcoming in the design.

-David

[giralfino]

I didn't listened to a ZD5 but be warned - here is an excerpt from the Zaph site:
"Strict requirements if you want this system to sound good: Countersink all drivers, scallop the rear of the woofer opening for airflow with a 1/2" chamfer bit and round over the top and sides with a minimum of a 1/2" roundover bit. A 3/4" roundover bit is even better if your router can handle it. The driver locations are important, and the cabinet width must be 7.0". Varying from any of these design elements will make this system be less than the reference standard design it is meant to be."

So you have to have a cabinet 7" wide, the height is less important, but the location of the drivers referenced from the top is also important.

[Tristanc1]

Another happy builder here. Easily the best diy speakers I've built, or had the pleasure to listen to!

I find there's nothing I could complain about, right on up from the suprising amount of bass these can pump out, I actually kept having to go over to my sub to make sure it wasn't on when I first hooked these up! And the highs are very extended and clear as well. I watch a lot of movies with them as well, and sibilance is something that drives me nuts and there's no trace of that here.

I do have a relatively small room though, so people with larger rooms may have differing opinions on the bass. And do be warned the crossover is a tricky one! So go slow if you build it and check it over a few times before soldering it all together

[Tristanc1]

also! Sorry for the double post, but there was another thread on here, I forget where , that another builder I think decided to use the parts express cabs, and there were actually a few crossover modifications that were posted to suit a slightly wider cabinet width..if i'm remembering correctly, maybe make a quick search of the forum and check?