Found a pic of the new woofers that are used..
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-9991523-47.html?tag=mncol;txt
Also here's a bunch of talk from some studio musicians and techs talking about the Zu stuff.. This type of talk really get's me thinking they must be very good overall no matter what things may look like on paper.. I don't think I've ever seen a review where anyone really thought they weren't up to snuff ...
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-end/131188-zu-audio-druid-speakers-long-review.html
Dave🙂
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-9991523-47.html?tag=mncol;txt
Also here's a bunch of talk from some studio musicians and techs talking about the Zu stuff.. This type of talk really get's me thinking they must be very good overall no matter what things may look like on paper.. I don't think I've ever seen a review where anyone really thought they weren't up to snuff ...
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-end/131188-zu-audio-druid-speakers-long-review.html
Dave🙂
They look like Kappa Pro 10's (if they are actually 10's), but with perhaps a smaller magnet. In other words they are likely a custom design.
Also I went and "zoomed-in" on the L8spec - shelving filter for 1.2-3khz required unless you like a "forward" presentation. Probably about -3 db assuming they are being modest in their graph.
Note that with the exception of very high spl.s at low non-linear distortion, If implemented correctly I'd bet that the L8spec would be a good bit better than the old B102.
Also I went and "zoomed-in" on the L8spec - shelving filter for 1.2-3khz required unless you like a "forward" presentation. Probably about -3 db assuming they are being modest in their graph.
Note that with the exception of very high spl.s at low non-linear distortion, If implemented correctly I'd bet that the L8spec would be a good bit better than the old B102.
Thanks for all your help Scott😎
I think maybe now I'll quit reading reviews and get myself back to normal lol... I've been thinking all over the place lately about different cab designs I may like to try.. The Zu stuff intrigue's me as I like the no x-over on the full range driver and the high sens approach..
Anyhow before I got this Zu idea in my head, I was thinking maybe an OB design with a full range driver and a woofer, or most likely what I'll do is run a driver such as the Fostex 208 e sigma in a cab full range with a tweet and also run an AE IB set up.. One thing I'm really going to try to make happen in my next house is the use of IB subs to play with and augment my mains.. I don't listen real loud so I won't need to keep the bass off the mains...
Dave🙂
I think maybe now I'll quit reading reviews and get myself back to normal lol... I've been thinking all over the place lately about different cab designs I may like to try.. The Zu stuff intrigue's me as I like the no x-over on the full range driver and the high sens approach..
Anyhow before I got this Zu idea in my head, I was thinking maybe an OB design with a full range driver and a woofer, or most likely what I'll do is run a driver such as the Fostex 208 e sigma in a cab full range with a tweet and also run an AE IB set up.. One thing I'm really going to try to make happen in my next house is the use of IB subs to play with and augment my mains.. I don't listen real loud so I won't need to keep the bass off the mains...
Dave🙂
There were some assumptions thatthese woofers are EQed below resonance - and yes: they are !
It is evenb clearly written in this document:
http://www.zuaudio.com/images/stories/product_specs_pdf/def2_specs.pdf
Regards
Charles
Edit: Well it does not exactly say equalised but they are talking of "used below resonance" and this clearly implies equalising.
It is evenb clearly written in this document:
http://www.zuaudio.com/images/stories/product_specs_pdf/def2_specs.pdf
Regards
Charles
Edit: Well it does not exactly say equalised but they are talking of "used below resonance" and this clearly implies equalising.
DaveCan said:
Hi,
The short answer is simply they do not "do it".
The sensitivity is quoted effectively as efficiency in the midband
where the speakers impedance is high and 1W requires a lot
more than 2.83 volts.
Bandwidth quotes without limits are meaningless.
🙂/sreten.
Re: Re: Zu Audio Definition, how do they do it?
Funny how all the reviewer's do not make mention of these sort of things.. They are always very impressed with just about every product in Zu's loudspeaker line up... What interests me in this design, or the less complicated Druid, is the high eff and no x-over approach on the mid driver... Read the forum talk that I linked to those recording studio guy's, I would assume they are totally independent of Zu ,yet as recording pro's they seem to just love the Druid.. I just thought it would be cool to build a diy cab like the Definition and see how it goes or the Presence model etc.. But I think I'm going to just leave it alone unless people here want to re-create it themselves, my technical level is more in the single driver BIB cab style...
The criteria to diy the Zu cab should be as they do: no x-over on the main mid driver(s), tweeter brought in up high (they use 6db/octave at 12000hz, no network on the bass drivers but they are powered by a sub amp etc... I think I read somewhere about an internal bass tuning slot or something yet the cabs are sealed? not sure about it all..
Dave🙂
sreten said:
Funny how all the reviewer's do not make mention of these sort of things.. They are always very impressed with just about every product in Zu's loudspeaker line up... What interests me in this design, or the less complicated Druid, is the high eff and no x-over approach on the mid driver... Read the forum talk that I linked to those recording studio guy's, I would assume they are totally independent of Zu ,yet as recording pro's they seem to just love the Druid.. I just thought it would be cool to build a diy cab like the Definition and see how it goes or the Presence model etc.. But I think I'm going to just leave it alone unless people here want to re-create it themselves, my technical level is more in the single driver BIB cab style...
The criteria to diy the Zu cab should be as they do: no x-over on the main mid driver(s), tweeter brought in up high (they use 6db/octave at 12000hz, no network on the bass drivers but they are powered by a sub amp etc... I think I read somewhere about an internal bass tuning slot or something yet the cabs are sealed? not sure about it all..
Dave🙂
With the usual distribution of power vs frequency you can get away with a speaker that doesn't have the same SPL capabilities at its lowest end as it has in the midband and low-mids.
You can always trick such systems with the right (extreme) recordings however, like the infamous Telarc recording of the overture 1812 for instance.
Regards
Charles
You can always trick such systems with the right (extreme) recordings however, like the infamous Telarc recording of the overture 1812 for instance.
Regards
Charles
If you don't need the efficiency you can use hi-fi drivers like scanspeaks or vifas, and the smooth roll-off means you don't need a crossover for the midwoofer. Just use a capacitor for the tweeter. I've heard many such commercial designs and they sound great as long as you're not too far off-axis.
I've heard the lower-end Zu's and they sound obviously colored, a bit forward-sounding, and don't handle complex passages well. They don't "rock" like my DIY speakers can. Other than that they're not bad. Hi efficiency drivers do sound very dynamic, because of their low mass paper cones. I don't like the fact that they integrated a Class D amp into their speakers. I already have my own UcD amps, as well as better-sounding amps that I would rather use. For them, it's just another way to make more money.
I've heard the lower-end Zu's and they sound obviously colored, a bit forward-sounding, and don't handle complex passages well. They don't "rock" like my DIY speakers can. Other than that they're not bad. Hi efficiency drivers do sound very dynamic, because of their low mass paper cones. I don't like the fact that they integrated a Class D amp into their speakers. I already have my own UcD amps, as well as better-sounding amps that I would rather use. For them, it's just another way to make more money.
I just can't get this design out of my head. Think I might have to try it. Should I go with the B102 and APT 80? I want to get it as true to form as possible. I know I won't be able to match the phase plugs but hopefully I can come close.
The cabinet design seems very easy. Any idea what cap I should go on the tweeter? Should I put a filter on the driver of some sort to keep it from being as beamy?
The cabinet design seems very easy. Any idea what cap I should go on the tweeter? Should I put a filter on the driver of some sort to keep it from being as beamy?
Here's the newest Definition II review..
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/zu15/definition2.html
I'm also very intrigued with this design Chad.... Seems like they are doing something right....
Dave🙂
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/zu15/definition2.html
I'm also very intrigued with this design Chad.... Seems like they are doing something right....
Dave🙂
chad i said:
There's no x-over on the mids, tweets come in at 10khz, and the 4 eminence pro woofers at the rear are paired into two separate sealed cabs, with the upper pair in a smaller cavity than the bottom pair for two different tunings etc.
Dave🙂
Well, I want to start with a pair of Druid clone but not a bunch of drivers in the back, sorry for the confusion. I've heard a pair of Druids and I thought they sounded beautiful.
I know that Zu does not put anything on the mid, I was just curious if some sort of filter should be used since they use a custom version of the B102 and also if it would keep it from being overly beamy. To my eyes, the box for a Druid looks very easy, 2 drivers, 1 filter... I bet they could be done for around $300 a pair and Zu charges 10x that... I think I have an idea
I'll probably give them a try after the holidays for a nice 2 channel pair. If they are bunk I'll use them in the garage and drag them outside when we have drive in movie nights in the back yard. I don't think they would go to waste. If they are great... I might tackle the center and surrounds. I heard Druids on both 2 channel AND on a movie and they sounded bold and dynamic and even though I was not in the sweet spot they still sounded great.
I know that Zu does not put anything on the mid, I was just curious if some sort of filter should be used since they use a custom version of the B102 and also if it would keep it from being overly beamy. To my eyes, the box for a Druid looks very easy, 2 drivers, 1 filter... I bet they could be done for around $300 a pair and Zu charges 10x that... I think I have an idea
I'll probably give them a try after the holidays for a nice 2 channel pair. If they are bunk I'll use them in the garage and drag them outside when we have drive in movie nights in the back yard. I don't think they would go to waste. If they are great... I might tackle the center and surrounds. I heard Druids on both 2 channel AND on a movie and they sounded bold and dynamic and even though I was not in the sweet spot they still sounded great.
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