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Nitpicking, but...is it Sean Casey, or Sean Cassidy? Must be a typo?
What's Zu?
We stepped inside and were greeted by Adam Decari and Sean Casey, two young'uns from Ogden, UT, who had spent time working for Ray Kimber (must've been their first jobs out of college, because these guys can't be much over 30). "Welcome to the Zu!"
Zu is technically Zu Cables, but what intrigued me was the two loudspeakers on display: the Definition ($9000/pair) and the Druid Mk4 ($2900/pair). Zu makes the drivers themselves, using paper cones on their 10.5" driver and machined aluminum for their super tweeters. There's no network and the speakers are specced at a sensitivity of 101dB—and power handling of 200W!
"We started Zu because we couldn't figure out why hi-fi seemed so dead and uninspired," Sean Casey told me.
Jon Iverson and I were excited that Zu was showing a speaker as ambitious and affordable as the Druid, so we asked to demo it. Sean laughed and said, "We're using a $200 Sony DVP-MC650V SACD changer, a $6500 Audiopax preamp, and a $3000 2W Yamamoto A08 power amp (and Zu cables, of course)." We were impressed by the dynamic ease and flow of the Druids. The top end was extremely natural and detailed, without a hint of ringing, although I found the lower midrange a bit lean. What the Druid did well, it did spectacularly, and what it didn’t do, it did without additive colorations. The Druid is a novel, perhaps even noble, product. It sure ain't a me-too product and I liked its look and its sound. Besides, I have to give props to any company that shows the Epiphone Les Paul of one of its principals in its brochure.
What's Zu? Zu is new and exciting—and I predict you're going to hear a lot more out of this company. I suspect the high end will be the better for it.
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COMMENTS
Submitted by Todd Strockoz (not verified) on January 13, 2006 - 7:26pm
Kurt,I've owned them for almost 2 years. They are really an amazing speaker. 6moons review is really not that over the top, once you spent time with the Definitions in your system. They are extremely detailed, and the bass is rock solid. Go to Zu's website (www.zucable.com) and check out their links to other forums. You might find what you are looking for from the posts.
Submitted by Donald N. (not verified) on January 16, 2006 - 12:33am
I'm glad you ran into them. BTW Kurt - I think the sixmoons review is spot on. Really love that site! Everyone should also take a look at the new audio mag Tone. I dig Positive Feedback and Enjoy the Music as well. Room for everybody in fact, the more, the merrier!
Submitted by John Walton (not verified) on January 24, 2006 - 9:15am
I too am glad about web-(HiFi)mags especially such as TNT-audio.com with its 'no banners.' Sixmoons is how I heard about Zu and I've been reading up on this company ever since. I hope that when they hit Germany," that they don't get whacked by the wrong importer. The market here is crying for ""sane"" HiFi.
Submitted by Robert Simpson (not verified) on February 20, 2009 - 1:55pm
The speakers look really cool. I haven't had the chance to experience their sound yet, but with this review, I think I got to give it a try. And the price seems kinda affordable to me, but it definitely should go a bit down over time.
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