Decision between Zu Definition OR VS DB99

The cost of round trip shipping is nothing compared to a dealer markup. I'm only about 300 miles from Zu headquarters so one way shipping on my Druids was $40. If you call Zu they'll give you a firm shipping quote to your zip code.
You know, as I think about it, round trip shipping is usually cheaper than sales tax on something this expensive.
And what better place to evaluate them than in the space where they will reside?

No doubt, home trial to decide whether to keep a $9,000+ purchase consisting of two 120 lbs. columns is a marketing inhibitor to Zu finding its maximum audience. But if they go through a dealer channel, say goodbye to the $9,000 entry price, and the $2,800 tag on Druids too. If the burden of boxing speakers you decide not to keep is daunting, then perhaps a quick flight or drive to Zu HQ can get your confidence in the ballpark. Also, a little diplomatic asking might get you into the home of one of a Zu owner.

Very few people will return the speakers if they put in the time. The bigger issue is that putting something so revealing and present into an existing system can have unexpected consequences to how you perceive the quality of the rest of your gear. Especially power amps. With a Zu speaker in place, the power amp becomes the critical driver of fidelity, assuming you have at least merely competent sources.

Phil

Phil's right. The Definitions would cost as much as the Watt/Puppy 7's if they were sold at a conventional dealer margin. And the Druids would be more like $7 grand. Don't forget these speakers are 100% American made from proprietary parts. No off the shelf drivers, no Chinese parts. I'm not saying this makes them more valuable than a Chinese product, just more costly to produce.
The big irony lies in the fact that once these speakers finally gain wide acceptance, they probably will be much more expensive. The early bird gets the worm in this case.

I visited ZU on my recent trip to Utah and luckily for me Sean and Adam were planning a trip to Scottsdale, AZ this week and will install a pair of Definitions in my home March 2nd. Having them in my own environment is the best test for me. I couldn't pass up the chance to have the designers suggest proper set-up and adjustments to get them just right and actually be there to do it. I am truly looking forward to hearing this excellent speaker and giving it the time it needs to be evaluated. In the hour plus I listened to it, it was musical and satisfying. I'll leave a follow up later. If any of you audiophiles are in AZ and want to listen to them, email me.

Keep us posted on your home audition, Hifi....

Does anybody in the Chicago area have the Definitions cranking away?

I just had my Def's upgraded to Pro status. For now, I've got either a Clari-T or a Dared 300B amp for the front array and an Adcom 555 for the rears.

It's all very new, but the new, beefier rear drivers along with eq. and full XO control of using a TacT 2.2x is gonna make this a real journey. FUN!

Oh yeah, I'm in Seattle and could accommodate a few curious ears.

Hey Mark, Sean and Adam visited Chicago back in October and brought the Druids and the Definitions to demo. Maybe they can refer you to someone in the area who has a pair of Definitions.
Brian

Brian, Sean and Adam are bringing Definitions to my home this week. I listened to them in Utah last week; (see my review and pix)and they mentioned they would be in Scottsdale, so I decided to have them brought to my environment for more detailed listening.

Where have you gone Nakolawala?

I noticed in another thread that you purchased the Tannoy Kensington (nice speaker).

What made you choose the Tannoy's over the two speakers discussed in this thread?

Thanks,