OP I own ZUs also and love their sound enough to make decisions that bring out the best in them.As others have mentioned a dac known for it's warm characteristics, a couple of subs (SVS with equalizer is a good option),and experimenting with room treatment will get you where you want to be.I bought longer speaker cables to move the ZUs further apart but that didn't work at all.After 8 1/2 ft the images began sounding vague and thin to me.
Searching for a little more warmth
Hello all,
I know this might be a little open ended but I wanted to ask the crowd here for some thoughts and opinions on a matter I have been contemplating for some time now.
To begin. My current system is comprised of:
- Shindo Cortese 300b amp
- Aurieges pre
- Bluesound Node
- Zu soul vi speakers
- Thorens TT
I am looking for a little more warmth and richness from my system. The low end is there (to some degree), however it often feels as if the sound is having a difficult time filling the room. I'm not looking for a super boomy low end, just a little more presence from the speakers that is able to fill the room without turning to "11". The room is decent size, about 16' x 30' with high sloping ceiling. (Speakers are placed on the 16' wall about 11' apart and close to corners)
I've gone back and forth on what I believe might be the best path forward and after countless motions back and forth, I figured I'd put this out there to the crowd to see what the group thinks.
My gut tells me that swapping out my speakers might be the best option. Currently they are Zu soul vi but I have been considering Devore O/93 or 0/96 or audio note but am open to suggestions.
Option two might be to leave the speakers and add a small subwoofer.
Or lastly, consider the source, where most my music is played through bluesound Node, that adding or replacing that Node with a Gold Note DS-10 or (used) aurender might add some dynamics and texture.
Or... perhaps I need to swap out the system for something with a little more oomph..
Many variables and possible contributing factors, I know. I figured it'd be fun to see what the group picks out as the weakest link here or suggests as the best path toward a goal.
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Don’t get just one sub — two are significantly better. You can get something like a pair of the SVS SB1000 Pros for like $1100 with a generous trial period including shipping both ways so no risk. Innuos Pulse Mini is a good streamer and even better if you add an external linear power supply, and the Denafrips Pontus II DAC is well worth consideration given what you’re looking for. Hope this helps. |
I think Audio Note speakers would make an incredible difference in your system if they are to be placed in the corners of your room. That is the setup I run using the AN-E/LX HE SIG and the sound is amazing, I use a pair of Synthesis mono blocks to power them. My local sells Audio Note speakers and I have listened to them using a 300b amps and the sound is full and warm. I do not use subs with my system. Feel free to message me if you have any questions about Audio Note speakers. john |
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I’m always of the opinion: before going for new/different speakers; before going for room treatments: spend some time, measure the sound in that space, at your listening position: with a SPL Meter and test tone CD. Armed with the results, FIX IT! a. SPL meter, on tripod, ear height seated listing position: paste in Amazon: BAFX Products - Decibel Meter/Sound Pressure Level Reader (SPL) / 30-130dBA Range - 1 Year Warranty (Standard) b. Test Tone CD, (not LP) paste in discogs: Various - Amazing Bytes (CD, Comp, Promo) c. Your Speakers have a UNIQUE ‘GAP’ Feature (from Positive Feedback Positive Review): a special setup that might improve things (I suspect more ‘presence’ needed not more bass). "I did was adjust the Griewe gap. The Zu-Griewe technology functions as an acoustic impedance matching scheme that allows the main driver to better match the room’s impedance. When properly set, it produces smooth and clean bass and affects the sound well up into the mid-range. When incorrectly set it can make the speakers sound bloated or thin. This gap is not a traditional port, and in the case of the Soul VI is located at the bottom of the speaker. Setting the gap is more or less setting the distance from the ground to the bottom of the speaker. Zu has a write up on this technology as well as how to set the gap correctly on their website, and I suggest any owner or potential owner of a Zu speaker go familiarize themselves with how to properly set the gap, as setting this incorrectly is incredibly noticeable. I have a carpeted floor, so I started with the recommended gap of 10mm, this proved to be the correct gap. I also tried lowering the gap to about 7mm, which made the speaker sound very light in the mid-range. It may have been slightly faster, but I clearly had lost an entire octave of bass, which measurements later confirmed. Changing the gap to be about 15mm, produced a speaker that was very bloated and was missing bass detail as well as lower mid-range detail. I tried many values in between 7mm and 15mm and eventually landed on 10mm being correct for my room." d. Location and Toe-In After getting the GAP ’right’ for your space, then work hard to find the best location in your space and best toe-in (use the SPL meter and CD then adjust for taste.. e. Keep them? or try some tone controls, or an equalizer might be needed, IN THAT SPACE for any speaker). Now or in the future. f. Let’s not rule out your hearing, may need a tone adjustment (for existing or any other speaker). I have a hearing test scheduled. Certainly at 75, they will find something. I bought a DBX Dual Band 2231 31 band equalizer with bypass, I’m ready to try adjusting according to the hearing test results. IF I need/get a hearing aid(s), I may still prefer the equalizer curve to the hearing aid(s), OR, as I age, I could modify just a bit without getting new hearing aids, i.e. boost highs some. I went for a DBX 2231 dual channel 31band (1/3 octaves) EQ with Bypass. You can find them new on Amazon, I got this one (already in USA) EMB Professional Sound System EB831EQ Graphic Equalizer/Limiter with Type 3 NR for Home/DJ Performance/Club/Studio/Stage/Show/Entertainment used one, from Manchester Music Hall looks good, $130. delivered DBX - 2231 Dual 31 Band Equalizer/Limiter Rackmount Unit - x0294 – USED g. New/Different Speakers (get return option) h. Room Treatments LAST IMO, you may find _____? needed for existing or any speakers in that space. SPL? Test Tones will help your choices
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- 33 posts total