I recently purchased 2 sets of speaker, on paper radically different.
1. The LRS from Magnepan 2. The Zu Audio Dirty Weekend.
I love rock music, from the classic bands to Metallica. I also listen to all music in smaller doses.
Simple AB testing with my ordinary ears, cheap cables and an unremarkable amplifier. Led me to prefer the LRS with a REL T7i subwoofer versus the Dirty Weekenders.
Having said that, 2 questions arise.
First, any suggestions to make the desicion better informed without at this moment buying a better amp or cables.
Amp is an Iota VX with the additional power amp.
Cables 12AWG un branded.
Streaming for now from Amazon Ultra HD for testing through a Bluetooth Aptx adapter.
I cannot afford to spend more money for now.
And the other question, do you think I should offer the Dirty Weekenders for sale "As New" since they are and give anyone who missed the recent sale, the chance of buying them. They have the Capacitors upgrade from Zu. Or simply return for the full refund they offer?
The ZU deal is a good one...I recently returned an Aegir amp to Schiit Audio and they don't refund the initial shipping charge, don't pay for return shipping (Unless the item had issues and they're replacing it), and charged a 5% restocking fee (relative to whatever the item is, that could be 5 to 15%). I accepted these terms as I like the stuff I'd bought previously so meh, no issues at all...except with the amp...it didn't exceed the tonal and performance abilities of my current fave amp, a little single ended tube thing from Dennis Had. Oh well...
Will check the music forums. Always fun to learn of new music.
The amp is the SA3 and I added the PA3 to it in order to power the LRS.
Given time I will upgrade. I travelled the world and could not move the equipment I had, so I sold it.
Now I have settled in one place so I started my 2 channel system quest again. Listening to Neil Young's Sleeps With Angels yesterday was a pleasure I did not have for 14 years moving around this wonderful planet.
Return makes the most sense. I would also save for an upgrade to your electronics. I'm assuming you have the VX SA3 with the build in DAC. Eventually you will want a better integrated amp and a better DAC. Cables are usually the last thing to go for, but I would assume that if you picked up a used pair of Audioquest speaker cable (the best that you can afford) it will make a nice difference for you. Your speakers will defiantly sound better with better amps/DAC and cables. Nothing against your amp, so please don't take it that way. Congrats on enjoying your music. That's THE most important thing.
Thank you for the common theme of the comments "return" is the obvious answer.
From what I see on Zu's policy, the return has to be made after 45 days. If done before they levy a charge. I would call it a penalty. I have been involved in business for 36 years, retail, manufacturing, marketing, sales. I can only say, every business with extremely rare exceptions is looking to make money, from the buyer. Zu is no exception. First we pay for shipping and lose this if we return. So we pay for the experience of auditioning at home with own equipment and no rush. 60 days or even more by request. Win win.
I was happy to pay for the chance of discovering a great sounding system. In fact, it was a close call between Zu DW and the LRS.
The 45 day penalty is a little trap. Forcing a delay, wearing you out a little, perhaps you will grow to like them, perhaps you will keep as a second system, perhaps you will forget the deadline. Like gift cards, so many go unused. That is the business of gift cards! (IMO).
I won't forget the deadline and will return after 45 days.
All businesses use tactics, some will feel they are tricks, or even cheats, that is life. We need to filter what we see as fair from unfair. And we are all different.
Let's try to be amicable and judge less and avoid racism too. It is the season to reflect on the good and remember, we love music and music is ages old and belongs to all humanity.
Sorry to rant on the theme but I detect another theme in the comments and hope to bring cheer to the thread.
extremely generous speaker manufacturer who has offered you the "free in home trial"
its not extremely generous. it should be our right.
Now how many speaker companies offer this sort of free home trial? Its only a few. And you still have to pay for it first. Audio shows are a nice idea but how often do they happen? and what about the horrific room acoustics? You didnt think of that did you
@bohe60s - My apologies for hi-jacking your thread. If you feel my comments are unnecessary, or you simply do not want them in your thread, please let me know and I will stop posting to this thread.
Good luck, happy listening and Happy New Year to you.
@kenjit - Now you are just arguing for the sake of argument.
I mentioned nothing about the speaker industry in general. I commented on Zu Audio's policy of offering a "free" in home trial. Of all people, I would have thought you would have embraced this policy. It is IMPOSSIBLE to be duped if you get to listen to the speaker in your own home and you have the ability to return said speakers in the event you do not like them or simply change your mind. This is called a CHOICE, Free Will, so to speak. This is a tremendous benefit for the consumer and a potential sales opportunity for the manufacturer. Win/Win.
One cannot be duped if they have the opportunity to audition the speaker in their own home. It's impossible to be duped. Everything is right there in front of you and you make a choice. Keep it or return it, based on your own criteria. Now, I'm not saying you can't make a mistake. But the mistake is on you as the listener, not on the extremely generous speaker manufacturer who has offered you the "free in home trial".
I think I may understand the problem now. You've made purchasing mistakes and now you are venting due to your frustration with yourself.
I sincerely hope you find Peace (and your perfect speaker) in the new year.
FWIW, I have read that better electronics are not wasted on the LRS. Never heard them, but the same has been said about my Vandersteens. I was skeptical. Having recently moved to Pass Labs, I can tell you that certain brands of speakers really benefit from higher-quality amplification. Read around about the LRS. May be worth experimentation in that direction.
Because its not good enough. I want to be able to put each and every speaker to the test all in one go in my own time. Do you know any dealer that would provide that for free?
Should we be charged to walk into a clothing store just to browse? Thats what the greedy high end industry is doing. Do not be duped. Save your money
Unless you already have a buyer that is willing to pay you the amount you spent and pick up the cost of shipping if needed I'd suggest you take advantage of the ZU Audio trial offer and send them back, otherwise, my bet is you will be taking a loss.
its not free for the company. They end up paying for it
Agreed. It's not free, it a choice. Free will......
You've now displayed "victimhood" on both the manufacturers and consumers sides of speaker purchase deals. Typical victim mentality.
I can play this game all day. Feel free to keep up your petty replies and I'll keep coming back with free market principles...
Kenjit, It is part of Zu's business model and they have accounted for the costs of potential returns. It's the way Zu has choosen to do business. I'm sure they have determined that it is an effective use of "marketing budget", and much less expensive than advertising in the traditional sense. Also, it is called "free will". Zu knowingly operates this way, knowing a certain percentage of speakers will be returned. It's their choice to accept returns and it is the consumers choice to return if not satisfied. It is a win/win.
Reading some of your previous posts, you almost always say the speaker companies are cheating or duping the consumer. In this case, the "evil speaker manufacturer" is offering an OUT in the event the consumer does not find the speaker to be a good value.
Kenjit, the Audiogon world would be a boring place without someone actually offering other perspectives on the industry. I for one am not a Sheep. Keep those comments coming.
Definitely return them if you are within the period. Easier, plus that is why companies offer these types of returns. Downside is, you eat shipping. Price to pay for online auditioning... kenjit... wow.
I think I see the problem with this thread. Somebody forgot to activate the kenjit filter. Look in settings, under spam, and if it persists notify admin.
So is the speaker company at the whim of the customer.
No, not at all. Zu is a direct to consumer speaker manufacturer who offers a money back return policy as a way of allowing consumers to try their product in the consumer's own home. It's called a win/win and no one is being taken advantage. It's a business proposition and both sides of the deal are fully aware of the stipulation.
Here is the related verbiage from the Zu website:
OMEN DW GUARANTEES • Two month 100% money back satisfaction guarantee. • Free return shipping if expectations are not met ($99 shipping is not refunded). • 1-year 100% trade-up value (excludes shipping). • 5-year limited parts and labor warranty.
BTW, why your concern for the speaker company? From reading most of your recent posts, it's clear how you feel about speaker companies. Have you had a change of heart and now feel some compassion for them?
I would return the speakers to Zu and be done with it. If you sale them, you are at the whim of potentially fickle buyers who may find a way to take advantage of you after the purchase.
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