So I’ve spent the better part of the day with these and here are my initial impressions.
Again my system Sonos Port to Schiit Bifrost Multibit to Arcam SA20. Crutchfield speaker cables and OSD interconnects. I have the satin black with the Superfly upgrade package.
These seem to indeed be noticeably more detailed, and resolving. I was expecting to take a hit in detail when moving from the KLH Model 5 I’m also demoing. Not so at all. However somehow they are MUCH more forgiving than the KLH. Two very different speakers. Just an AB I happen to have in front of me at the moment.
From memory they are also much more detailed and resolving than my Omen MKII. I venture to guess they can more rewarding/punishing of gear being used to run them. They certainly still have that Zu sound but it is more refined and elegant. Perhaps a tad less warm and fuzzy.
The bass seems improved as well…in just about every way. You can increase the bass by pushing these bad boys into a corner/up against a wall. They will thump, but in a very musical and pleasing manner.
They play pleasantly at low levels but really start to come alive when you push peaks into the low 80s in my listening space.
I think summing it up these are definitely a step up in a lot of ways from any of the previous Omen/DW iterations. They are certainly less fussy about placement and the dreaded gap height fiddling is moot (I have mine on Zus sources rubber isolation feet). They are not as forgiving to recordings but are more rewarding on the top end. Detail retrieval cohesion and bass have all been improved. If you’re someone looking for more refinement this might be a great spot between resolution and forgiveness.
If you want a super fat warm Zu Sound that’s still here…but you might be better served with the standard DW6 and throw the $499 Superfly upgrade at some tubes/tubed equipment.
