Up on Zu. It is "Omen".
Same FRD it looks like. 98 db/w/1m. looks like wide dispersion driver in horn supertweeter -- very strange. no idea how griewe loading is implemented
$1500.
no idea what pricing for superfly is -- don't think it can be $1800. |
I'm sure I won't be the first to note this, but now there's the Zu Omen at $1,500. Interesting. |
If the omen isn't meant to undermine the standard Soul and retail for both are 1500 and 1800 respectively. Then who would ever buy the omen? |
I own 08 Druids which I run with a method sub. Maybe this has been covered off but for those who have heard both Druid and Superfly is the fly a significant upgrade to the Druid sound. If so in what way. I must admit I like the lower profile of the Superfly and about my only beef with my druids is that they tend to shout down at you vs. stand mounts for example where drivers are located at ear height. I always find they sound better standing behind my couch than sitting.
I have been considering both Defintion 2's and Avantgarde Duos - I run a 300b set - but maybe all the speaker I need is superfly. |
I'm confused by this pricing as well. Omen ends up being a dorm speaker for 6 weeks, after which the people it's aimed at will opt out, and the existing audience for Zu will opt for Soul or Superfly. They are moving quickly on reflating their business, which is good, but it looks like Zu isn't thinking everything through before pulling trigger.
Phil |
I've talked to them a bit recently. They are having some issues displaying the prices based on location on their website so they are displaying European pricing. The $1500 for the Omen is the European price (I'm almost sure). The Omen is the $1000 US speaker that they sent an email about earlier in the week.
I know that they have been committed to making a speaker at that price point to start to get good sound/hifi out to more people. I think that the Omen is that speaker.
As a new (and very very happy) Soul Superfly owner, I think I have a new candidate for the 2nd system or for an upgrade to my home theater system. |
Zanon, I'm pretty sure the tweeter is actually the same as the Soul. The pair I borrowed had the screen over the tweeter, which Sean said was something they were experimenting with.
In terms of cost-cutting, it looks like the cabinet itself is really basic, and the specs make no mention of a foam wedge, so I wouldn't expect to see one. Cabling is copper instead of silver.
I am mildly concerned about having the tweeter below the main driver on a 3 foot tall speaker, although that's easily solved by tiling the speaker. And since it's 12" deep, doing so shouldn't affect the speaker's stability.
I'm very interested to hear how the Omen compares to the Soul Superfly. Yes, I expect it to be inferior, but at $1500 it fits within my budget and is very tempting. |
Hopefully the price really is $1000USD. If so, I will just have to make room in the budget for a pair. :) |
>>09-12-10: Tjnindc
The $1500 for the Omen is the European price (I'm almost sure).<<
No, that is not correct.
The introductory price is $999 until 11/10/10.
Then the price increases to $1500. |
|
Hi all,
I'm a bit late to the game here but my phonostage took a dump about two weeks after I received my Souls in June and I have been dicking around with the manufacturer ever since. I finally just bought a new one. I digress.
So, now that I'm up and running again here's my input. If you want to skip the following, these are my favorite speakers of all that I've owned. To date I've had Totem Staffs, Totem Model 1's, diy with Jordan drivers, diy open baffle with Visaton drivers and Druids with the 2008 driver compliment.
Ladavid, if you've got the cash I wouldn't hesitate to move to the Souls. Compared to the Druids you get more resolution and a lot deeper bass. These are significantly more dynamic than the Druids as well. Lastly, the finish over the stock Druids is phenomenal. In retrospect I would have paid a lot more than $1,800 or $2,800 for these speakers. Sean told me via email that the Soul Superfly uses the Definition tweeter. It was actually a bit bright for me at first. I've ended up running them with just a bit of toe-in in my small room (9' x 11' x 9'). I'll experiment with the suggested toe-in later.
FYI, I'm running them with Almarro's A318B. That's 18 class "A" SET watts. It been a good mix. I'm currently working my ass off and looking forward to Shindo gear eventually (years down the road).
I have a pair of Mission IC's that were a free comp. for a broken pair of Wyldes. That's how to run a business! I ordered the Mission speaker cables last week and can provide a comparison to the Libtecs if desired.
Happy listening.
Jon |
Sort of a side note, I am curious if anyone has tried their Soul or other Zu speaker with Wadia's new PowerDAC 151? I know the unofficial de facto standard is to pair tubes with Zu, but I know there has to be people out there running SS amps. |
I'll be running my Superfly with SS Naim and will report back when I have them.
I'm wondering whether Zu will quietly drop the basic Soul now that Omen is here.
Mike |
F1audio: I ran Druids with host of class-d amps, lost patience, and switch to peachtree nova (SS).
I also compare nova with HK3490 -- it is poor man Nova.
I do not know if it is Sabre Dac vs Burr Brown, or pre-amp stage, or MOSFET vs whatever op amp HK use, but Nova kick pants off HK. It is a good combination absolutely, and a great choice for money. For beginner/person with budget/veteran who is tired of nonsense i would recommend it.
I have tried low power tubes and do not like them on Druid. Highly overrated in my opinion. Also, I do not think push pull tube are that much better than A/B SS. So that leaves you with ~50WPC SET. At this point, I think good implementation of that difficult configuration is more important that tube vs SS. |
So, did zu sell a single soul for $1800?
They have new CEO. I wonder if he create this problem or will fix it |
My speculation is that the price raise of the Soul Superfly is indeed correct. I suspect the Soul will come out at $800 or so less as planned putting it in the mid $2000s. If that is so then the Omen will be a meaningful inclusion at the $1500 mark, essentially becoming what the Soul was intended to be.
Seems like they are diluting their line a bit, but if it brings new satisfied owners to the table then more power to them. |
From what I can see from the people who've actually talked to Zu about this, the Omen is at 1K now, will be at $1,500 eventually. That makes sense. The Superfly will be at $2,600, which also makes more sense than raising the price so drastically from $1800 initial orders to $3,500 for everyone else.
Now, my hunch is there's no need for the regular Soul, and that's why it's no longer mentioned on the website. The Superfly isn't described as a hot-rotted version of anything anymore - it does still say the Superfly is "an under the hood performance package", but it's not in comparison to a regular version. It's no longer an option, its a feature. |
As a former owner of Druids and Essence speakers I wish them well. While ZU's are not the best speakers I have heard, I consider them a very good value in the high efficient, SET friendly market segment. That said, the business side of things at ZU seems a bit disjointed. I thought the move to a dealer model was kind of strange and they quickly back peddaled on that. The price changes so soon after product launch also seems like a head scratcher. Hope they get their issues worked out. |
Got a reply from Zu regarding the line up. Soul is NOT a dead idea.
There was some info they haven't released in their email to me so I will cut out only whats pertinent to the line up.
"The Soul is still coming out and I'm happy to explain some of the rational behind the Omen. The Soul and Soul Superfly are difficult to produce in bulk due to the paint and shape of the cabinet. Here at Zu, we've long been looking for a way to produce a "Zu Quality" speaker at a price that anyone can afford, our target is a speaker below $1,000. The Omen has the same driver/tweeter combo as the Soul, however is in a cabinet that's much easier for us to produce." |
Another VERY interesting tidbit:
"The Omen doesn't have the same shape, however does employ the same Greiew loading.
Please don't hesitate to ask questions especially if something looks funny on the boards." |
Just got an email from zu to purchase the omen for 999.00 u.s.....they say they will be $ 1500 upon release in november. any thoughts, keep in mind I am comparing to current paradigm monitor 11. |
Interesting info there, Gopher. This is looking more and more like it will be my next pair of speakers. The Souls were great speakers for the 3 days I had them, but too expensive for my budget. I can definitely make the Omen work. |
It sounds to me that the Omen is going to be a more boxy Soul with Mission internal wiring that still incorporates the Greiwe loading. I wouldn't be surprised if it is almost as good as the Soul Superfly.
Drop them a line, their new CEO is extremely responsive. |
Hah! So not a single, standard Soul was ever sold for $1800, and may never be sold for $1800. Is funny.
So, does Omen have internal foam wedge and also gapped plinth at bottom like Essence? |
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...so, they can adjust the price of the Omen on the website, and not the Superfly? |
Not sure if you missed or are ignoring my post, Zanon. No standard Souls have been sold yet by virtue of the fact that they haven't released them.
They will be coming out in the near future and there will be an introductory pricing below the $1800 for them.
I don't know very much more about the Soul v Omen, but they look very similar appearance wise and if my understanding is correct and they employ the same loading with the same driver/super tweeter and the Omen has the new Mission internal wiring, I would probably jump on that over the Soul... That is unless there is more info out there to come which will further differentiate the two. |
Sorry, I miss that
$1500 list for omen
$1800 list for soul
$3500 list for superfly
???
Make no sense and not a sub $1k speaker in the lot |
>>09-14-10: Gopher
if my understanding is correct and they employ the same loading with the same driver/super tweeter<<
It is not correct.
They employ different full range drivers. The SSF is a newly developed full range driver whereas Omen uses the Druid Mk4/08 full range driver. |
Zanon,
You are correct, as stated it doesn't make much sense. I don't know what the final price of the Superfly will be, but $1800 is still the target for the Soul and down the line when enough Omens are sold to bring production costs down they will probably lower the price to be more in line with the intro.
I don't know how far down the line that will be, but I'll ask the new CEO to chime in as I don't know what information is sensitive vs. what can be stated publicly.
|
Picture of omen frd does not look like Druid frd |
Thanks for clearing that up Bill. Is it the same super tweeter?
Basically it sounds like this may be a Druid with better bass?
Where did that extra couple DB efficiency go? |
From the respective specs pages:
Omen: Zu260FRD/G4
Soul: Zu260FRD/G4HO
Druid: Zu260FRD/G2-08
The Omen might not have the exact same driver as the Soul Superfly (not sure what the HO designates) but it is certainly not the same driver as the Druids. |
Hello All;
I hope I'm hijacking this thread, it seems to be kind of all over the place anyway, but is there any opinion of the Zu Omens? For the $999 price it seems like a pretty good deal? What do you all think? I may pull the trigger on them or do you see a better speaker for the price?
Thanks
Jack |
Pull trigger and try. If you don't like, send back |
Hi Jack,
If you're looking for natural resolution and and explosive dynamics you should go for it. The introductory price is ridiculous. If I remember correctly they're offering a 90-day trial. You can't really lose. What's the competition? High performing bookshelves? You won't get the range. Maggies are fun, but way more expensive and you're going to need a lot more juice, probably solid state. I liked my Druids better than either Totem's Staffs or Model 1's. The Souls are better again and the Omen's appear very similar on paper. When the dust settles you'll still have purchased your Omen's for only $999 whatever the final retail price. |
Back to the topic of the Soul Superflys, I just got word that my Firstwatt F1 has been successfully converted to an F1J!
I've been informed that is sounding like a gustier F3 at this point. I suspect this pairing may be something very special. Will report in the days to come. |
Jack,
Sean recently characterized Omen to me as "Druid 4-08 in a three foot package," further explaining that Omen will have the essential sound of the D4-08. I don't know how bass response in the new cabinet will compare with Druid 4-08s that are correctly adjusted for floor-plinth gap, but even partial Greiwe loading would provide a proper foundation. So at $999, having all other attributes of the Zu FRD in a crossoverless configuration with a dynamic supertweeter, Omen gets presumption of excellence from me. Plus, I've been an advocate of "guitar finishes" for speakers, so I think the transluscent stain on maple shown in the promo photos will look great.
How the market will respond to the speaker at a higher price later in the context of the rest of Zu's line-up remains to be seen but the target market should find Omen startlingly good against the mass market alternatives they can audition and buy locally. Druid 4-08 sound was remarkable at a much higher price 2-1/2 years ago. I think it's a safe bet to order, and, no...I don't see a competitive nor better speaker for the price.
Phil |
I'm picking (from reading the website) the difference between the,
Omen: Zu260FRD/G4
Soul: Zu260FRD/G4HO
are the magnets. Soul Superfly mentions "bigger and stronger magnet (60 Oz.)". |
According to an email from Sean, Druid and Omen share the same FRD.
Whether the nomenclature on the spec sheet has changed is another issue.
I believe his email to be factual. |
The omen frd is the Druid mk4/08 with the new (essence) phase plug. The soul frd has a 60oz magnet and lighter paper cone..... Is completely different with the same phase plug.
Not sure about the omen tweet. The mesh screen protects the dome according to Gerrit.
12 ohm 97db vs 16ohm 101db.... |
Extremely compelling arguments from all, I think my greatest hesitation is "on paper, the sound should be good". We know how on paper does not really relate to real world all the time. I do like the face you have 60 or 90 days to audition and return, but shipping back and forth, for me anyway is roughly $250. I'm not sure that's included. I'm going to start another thread specifically about the omen, I hear the clock ticking, sale ends Friday. |
Fz1jmp,
I view the 60 or 90 days as trivial if you get in on the promo price. Unless you live in B.F.E., if you don't like 'em in 4 months just sell 'em locally for a grand.
At the speed Zu has been getting the Superflys out, relative to actual I bet I could have a local buyer for mine within a week for my promo price--kinda makes return shipping irrelevant. |
looks like the Superfly is back to $2,600 on the website. I've forgotten if anyone had mentioned seeing the superfly in something other than the Cosmic Carbon? Any insight into the upcharge for that? |
I've forgotten if anyone had mentioned seeing the superfly in something other than the Cosmic Carbon? Any insight into the upcharge for that? Just spoke with Gerrit, who indicated that Cosmic Latte was a $100 upcharge. There is a picture of the Tone in that color on the website. He didn't mention other colors or charges, and I didn't ask (Cosmic Carbon is fine with me). |
My Firstwatt came back today with the F1J mods! Aside from the prescribed updates, I had two power supply caps replaced which appeared to be worn.
Honestly--my first impressions are not particularly good with this pairing. Lower noise flood, much better top to bottom extension, and superior resolution than the Dynaco, but initially at least, it does not sound musical--kinda sterile and disjointed.
I'll let this sucker burn in/warm up more before commenting further, but I hope time brings out the goods. |
Regarding First Watt F1, IMO 10WPC is insufficient for any Zu speaker.
YMMV
Dealer disclaimer |
Very well could be playing a part BUT I recall liking the F1 a bit more before the Semisouth R100s were installed. I'll give it some time for everything to break in as new PSU CAps were installed.
That said, Zu has officially updated the Superfly page to emphasize the recommendation of tube over solid state for the Soul. |
Did anyone happen to save the list of amps with the short description that was originally listed on the Soul Superfly page as being the amps used to voice the speaker?
It seems to have been lost in the shuffle when they updated the Soul page. |
I believe you mean this:
So what amps did we use in the development of Soul, amps that gave us a good idea of matchups, amps we had kickin' around:
Audion Black Night 845
Allnic A-6000 (with 16 Ohm option)
Allnic T-1500
Bryston LP2
Denon PMA2000R Mk4
Dynaco ST-70
Leben CS-300
Manley Mahi/Mahi
McIntoch MA6600
Melody I-2A3
Melody M-300B
Panasonic XR-25
Pass Labs XA30.5
Peachtree Nova
Redwine 70.2
Yamamoto A-08S
Best Value: Dynaco Stereo 70, no mods, with original Mullard tubes. Yeah, it's awesome, use the 16 Ohm tap and get ready to rock! |
