Zu vs. Tekton? -- your comparisons on price, build, sound

The YouTube channel, 2 Channel listening has a few fairly indepth comparisons between Zu and Tekton.... just Google zu vs tekton to find them. In one or more of them he takes them apart to examine hardware and cabinetry.

Apples and oranges in both design and sound. I’ve heard both, Zu many times, but neither is my cup of tea. I do like Zu aesthetics . Tekton is best for folks with modest tube amps looking for a lot of speaker for the $$$ and probably go loud well. Zu is a fit for modest tube amps also and I always want to like them but sound has always been a bit thin and not involving nor well balanced when heard to me. Very midrangy and a bit shouty. Definitely a unique sound. Also I think Zu prices have gone up quite a bit in recent years based on their niche.

Zu Audio is by far superior, no comparison. You can understand all of the words in vocals, piano and strings are well defined. To me Tekton sounds muddy.

Sound wise, it's up to you and your room.  Zu's to me are more focused and etched sounding and boarder on bright but in the right room are tough to beat.

Tekton have their own sound too which I have liked so far, great live sound.

IF you consider build quality and WAF then Tekton takes a loss every single time.  Zu's are beautiful looking speakers, Tekton are far from that.

I've had Tektons and as good as they sound (for the money) they are not made that well or should I say they are made to a price point. its the cabinet work that's lacking IMO, that is where they are saving money to keep the pricing down. From pictures I'd say Zu is ahead in this area, sound I do not know. 

Personally i couldn't live with the looks of the semi gloss paint and poor cabinet quality. Not saying they are bad just that's where Tekton saves money to meet a price point. it would be nice it they offered an upgraded cabinet for those who wanted it. 

@riley804 I'm really not about to change speakers. I did write to Jim Salk about considering making a more sensitive speaker. The problem he cites is accuracy. But he's thinking about it.

What I'm interested in is -- if you will -- the "tier below Devore" for sensitive speakers. I know folks love/hate Tekton, but since Zu is just down the road in Utah and is a similar kind of company and price-class, I'm wondering about them in comparison. Both those speakers can show up at The Music Room, to which I can drive and try out a pair.

My guess the Zu are better built than Tektons. My friend who owns the Zu Speakers sold them 8 yrs ago, the model I think they are essence? My friend move to Omega Alnico HO, to Tektons impact monitor, to Ps 12 Tektons.

 Zu is an Interesting company. Just looked at their site. Thanks

i had to get you this one 😀.

are you thinking of trying a pair of one of these speakers?

maybe the brother in law will bring his over and you can hear them in your setup

have a safe holiday….

@riley804 Good one --hoisted on my own petard -- and I deserve it!

Still, to defend myself, if you look at those results, there are not many thread starters with this comparison. So....

More, the reason I’m not just searching the forum is that there have been some recent upgrades to both, and also because there was a recent thread about high sensitivity speakers and low watt tube amps.

Still, good point and I suppose the best spanking for me would be for this to be the last comment in the thread.

Happy Turkey Day from a turkey!

use the force Luke