Efficient speaker: Zu, Tekton, Volti, Klipsch, Fleetwood?


We’re moving and I’m looking for a high-efficiency, high impedance speaker that can fill a very large “great room” with smooth, open, detailed sound, both for serious listening and casual background music. I currently have Devore Super 9s, but those will be going in a separate dedicated listening room. I thought about getting another pair of Devores (maybe the O/93) for the great room because I love this brand, but I’m interested in other possibilities The new speakers will be on either side of a 6-foot TV console, so they’ll need to sound good fairly close to the wall behind them. And they will need to have a reasonably good WAF. They will be played mainly at low-moderate sound levels and our tastes include rock, classical, world music and “spa” type relaxation stuff.

Anyone who is familiar with any of the following candidates, please feel free to sound off. As you can see, price ranges are all over the place:

Zu Soul Supreme

Tekton Lore

Volti Razz

Klipsch Forte IV

Fleetwood Deville

Others?

128x128ladok

I’ve been running Zu Omen DWs for about 2yrs. Awesome value. Great build quality. Run them with a yaqin MC-13s (chfi push pull based on old Hafler circuit) running 38w into 8ohms. DWs are 98db efficient. My power meter rarely steps out beyond 10w. Great imaging, good soundstage, awesome dynamics for their price.
About 2 weeks ago I pulled the trigger on a set of Druid MkIV. Same front end. I’m still setting them up. Not as simple as the DWs. So far, I’m wildly impressed, and they keep getting better everyday. 101dB efficient. Crazy dynamics. Everything is just bigger and more lifelike. That said, I am contemplating a change in amp - mostly just to see what SETs or Class A SS has to offer.

Im sold on the high efficiency crossover less design of Zu and others mentioned in this thread. Haven’t heard or seen DeVore but I can say for certain that Tekton seems to puts the money into the drivers and less into the cabinet and finish. I wish Tekton would up the build game because they sound marvelous (and are made right there in UT).

Bradf I originated this post and mentioned I currently own the Devore Super 9s. They are the best speaker I've ever had in 40 years of high end audio, and I've owned about 20 brands. I previously had the 0/96 which I think are better overall, but the Super 9s were a better match for my room. The Super 9s disappear, throw an enormous soundstage, image precisely, and possesss excellent dynamics, scale, pace and timing. They don't go as deep in the bass or have as much low-end impact as the 0/96, but I find the bass very satisfying. They are SLIGHTY warmish on the neutrality scale but in a very lifelike way. Actually, that's the Devore trademark, a tonal balance that is very much like real performers in real space. And then, there is that hard-to-define quality, they just sound right.

Ladok

Very helpful, thnks.  I have read just about everything I could, but never came across a reviewer mentioning scale.  I did come across a forum where an individual stated that instruments and voices did not seem life size.  That has stuck with me since, and had me re-reading reviews to see what was mentioned regarding scale. Most reviewers emphasized there staging and imaging performance, but not much at all on how they scale or size instruments. So that is helpful.  What amplification did you or are you using with the Super Nines. Unlike most, I prefer a tamer bass, I am very conscious about disturbing the neighbors, and its a distraction to my listening pleasure if I think I am bugging someone.  They are spec'd at 28 Hz, but based on the woofer size, I cant imagine they push a lot of air.  On occasion when I want more and lower bass I turn on My REl 305.  I would prefer an integrated sub, maybe even powered, but in my case this is the better option.  The other question you may be able to help me with is there performance level in portraying life like instrument/voice tonal qualities.

The closes Devore dealer that has the Supr Nines on dynamic display is in San Francisco, so I would like to have an idea that the speaker has the qualities I am looking for, before I take a drive from Portland, Or. to audition.  

 

Also,  If there's someone who has lived with or heard the Coincident Super Victory III, I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks again

Brad

bradf to answer your question about scale, I’d say it’s very realistic. If voices or instruments don’t seem "life-size" on these speakers, they aren’t set up well, although in my experience they are very easy to set up and get sounding right. The 0/96 bass would probably disturb the neighbors but not the Super 9s. The two 7-inch woofers provide deep, tight bass with good impact. I should add that I’m not a "bass freak," I enjoy deep, tight bass that hits you in the gut, but have no desire to shake the room or show off weird sound effects. I have no desire to add a sub. I’ve used a wide variety of amplifiers, including tubes by Leben, Antique Sound Lab and Luxman. I’ve also used some solid state, including Pass and First Watt. Right now I’m using a hybrid Rogue Sphinx and I really like this pairing. The Super 9s are discerning of the qualities and "flavor" of each amp, but they always maintain their basic nature, which is very musical. Keep in mind, I have never had horn speakers so I can’t compare to that. It sounds like you’ve done your research and read the reviews, but I’ll just point out that there are several good reviews on line that address most of your questions.

David12 thanks for the Daedalus recommendation. I left them off my list but I am considering them.