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Zu Essence vs Devore Nine vs Maggies

Greetings all! I currently have some Dynaudio 52Se monitors with a REL R-205 sub and am looking for something with the same or better quality sound, yet a deeper, richer, more engrossing sound. I've considered the Contour series floorstanders, but haven't heard them.

My room is 15x25 with a vaulted ceiling 8-10ft. Speaker placement is on the long wall on the short side of the ceiling. I run a Sony ES CD source to a Rogue Perseus tube preamp with a Quad 909 SS power amp. I'd like to spend $1000-3000 (used, preferably).

I've auditioned the Magnepan 1.6R and loved them quite a bit. I've also heard the ProAc Response D2, Dali Helicon, and Devore Super 8. Honestly, I really like the Magnepan, especially for the price. I also really liked the Dali, but it's too much and the Devore Nine killed the Super 8 to me, but again is a little pricey. After much reading, I think the Zu Essence might be what I want and at a great price now, $3500.

So... has anyone heard the new Essence and compared it to the Devore Nine? Also, would my setup be too much for such sensitive speakers? I like everything from jazz trios to arena rock. For that amazing encompassing "live", rich sound, with clear detailed highs and nice lows, can I beat the Maggies? To be fair, I had a whole week to audition them at home while all the others were at dealers.

Thanks in advance, Dave, Austin, TX
daveed_tx
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restock
826 posts
 
I have heard all three speakers at length and these go in very different directions sonically. I know I could only live with one in the long term, one for a short flirt and one not at all.

Some of this depends on taste, some on listening habits, some of this on tolerance. Given your description of your taste, I would recommend Maggies as well, even though they would not be my first choice out of the three.

It pays sometimes to just live with it and see; if only to develop your tastes...
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I heard the Audio Note AN/E SPe HE loudspeakers at RMAF 2009. Based on your three speaker selections, and on your goals for the speakers, I'd suggest taking a listen to the Audio Note AN/E offerings.
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
Restock,

Let me guess the order.

Devore (long term)
Maggie (short flirt)
Zu (not at all)

How did I do?

Shakey
bongofury
1,160 posts
 
I recently auditioned a wide variety of speakers, including Zu and Devore, in tandem with Leben and Luxman tube electronics.

Both speakers are really wonderful, but have different sound signatures.

I thought that, hands down, the Devores sounded better in "naturally" recreating a wide variety of music genres--very neutral sounding (and little recessed). More like an English speaker around well-defined mid-range sounds. You could put these next to Harbeth and Spendor. The tubes did not make them overally warm.

The Zus tend to color the music with this "lively" veil: you definitely feel the soundstage and dynamics--great with jazz combos, female vocals, simple rock music--very bright and defined highs and decent sustain and attack. Very efficient--make low powered tubes come alive.

Both have world class finishes. I think the figured cherry on the Devores is stunning. Zu's white pearl finish has the drool factor.

Maggies are great, but suffer from being power hungry and difficult to set up in small to medium rooms. Zu and Devore plays with an entirely different set of less powerful electronics, 15 to 100 watts, and would sound great in nearfield situations..
tvad
9,467 posts
 
What Zu and Devore models did you audition, Bongofury?

The top end of the Zu Essence is too crystalline for my taste, and the Devore Gibbon Super 8 (?) was too polite the one time I heard it.

I'd like to find something in the middle with friendly low power tube sensitivity and impedance load.
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