Capital Audio Fest 2024 begins in less than 3 weeks and it is always an opportunity to experience something new from brands like Zu Audio. Sean Casey always brings something different to this show in Rockville, Maryland and we already have some early details on two new products that sound very intriguing; especially for those who do not have a lot of space. The new Zu Audio Method Bookshelf loudspeaker and Method SUB subwoofer will be making their debut.
Zu will also be demonstrating the Dirty Weekend (been there, done that), DWX, Soul, and Definition loudspeakers.
We are huge fans of the Dirty Weekend for the sheer value that it represents in a full-range floor standing loudspeaker that does not take up a lot of space in your room.
But what if you don’t have the space required for a pair of floor standing loudspeakers?
What if a pair of bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer are all you can handle?
So what did Sean Casey have to say about it so far? We still don’t know the price but it’s unlikely to be over $1,500 — please don’t make us look silly and charge $3,000.
“What about this new bookshelf speaker? Well, it’s not big visually, but it is sonically. It brings a healthy amount of Zu realism and dynamics to otherwise cramped spaces: desktops, bookshelves, commercial spaces where space and sound are both premium…. And being coaxial and having a nice wide uniform spray, they are perfect for center and effects. Yep, they will be in heavy rotation at the show and we’re looking forward to knowing what you think. If you think they sound half as good as we do, they will begin shipping by the end of the year,” explained Casey.
A quick look at the specifications reveals that they are not that small.
15” tall, 8.75” wide, and 11” deep for those already thinking about placement.
The sensitivity rating on the Method Bookshelf speaker is 94dB @1m, 2.8V nominal (8 ohm impedance).
How low will they play? 70 – 20kHz (3dB) with 60 – 20kHz typical in-room performance.
The radiation beam width? ±45˚
The driver?
The Method will utilise an 8” paper cone coax (Eminence/Zu) driver whilst the top end will be handled by a Eminence ASD-1001 w/ acoustic filter.
It is also going to be a front-ported design which is great news for those who will want to place them close to the wall or inside a bookshelf.
Keep the power to a maximum of 100 watts per channel.
Information on the Method SUB subwoofer so far is somewhat scant but we do know that it features a lightweight paper cone fifteen inch driver, and will operate with greater efficiency than the original Method subwoofer.
The Bottom Line
Has Zu created a more affordable version of the DWX that can disappear in your room, yet fill it (with the addition of the subwoofer) with extremely quick, tight, and impactful low end response?
When you think about the types of music that Zu plays in their room at any show, the new Method system will most certainly show off what it can do.
We can’t wait to hear it in 3 weeks.
Zu Audio will be Rooms 706 & 707 and using Black Ice Audio‘s range of amplifiers and pre-amplifiers for the second year in a row.
For more information: zuaudio.com
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