Devore 0/96's

Bones13 said:
Did you ever listen to the 0/93s? I am considering moving on from my Zu Essences.
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I would recommend listening to the Devores yourself. I haven't heard any of the Zu line but had listened to both the O93's and the O96's. They are both very musical speakers and get great reviews for a reason.
 
Yes, they do get great reviews. I do need to listen for myself at some point.

Wondering how the 0/96 will compare to upgrading my Essence speakers to Zu Soul Supremes with a sub for 2/3rds the price.

with Austin as the closest dealer, it might take awhile.
 
I get the chance often to listen to the ZU line up and I loved them at first but over time I prefer the two way two driver kind of sound from Devore. It's going to depend what your ear latches onto. Single Drivers have no crossover and there is an inherent in this because there is not "step" where a second driver has to take over. Good two ways that use similarly voiced drivers with similar sonic signatures can get very close while bringing superior natural frequency extension in the treble and bass. The Fat DeVore speakers being good ones. In Hong Kong I usually ask the dealer to switch out the Zus for his big ATC speakers. Personally I would take the DeVores over any of the ZU speakers if I wanted to just play music and forget it. With ZU I keep listening to the "sound." The Single driver typically has a slightly (or more than slightly) washed out dynamic envelope so while they're supremely clear and quick in the midrange they seem to sound flat to me without a big level of grunt. The Teresonic Ingenium is one of the best around but even it struggles on some of the music I brought for demo.
 
Richard- did you hear the Druid Vs or Def 4s?

I think you are correct that Zu and Devore are somewhat different sounds/ideas.
 
The ones I've heard are the Essence, soul-superfly and I believe the Definition though I'd have to re-check my notes on the latter. They all exhibit the same sort of sound to me. It's not bad but it's just not ultimately what I would enjoy long term. Oddly I actually liked the cheaper Superfly more than the more expensive Essence so go figure.
 
RichardAusten said:
The ones I've heard are the Essence, soul-superfly and I believe the Definition though I'd have to re-check my notes on the latter. They all exhibit the same sort of sound to me. It's not bad but it's just not ultimately what I would enjoy long term. Oddly I actually liked the cheaper Superfly more than the more expensive Essence so go figure.
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Thanks- the Essence is the least Zu sounding speaker out there (it's also a design from 2008 I believe). I would not use that to judge comparisons with. The Superfly is indeed a better speaker and only costs around $2600.

You really should hear the latest versions of the Druid/Def with Radian tweets released over the past few years- I think you would be stunned to hear the difference. Zu grew up with these designs.
 
Zu is still high up on my list. They have a trade in program, I could get 50% of the Essence price back trading them in. My room is way too small to do the Definition : 9.5x14 foot. In an average sized room, I would for sure go with the Druid V, but am thinking the Soul Supreme (the one with the Radian tweeter) will be a better fit in my room.

I am just comtemplating things atm. Considering the Avantegarde Uno Fino, the Vaugh Audio speakers, and kind of hooked onto this thread asking about the DeVores. My amps are EL34 PP (35watt), and a DIY Aleph J (20watt), both were assembled by me. I suppose I could look at less efficient speakers, but want to keep the opportunity to have a SET tube amp, when and if I build one.
 
I am sure the dealer will bring any new models in as this is where I ought my Line Magnetic amp and sources. LM has also brought out some statement preamp power amp that look utterly fantastic and I will at some point schedule an audition - I will check if they have the Druids with Radian tweeters.

The sad thing is that I love my LM 219IA SET amp and now with my AN E (at only 94dB) I barely ever get the meter past 1 watt. SO with the single driver 100dB speakers I'd never see the meters twitch.
 
this 096 speaker is so hard to gauge. there are lovers and haters. my plan to go listen to them this week is not going to happen, something better came up.lol.i will reschedule for next week, hopefully they will be hooked up to line mag gear and not shindo. but i have a friend who had 096 in a second system running with my same allnic t1500 and says they are wonderful match and great together, and other friends that just dont like them at all. no matter what gear they hear them with. i know i have to hear it for myself but without hearing them with my same gear its not going to do me any good.
the overall perception is very musical yet poor imaging and detail. id love to hear more opinions of people who have heard these speakers.
 
Steve, I have heard the O/96's at three shows and now in a private home. I am not in the market for a speaker like the Devore's, but I'll offer my opinion....

Ok, I love the tweeter on the O/96's. I love their look and footprint. I love the finish. Gorgeous.

To me however, the O/96's are like an X-Ray of the music (I've been hanging around medical people all week). An X-Ray tells you about the bone structure - but not much else.

So essentially, it's not something the O/96's do that troubles me - there is no bright tweeter, no weird cabinet resonances, although there are cabinet resonances, there is no boomy bass, etc. to speak of. So essentially, it's what the Devore's don't do that raises an eyebrow. They don't deliver all the music, all the information. They leave out so much information that's in the music. I listened to songs I know inside and out and so much information/detail whatever you want to call it - is missing. The more complex the music, the more you realize this.

I also feel there is also a mismatch between the tweeter and the woofer. The tweeter displays images loudly, clearly and in a large sized (not life like, but good) manner. The woofer plays much softer and scales much smaller. Stand up bass sounds tiny. Impact of drums sounds tiny and weak. All the while as I said, leaving out so much information.

If we are judging on the sound alone, at $12,000, I feel there are better options. But if you're in love with the efficiency, the looks, the easy load, the smooth sounding, yet detailed tweeter and the story of the Devore's, then I can understand why there are some who love them so much. Sometimes we have to give up something to get something and only the buyer can make that ultimate decision.

They aren't my cup of tea. That's my two cents.




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Mike said:
Steve, I have heard the O/96's at three shows and now in a private home. I am not in the market for a speaker like the Devore's, but I'll offer my opinion....

Ok, I love the tweeter on the O/96's. I love their look and footprint. I love the finish. Gorgeous.

To me however, the O/96's are like an X-Ray of the music (I've been hanging around medical people all week). An X-Ray tells you about the bone structure - but not much else.

So essentially, it's not something the O/96's do that troubles me - there is no bright tweeter, no weird cabinet resonances, although there are cabinet resonances, there is no boomy bass, etc. to speak of. So essentially, it's what the Devore's don't do that raises an eyebrow. They don't deliver all the music, all the information. They leave out so much information that's in the music. I listened to songs I know inside and out and so much information/detail whatever you want to call it - is missing. The more complex the music, the more you realize this.

I also feel there is also a mismatch between the tweeter and the woofer. The tweeter displays images loudly, clearly and in a large sized (not life like, but good) manner. The woofer plays much softer and scales much smaller. Stand up bass sounds tiny. Impact of drums sounds tiny and weak. All the while as I said, leaving out so much information.

If we are judging on the sound alone, at $12,000, I feel there are better options. But if you're in love with the efficiency, the looks, the easy load, the smooth sounding, yet detailed tweeter and the story of the Devore's, then I can understand why there are some who love them so much. Sometimes we have to give up something to get something and only the buyer can make that ultimate decision.

They aren't my cup of tea. That's my two cents.




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awesome Mike thank you!!!!
 
I have had the O/96s through my house for a few months... My 2 cents.....

Anybody interested in this speaker should spend some time reading about the Audio Note system/setup that this design is based on. While I generally agree on Mike's comments above, I'd have a different tone to it... This speaker is designed to use room reinforcement to augment the bass. The positioning is critical, the room size and shape is critical, matching amplifier is critical (a warmish tube amp of over 20 watts IMHO). You get any of these details off, the performance will suffer. Ultimately like the Audio Note setup, right room, right music, it can be quite musical. It is not a product for everyone. People will make their own judgement about the value at 12K. One final point, this speaker has a very high WAF, my wife loved them.
 
annapolis Raider said:
I have had the O/96s through my house for a few months... My 2 cents.....

Anybody interested in this speaker should spend some time reading about the Audio Note system/setup that this design is based on. While I generally agree on Mike's comments above, I'd have a different tone to it... This speaker is designed to use room reinforcement to augment the bass. The positioning is critical, the room size and shape is critical, matching amplifier is critical (a warmish tube amp of over 20 watts IMHO). You get any of these details off, the performance will suffer. Ultimately like the Audio Note setup, right room, right music, it can be quite musical. It is not a product for everyone. People will make their own judgements about the value at 12K. One final point, this speaker has a very high WAF, my wife loved them.
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Nice write up . I couldn't agree with you more. Always enjoying read your post
 
Very interesting opinions being expressed here, I find it very insightful and helpful. Thanks to all of the Sharks for sharing their experiences!
 
Paul said:
Nice write up . I couldn't agree with you more. Always enjoying read your post
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+1. Proper setup is crucial. I've heard them setup by John Devore many times.

Agree on WAF.


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I agree with Mike having heard them many times. They are actually based on the vintage Dynaco A-25 speaker....
21
 
Mike said:
Steve, I have heard the O/96's at three shows and now in a private home. I am not in the market for a speaker like the Devore's, but I'll offer my opinion....

Ok, I love the tweeter on the O/96's. I love their look and footprint. I love the finish. Gorgeous.

To me however, the O/96's are like an X-Ray of the music (I've been hanging around medical people all week). An X-Ray tells you about the bone structure - but not much else.

So essentially, it's not something the O/96's do that troubles me - there is no bright tweeter, no weird cabinet resonances, although there are cabinet resonances, there is no boomy bass, etc. to speak of. So essentially, it's what the Devore's don't do that raises an eyebrow. They don't deliver all the music, all the information. They leave out so much information that's in the music. I listened to songs I know inside and out and so much information/detail whatever you want to call it - is missing. The more complex the music, the more you realize this.

I also feel there is also a mismatch between the tweeter and the woofer. The tweeter displays images loudly, clearly and in a large sized (not life like, but good) manner. The woofer plays much softer and scales much smaller. Stand up bass sounds tiny. Impact of drums sounds tiny and weak. All the while as I said, leaving out so much information.

If we are judging on the sound alone, at $12,000, I feel there are better options. But if you're in love with the efficiency, the looks, the easy load, the smooth sounding, yet detailed tweeter and the story of the Devore's, then I can understand why there are some who love them so much. Sometimes we have to give up something to get something and only the buyer can make that ultimate decision.

They aren't my cup of tea. That's my two cents.




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This is a totally fascinating finding to me. I've never heard this speaker, but I've been somewhat critical of earlier efforts - the super 8s and nines. I had a somewhat similar experience with respect to the bass: I described it as quite lean for both models and that finding was echoed by a lot of other users.

As to the bit about missing information, that I find quite interesting. I wonder what would account for this on a technical level. In other words, what the heck is going on to cause certain information not to be produced in some recordings?


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Well really, nothing's "missing" at all. Maybe they just aren't as accurate as other speakers. On the other hand maybe John's been brainwashed by Tipper Gore and is actually filtering certain sounds from getting to our ears. Might make perfect sense to some people. Time for our tin foil hats...

Sent from my HTC One.
 
Listening to the 0/96's right now.

Have Miles on the table, wait something's missing.

OMG, the trumpet, it's gone.....
 
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