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Zaph Audio ZA5.2 DIY Kit Speaker Review

Would 10 different builds of this kit all test he same? At least compared to the standard deviation of non-DIY speakers?
 
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Added spin data to the review

Thanks Amir. I have added this speaker to Loudspeaker Explorer where it can be compared to other speakers.

Good consistency within the listening window:

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By the way @amirm, the number of points in the measurement data seems a bit odd:

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@MZKM: I hope this didn't adversely affect your spreadsheets?
 
Resonances have to appear in the frequency response curves, or else they are so low level that it’s not important.

Unfortunately, not true.

1. Olive's resonance studies show resonances as low as 28 dB down (barely a blip on a response curve) can be detectable. I try to target all my crossovers for at least that much rejection.

2. The driver resonances also show up as elevated distortion and this is not detectable in frequency response. You can roll off the resonance 1000 dB with an upstream low pass, won't matter because the distortion is generated in the driver after the filter.
 
Am a bit surprised by the low sensitivity as do not use very high power amps and have not had any obvious issues driving them to high levels. The impedance chart indicates they are built to spec so am a bit baffled.
Does the designer specify a sensitivity number?
 
A speaker is a speaker, right? Why limit your database?
Because the cabinet made by the owner can have a large impact, as well as any building errors. The manufacturer‘s frequency response is more neutral, we don’t know if that’s due to smoothing or building error.
Specifying cost is also a challenge,
 
Thanks @amirm for the compliments and the testing. I will add some color from my experience with these speakers. Bear in mind, am the builder and not the designer (that would be John Krutke).
  1. Originally did not intend to finish them at all. What you see if what is a (mediocre IMO) protective (first coat) of Duratex paint. It is will be sanded down and recoated for a better finish.
  2. I have used them with and without a subwoofer. Without the subwoofer and in a small room, I find the bass quite sufficient, but as Amir pointed out, it is small woofer. The designer’s site is pretty clear about the
  3. Am a bit surprised by the low sensitivity as do not use very high power amps and have not had any obvious issues driving them to high levels. The impedance chart indicates they are built to spec so am a bit baffled.
For music, getting loud enough usually isn’t a concern; it’s for movies where high SPL is needed (due to higher dynamic range).
 
Because the cabinet made by the owner can have a large impact, as well as any building errors. The manufacturer‘s frequency response is more neutral, we don’t know if that’s due to smoothing or building error.

This sort of alludes to my issue with these types of reviews (not that my opinion matters) but I struggle to see how this benefits anyone but the builder if they are all going to test differently anyway. If I go build this kit, and my measurements are going to be different, what does this tell me?

I enjoy DIY projects and have considered building some “sub furniture” so this is a legitimate question and not me being snarky.
 
For music, getting loud enough usually isn’t a concern; it’s for movies where high SPL is needed (due to higher dynamic range).

Agree, but in home theater would have subwoofer(s). In my home theater, used the ZA5.3 on mains and these were surrounds.

Also agree with your comment on the sensitivity spec., Aside from the woofer itself (87 dB), have not seen one clearly stated on Zaph Audio site. :)
 
If I go build this kit, and my measurements are going to be different, what does this tell me?
That is a good question. On a speaker this small, it is conceivable small differences in cabinet volume, etc, could make measurable differences in bass response. If a kit comes with a flatpack, the results should be consistent. I don't have any experience with this company, but in my experience with other companies (DIYSG) offering a commercial kit, if built to spec, the results are very consistent. Just as consistent as I'd expect from any mass produced speaker from unit to unit.

I do hope if DIY speakers that are from complete kits are tested in the future, MZKM will reconsider adding them to the databass. Full kits should offer measurements that can be replicated by anybody building that kit and would do nothing but add to the information available to readers.
 
  1. I have used them with and without a subwoofer. Without the subwoofer and in a small room, I find the bass quite sufficient, but as Amir pointed out, it is small woofer. The designer’s site is pretty clear about the
  2. Am a bit surprised by the low sensitivity as do not use very high power amps and have not had any obvious issues driving them to high levels. The impedance chart indicates they are built to spec so am a bit baffled

I tried these out awhile back and they got plenty loud for me as well. I think it's becoming obvious that Amir listens much louder than the average person and small bookshelf speakers like these will suffer because of that. I never hit any limits with these or the LS50 that I've been using for a few years but I always high pass bookshelf speakers at 90-100Hz with 4th order slopes, this greatly reduces cone excursions due to trying to play deep bass. I personally do my own listening comparisons with a high pass in place because I don't want a bass advantage or distortion (that wouldn't normally be there) influencing my decision.
 
By the way @amirm, the number of points in the measurement data seems a bit odd:
I explained that in the intro to the review. I used to use 0.7 Hz resolution. I moved it up a few notches to 2.7 Hz. Sean Olive's research relies on frequency resolution of 2 Hz so this is a close fit. I compared the graphs between two runs (0.7 versus 2.7) and other than down in 20 to 40 Hz, there is not much difference. There is dramatic reduction in file size and good bit of reduction in test time so I like to stick with the new standard.
 
@amirm - why is the metal dome tweeter resonance missing in all of your measurements? I'm just interested to know.
 
@amirm - why is the metal dome tweeter resonance missing in all of your measurements? I'm just interested to know.
I don't sweep beyond 20 kHz where these resonances often show.
 
This is one of those cases where a little contouring of the FR can help. You can likely droop the response starting at 2oo hz, and let it go down about 6 db by 10 khz (even 3 db might be enough). This would likely give it a not at all bright sound, and the bass will sound more aligned with the overall FR trend. It still doesn't have real deep bass, but on music not requiring unusual amounts of it you'd have a very nicely balanced musical sound.
 
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This sort of alludes to my issue with these types of reviews (not that my opinion matters) but I struggle to see how this benefits anyone but the builder if they are all going to test differently anyway. If I go build this kit, and my measurements are going to be different, what does this tell me?

I enjoy DIY projects and have considered building some “sub furniture” so this is a legitimate question and not me being snarky.

This is fair question. For me, I can tell you that the ZA5.2 speaker I built is very comparable to the posted design. Both my frequency response and the impedance graphs are comparable to ones on the Zaph site. That said, if you do not measure to verify results, you risk not matching the design (miswiring, bad solder joints, a bad component, etc.). Note that many of the components involved have wide tolerances too. Depending on manufacturer, woofers particularly can vary significantly from batch to batch.

Otoh, I (and others) can improve on the design too. Even my crudest cabinetry is better than what you get with commercial stuff. Also, the quality of the drivers and crossover components is far better too. But I am also the tester, quality control, and warranty repair when I DIY. So, in the end, I control more of the outcome.

Speaker designs are tradeoffs. This one may be low sensitivity, but is pretty good in many other ways. Looking through what Amir has tested to date, there is not any speaker value that clearly stands out in this price range. For that matter, there are a number that are far worse.
 
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