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(More customer reviews)I have had two different Zvox models at home for the last couple of months, but this commentary could apply to either the 425 or 525 models.
Prior to ordering my first Zvox, I went the more common digital route of a separate Onkyo receiver/amplifier, a speaker bar by Definitive Technologies and some high-end cables. I am not an audiophile, but not averse to a challenge. Setting it all up was a nightmare. I couldn't get a reliable on-screen menu either through the HDMI connection, or through the analog inputs, regardless of how I configured the connections. Additionally, since I needed to hide the receiver, I needed an infrared repeater to turn it on, and it never worked reliably, regardless of where I positioned it.
In summary, I had a system that could not be reliably turned on with my remote, did not reliably give me an on-screen menu for most of the receiver functions, and increased the ambient temperature in the living room by about 4 degrees if it was left on all day (I was rather amused by thinking that at least I had a back-up heating system should the furnace ever fail). I put the better part of 15 hours in to set this up, and reconfigured it again and again. I also probably spent nearly another two hours speaking to people at Onkyo, Definitive Technologies, and the folks who manufactured the IR repeater. And watching something on TV could take minutes of "prep."
Finally, the irritation overwhelmed me, and I boxed everything up (including my 100 page Onkyo receiver owner's manual) and sent it back. At the same time I was doing a bit more research, and discovered the AVS forum thread covering the Zvox models, and it seemed to provide the best discussions and summaries of the different units (from an ordinary user's point of view). I decided to try one.
Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! This is exactly what the Zvox provides! My television, with its clean, easily visible, intuitive on-screen menu is a great switching station for inputs. And the units turn themselves on or off automatically when it senses a signal (or lack thereof) from the TV. Set up is basically five steps: (1) Run analog RCA cables (supplied) from TV's analog audio output jacks to the Zvox, (2) plug in the Zvox, (3) turn the "ON" switch at the back of the Zvox on; (4) go into the TV's menu screen and shut off (once and forever) the TV's cheap, tinny-sounding, cheesy little speakers; and (5) watch TV or a movie. That's basically it!
It does a very good job of filling the room with sound. It feels like the sound is emanating from an area about eight or ten feet wide in front of the TV, bass is quite intense (especially with the 425 model), and dialog is very clear. No need to bring up subtitles or closed captioning when listening at low volume levels. It doesn't make you feel that you are surrounded by sound, but the effect is rather more like you are watching a play or musical performance in a theater. There is a sense of directionality, but it is pretty much from in front of you. I have never quite understood why people like sound that is coming from behind them, when the action is taking place in front of them (?!), but, as I mentioned above, I am not an audiophile, so perhaps I just do not understand why such things are important. Music, in particular, seems much more crisp, clean, and natural than it did with my previous "all digital" system. I have my unit set with bass, treble and phase cue (the simulated surround sound) at about level 5, and haven't found a need to change anything. Set it, forget it! I can't express how much I appreciate it that someone has put together a speaker system with such wonderful quality, and which is brain-dead simple to set up and manage.
As far as shortcomings are concerned, in my view, there are only a couple: (1) as mentioned in another review here, sometimes higher notes lack a bit of clarity or lightness, but to me this seems only to be the case when the volume and/or phase cue is set very high; (2) TV programs or DVDs with garbage audio quality will be played back the same way (what you give this Zvox is exactly what it will give back to you). If you play a garbage sound recording, you will get back garbage. Moreover, it will be full-bodied, wide soundstage, room-filling garbage. I guess this is what "fidelity" means in the term "high fidelity"). You don't seem to be able to do much about this, but if you are listening to decent recordings, it is a very, very good thing.
I think anyone who wants a quality sound system and who wants to eliminate (or prevent the occurrence of) another level of complexity in life (which, I am convinced, is slowly killing us all), this system will be an excellent choice. The surround-sound, five, seven, or nine channel enthusiasts will not be impressed, of course. Fine. Leave them be. I live in a house anyway, not a concert amphitheater. The Zvox is just fine for the rest of us.
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ZVOX 425xs High-Performance Single-Cabinet Surround Sound SystemThe ZVOX 425xs is the first single-cabinet audio system capable of delivering the volume, impact and dynamic realism - including window-rattling bass - of a high-quality multi-speaker surround sound system. We think it will change the way the world listens to movies, music, TV shows and sporting events. Uncompromised home theater sound no longer requires a room full of speaker boxes, subwoofers and wires! The new ZVOX 425xs combines five speakers, two powered subwoofers, a powerful 133-watt amplifier and our proprietary PhaseCue virtual surround sound system - all in one slim cabinet (36.5"w x 5 3/4"d x 7 3/4"h). Created by legendary speaker designer Winslow Burhoe (founder of EPI Loudspeakers and Burhoe Acoustics), it sounds awesome (yes, we know the word is over-used, but the 425xs really is awesome). Movie soundtracks aren't just good sounding, they are startlingly realistic. Bass is solid, accurate and loud down to an amazing 35 Hz (that's better than some 10" standalone powered subwoofers). With three center all-channel speakers, midrange and vocal reproduction is superb - with crystal-clear dialog, even at low volume settings. And like all ZVOX systems, the 425xs reproduces music accurately with natural tonal balance, precise imaging and breath-taking realism. Connect just one cord to your TV and you've created a fantastic-sounding, easy-to-use home theater system...without all the clutter and wires of a traditional surround sound system. "Best buy." - Consumer's Digest "Home theater product of the year." - About.com "Stands tall among competing products." - CNET "The 425 sounded great...rivals many discrete systems." - Sound & Vision magazine "The subwoofers reach remarkable depths with audible output even lower than the claimed 35 hertz." - Chicago Tribune
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