Definition Mk.IV

The most performance you can get in just over one square foot of floor space—true when we launched Definition, even more so today. Up 'till now, successive Definition models were progressive evolutions of the original. Definition Mk.IV however is both an evolution and a clean-sheet redesign—everything that was good is now even better, with the transition to a down-firing sub' and rack-style integrated bass amp being the most obvious evidence of that redesign. Performance benefits include a significant refinement in full-scale integration with notably expanded dynamic range and heightened expression. Mk.IV resolves even more transient and micro-detail yet is denser in tone, richer, and more expansive of scale and image. It's Definition realized and come of age, delivering stunning dynamics and real fidelity, and all with peerless ease and fluidity.

Definition Mk.IV is designed for home stereo and home theater use. It is a direct radiating, controlled dispersion floor-standing loudspeaker and does in fact feature the very same drivers as used in Zu's flagship loudspeaker Dominance.

Definition was conceived and launched in 2003, and has earned a huge amount of critical acclaim over the years. Blue Moon Award from multiple 6moons.com reviewers, Writers' Choice Awards from Positive Feedback, not to mention the great press from international audio magazines in Hong Kong, UK, Germany, Hungry, New Zealand, China, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Brazil, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Spain, Norway....

"If riding an F430 at breakneck pace through your favorite Malibu canyon road is the idea of an ultimate car control, then listening to Meeting by the River, a Kavi Alexander/Water Lily Acoustics recording [through Zu Definitions] must be the audiophile equivalent. The intricate interplay of only three or four instruments within the confines of Santa Barbara's St. Anthony's Seminary Chapel is an exemplary demo track for the Definition Mk2s. Transient responses are off the charts. The dynamic swings, multi-layered instrumental colors, and tones are a test for any loudspeaker, yet, the new Zu loudspeakers don't even begin to break a sweat. Perfect downshifts, you hit the apex and slam the throttle-until you are ready to do it again at the next turn. That about sums up the experience you get when the Definition Mk2s play this track." -Positive Feedback on Definition Mk2

Definition Reviews (English)
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue33/zu_definitons.htm
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/zu9/definitionpro.html
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/zu7/defpro.html
http://www.sixmoons.com/audioreviews/zu10/pro.html
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/zu2/definition.html

Tone richness and density, with a balance of power, scale, resolution and intimacy that allows you to melt into the music. The majority of the engineering and fabrication excellence of Dominance is found in Definition Mk.IV; Zu's nanotech impregnated full-range driver and massively motored 3" [76mm] bi-film composite tweeter, the same developed for Dominance. And for nearly as impressive as Dominance bass performance, Definition Mk.IV makes real descending subterranean bass energy real through a very efficient integrated 12" [31cm] sub-subwoofer.

The cabinet of Definition is a super structured design with reinforced baffle and base. Within Zu has implemented their Zu-Griewe technology and have tuned the FRD to extend even deeper. Definition engineered to fully realize and showcase Zu's innovations and position on tone within a loudspeaker system that represents real value within the high-end and looks great in normal living rooms.

Zu, like the musical scales and the forces that created them, center and weight around the critical human voice. Zu's two high output full-range drivers cover the vast majority of music and attack components. The shortfalls in this approach are the deepest of bass and highest treble harmonics, overcome using a sub-subcontrabass subwoofer and singular tweeter. As for dynamic unity, scale and expression-unless you have lived with Dominance, Definition will define for you the new standard, with every component and engineering decision reflecting Zu's point of view: that dynamics are king and that loudspeakers must be as dynamically expressive and uniformly balanced as possible.

Solutions in the lowest octave are realized using a very powerful 12" [31cm] driver; down-firing and loaded in a sealed eclosure within the Definition loudspeaker's structure. Its regulated bandwidth blankets the deepest of bass sustain and fundamentals (sub-subcontrabass (A -1) | 16—30Hz) and does so with huge dynamic range and very low noise. And if the solutions for really deep bass sound intriguing... for the top octave and harmonics (A9+ | 12+kHz) Zu uses the massively motored, 3" voice coil, bi-film tweeter made in California. This new tweeter aids in holistic soundscape recreation and adds the harmonic detail and symmetry to the highest octave and overtones. The completed four-driver assembly realize exquisitely singular timing, phrasing, phase and speed. With its two full-range drivers covering 90% of the musical content equally, filterless and free, Definition behaves like a full-range loudspeaker with augmented really deep bass and highest treble.

Zu has always put bang for the buck into every product it has made, and Definition is a very visible expression of this design philosophy. Expensive? Sure, but consider the competition's and you can see the values inherent in Zu.

A Few Zu Definition Mk.IV Features & Benefits

Full-range time-aligned Definition array:
A design specific to how the drivers are aligned, their bandwidth, and the space in which they will be used. The design is a Zu archetype which realizes comprehensive integration of mirrored full-range drivers. Added benefits of the multi-element full-range driver array, but are not specific to the Definition array technology include reduced dynamic harmonic distortion, expanded dynamic range and impact, lower net contact resistance, and reduced room integration issues.

Zu Full-Range Nanotech Paper Cone Drivers (Zu103/ND/G1-16):
Delivering stunning attack, shove, resolution and bandwidth. Features include maximal motor for awesome dynamic contrast and reduced harmonic distortion; lightweight neutral hung voice coil assembly featuring paper/Kapton former and linear inline layup of inner cone for best resolution of detail; diamagnetic shorting assembly for dynamic damping of moving assembly when playing at concert levels; nanotech impregnated paper cones to support resolution of tone and unity in bandwidth; billet phase cone with concentric maximal length sequence diffusion for smooth high frequency response; all of which is anchored to a heavy cast and machined aluminum frame with overbuilt bonded and riveted yoke/magnet/top-plate assembly.

Zu-Griewe Full-Range Driver Loading Technology:
Zu's original acoustic loading technology has progressed significantly in the development of our new loudspeakers. And for the first time in the Definition speaker Zu has integrated the Zu-Griewe technology thereby increasing resolution throughout the bandwidth and yielding a full-range driver systems that extends much lower than previous Zu designs-and without sacrifice. This greatly improves the sub-subwoofer's integration, and realizes a very low subcontrabass low-pass filter point.

Massively Motored 3" [76mm] Voice Coil Tweeter:
By far the sweetest, most resolving, most dynamically expressive tweeters out. And when matched and used in the Zu Definition you get impeccable integration of treble overtones and structure. This is the same tweeter assembly used in both Experience and Dominance.

Zu Definition Mk.IV Quick Specs
HxWxD: 51.5 x 12.75 x 12.75" [131 x 33 x 33cm]
Weight: 150 pounds [68kg] each
Bandwidth: 16Hz—20kHz
Efficiency: 101dB 1W/1m
Impedance: 8 ohm
Power Amp Range: 1—500 watt

Breakout of Electroacoustic Specifications

Tweeter
Bandwidth: 1k—20kHz
Efficiency: 119dB 1W/1m
Impedance: 8 ohm @ 1kHz

Full-Range Driver Array
Bandwidth 30—12kHz
Efficiency: 101dB 1W/1m
Impedance: 8 ohm

Sub-subwoofer
Bandwidth: 20—80Hz
Efficiency: 90dB
Impedance: 8 ohm

Zu Definition Mk.IV FAQ

Nanotech-what and how it's used.
Definition Mk.IV features Zu's new nano-sanctified full-range drivers; the nano-materials and application process reduce weight, increase strength and propagation velocity-all while improving damping quality.

Nanotech, nanotubes, buckypaper, liquid solid ceramics, nanoscale wetting... here's the background. In 2004 Zu began experimenting with cutting edge DuPont nanotech engineered coatings and solids. The initial reasons were to realize the best possible gloss finish which was also much tougher. These nanotech engineered liquid solid ceramics, fibers and synthetic resins did as promised. Zu quickly recognized the benefits and made the switch. It was during this process that Sean and Adam caught a glimpse of what was possible with some of these new nano-materials and got busy experimenting with applications for loudspeaker cones and diaphragms.

While Sean had extensively tested coatings, microspheres, and binders on driver cones over the years, this new nano stuff presented a whole new set of attributes and possibilities for their full-range driver platform. Nanotech for cone materials, layups, binder additives and formulas, tubes, spheres, coatings, infusions, etc., an exciting time to be a paper driver. Unfortunately Zu got sidetracked from the liquid solids and was again investing time in a whole new range of satellite grade graphite matrixes. After a few years of on and off experimentation and fuss with these exotic layups, Sean and Adam looked back at nano-materials and liquid solids and started treating the paper with various teeny-tinys to imbue the paper they already loved with a more vibrant and detailed tone. The Zu team already had a good idea of what they were looking to do with nano application-having kept current with the technologies and application in coatings-and so found solutions relatively quickly. Long story short, Zu is now impregnates the paper pulp post pressing with a liquid solid matrix utilizing several nano-processed materials, some key components and compounds include: nanosphere ceramic balloons, melamine, synthetic epoxy A/B, cristobalite, amorphous fumed silica, and aircraft dope. (Sorry DIYers, we can't sell the material due to the isocyanates; the material can only be used in industry and requires powered air purifying respirators.)

Zu continues to watch and occasionally play with the new fibers and mats. They are still very promising, especially with what is being done with buckypaper and spider silk. But for Zu, a tone promising pulp-free combination of these new materials has not been found. Nothing yet has proven to be as well behaved as natural fibers, there's just something about paper; its balance of strength, propagation velocity and damping that give it that tone and fidelity. But add the right combination of old coating technologies, the right nano-materials and adhesives and presto! For Zu, paper is still as good as it gets for realistic fidelity from your loudspeaker system.

Definition Finish Options

Zu Custom Shop options are available on Definition and are quoted per job. See price list. Know with Zu having a custom finish shop in-house, with all the latest finishing equipment and killer craftsman, the sky is the limit. Really, anything you want is possible, from any automotive gloss, retro woody sides, flames, custom mattes, any wood on the planet, combinations, arts.... And yes, it can get pretty crazy on price.

Zu's nano-tech, hand-cut and polished gloss finishes are expensive. Zu uses only the very best from DuPont, PPG, and a few others. The finish materials alone for a pair of Experience in jet black run well over $1000; then there's just under forty hours of craftsmanship, the state-of-the-art paint booths and equipment, the training, bake cycles, the amount of shop space.... Zu finishes have always ranked with the best but late 2004 there was a radical shift in production. Earlier that year Zu's culture of continues improvement and never satisfied temperament had them experimenting with cutting edge DuPont nanotech engineered coatings and solids. The hope for these new liquid solids was for a better looking finish that was also much tougher-a finish that would not swirl mark when cleaned and would last for at least the life of the owner. These nanotech engineered liquid solid ceramics, synthetic resins, and other compounds did both, and by the end of 2004 Zu had switched to these revolutionary coatings. Today all Zu gloss finishes use ultra-premium nano-coatings. They have proven and continue to prove their worth, and have also earned Zu a more ecological friendly process. Expensive sure, but so worth it when you see 'em.

Definition History
2003, original Definition was released.
2003, Audax informs us that they can no longer produce the super-tweeter we are using as they are closing their French production of drivers. We scramble to finish the driver lens we had been working on.
2004, Definition Mk1.5 is launched with new ZuT1 super-tweeter. No other changes to the design or manufacture of the loudspeaker hence the 1.5 designation. Addition of iridescent and matte finishes. Matte finish is a true matte, but is rough like sandstone.
2004, Definition Pro is launched as a "secret menu" item. Definition Pro, despite it's adoption and solid sales, was never marketed to the home audio, or pro markets.
2007, Fall, Definition Mk.II was introduced.
2011, Summer, Definition Mk.III AND Defintion Mk.IV introduced.