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(More customer reviews)Zvox now has three of these low profile "z base" speaker systems in its lineup -- the 525 (which is the smallest and least expensive), the 550 (the original model), and the more massive 575 (which is called the "Incredibase"). I wanted something as small and unobtrusive as possible to provide sound with a 40 inch LCD HDTV in a moderate sized bedroom or office space and I wanted solid, natural sound for watching movies. I bought this model, the 525, after reading consistently glowing reviews of the original and slightly larger 550.
The cabinet is a tad over three inches high, 24 inches wide and 12 inches deep. It is well finished and solid. The end panels are a piano black lacquer that looks very attractive if you have your HDTV on an open stand with three sides of the Zvox exposed. Yes, you can indeed stand your HDTV right on top of the Zvox. The shipping box comes with a warning sticker that says not to put anything on top of the Zvox that is wider or deeper than the Zvox cabinet itself. However, the specs also say it will support up to 70 pounds. I contacted Zvox directly and asked whether I could use the 525 as a base for my 40 pound, 40 inch Sony XBR9, which is about 36 inches wide. Zvox advised that so long as the pedestal footprint is smaller than the Zvox cabinet and the unit weighs less than the limit, it is fine. Obviously the warning was written by the lawyers, not by the sales and technical staff. Nevertheless, I would not be comfortable going with anything larger than a 40 inch (diagonal) 16:9 flat panel with this unit and would step up to the larger Zvox models for bigger screens.
With an HDTV perched atop it, this unit virtually disappears. All you will see from the front is a matte, charcoal grey mesh grille and, with the power on, a small blue LED that lurks behind the grille. Hooking this up is a snap. You can run the analog output from your CD, DVD, blu-ray, iPod/iPhone or HDTV directly into the two channel RCA plugs in the back; then plug the power in; and then you're off and running. No muss, no fuss. There is a tiny and simple to operate remote, which controls power (on/off), volume, subwoofer, treble and "phase cue" levels (these latter have "+/-" controls). One drawback -- there is no on-screen display for the level controls. Instead, with each 'step' in the levels, which appear to run over a ten step scale, the blue LED flashes to let you know you have made a change with each step up or down. Once you get the hang of it, not a problem.
Now for the sound. Well, you won't mistake this for a $5,000 sound system. No surprise there. However, you will get amazingly potent, natural, well balanced, rich and detailed sound that is somewhat mind boggling given the modest price and size of the Zvox 525. You can even shake the walls and windows a bit if you wish. We watched "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" with the Zvox cranked up. When Dumbledore and Voldemort are going at it, you will completely forget that the wall of sound -- the shattering glass, crackling electricity and rolling thunder -- is coming out of this little box. You won't hear the 525 straining under the load. The highs are crisp and glistening. The bass is taut, without boominess, and while not terrifically deep, it is quite natural. Unless you're one of those folks who needs to feel the low end in the pit of your stomach, you will find it quite satisfying.
The ersatz surround sound from the "phase cue" system isn't a substitute for front and rear speakers, but it does make the sound seem to come from a reasonably broad and deep sound stage, not a slender box three inches high by two feet wide. I've tried fiddling with the "phase cue" control and honestly don't perceive a great variation from phase cue on full and turned all the way down, other than a bit of unusual "reverb" that seems to occur with the control turned up. In short, there is no really directional "surround," but there is a very spacious sound.
For the price of admission, the Zvox 525 delivers quality construction, elegant design and ample listening pleasure. I wholeheartedly recommend it. As this is a newly released model and has not been available from Amazon until now, I bought directly from Zvox. Given my experience with Amazon purchases, I'm sure you'd be well served buying it here as well.
Click Here to see more reviews about: ZVOX 525 Low-Profile Single-Cabinet Surround Sound System
The new Z-Base 525 is a compact surround sound system for use in small apartments, bedrooms, offices – or anyplace where space is tight. You get a room full of sound without a roomful of speakers and messy wires! Never before has high-quality surround sound been available in such a small, elegant package.
The Z-Base 525 is only 24-Inch wide by 12.5-Inch deep by 3.5-Inch high. Yet it contains five speakers, amplifiers, a powered subwoofer and our acclaimed PhaseCue\' virtual surround sound system. No external speakers. No external subwoofer. Just put your flat-panel TV or computer monitor on top of it, hook up our single connecting wire, plug it in the wall — and you\'re done. Don\'t be fooled by the small size of the 525. It uses high performance speakers and amplifiers in a hand-built wood (MDF) cabinet with high-gloss hand-lacquered endcaps. It sounds terrific, with accurate music reproduction and life-like movie soundtrack reproduction. Our PhaseCue system delivers three-dimensional sound that will make you think you\'re listening to a much bigger, more expensive system. The ZVOX Z-Base 525 also provides an elegant alternative to traditional PC sound solutions by acting as a space-saving base for the computer's monitor.
If you're looking for a compact, stylish home theater system that doesn't compromise on sound quality, this is it.
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