I didn’t know you could buy such a great sounding speaker at this price. I didn’t know a speaker at this price could scale into systems that are literally 10x-15x their price. The thing I think we need to remove is the term “at this price.” The Union 6 is an exceptional speaker at pretty much any price. Zu makes more expensive speakers, and they are better, but the Union 6 could easily be someone’s first and last speaker. They retain everything that I love about my Soul VIs in a more affordable package, and provide 80% of the performance in nearly every criteria. I wish more companies would build entry level products like Zu does. The Union 6 has my highest recommendation, and is easily the best passive speaker I have heard under $3000. It will scale easily into $15k or $20K systems, and sounds great with a modern well designed $2000 integrated.

e—the TD1.2 also projects out into the listening area in a way that includes a good deal of the space between the speakers and the listener. In a recording where the brass section plays loudly, for example, or a singer really sings to the balcony, that projected sound extends into the listening room in an approximation of what happens in live music. The effect allows for a greater sense of immediacy and listener involvement than a more ‘contained-box’ soundstage does.” I also included the following clarification: “I don’t associate this soundstage projection with ‘forwardness.’ For one thing, it only happens when the recording has an element that projects to the front as it would in real life. It is not a consistent characteristic across most recordings. And second, the TD1.2 is not at all hyped up or overly ‘hot’ sounding, as is often the case with forward-sounding speakers. On the contrary, the TD1.2 is remarkably revealing without sounding forced or aggressive. Its grain-free, detailed-without-brightness quality is one of its endearing attributes, actually.” If memory serves me, the larger TD2.2 does this “breathe into the room” effect even better than the TD1.2 did.

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2022/7/20/lu42g19hck98c7glxikj5f7p536war

My B600 review samples were well into their press tour so break-in was not a concern. Popping them on the stands for the first time the highs seemed a bit hot but I acclimated to this quickly. After swapping things back and forth I determined this was wholly attributed to my familiarity with my laid-back Wharfedale Diamonds. If the B600s were preceded by, say, a pair of Focal Arias which I reviewed recently the effect would certainly be negated. 

I found the B600 ($2799/pair) to be relatively easygoing in terms of their placement. The one major consideration is they need room to breathe. I have more notes on bass below but be warned, there’s plenty. The final presentation can be dialled in by briefly playing with toe-in. I preferred them firing just outside my shoulders but season the high-frequency energy to taste.