mini-Zenith Hi-End Speaker - mz-L3 Phantom of Music
Equipment Review
Specification:
By TAO, CHUNG-HAO, from Audio BBS No. 269
I first saw the brand-new mz-L3 Speakers about half a year ago when I was listening to the Mini Zenith mz-L2/mz-L2w Speaker System developed by Doctor JEN-YIE CHEN from Mini Zenith in Kaohsiung. Though the system was not ready for playing at that time, I was totally amazed by the size of the Mini Zenith mz-L3 --- huge loudspeaker cabinet. To be honest, I had more doubts to the speaker than the surprises the huge cabinet brings to me.
In order to stimulate the full potential of P-610S, Doctor Chen takes the following actions: 1st, selection of crossovers ¡V the high-pass crossover is set at 7.2kHz to deactivate the work frequency of the high tone ring (a ring type diaphragm that playbacks the high frequency range with mechanistic partials) built in the meshed dust-proof cover thus making the speaker operate more dedicatedly; the low-pass crossover is set at 130Hz, which is the lower extension limit of the best work frequency range of P-610S. Obviously, Doctor Chen hopes that P-610S can cover as much of the performance frequency range of most instruments as possible, though he restricts its working range.
2nd, mz-L3 uses 4 P-610S speakers connected in parallel for each channel ¡V the workload of one speaker is shared by 4 speakers, in order to release the burden of P-610S. The result for doing so is that the piston motion of P-610S is too small to be seen when mz-L3 is working, which not only effectively reduces the distortion, but also resolves the inborn restraint that P-610S cannot bear too much power.
3rd, Doctor Chen thinks a lot at the design of partial circuit. In order to make P-610S work dedicatedly within the frequency range set by Doctor Chen, he sets two partials at 130Hz and 60Hz respectively, which release the playback burden at the lowest frequency range. As for the materials, he adopts the most advanced M-cap gold and silver foil capacitance and Solen inductance.
However, the surprises that mz-L3 brings to me are still not over yet. The more albums I listen with it, the more obviously I feel the sensibility of mz-L3 in identifying different types of recordings. The recording of violin is from distance or nearby, the tone quality is hard or soft ¡V I can tell them all clearly. And, it¡¦s not only with the high frequency. For any recordings that are reinforced in the low frequency, mz-L3 can also reveal the elements without any conservation.
in mini-Zenith Show-Room (Kaohsiung, Taiwan)
Mini Zenith mz-L3
Embodiment of Angel and Demon
Floor-stand Loudspeakers
Three-way, Seven-unit, Floor-stand, Enclosed-cabinet Loudspeakers.
Time to market: December 2010.
Frequency Response: 28Hz∼40kHz(-3dB), 20Hz∼40kHz (-6dB);
Crossover Frequencies: 7.2kHz, 130Hz;
Sensitivity: 90dB;
Average Impedance: 4£[;
Power Rating: 350W:
Size (WHD): 400¡Ñ1,760¡Ñ850mm;
Weight: 200KG(one unit);
Reference Price: NT$ 1,180,000;
Manufacturer: Mini Zenith High-End Audio(0936-450272).
Out of the Traditional Version
What I doubted was what was the purpose of Doctor Chen¡¦s design of mz-L2/mz-L2w loudspeakers ¡V to gain the lowest LOS and natural and exquisite tone of the Diatone P-610S Full-range One Driver Speaker, but the cabinet of mz-L3 is expended in large scale this time and each channel has 4 P-610S speakers, which heightens the design difficulties and risks, plus the design of three-way crossover, how many of the characteristics can be retained? Besides, the front baffle is so wide, so won¡¦t this cause diffraction? However, based on the previous experience on testing and appraising Mini Zenith products, I know these doubts are quite normal, because Doctor Chen always comes out with incredible yet convincing ideas and innovations. Therefore, there must be some rational explanations to the unusual design of mz-L3.
Super Complicated Cabinet Structure
First, let¡¦s look at the speaker cabinet. There are seven independent chambers in the huge cabinet, of which four enclosed pyramid type chambers are designed for the 4 Diatone P-610S speakers. This design not only decreases the stationary wave with the help of non-parallel surface, but also eliminates the energy of back wave. Besides, the sharp-nose high driver of the Scan-Speak R2904/70000 also has its own independent chamber. The rest of the cabinet space are designed for the two 10-inch Scan-Speak 26W8861 low drivers. However, the real reason why mz-L3 is so huge is because Doctor Chen adopts the enclosed cabinet that he all along holds fast to, which has the advantages of good control of frequency response linearity and low frequency, quick transient response , however, the volume of cabinet must be enlarged if to gain more sufficient low frequency energy and lower low-frequency extension. Therefore, according to Doctor Chen¡¦s calculation, mz-L3 is at the lowest limit of volume though it looks pretty big.
Now let¡¦s come to the diffraction. For the high driver, the front baffle of mz-L3 is wide enough to close to the state of plane source vocalization without baffle, so the diffraction does not exist at all. For the MF driver, the four P-610S speakers arranged in parallel have formed the line source vocalization, which is also not subject to the influence of diffraction. Apparently, the parts that are most likely subject to the influence of diffraction are the frequency bands of middle frequency and above, which has been under control of Doctor¡¦s calculation.
Motivate Full Potential of P-610S
Let¡¦s look at the configuration of mz-L3 speaker. All the speaker models of mz-L3 are the same as mz-L2/mz-L2w, so people may misunderstand that mz-L3 is the magnified version of mz-L2/mz-L2w. But the design concepts of these two are absolutely different. Doctor Chen clearly states that mz-L2/mz-L2w pursues the individuality with every design tries to reveal the unique charms of P-610S Full-range Speaker, while mz-L3 are designed towards the direction of mainstream, complete and excellent acoustic performance. The biggest difference of the two is that this time P-610S is not designed to display its full-range, but its playback frequency is restricted between 130Hz and 7.2kHz in order to give full play to the best working frequency range of P-610S.
Exquisite Voice and String Music
But what a wonderful sound can this unique design bring us? Let¡¦s listen to the ¡§Yiskor¡¨ from the album ¡§Hebraic Legacies¡¨. I really can¡¦t believe my ears, because what flows out from the huge body of mz-L3 which weighs 200KG is the delighting, exquisite and comfortable violin sound. The performance details and slight trends can be clearly reproduced even at small volume. Actually, I¡¦m pretty familiar with the sound of such exquisite and natural sound of violin, because I have a pair of old Diatone P-610. I know it¡¦s just the playback characteristic of this classical full-range speaker. However, mz-L3 realizes it in a more relaxed way and this sense of relaxation is built upon a completely stable feeling. I can¡¦t believe that the design which seems to complicate the playback way of the full-range speaker, on the contrary, strengthens the original characteristic of P-610S. The facts proves that Doctor Chen¡¦s intention of releasing the workload of P-610S is correct and successful.
Powerful Low-frequency Performance
I took the bursting period of ¡§Angels and Demons¡¨ to test the low-frequency performance. Out of my expectation, the once soft and graceful mz-L3 gave out powerful low frequency like the volcanic eruption, sufficient low-frequency dynamics fill every corner of the half-open space of 20 square meters. Doctor Chen turned up the volume without the slightest hesitancy. The powerful and profound low-frequency waves strike one after another, shocking every inch of air in the listening room with the overwhelming sense of authoritativeness. Despite of the powerfulness, the low frequency can be released and withdrawn freely and the low-frequency extends solidly with clear levels. There was any slightest mess even with the most complicated period. This, on one hand, shows great control power of mz-L3, and on the other hand, is ascribed to the shocking Class-A post drive strength of mz-P3 designed by Doctor Chen. We turned to Marcus Miller¡¦s album ¡§Marcus¡¨. The low frequency of electronic bass was firm and definite, full of sense of weight. Though the sense of speed is not fast, the display way was pretty stable. If allow me to take car as a metaphor, mz-L3 is not a small sports car that is hard to drive, but a high-emission luxury car, full of power, providing passengers with great sense of stable and comfortable. When it came to the bursting period again, I found that though mz-L3 performed quite enthusiastically, it was still very conservative in high and middle frequency. Therefore, I could rarely hear any harsh and blurt high frequency.
Irreplaceable
mz-L3 is a pair of loudspeakers with different qualities ¡V the preciousness and exquisiteness of small speakers, the grand and wide sound field display of large speakers as well as the unique charms of P-610S Full-range Speaker. It can be gentle and soft, delight and elegant, like an lovely angel; but it can also be like the violent storm that swallows everything ¡V the low frequency is powerful enough to make people burn with passions and completely satisfied. When listening to mz-L3, please do remember to play more CDs, because mz-L3 would show you different charms with different recordings. Though Doctor Chen tried to draw close to the mainstream, obviously he created another unique and irreplaceable loudspeaker. The real genius is always uncommon, and so is the loudspeaker he designs.
