Comparing 3Dz Audio Speakers and Subwoofers to Top Brands

Independent Product Review of 3Dz Audio Speakers
by Dan Siegrist, Civil Engineer and Avid Audiophile

The value-oriented audiophile is often caught in the web of compromise between one component that has strengths in one or two areas of great importance to the listener, but is weak in many other areas. Most often, these concessions are made for one reason: price. Many of the finest loudspeakers I've heard have not been huge monsters that would dwarf a refrigerator, but are relatively small floor-standers or even high quality bookshelf-sized speakers. The biggest problem loudspeakers of this stature have is their lack of good deep bass reproduction. There is a huge amount of pace and driving force that is lost if a system isn't capable of producing the bottom 2 or 3 octaves of musical information. With this information gone, a great deal of the emotion and musicality is lost as well. The best choice for a budget-minded audiophile is to consider using a subwoofer as a supplement to his or her loudspeakers. However, many subwoofers are well above the budget of a budding audiophile -- and those that aren't are usually ones that should be passed over anyway. The bass masters at 3dz, however, have created a way for audiophiles to have their cake and eat it too. 3dz has mastered the art of bass reproduction and creates value-priced subwoofers that achieve levels of performance that are FAR beyond their diminutive price.

When compared to the B&W Matrix 802 Series III (also with twin 8-inch bass units), the 3dz Minutias had FAR better tonal definition, deeper extension, and staggering power. The kick drum and the bass guitar finally come together in a synergistic realism that is closer to a live performance than any other loudspeaker I've ever heard. It's amazing to hear the speed and timbral accuracy that this system is capable of reproducing. What once were muddy and confused bass lines are now effortless and super-well defined facets of complex undertones and structure. What once was a bloated and booming confusion of bass and low toms is now a tight and rhythmic interleave of pace and power. The Minutia had me dancing irresistibly in my listening chair. I've never heard this level of accuracy from any other loudspeaker -- regardless of price -- let alone one that was less than $1500.

So, all this having been said, you can have the best of both worlds. You can have the speed and depth you've always known was there, that other subwoofers only hinted at, without giving up the musicality and accuracy of your beloved mini monitors. The 3dz Minutia system sets an impressive new standard for 'budget' stereo subwoofer systems. Their build quality, versatility and efficiency make them very easy to match with nearly any system. Plus the power-amped version allows you to better tailor their crossover point and loudness, while better preserving the integrity of your existing system. Either way, the Minutias come very highly recommended.

Collossus:

The Colossus, combined with a mini-monitor, solidly out-performed the Wilson X-1 Grand Slamm, the B&W Nautilus 801 and 800, and the Dunlavy SC V. And the most amazing aspect of the Colossus system is that it costs a small fraction of the aforementioned system's prices. When compared to other subwoofers, anywhere from Velodyne to Muse, every last system was put firmly to shame by the awesome depth and power of the Colossus. They're deep, clean, full of punch and power, and downright mean. And they already come in pairs! If you are looking for a subwoofer system to round out your home theatre, or looking to supplement your existing 2-channel system, the 3dz Colossus subwoofer system is a fantastic value and a breathtaking performer. It's also the best I've ever heard. Period.