ZONE - Technical Information

| Z O N E |

Please note that ZONE, like other high-quality speakers, requires "break-in" to produce the best sound quality. ZONE produces the best sound reproduction after about ten hours of use.

CHASSIS OPERATING PRINCIPLE

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EQ Presets

ZONE’s equalizer presets have been fine-tuned to account for the acoustic properties of the device’s chassis, ensuring balanced and pure audio reproduction in various situations. When the device is powered on, the dynamic EQ 1 profile is active by default.

While all EQ settings perform well at a distance of 1 to 5 meters, we recommend the following tips for an optimized sound experience:

* Tip for Optimal Listening: To best experience the different sound profiles, place the ZONE on a TV stand or similar surface and aim it directly toward the listening area.

The optimal spatial effect is achieved when the device is:

1. Perpendicular to the listener (side speakers at a 120-degree angle).
2. At the recommended distance for the specific EQ profile.
3. At ear level (e.g., ZONE placed on a TV stand while the listener is seated on a sofa).

EQ Profiles

EQ 1 (Classic - Universal): A bright, speech-emphasized profile optimized for general use – performs exceptionally well in environments like a sauna.

EQ 2 (Classical - JAZZ/ROCK): The purest Hi-Fi experience, preserving the natural dynamics of the music.

EQ 3 (Capella - VOCAL): A warm profile that emphasizes vocals and acoustic instruments.

EQ 4 (TV Soundbar): Optimized for use as a TV soundbar – ensures clear dialogue and cinematic sound.

EQ 5 (BASS - Symphony): Specifically optimized for symphonic music. Features a precise and punchy low end, tuned to eliminate unwanted room resonance and "muddiness."

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EQ 1

EQ 1 (Classic/Universal): Optimized for general situations, EQ 1 is a bright and speech-focused profile. It performs best at a distance of 0.8 to 1.5 meters at ear level, with the ZONE aimed directly at the listener.

1. Optimal Height: Ear level (Mandatory).
2. Optimal Distance: 0.8 – 1.5 meters (Near-field to mid-field).
3. Placement: On a table or near a wall.

Note: This profile requires the speaker to be placed as accurately as possible at the listener's ear height. EQ 1 is optimized for placement on solid surfaces or near room boundaries. If placed in an open space (e.g., on a stand in the middle of a room), the lower mid-range may sound "thin."

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Hi-Fi EQ Presets (2–5)

These profiles are designed for precision listening and high-fidelity audio. These specialized settings minimize distortion and maximize separation, allowing you to hear the nuances of pianos, guitars, and other instruments with extreme clarity.

Surface Impact: Note how the mounting surface affects low frequencies. A soft surface (wood) tends to amplify the bass, while a hard surface (glass/stone) tightens and clarifies it. The ZONE is engineered to transfer low frequencies into the surface through its feet.

Volume Considerations: These presets are optimized for high-fidelity accuracy. If you notice any distortion or if the sound is not perfectly clean, decrease the volume. The audio is at its optimal level when no side noises or artifacts are audible (recommended max volume ~50% for best clarity).

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EQ 2

EQ 2 is designed for the near-field; it is a strongly physical and immersive setting that utilizes the ZONE’s resonance structure and works best at a listening distance of 0.5–1.0 m, when the speaker is at ear level or slightly lower.  

1. Optimal height: Ear level.
2. Optimal distance: 0.5–1.0 meters.
3. Placement relative to surfaces: Open space.

EQ 2 is intended for JAZZ/ROCK music. It is the perfect choice if you want to hear the position of every instrument in an orchestra. Precise string and spatial details (8–10 kHz). A strong bass shelf boost (+5.9 dB) may boom too much in a corner.

EQ 2 does not play as loud as EQ 1, but it sounds much cleaner and more sophisticated. This features a moderate Hi-Fi-style gain that requires space to open up.

EQ 3

EQ 3 is designed for the mid-field, tuned specifically to emphasize the mid-range and vocals, making it a "warm" and balanced profile. This profile is the perfect opposite of EQ 1. Where EQ 1 is "sharp and powerful," EQ 3 CAPELLA is "soft and vocal-oriented."  

1. Optimal height: Flexible. Ear level or slightly below.
2. Optimal distance: 1.0 – 2.0 m. 
3. Placement relative to surfaces: Near a wall.  

EQ 3 is intended for: podcasts, acoustic music. Emphasizes speech and the body of instruments. The soft high end does not require millimetre-precise positioning. Aiming the speaker directly at the ear is not as critical as with the EQ 1 or EQ 2 profiles. The sound retains its character even if you are not exactly in the "hot spot." Especially when listened to from a closer distance (near-field), the strength of the mid-range creates an intimate and clear feel. At a distance of 3 meters, it works well as background music.

EQ 4

EQ 4 is technically optimized for soundbar-type use, emphasizing speech clarity, a cinematic sense of space, and compensation for attenuation caused by distance.  

1. Optimal height: Ear level.
2. Optimal distance: 2.5 m or more.
3. Placement relative to surfaces: TV stand, near a wall.  

EQ 4 This is a technical tuning for soundbar use, aiming for clarity and cinematic authority. A 100 Hz cut (-5.0 dB) removes boominess caused by the wall. High-end boosts compensate for air attenuation resulting from distance.

 EQ 5 (BASS - Symphony)

EQ 5 is technically a "Precision Bass/Symphony" profile, specifically optimized for symphonic and orchestral music. Rather than just raw bass boost, it is fine-tuned to correct room acoustic issues and provide highly controlled low and high-end response.

1. Optimal Height: Ear level.
2. Optimal Distance: 2.0 – 3.5 meters.
3. Placement: Near a wall.

Character: EQ 5 BASS is a "sophisticated Symphony Bass profile." It is designed for listeners who desire powerful and detailed sound with minimal room resonance or "muddy" bass.

Dynamic Power: Due to the minimal pre-cut ratio, this is the most dynamically "pressurized" profile. The signal passes through at near-full power, making the speaker sound louder at the same volume setting compared to other profiles. This extra power makes EQ 5 an excellent choice for larger rooms.

Directivity: To capture the full detail of this profile, the speaker must be aimed precisely toward the listener.

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 * Please note that ZONE's built-in amplifier is always turned on at 50% power when you start it. The volume of your audio source does not affect the power of ZONE's internal amplifier. You can increase the amplifier's volume by repeatedly pressing the ZONE + button.

* Please note that the ZONE is designed to reproduce music as it was intended. Therefore, ZONE does not attempt to correct poor audio quality, as many other speakers do. If the music is recorded in poor quality (such as many streaming videos), then the sound will also sound worse. You can bring music to life by playing music from high-quality sources!

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION