TESTED: ZVOX Z-Base 550 One-Box Surround Sound System

A Major Improvement Over Box-Stock TV Sound

Movie and Music Performance

I viewed Bad Boys to check out the Z-Base 550’s performance on sounds recorded both inside and outside. The film serves as a useful test, with lots of dialog and action from real and familiar things (cars in this case) and from real but unfamiliar things (exploding ether and propane tanks). Here are some of my observations: 

• The sounds of the Porsche doors closing are realistic, though the limited bass means the “thunk” isn’t perfect.
  
• Dialog remains clear and centered on screen, even when all the members of the family or police team (3 or 4 people at once) are talking.
  
• Explosions lack impact (compared with huge visual pyrotechnics).
  
• Engine sounds are not as gutsy as in real life.

I also tried CDs from Cat Power and Jefferson Airplane to check delicate jazzy sounds and power rock, with the following findings:

• Stereo stage width was impressive (for example, the drums sounded as if they were coming from 2-3 feet left of the Z-Base).
  
• Treble wasn’t as smooth as one would like from a dedicated stereo system.
  
• Bass was clear and pleasing, but not deep (at least not in comparison to what the subwoofers included with some of today’s better HTiB rigs can do).

Bottom Line:

The ZVOX Z-Base 550 makes a big improvement on standard TV sound. Movies, in particular, become much more engrossing with the Z-Base 550 in play because dialog is clear and sounds more like it is happening in a real environment. The Z-Base is also pleasantly simple to install and use.

Ultimately, you have to be the judge of value, but in a world of $1,000 and $1,500 TVs, the Z-Base, at $500, is a sizable investment. It makes a sizable improvement in sound, and one that will be more noticeable to some consumers than an extra few hundred dollars spent on fancy video features. At the same time, however, you can beat built-in TV audio for less money (for example, by choosing the smaller—but still quite capable—ZVOX 325 single-box system, priced at $300).

SPECS & PRICING

ZVOX Z-Base 550 One Box Surround Sound System

Driver complement: Five 2” mid/treble drivers; one 5.25” woofer
Inputs/outputs: Two stereo analog audio inputs via RCA jacks (note these inputs are “mixed,” so if both sources are playing you’ll hear both), one analog audio output for optional separate powered subwoofer.
Amplifier Power: 60 watts total
Dimensions (H x W x D): 3.6” x 28” x 14.5”
Weight: 20 lb.
Warranty: 1 year limited parts and labor
Price: $500