ZVOX Z-Base 575: Big Sound in a Low Profile
Audio quality is subject to pretty strict laws of physics- we simply cannot construct equipment that is both small and offers loud, room-filling bass. That means any device is a set of compromises- price, of course, but also size versus volume/quality. When and where possible, aim for 7.1 wired surround sound with a nice, large subwoofer and a decent receiver. For the other 99% of folks, you need primarily to consider the space you are working with- smaller spaces will be adequately filled by a reasonably small system while larger rooms require something with a bit more power. But, if you cannot set up speakers everywhere or are aiming for a corner television spot, you might not want separate boxes and the associated cables strewn about.
That’s where ZVOX comes in. Speaker bars or sound bars are a pretty common solution to the issues mentioned above, but they typically offer relatively anemic sound and often have trouble fitting with many TV sets. ZVOX solves this problem with the Incredibase Z-Base 575, an all-in-one solution that combines five speakers and two powered subwoofers in one easy-to-install package. Instead of sliding onto your HDTV’s pedestal or taking up space in front of your TV, the Z-Base slides below the entire pedestal, fitting on just about any entertainment stand. It won’t work well if you’re hanging your plasma screen on a mount, but otherwise manages to blend in below your TV, adding about 5 inches beneath your screen which can actually often help your screen positioning (or make the viewing angle worse, depending on your setup).
It still is large though, something to consider if your stand might not be built for the size (3 feet by 16.5”) or extra weight (40 pounds or so). You don’t need to worry much about the ZVOX handling the weight of the TV, as it can withstand about 140 pounds or so, enough for almost any set out there. Also, the scratch-resistant coating on top means that your TV won’t leave marks. Aimed at those with 37-inch to 65-inch flat panel screens, we really liked the wood fiberboard cabinet, which was both sturdy and offered a richer sound than other plastic-cased single-unit speaker systems that we’ve heard. The design is super-basic- no real screen, only a single LED- that felt a little too spartan. The remote was similar, offering no backlighting, but helpfully including separate subwoofer (bass) and treble controls. The other buttons on the remote that are immediately interesting are those for PhaseCue, ZVOX’s virtual surround sound offering. As they are candid about, the “benefits of PhaseCue vary greatly based on program material”- we noticed that it helped most with orchestral music, especially as part of a movie, where it really did fill the room and feel pretty enveloping. Volume levels from the Z-base can reach unsafe decibels without too much distortion, especially in the lower ends- it can handle all but the largest family rooms, and for those worried about size (and price), there are smaller and less expensive units from ZVOX (the 525 and 550).
Setup is easy, since there is for better or worse little calibration or room setup, unlike some other units. There is only one cable- an RCA, unusually, and if your TV offers a “variable” option for the audio output jacks then you don’t even need to use the included remote and simply have your TV handle it all. And we have to respectfully acknowledge the bass- it blew away other theater-in-a-boxes, at least in terms of sheer earth-shaking and vibrato. We also thought it sounded better on the low end than the Axiom we’ve got on hand, and for those who want even more or who own a sub, there is a subwoofer output jack available. For fans of action movies and video games, this is a fantastic option- we hooked up our Xbox 360 and PS3 and enjoyed the experience far more than the TV’s mediocre built-in speakers or using headsets. Spatially, we weren’t quite as impressed- even the Orb two-speaker system offered better directional sound than the ZVOX, despite it’s decent channel separation. Dialogue and voices, though, are crystal clear and remarkably sharp, a nice contrast to some surround setups where they get buried in the middle channel. Add in the configurable PhaseCue and treble/bass controls, and we were able to find setting that worked for just about anything (though it was a bit of a pain doing it manually, as there are no presets).
The biggest obvious thing missing from the Z-base 575 is HDMI and optical or coaxial digital inputs (though they do offer a slightly more expensive version with the latter two, the 575 HSD). Since most all TVs offer analog outputs via the RCA or minijack/headphone jack, the ZVOX is widely compatible, but they still seem strange in their absence. They do address that question head-on: that there is simply no sonic benefit, and perhaps even a loss in quality, to using digital rather than analog processing. Further, they state that they save money in this fashion, and can put that money towards better enclosures, speakers, and customer service. ZVOX offers a one-year warranty on this and their other various systems, which feels a bit short considering the investment. At $700 online, the 575 is certainly not an inexpensive option. We appreciated the 30-day money back guarantee, which they call a home audition, offering you a chance to see if it’s right for your setup.
ZVOX wrangles an impressive amount of sound out of the Z-base, and manages some magic to make it sound like a much larger and broader system. The system hits most all of the right notes, for those who want big sound without multiple speakers.
