Skip to main content

Zu Audio Union Cube loudspeakers will blow you right out from behind your desk

Zu cube cropDepending on who you who talk to, Zu Audio’s Sean Casey is either the second coming of David Koresh, or one of the smartest loudspeaker designers around. Zu Audio broke the cardinal rule of high-end audio (Don’t expand too quickly), and paid for it by almost tanking a few years back. Fortunately, Casey and Co. are a creative and passionate crew who really love to build great loudspeakers, and managed turned their ship around. 

If you have ever been to an audio show, you are painfully aware (unless you are one of those people) that listening to music that you might actually like is a major no-no. Manufacturers have evolved over the years, but it’s not uncommon to clear a room with a musical selection if it doesn’t adhere to the rules. Patricia Barber and other audiophile drivel masquerading as jazz music always gets a thumbs up. Radiohead or Andrew Bird? You’ll be lucky if you get through one track before your music is handed back to you.

Recommended Videos

Ironically, the Zu Audio room usually sees the most traffic and the fastest exits as Casey and his son, Ian, spin music that drive the audio cognoscenti into fits. How dare they play music other people like? The Zu “sound” is about connecting with the music – the passion, the energy, the gestalt of the moment. It does most of the audiophile things really well too, but for some, the exuberance and overwhelming wall of sound is too much. If connecting to the music is what matters to you most, Zu just introduced a fascinating little desktop or bookshelf loudspeaker that we think you’ll want to hear. The $1,440 (per pair) Union Cube are already back ordered and that’s a very good sign indeed.

The Union Cubes are 10.5-inches in all dimensions (that would be a…cube!) and a rather hefty 27 pounds each. Offered in walnut and in a variety of satin finishes (ask and Zu Audio will quote you a price), the Union Cubes are ideal for a desktop because they are so easy to drive. With a 98db sensitivity rating, they need only a few watts to really sing in a small space, and while they sound absolutely stellar with a quality stereo integrated amp, they really get under your skin with a low-powered tube amplifier. Sean Casey sleeps with a turntable under his pillow so those looking for a great loudspeaker to enjoy vinyl through are well served. 

Your $1,440 actually pays for something more than just a pretty looking cube. Zu’s cabinetry is beautifully done and well constructed, but the magic comes from the speaker’s custom 10-inch,  full-range, nanotech driver which incorporates a woofer and tweeter in the same package. This is custom work which some might consider a bargain, considering the quality of the construction and materials.

Like all Zu models, the Union Cube can absolutely pulverize your room with ridiculous volume levels, but that’s only one small part of their magic. Combine a pair of Union Cubes with one of their Undertone subwoofers ($2,000) and you have a full-range system that can evolve as your tastes change.

Ian White
Former Contributor
Ian has been a full-time A/V journalist since 1999, covering the world of high-end audio, video, music, and film for Digital…
Still shopping? Amazon Prime Day deals going strong into day 4
We're bringing you the best Prime Day deals throughout the sales period
Best Prime Day Gift Card Deals

It’s the fourth and final day of the longest ever Amazon Prime Day event, and if you thought the best deals were behind us, think again. Amazon’s stretching this year’s event across four full days (July 8 -11 ) which means price drops are still rolling in hot, with fresh discounts landing on everything from big-name tech to everyday essentials.

There have been stellar savings so far, with the AirPods Pro 2 heading down to $149 as the best saving we've seen.

Read more
Our ‘best TV’ is on sale for Prime Day — 65-inch Sony A95L QD-OLED at 17% off
Sony A95L QD-OLED Review

TVs are among the most popular products to buy during Amazon's Prime Day, and if you're planning to get one, make it the 65-inch Sony A95L QD-OLED 4K TV. From its original price of $3,500, it's 17% off to $2,898, which is just several dollars higher than its lowest price ever. Even with the savings of $602, it's still a pretty significant investment, but it's a purchase that you'll never regret if you want an upgrade to your home theater setup. You're going to have to be quick in completing your transaction though, as we're not sure if the offer will remain available until the final minutes of the shopping event.

Buy Now

Read more
The Beats Pill — our favorite Bluetooth speaker — at lowest price for Prime Day
The 2024 model of Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker on a table near a pool.

Are you planning to shop for Bluetooth speaker deals this Prime Day? You're should go for the Beats Pill, which is again available for its lowest-ever price of $98 from Amazon for the shopping event. The 35% discount on its original price of $150 will let you save $52, but you have to act fast. That's because we're pretty sure that stocks are already flying off the shelves for this amazing audio accessory, so before they're all gone, secure your own by pushing forward with your purchase immediately.

Buy Now

Read more