Ansuz Speakz P2 and C2 speaker cables
The Ansuz speaker cables were not delivered until later, so for my initial impressions, I have used Driade Flow Reference 808 speaker cables. These are incredibly revealing and neutral and well-capable in highlighting the differences between the two speaker models. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend these cables to anyone who wants to rule out cable influences as much as possible. Then again, one might want to add a bit of juiciness, harmonic richness, warmth, or that difficult-to-quantify term, magic.
This is where the Ansuz speaker cables come in. Like the Børresen speakers, the Ansuz cables have inherently high resolution but it’s presented in a very gentle manner with a good amount of lushness and a touch of warmth.
Ansuz Speakz C2, Ansuz Speakz P2, and Driade Flow Reference 808
Above the Speakz X2 entry-level speaker cables, the Speakz P2 speaker cables are the second level up in the Ansuz range, yet they have a marked effect on the sound! The soundstage becomes very noticeably wider and the music is presented with a dreamy lushness and a measure of liquidity that makes many other cables sound matter-of-fact. The vocals have great focus but the cable is not as crisp as I’d like nor very accurate or particularly fast in the bass. I can say this because I know the speakers themselves are 1000% capable of not only meeting but surpassing my expectations in this field. Nevertheless, the other side of that medal is that these cables add an amount of fullness, body, and richness, which I think many listeners will find very appealing. With this cable in place, one can certainly not accuse the speakers of sounding dry in any way.
The 01’s slim rear end only allows banana connectors but the Ansuz connectors fit perfectly
Positioned above the Speakz P2 is the Speakz A2 which we will skip to arrive at the Speakz C2 speaker cables. Positioned below the Speakz D2 and the top-tier Speakz DTC-2 Ultra, the Speakz C2 can be considered the mid-level speaker cable. And given what I heard, I think it also represents the sweet spot.
The C2 produces the same super-wide soundstaging along with the same precise focus and alluring liquidity, but now, this is augmented by significantly cleaner and faster bass and higher overall precision. It’s still not the most immediate or most articulate cable in the world but the result is beautifully free-flowing and organic. The balance is well-chosen and this cable is a great alternative for the more analytical cables that invariably sound drier and more matter-of-fact.
Secondary System
As a final experiment, I positioned the Z1s in my secondary system. The challenge here is that more or less full-range speakers normally don’t work well in this area due to room-boundary effects in the left corner. This is one of the reasons why I am still using the tiny Xavian Perla Esclusivas in this area. The main room mode is just below the lowest frequency that the Perlas can reproduce and as such they augment their bass extension, rather than working against it.
The Z1s, however, work beautifully! They sure have considerably more bass extension, and more bass fullness, and they basically sound full-range in this room, yet, they hardly excite the room mode and don’t sound boomy at all. What I hear is a gentle increase in bass over a very wide frequency range rather than the sudden peak at a certain frequency, which is so common with other speakers.
As one would expect given the price disparity, it’s humbling to return to the Xavians after having had the Z1s in the system. I would say the two are just about equally lively and expressive and the Xavians manage to sound just as natural, but in literally all other audiophile parameters, the Z1s are simply superior.
Conclusion
With the Z1 Cryo, Børresen has produced a speaker that, certainly for this brand, is not priced extravagantly and that fully delivers the sound quality, as well as build quality, that one expects at the price. The speaker is very fast, very precise, and very expressive, yet it manages to still sound smooth, tonally saturated, and remarkably full-bodied. I would even say that it possesses too much character in the midrange but that is also a matter of personal preference.
Contrary to the Z1 Cryo, the 01 in the Silver Supreme edition is actually priced quite extravagantly. But it also delivers in a huge manner while possessing superlative aesthetics. Let’s not mince words, sound quality is of the utmost importance, but with a product that is usually positioned very prominently like a speaker, so is the visual appearance!
But even if one considers looks second to the sound, the 01 clearly demonstrates its superiority. They are fantastically precise, quick, crisp, and highly resolving, and they are considerably more neutral, linear, and transparent than the Z1s. They are superbly focused yet capable of wide and deep imaging, and while they are very revealing, they are also relaxed, and not edgy or bright, nor in any way overbearing. Rather, they are supremely delicate, gentle, airy, harmonically rich, and even subtly smooth.
Where both speakers amaze is in the bass. Not only do the Z1 and 01 produce super-precise, highly articulate, and ultra-fast bass but they also reach deep enough to equal the output of a small floor-standing speaker. But in this area, too, the 01 performs on a higher level still than the Z1.
Addendum
After finishing the review, I received some interesting pictures and extra information from Luuk, sent to him by Frits Dalmose, sales director of Audio Group Denmark, detailing the precise differences between the Z and 0 drivers and crossovers.
Left: 0 series; Right: Z-series
Frits Dalmose, sales director of Audio Group Denmark:
“The quality of the Neodymium is the same in the Z- and 0-series – N52. A lot of philosophies are the same but dimensions and details are different. The crossovers are different and simpler in the Z-series than in the 0-series. Also, the component qualities are slightly different even though the quality is still extremely high in both series”.
External Links
Distributor for the Netherlands: Ohm Audio
Manufacturer: Børresen and Ansuz
Ohm Audio
Open by appointment
Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 – 18:00
Zernikepark 21
9747 AP Groningen
Phone line 1 : +31 (0)6-38027736
Phone line 2 : +31 (0)6-38027745
Email : i n f o @ o h m – a u d i o . n l
Great review, as always. Thanks. I didn’t look up the specs but did you try the Z1 with a tube amp? It would probably not with a 20 wpc tube amp, would it?
Regards, Jan
Hi Jan, I no longer own a tube amp and haven’t tried, but I would imagine that the 60-Watt Ayon Spirit III (or the V) would have had no issues with the Z1 whatsoever. Whether a 20-Watt tube amp would also cut it, I cannot say. It will depend on how it was designed and on how loud you want to play. I never got the impression that the Z1s are particularly hard to drive, but at 86 dB, they are not very sensitive and they will require some potency if you want to play louder. My guess is that if you’re going to extract the best of them in terms of tightness, agility, and transient behavior, it may prove hard (or costly) to find a well-matching tube amp. Finding a well-matching transistor amp will likely be much easier.
What “review?” This is not a review.
Hello CP,
Can you indicate how these Børresen loudspeakers compare to the Franco Serblin Assence, previously reviewed by you? And yes, we also had to bend our knees for balls…..
Regards,
JB
I’ve only reviewed the Franco Serblin Accordo monitors, not the Essense, and comparisons from memory are not hugely reliable. That said, I have heard all their models and think I have a good understanding of their qualities. The main differences between the Børresens and the Accordo Essence are resolution and transparency, where the Børresen simply has the upper hand.
Hello CP,
Can you indicate how these Børresen loudspeakers compare to the Franco Serblin Accordo, previously reviewed by you? And yes, we also had to bend our knees for the balls…..
Regards
Jan
Not looking at the price, would you change the Driade flow speaker cable for the Ansuz C2 speakz ?
This will depend on which virtues one finds most important. Does one prefer the tightest and most precise bass and best overall neutrality or the widest soundstaging, deepest tonal saturation, and most magical delivery? It’s very much a personal matter. In my system, I use the Mad Scientist Black Magic speaker cable which matches even better with the Magicos and the rest of the system. But they have spade connectors and besides are not flexible or long enough to be used with the Børresen monitors. I place a lot of emphasis on bass precision even to the point of accepting less weight in favor of transient speed but I know this is not the most common viewpoint. Many listeners prefer a slightly more relaxed bass and within the context of a Børresen monitor speaker system, I would suggest taking the Ansuz route, among others because the C1 cable’s fuller bass augments the speakers’ bass heft and feeling of listening to a fuller-range speaker.
Hi Christiaan, have to say I also prefer quality bass above quantity, at the moment I am using the older Ansuz POM speakercables, did try also C2 and D2, for me the D2 is where the real magic begins in the Ansuz line, but I will never get myself to buy 18K speaker cables. I might give the driade flow 808 a try to see if it is more my taste.
Have a good xmas
Hi Christiaan,
I am looking for speaker cables for Audiovector R1 Arrete speakers. Is the Ansuz P2 speakz a good choice in this price range, or is the Purist audio design Poseidon better?
With best regards,
Igor
Hi Igor, I’ve not heard any Purist Audio cables so can’t tel you how they compare.
Hi ;
OK , but my main question is I am looking for speaker cables for Audiovector R1 Arrete speakers. Is the Ansuz P2 speakz a good choice ?
Best regards , Igor
Whether or not the P2 Speakz works well for you depends on many factors, not least of which is your personal taste. Also, I have not heard the Audiovector speakers. All I can say is that the P2 may be for you if you feel that the Audiovector in your current setup will benefit from a sweeter, lusher, more relaxed, and more liquid sound.
Wow they are about the same price as Marten Mingus Quintet
Christiaan, as you are known to the improvements Ansuz Darkz can bring. I was wondering if you have ever tested Darkz underneath your Magico S1 mkII, and your opinion about it. Current photos of your setup, shows you are still using the spikes. Do they perform better?
I bet Darkz could sound very nice as speaker footers under the Magico S1s instead of the standard spikes, but they are not compatible in terms of thread, and I don’t dare just placing them underneath the speakers without being fixed. I did buy StillPoints with the intention to use them under the Magicos but that idea has lapsed as I am happy with the speakers just as they are and I use the StillPoints elsewhere.