Signature Series Sony SA-Z1 Hi-Res Near Field speakers unveiled
Inspired by a traditional Japanese ‘Tsuzumi’ drum, it’s what audiophiles’ dreams are made of
Typically at IFA, Sony introduces new, high-end home theater products and this year was no exception. Though we didn’t get any new flagship TVs, Sony had perhaps something far more interesting in mind — an all new speaker system that’s part of the company’s Signature Series, which features custom components in order to get the perfect sound.
The SA-Z1 brings together Sony’s legendary audio expertise, with first-of-its-kind custom componentry and benchmark audio technologies. Thanks to a trio of accumulated acoustic, electronic, and signal processing technology, SA-Z1 recreates music with exceptional presence and coherence.
So what the heck is the once again beautifully named SA-Z1 Hi-Res Near Field Powered Speaker System Signature Series¹, and who are they for? First, the latter.
This speaker system is ideal for those who pursue music with ultimate resolution and spatial representation in their own personal space. Its variety of input functions allow for easy installation with your current personal or headphone audio setup.
Sony goes on to say that
the acoustic design concept of SA-Z1 is an ideal point sound source. The physical layout of the driver units, along with the time alignment of soundwaves from each driver unit, is the key in realising this concept. A coaxial layout of woofers and tweeters is an ideal physical arrangement, to better integrate the sound from every driver unit. Sony pursued the accuracy of the coaxial layout in micro meter order. Time alignment of the sound waves is achieved by Sony’s unique algorithm on the FPGA processor. This precisely controls the timing of every driver unit’s output so that the leading edge of the sound waves align.
Speaking of woofers, you’ll find dual-woofers on each speaker, placed back to in what Sony calls the “Tsuzumi” layout which are inspired by a traditional Japanese drum.
The SA-Z1 speakers realistically reproduce a wide and deep acoustic field. Gone are the days of narrow and flat sound where you only feel the front side of the speaker system. Now you can feel the height and depth of the music thanks to the “Tsuzumi” layout with side ducts. The horizontally opposed layout of two woofers cancel out each other’s vibrations. Sound from the assist woofer, is radiated through side ducts, re-creating a spatial acoustic field.
As for those tweeters, the the “I-ARRAYTM System” features three of them, offering a wider directivity for richer music. Sony says that “careless layout easily leads to wave interference that makes peaks and dips on the frequency response,” but apparently with the SA-Z1 this won’t be an issue as they’ve found a single spot where this interference doesn’t happen.
With such a premium device, it’s not surprising that Sony spared no costs with a body madeof six pieces of aluminum plate that’s solid and resonance-free. When the SA-Z1 Near Field speakers launch, expect a hefty price tag to go along with them, though there’s currently no word yet on when they’ll launch, in which countries, or at what price point.
For the audiophiles out there, I’d love to hear from you as my expertise with these lines of devices is limited — are you impressed by the Z1? And what about demand? Do you think there’s a market for such high-end speakers, or is Sony chasing shadows?
¹ I shit you not that this is the official name 🤦♂️
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