Mini-Review: digiZoid ZO "portable subwoofer"

[RPGWiZaRD]

Yea I've also found ZO v1 to work "better than usual" in double-amping cases like it would work in a different way than traditional amps. Oh and the physical bass impact felt with ZO and XB500 out of an Titanium HD soundcard is crazy, felt like I'd be listening to a huge speaker or smaller sub, the impact is insane even when using one step above the lowest setting which is my usual setting. I will see how it fares with an ASUS D2 soundcard next, I didn't feel like ST/STX was a good investment with ZO as I won't need the built-in amp.
 
I wonder if the volume level set in v2 will have a big impact on the end result, if there's a difference between using ZO low volume or nearly full volume and lower volume on the source instead (like perhaps you get "more" of this ZO-effect with ZO's volume levels set higher?). Will try out this for myself when I get V2.

 

[gaspir324]

What kind of battery will the ZO v2 have? Is is built in or is it like in FiiO E11 so we could change it to lets say 2050mAh battery?

 

[duaner]

My E5 no longer works so I'm looking for something else. I really only used it in my car for the bass boost anyway but I want something to use with my headphones. The largest phones I have are M50Ses, so I don't really need any amplification. I can change the levels on the Cowon D2 but the iPod Touch is terrible and needs some help, especially if I use my E2Cs.
 
Looking forward to when V2 comes out.

 

[i2ehan]

I'm curious to know, has anyone paired the Zo with the ER4P/ER4S?

 

[estreeter]

Friends, September is a little over a week away (yay !), although DigiZoid provide the usual 'dont hold me to it' disclaimer on the release date for the V2 on their Facebook page (boo).
 
I can only assume that its reasonably close to production if they are ruminating over straight vs angled cables ....... guys, just send me the thing and I'll supply the cable
 
 

 

[MizMoxie]

Quote:

What kind of battery will the ZO v2 have? Is is built in or is it like in FiiO E11 so we could change it to lets say 2050mAh battery?

 
It will have a 300mAh Li-Polymer battery. The circuit design in v2 has been optimized to increase overall efficiency, which in turn will at least double (if not more) v1's battery life (so from about 12hrs to 24hrs+).
 
Honestly, sourcing a higher capacity battery that still fits inside the enclosure, and has the proper connector will probably be very difficult. So for your intent, I would have to say it's built-in... (but, if someone comes across something that works, please let us know, and we will let our users know as well!) 

 
 

 

[Br777]

a built in battery that lasts 24 hours sounds pretty darn good to me. especially considering the small footprint of this thing... cant wait to try it!

 

[treal512]

I'm waiting on the v2 release before I pick a primary IEM and sell off the rest. Can't wait!

 

[pinoyman]

the v2 will be a lot better if it would come out in an aluminum enclosure.
 
its kind of a cheap thing if its still made in plastic.
hoping i don't break mine when i accidentally drop this one day.
 
pls. digizoid, make it in an aluminum enclosure?...

 

[burtomr]

Quote:

the v2 will be a lot better if it would come out in an aluminum enclosure.
 

Aluminum is not a good thing for us anal types who hate scratches. Much better would be textured flexible coating that is durable. As in resistant to scratching, chipping, denting, etc. since it is a portable device afterall. 
 
I really like the Silicon sheath/cover I bought for my Clip+. It is very good at protecting it from all external damage, especially scratches to it's glossy black case.
 

 
 

 

[MizMoxie]

 
Quote:

the v2 will be a lot better if it would come out in an aluminum enclosure.
 
its kind of a cheap thing if its still made in plastic.
hoping i don't break mine when i accidentally drop this one day.
 
pls. digizoid, make it in an aluminum enclosure?...

 
Sadly, we will not be able to change the enclosure material to aluminum for v2. There are a few reasons why. The mold needed to make the plastic parts is really expensive. Second, the time we have had to put in to the v2 circuitry revisions, along with whatever time it would take us to redesign, fabricate the new tooling, and set up manufacturing, would probably extend v2's launch date by a min of 2-3 months!!
 
I understand that the plastic may convey a feeling of "cheapness", however we have taken many steps to increase the durability of the enclosure - both in structural design and material choice. I'm not sure if you saw the image of the ZO's internals I posted awhile back, but I will post another one just in case:
 

 
Notice we have secured a shroud to the PCB itself. We did this to increase the crush resistance of the enclosure, and protect the internals from any possible damage. Also, we have chosen the highest-grade Lexan polycarbonate, which is used for many mobile phones, mp3 players, and other CE devices.
 
What will change in ZO v2 though, is the type of coating used on the enclosure. We are trying to switch from the high-gloss to a soft-touch finish. I suspect that in doing so, it will make the product feel better secured around the edges, and therefore, less flimsy (not to mention won't fingerprint, scratch, chip, etc.).
 
Even though we can't make the switch to aluminum yet, we will definitely look into it for future designs! 

 
  
 
 

 

[RPGWiZaRD]

Great reply as always. ^^ For me the material doesn't matter so much as it's just sitting on my desktop for use with my comp so there's no risk for damage or scratches or anything but I can see the weak spots are the corners at the moment but since it's a portable amp the durability surely is an important factor to think about. At least it's good that you've reinforced it from the inside, you can probably step on the middle of it and it wouldn't break but if you stepped on a corner then it could probably break but why would your ZO be lying on the floor anyway!
 
Mine has probably dropped from the table to the floor once or twice (it usually sits near the edge of it) and there hasn't been any probs but I don't expect such a light device to have any issues falling from such a relatively small distance anyway.

 

[pinoyman]

thank you very much for answering me mr. mizmoxie.
 
still, even if the v2 is not in aluminum, ill surely buy another zo...coz i really like it!

 

[pinoyman]

Quote:

Aluminum is not a good thing for us anal types who hate scratches. Much better would be textured flexible coating that is durable. As in resistant to scratching, chipping, denting, etc. since it is a portable device afterall. 
 
I really like the Silicon sheath/cover I bought for my Clip+. It is very good at protecting it from all external damage, especially scratches to it's glossy black case.
 

 
 

i agree with you sir.
maybe its better if we can find a silicon case for the zo v2.
hehehe...just wishing.
 

 

[MizMoxie]

At some point in the future, we would like to have cases made for different players/phones that actually has the ZO's circuitry embedded in the case itself!