Hi-Fi: Parrot Zikmu by Starck Audio System – Review

This unique audio system arrived at the Tone offices in a large packing case shaped like an outsized trumpet, which prompted no end of discussion around what the Tone team was testing this month. We cracked open the case to end the speculation and the distinctive Zikmu Parrot by Starck (as in French à¼ber-designer Philippe Starck) speakers were revealed in all their glory. Well, maybe glory is too strong  because they’re smaller and less imposing than the pictures lead you to believe.

The Zikmus are an interesting take on the lifestyle audio system, promising hi-fi quality sound with the looks of a designer product. They’re intended to be “an elegant high performance object that would integrate harmoniously into any interior,” which some would say can’t be achieved with an amp, CD player and a set of speakers (bah, humbug – just ask B&O). The Zikmus support the audio sources most commonly found in today’s home – the iPod/iPhone along with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi plus an analogue input if you insist on using some kind of retro device to play your music.

They’re made of a very glossy, lightweight and apparently space age plastic reinforced internally by a metal structure and they do look slim and elegant, occupying about the same floor space as a stand-mounted speaker but taking up far less visual space because of the tapered shape. The aforementioned glossy finish looks a little downmarket compared to the piano gloss lacquer or high-quality wood veneer found on many standard speakers, which was a little disappointing at the price.

The technology inside the Zikmus is interesting. The sound field is designed to be omnidirectional so the speakers combine an upright NXT flat panel driver with a conventional woofer in a downward firing bass reflex configuration. Each driver is powered by an individual Class D amp, which is in turn controlled by electronic digital signal processing technology.

Operationally the Zikmus are simple to use: dock an iPod and you’re away. It also took less than a minute to get music streaming from my mobile phone using Bluetooth, and the Wi-Fi is straightforward to set up on an existing wireless network unless there are inherent network issues. Each unit needs its own power point, which limits placement unless you use long cords. You can’t just dump them in random spots and expect great results; it helps to have them laid out more or less like normal speakers – pop one behind the arm of the couch against a wall and the other in open space and you may be less than pleased.

The audio quality varies depending on the sources and, as with all digital audio systems, the quality of the files plays a defining role. The Zikmus have no issue filling a room with detailed sound and offer reasonably good levels of bass for such a compact enclosure.

The Zikmus are strange beasts – they’re way ahead of the vast majority of iPod speaker systems, with a much wider soundstage, great connectivity and far more visual and musical presence than the norm. But then, they’re priced in an entirely different league, too.

The real spanner in the works is that for similar money, it’s possible to assemble an entry-level hi-fi system using an integrated amp, CD player or iPod dock and a set of standmount speakers that will be all over the Zikmus sonically. The hi-fi system won’t look as cool, won’t fit in with modern décor or sensibilities or have the same degree of connectivity, so it’s all about horses for courses and the Zikmus will be the perfect setup for many a trendy couple wanting more audio than they have now.

ASHLEY KRAMER

Parrot Zikmu by Starck Audio System – Specs

Frequency range: 50Hz-20kHz
Compatible Audio formats: MP3, LPCM
Inputs: iPod dock, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, analogue
IPod Compatibility: iPhone 3G, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPod Classic, iPod Nano
Power: 50 watts RMS per channel
Dimensions: 750 x 320 x 290mm (H/W/D)
Weight: 3.5kg each

PROS

• Unique looks
• Great digital connectivity

CONS

• Audio quality good but not great

VERDICT

An intriguing approach to the modern audio system

CONTACT

www.parrot.net.nz

This article is from Tone issue 81. Click here to check it out.