Frequently Asked Questions

Purchasing

Do you ship overseas?
We do not ship overseas. However, our international customers do have alternatives:

Returns

What is your return policy?
We give you 30 days to try your ZVOX system in your home, with your music, with your movies. If you don't love it, for any reason, you can return it for a full refund. We even refund your original UPS ground shipping charges (within the 48 contiguous US states). Please email us at info@zvoxaudio.com for a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number and return shipping instructions.
 

Comparing ZVOX Systems

How does the Mini compare to the ZVOX 315?

The Mini is less than half the size of the ZVOX 315 — 13”w x 10”d x 3.25”h. It uses three 2.5” front drivers and a 4x6” woofer. Amp specs are the same as the 315. The 315 has better bass response than the Mini — not so much lower response, but more of it because of the larger cabinet. The soundstage of the 315 is also wider than the Mini’s — because the front speakers are farther apart from each other. All in all, they sound quite similar, but the 315 can play louder, especially low frequencies. The 315 is more appropriate for use in bigger rooms. The Mini is ideal for music systems and TVs in smaller rooms, and for applications that require transportation. Also the 315 does not have a remote control. The Mini does – which makes it a better choice for use with TVs that lack either a headphone jack or variable audio outputs.

How does the ZVOX 325 compare with the ZVOX 315?

The ZVOX 325 offers subtle-but-noticeable improvements over the 315 in a number of areas:

  • More sophisticated amplifier. The amplifier of the 325 has been meticulously fine-tuned, with precise electronic contouring of the system’s frequency response to create a very natural, realistic tonal balance.
  • More power. The amount of power available to the key center speaker in our PhaseCue array has been doubled, compared to that of the 315.
  • Improved subwoofer. The 325 uses a high-mass, long-throw 4”x6” subwoofer in a bandpass cabinet that was precisely designed using proprietary software. The subwoofer cabinet is slightly larger than that of the 315.
  • Stylish front panel. The 325 uses the new curved metal grille and front panel controls introduced with the ZVOX Mini. The front panel also features a separate input for use with an iPod, PC or other portable device. When used, the front panel input automatically mutes anything connected to the rear panel inputs.
  • Remote control. The 325 has a credit-card-sized remote control for volume and mute functions.

The difference in sound between the 325 and the 315 is not “night and day.” It is, rather, a compilation of small improvements that results in an overall more accurate, more realistic audio system. That being said, the 325 is a startlingly good sounding audio system. The 325 is available in silver and black finishes, and sells for $349.99.

Hookup

Will ZVOX systems work with Apple’s Airport Express?
ZVOX systems will work with the Airport Express — and will sound terrific.
What if my TV doesn’t have audio output jacks or a headphone jack -- how can I connect the ZVOX system?
Some TVs have no audio output jacks. In cases like this, if you use a digital cable box, you can normally take the audio output of the cable box and feed it directly to the input of the ZVOX system. (Note: you may have to call your cable company to find out how to reprogram the cable remote so it controls the audio output of the cable box.) Also, if your TV has speaker wire connections, you can buy our optional Speaker Wire Adapter and use it to connect to the ZVOX system.
Does the speaker volume control/remote also control the volume on an external powered subwoofer?
No, the speaker volume control on the ZVOX 315, Mini and 325 will only control the master volume of the speaker itself. It sends a full-range fixed output to an external powered subwoofer. If you use a powered sub with those models, you'll have to control the sub's volume on the subwoofer itself. The ZVOX 415 and 425 use a variable sub out so their volume/remtoes will vary the subwoofer volume as well as the main speakers'.
How do I put the battery in the remote control?
If you look at the back of the remote, you’ll see a horizontal slot and two small vertical slots at the bottom. Use your thumbnail to squeeze-in the outermost of the two vertical slots, while at the same time pulling outward using the big horizontal slot. It should come right out. Then drop in the battery with the wider part of the battery on top, and slide the tray back in until it clicks.
Are the hookup guides available to download online?

Use

Will the surround sound from a ZVOX system be equivalent to a 5-speaker system?
The surround sound effects of ZVOX system are not equal to those of a system with 5-7 speakers, and in fact can vary quite a bit from movie to movie. In designing the product we put the focus on overall sound quality — combined with simplicity and small size. With a well-recorded moview soundtrack, your ZVOX system will provide a very wide soundstage (it will sound sort of like you are listening to speakers 8 feet apart from each other), with considerable depth and three-dimensionality. You should sometimes hear sounds coming from the sides of the listening area, and occassionally from directly in back of you. Also, if your TV or DVD player has a virtual surround sound function, you could try switching that on as well — these circuits work well with the ZVOX design. But if you insist of incredible, discrete surround sound performance (cars driving around you, bullets bouncing off rear walls, airplanes circling overhead), you should probably get a 5-speaker system.
Why is music through the ZVOX drowning out the voices on TV shows?
The PhaseCue control on ZVOX systems controls the amount of virtual surround sound that the system will create. By turning it down, you will send relatively more sound to the monaural center speaker (which does a great job on voices). Try turning that control down and see if that helps. If it does, you might play around with it a little and try to find the right balance between voices and background music. You may also find that, because you have turned the PhaseCue control down, you may want to turn the Volume control up a notch or two — so you get the same sound level as before.
Why does the ZVOX hum when used with headphone jack on my TV?
Hum or noise is often the result of a weak signal coming into the ZVOX input. Try these suggestions:
  1. If you use a cable box or satellite dish with a volume control, turn it all the way up - and leave it there.
  2. Whether or not you have a cable box or satellite dish, turn the volume control on the ZVOX WAY down.
  3. This will force you to turn the sound on the TV up much higher, creating a stronger “signal to noise ratio.”

Technical

How much power do ZVOX systems have?
The ZVOX Mini and 315 use an amplifier rated at 40 watts total, 20 to the subwoofer, and 20 to the three main speakers (10 per stereo channel). The ZVOX 325 amplifier is capable of 60 watts, 20 watts to the subwoofer, 20 watts the the middle speaker and 20 watts to the two outside speakers. But the power supply used with ZVOX systems limits their overall ouput to 23.5 watts. Because we acoustically contour the amplifier’s signal to match the speakers used in the systems, and because they are relatively efficient, they will play quite loudly — though certainly not as loud as a 600-watt home theater system.

 

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