Zu Druid or Tone + sub

If space and configuration permit, Druids are more efficient and have higher resolution. I'd take them over Tones + Mini-Method.

However, if you insist on bass below 38Hz to feel satisfied and your budget precludes Druids + Sub, then Tones are viable. In general, I think Tones make sense when budget or space dictate and they can be appreciated on their own. A sub is an upgrade path for a Tones owner. But if either can be accommodated, Druids put you on a higher fidelity plane.

Phil

Hi Bevan,

Even though it's not practical given your location, I agree with Tvad's sentiments that the Zus are speakers you need to make your own mind up about. As you have no doubt noticed, they evoke a great diversity of opinion. My guess is that different listeners simply have differing personal preferences and priorities, whether they know about them in advance or not.

Assuming you know yourself well enough to be confident that Zu speakers are what you want, my suggestion would be the Tones + a subwoofer instead of the Druids. Personally I would be in favor of using a high-pass filter so that the fullrange driver in the Tone doesn't try to make deep bass excursions, even though that is getting away from the "crossoverless" spirit of the Zus.

Best of luck to you,

Duke

Hello Bevan

I am distributing Zu loudspeakers in Australia and have all the models available. You can hear them on demo in Sydney and Melbourne and you can buy with 60 days satisfaction guarantee if you live elsewhere.

Check my contact details on the ZU website under distributors. I look forward to hearing from you.

Warwick

If you add a high quality stand to the price of the tones, you might as well get the Druids.

I agree with Goatwuss, never ever buy a speaker w/o hearing first. I did buy my seas w/o hearing, but did know hear the Seas' W22 in a DIY design I paid a guy to buld for me. Cost me $2K for the guy to build and i sold them after one day for $800. There are always exceptions. As i am interested in Tyler's 3 ways, which use the seas, but how they actually sound I am not sure and may take the chance, just based on my experience of the Thors I own. So if you know the sound of the drivers used in a design from previous experience then at least you are not going in blindly, or in this case deafly.
Paul