Tvad, if I suggested that ALL negative feedback stems only from absent or imperfect listening then I apologize. No doubt there are those who find them wanting despite having heard them set up optimally, with synergistic gear, and have had opportunity to spend time listening to them, hopefully in their own homes (me, I don't lay much stock in hearing anything anywhere else. I believe that while good impressions may result from good equipment, the risk of bad impressions resulting from good equipment is somewhat higher in a foreign environment IMO. This, again IMO, is why Audiogon thrives - the high turnover of equipment is a manifestation of what is essentially home auditioning).
I would also hazard a guess that the negatives MAY be a side effect of heightened expectations. As I implied, the Druids *are* flawed... I don't think anyone can claim they are perfect, or even nearly so. But it is their set of charms, which to me became evident only upon extended auditioning (I strongly considered returning them at around the 45-day point - fortunately the audition period was 60 days. Please don't regard this as condescending. It is my experience, ok?) that won me over despite their weaknesses. I would be among the first to allow that the cheerleading at times got a bit over-the-top, leading to preconceived notions, negative or not, among some readers. That is one reason why, despite over a year of pleasure with the Druids, I am speaking up only now.
I mentioned my audiobuddy in my post above. I did not mention that I had another audiophile (not a friend but an Audiogon deal) who heard the Druids when I had just acquired them. It was obvious he was not impressed, and thinking back, I am not surprised. They were then a far ways away from where they would end up, perhaps a couple of months later.
It's cool with me that you don't think they are wonderful speakers (not putting words in your mouth here, I hope). To invoke a totally tired truism: vanilla, chocolate, and all that. I like to post when I have something to ask or share. Argument is not something I will spend my time on - I regard this post as more of clarification, as I don't like incomplete communication, especially when I am the culprit. Cheers.
I would also hazard a guess that the negatives MAY be a side effect of heightened expectations. As I implied, the Druids *are* flawed... I don't think anyone can claim they are perfect, or even nearly so. But it is their set of charms, which to me became evident only upon extended auditioning (I strongly considered returning them at around the 45-day point - fortunately the audition period was 60 days. Please don't regard this as condescending. It is my experience, ok?) that won me over despite their weaknesses. I would be among the first to allow that the cheerleading at times got a bit over-the-top, leading to preconceived notions, negative or not, among some readers. That is one reason why, despite over a year of pleasure with the Druids, I am speaking up only now.
I mentioned my audiobuddy in my post above. I did not mention that I had another audiophile (not a friend but an Audiogon deal) who heard the Druids when I had just acquired them. It was obvious he was not impressed, and thinking back, I am not surprised. They were then a far ways away from where they would end up, perhaps a couple of months later.
It's cool with me that you don't think they are wonderful speakers (not putting words in your mouth here, I hope). To invoke a totally tired truism: vanilla, chocolate, and all that. I like to post when I have something to ask or share. Argument is not something I will spend my time on - I regard this post as more of clarification, as I don't like incomplete communication, especially when I am the culprit. Cheers.