Zu Druid IV - the real deal?

Dave if your niece were playing her piano next to a $250k rig, you'd hear the difference in a jiff. Now if she were playing an electric piano or an electric guitar, that would be a different story. But acoustic? We're not even close. Great stereo cannot approach live acoustic sound, but it can sure make it fun, to say the least.

Dave,

The reason you might have to "get used to" the sound of a speaker is that the absence of a crossover in an otherwise tonally accurate speaker yields a sound quite unlike what you've heard from conventional speakers. The hifi loudspeaker industry has made most people accustomed to phase incoherence, inconsistent transient behavior and choked dynamics as you approach crossover points. Not to mention serious cabinet contribution to sound character for better or worse. When you really hear a voice or an instrument juxtaposed with most speakers, even good ones, you realize how dissimilar the two sound.

In my case, this initial period of disorientation lasted about 3 minutes and then I realized what was going on. I reconnected a pair of my prior speakers and realized there was no going back. Then you begin to notice the extraordinary jump factor and dynamic shadings these speakers are able to transduce in sharp relief. The essential unity of sound you get from a Zu speaker makes its own case, but for many people it will be the first time they've heard such a thing.

Phil

Warren...

I understand what you are saying, bad example...I will try and be more direct

As the poster said...

"Being free of crossovers can take some getting used to, as can the phase linearity of the full-range driver design, but the behavior of these design attributes is startlingly reinforcing of your illusion of musical reality from recorded performances"

If they give the illusion of musical reality (which I take to be a audible sonic copy of the recorded material), why would I have to get use to them (refering to the sound, being crossover less and full range design?)

Would a recording of a trumpet not sound like a recorded trumpet right away, even if I was not use to the sound of the speaker?

The quote sounds like a contradiction to me, at first he states you have to get use to the sound, then states, in the same sentence, that they give the illusion of musical reality. I don't understand why there is a disclaimer before offering praise for the sound.

So really my question is...what would I have to get use to about this speaker?

Phil...

Submitted a post and then read yours.

I'm not sure I understand. But that does make sense after all, we are trying to convey sound with words.

I am just trying to make sense of all the rabble...all products come with the lovers and the haters.

At present I am not ready for new speakers. I know the money back thing and all. But from what I am lead to believe, if a pair showed up at my door there is a good chance they would never leave.

So I will for now, read the discourse, and at a later date who knows.

Thanks for trying to clarify.

Dave

Phil and Warren...

One other question...

Would the sonic benifits of the definitions relative to the druids warrent the additional cost?

I would not want to go through the hassle of buying the druid only to upgrade to the definition.

Thanks