Zu Druid questions


For some reason I've ttally overlooked these speakers. I've seen them mentioned many times and am unsure why they didn't catch my attention until now.

Anyhow, I'm very curious. I am currently running a pair of Usher 6381's. Has anyone listenedd to both the six series Ushers and the Druids? I'd love to hear your observations.

These appear to be basically a horn type speaker in the way they function. Do they have a sound similar to that of say the Klipsh heritage series, or am I way off bass?

I once owned a pair of LaScallas that I loved, but just could not put up with the size. These have peaked my interest.

Thanks.
jack_dotson
Jaybo, The Ushers are very good. Ive owned 2 pairs.. But, classics? come on really?
Jack, thanks for the review. Two weeks ago I wrote almost the exact same words in a review I sent to Sean!

Like you, it took me a while to "get them". My first response was very critical, and in direct A-B comparison after listening to my PMC, the Druids sounded dull and flat.

Then I switched back to the "technically accurate audiophile speakers" and... they were now spiky, hyped, annoying.

Back to the Druids, and ahhh. They had me.

Realistic, musical, captivating, and fun. I am a musician and recording studio owner, and these Druids are just eerie in their ability to reproduce the sensation of a live performance.

Wonderful speakers. I sold my PMCs immediately.

I also have mine on hard surfaces, spaced 10 mm with the rounded tip supports. The short spikes, if that is what you got with yours, are not nearly long enough to reach through most carpets and pads. Zu will send you a set of longer spikes if you ask, if you want to use that method.

After listening without a sub, I fired up my pair of Hsu to fill up that supposedly "missing" lower octave. Yuck.

Subs had always worked great with all other speakers I've had in here over the years. But not now, they were detracting from the clear tonality of the Zu bass.

I took the subwoofers completely out of the room.

Mine are not far out from the walls, and are not spaced in an ideal alignment. Doesn't matter... they sound spectacular anyway.

I've used the Druids with several amps -- Carver M-1.5t, Denon solid state, McIntosh MC225 tube, and Bel Canto eVo. The Bel Canto demolished the others, for musical integrity, frequency response, and resonance.

Have fun with them. I've already ordered a second pair :)

Steve
I wouldn't use the carpet spikes. Follow Kehut's advice and create a "false floor". Spike a hard tile through the carpet and use that for the speaker base. The tuning will never be optimized on carpet.

I did it both ways and it was no comparison.
Hello Ken,

I see you are using Gede interconnects and Libtec speaker cables. Have you also tried the Varial and the IBIS and you prefered these cables?

For finding the right gap, do you use the hight of one CD case or two? Do you think it is also makes sense to try a hard base under the Druids if I have no carpet under them but a hard compound surface (I don't know its name, usually used in banks or offices with heavy traffic)?

Thanks,