Zu Druid MK IVs vs. Essences

>>shows that the Zu Druid is a Paul Voight type design<<

It isn't. In Druid there is no interior taper and no progressivity in managing the rear wave. Also, the driver is placed at the top of the tube, which is not the usual Voight approach. It's also not a transmission line, though the speaker might externally resemble that. Druid was the first instance of Zu's proprietary acoustic impedance matching model, and it is only a partial implementation, relying on both a specific cabinent interior volume as well as precise distance from driver to the floor via the floor-facing vent and the user-adjustable plinth-to-floor gap. The result is that the floor gap has much more than 3db effect on the free-space frequency anomalies. The speaker does not sound like the free-space test curve. If it did, no one would have bought it.

In later Zu models that are not sealed, the Griewe acoustic impedance model is complete, though slightly differently implemented in the straight cabinet and tapered cabinet speakers. In those cases the free-space (off-floor) performance is far closer to the on-floor performance, because the Griewe model is enforced within the cabinet rather than nakedly dependent on a user-adjusted gap between cabinet and floor. However, in Druid, the user adjustable floor gap does give the listener a valuable tuning device for managing the always problemmatic speaker/room interactions in the bass frequencies, in normal domestic construction.

Phil

Disclaimer: I am the present owner of the Zu Soul Superfly, and I have previously owned the Druid Mk4, and the Essence.

The summary so far is:

1. Some people who have heard Zu speakers like them.
2. Other people who have heard Zu speakers do not like them.
3. There exists a set of measurements conducted by Stereophile in 2002 of an older version of the Zu Druid and these measurements are unflattering to Zu.
4. People who like Zu speakers consider the 2002 Stereophile measurements as not being an accurate representation of the capabilities of the 2002 Druid owing to a somewhat unique design.

What is interesting too is a recent Stereophile review of the Zu Essence. In it, John Atkinson measures the Zu Essence and has this to say about it:

"In many ways, the Zu Essence is an underachiever, measurement-wise. But the surprise for me, when I auditioned it in AD's room, was how much of its measured misbehavior was not too audible, other than the rolled-off highs and the lack of impact in the lower midrange. I suspect that Zu's designer has carefully balanced the individual aspects of the Essence's design so that the musical result is greater than the sum of its often disappointingly-measuring parts."

Also, Art Dudley in the same review of the Essence says this:

"With its very good bass extension, superb musicality, lack of egregious timbral colorations, and impressive spatial performance, the Zu Essence qualifies as the first loudspeaker I've heard that combines genuinely high efficiency with a level of audiophile performance for which no excuse needs to be made, all while being priced within the reach of the serious-but-not-crazy hobbyist. I'm really impressed with the Essence—and, yes, I could happily live with it myself: It's that good."

So I think even Stereophile says it sounds better than it measures.

In Druid there is no interior taper and no progressivity in managing the rear wave.

What you are suggesting is that it is even simpler - a quarter wave pipe.

Shadorne-

I've owned Wilson Sophias, Dynaudio C1s (one of your favs), and had Barefoot MM27s in my room as well for an extended audition (pro audio speaker).

Zu Definition 2s are the real deal, driven by the correct amplification. Whizzer cone or not. I'd love for you to hear a pair some day. Over time, i am getting used to not having a passive xover in the way---which seems to suck the life/dynamics of many speakers even when driven by 1000 watts. As for the Druids--I think they sound rolled off to me in previous interations and the bass didn't satisfy me, but Superflys (at least at THE Show) were anything but.

Wilson W/P 3/2s sucked terribly 10+ years ago and no one brings up their measurements compared to a Sasha. They had a hole the size of 18-wheeler in the midbass which took 9 iterations to get rid of. What gives. The Wilson Witt was a complete joke.

Zus are designed to go with warm amplification---after owning 9+ amps, I can guarantee that. Here is my list (which is growing--Sophia 845s could be next):

Bat 300xSE
McIntosh MA6600
Shindo Haut Brion
Triode Corp 845SE
Shindo Montille
Vac Phi 200
McIntosh 601s
DeHavilland 845s
Mastersound Due Venti

Mac for SS and 845s have worked best imo.

Cheers,

KeithR

I should also add, if I didn't own the Zu Def2s---the Reference 3A Grand Veena was really impressive at THE Show and would probably be strong consideration.