Zu Druid MK IVs vs. Essences

Thanks, all. This has been very helpful. I'm going to hold off on buying Druids or Essences. If I do go for a Zu speaker, it will probably be a Soul Superfly or an original Soul. $999 is a nice price, I have to say.

But, based on these comments, I'm rethinking Zu. I really like revealing, detailed speakers, no matter what type of music I'm listening to. I mainly listen to soul, funk, reggae, jazz, rap, afro-beat, and Latin jazz and soul. I'll probably start researching some other brands. I've had a pair of Reference 3a DeCapo MMi's in a low-powered second system for the past two years, and they're my reference speaker right now. But that system is in a little 8 x 10 room. I don't even use a subwoofer, and the 3a's still sound wonderful. But in my large listening room they get lost.

If anyone can recommend a larger speaker that's as revealing and detailed as the Reference 3a's I'd love to hear about it.

Sibelius: I would agree that the Essence were better on jazz and vocalists than on rock, hip hop, electronica, etc.. They got really "busy" easily with anything too fast paced. In comparison, the Omen Defs and the Superfly's have much better dynamics, much better detail, while being what I like to call "musical" for lack of a better term. They sound much more like live music and have a much wider and deeper soundstage. And IMO, vocals and jazz and rock and all genres sound better than they did on the Essence. The change was so dramatic and such an improvement that no direct A/B was required. I just got out the boxes for the Essence and put them up for sale within a day. And that was when I was running the Melody I2A3 that 6 Moons raved about with the Essence (it was dead quiet and awesome on both speakers btw).

BTW, Zu has a closeout special on the standard Soul in a very nice Maple for $999. That will be hard to beat at the price.

Best of luck,
Morgan

At one time I owned both the Druids and then the Essence. Have not heard any of the new Zu's so I can't comment on them. Between the Druids and Essence the choice probably depends on what kind of music you like. For Rock, I prefered the Druids. For Classical and Jazz I prefered the Essence. I think Zu is very good value for the money but I thought those models lacked the detail that better high efficiency drivers can provide. However, as a stepping stone into the world of high efficiency speakers I think they do a good job.

Hi Klein,
I owned the Essence before and now the Omen Defs. I have also heard the Superfly's extensively. The new production are far superior to the Essence in all regards IMO. Much larger soundstage. Great dynamics. Great tonality. Intimate vocals. I have not heard the Druids, but I do believe the current models are supposed to be an improvement so to speak on the Druid line, whereas the Essence were an outlier in the Zu lineup so to speak.
If you don't want a lot of bass, and you like tube amps, then go for the Superfly. Just give Zu a call, I guarantee you that they will make you a pair. Also, they have very good B Stock pricing on EBay where the sell maybe 1 pair per week.

Thanks, John. I thought about that option, but Zu isn't selling directly online right now. They have a notice up that says they will be again soon, but there's no date listed.

I was also thinking - but I could easily be wrong - that the new line of Zu speakers were supposed to fill in some of the lower price points that Zu hasn't met before. I know cheaper doesn't mean worse sound, but I thought the Druids and Essences might be built a little better than the Omen or Soul Superfly models. But I'll be happy to be corrected.

This does not quite answer your question, but have you considered the current Zu models, Omen Def and Soul Superfly? Zu does demos, b-stock, etc., that will bring you in at a price competitive with the models you are considering, and the Zu guys are good to deal with. I can't do comparisons, but I heard the Superflys, and I think they could be described as upfront and revealing.

John