Zu Druid questions

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,

Krausz,

I have not tried the Zu IBIS or Varial..I bought the Libtecs from a memeber who upgraded to the IBIS cable and in our chat, he mentioned (quite profoundly) that the Libtecs were so very close to the IBIS in his system, that it was not a very big step sonically...just cost$$$ wise for him. He also said the same for the Gede's vs. the Varial. Now, Im not saying "I" would not hear any difference in my system or that the IBIS is not worth the price..dont get me wrong, just that I am extremely happy with the current cabeling used. I also tend to think of my system as one which is more modest and less all out..thus, I dont think I should put Zu's absolute best with my gear. Kind of keeping a price/performance ratio so to speak. But, I certainly wouldn't mind trying them if the opportunity came along.

As for the Druid set up. I used the thickness of one cd jewel case for the gap under the Druids.That worked out the best for my set up sonically.

I would think any rather hard surface under the Druids will work well, and surely better than soft carpet. I have seen several guys use anything from wood boards, or the Druids placed on hardwood flooring..to more expensive marble or granite slabs such as I use.. (mine are 18x18x 3/4" marble slabs) Your set up sounds good with the flooring you described.Should work fine.

Best--Ken

Thank you very much for your detailed and fast response Ken! At this point I think that I might be trying the Gede/Libtec combo and see how they work.

Thanks again
Krausz