Zu

[mjb]

What do you guys think about Zu's? Specifically the Druid mk IV? I'm thinking of picking-up a pair used for around $1600... I briefly heard them at a dealer and really liked what I heard, but they were being driven by a big solid state amp (even though they're very sensitive)... I plan on driving them with a 2 watt decware SET amp.

Thanks,

mjb

[Sherwood]

They're very divisive speakers at a number of sites due to their comparatively poor measured performance, but it's pretty decent for a crossoverless design. IIRC, the main driver is run wide open and the supertweeter has a highpass cap crossover.

I, for one, love them. Their sensitivity is appropriate for a SET amp, and their impedance may be, but I can't vouch for how stable they are.

$1600 isn't an amazing price, and they come up on A'gon for less, but if your pair is local it's probably worth it not to have to deal with shipping them.

[swt61]

I have not heard a pair, so of coarse I'll recommend them most enthusiastically.

[tkam]

I don't think I've heard the MK IV's but the earlier versions I've heard were absolutely awful.

[penger]

I have not heard a pair but will say that of the many reviews written echo Sherwood's words. There seems to be a love 'em or hate 'em relationship for the Druid and even the successor, the Essence.

[swt61]

Again, I haven't heard them, but I do find them on the expensive side considering some of the wonderful sounding competition out there (Cain & Cain, Omega ...).

[penger]

I think they used be between $2500 and $3000 depending on the paint job?

[jp11801]

the pair I heard at a NYC audio show about 2-3 years ago were pretty bad. They did audiophile well recorded small combo stuff ok, but so do most speakers they fell apart when we asked them to rock.

[skullguise]

I heard an older pair of the floor standers (before they went to ribbon tweeters) a couple years ago. I agree with jp#'s in that they do smaller scale well, but don't quiote do bigger or harder music as well.

Also, we had to toy with placement a bit to get best sound.....they sounded even worse until they "snapped in"

[blessingx]

Looks like Zu is on this months cover of everyones favorite audiophile magazine.