so im running a PassLabs Aleph 30 into Zu Druids, after awhile listening to alot of different genres im disappointed with the setup. it lacks that chest punching bass that i think a speaker setup needs to convey, and i dont want to run a dedicated sub.

i also have a RedWine Audio Clari-T and that is a serious disappoinment, not enough power to run even the 101db/watt Druid to decent levels with complicated music, no bass and overly accentuated highs.

so my dillema at this point is whether or not to ditch the Aleph 30 which is 30wpc, and get something in the 200wpc range which will open up a wider possiblity for lower efficiency speakers. but first im hoping for recomendations in semi-high-efficency speaker i can use with the Aleph. it seems to be a very solid amp and the posibilty for AKG k1000 in the future is promising. FWIW i am using a Headamp GS-X as pre. please give me some input. thanks!!!

in desperation i have been experimenting with unconventional placements. if i place the Druids about 2ft ahead of the listening seat positioned almost completely sideways in order to toe in towards the listening posistion they sound very transparant and headphone-like with a huge soundstage, unfortunatley they are only opimized for one person this way, moving my head less than 1foot within the sweetspot throws the imaging. if they are placed forward as i would traditionally place a floorstander they lose alot of lowend impact and sound more distant.

Did you buy them from a dealer that is liberal on returns?

Not all speaker systems will have synergy with all systems in all rooms, as I'm sure you are aware.

I'm glad to hear that you're experimenting with placement, it has happened with me that proper placement can make a world of difference.

But it sounds like you may be out of luck if the only way you can achieve good results will allow one person to listen. Might as well just stick with headphones!

Did you audition them before buying? I appologize if it's an insulting question, but one never knows...

no i got a good deal on Audiogon back in July, iwouldnt lose money if i decide to try something else.

my room is about 14ftx14ft, right now i have the speakers about 4ft from the listening seat on each side and positioned nearly sideways, like this

L // ....................... \\ R
...............me..................
.....................................

this throws the image about 6ft forward in complete panoramic 180degrees, it sounds good but like i said its a glorified headphone. the sweetspot is only about 1 foot squared. in order to expand that i would have to completely re-arange the room and put the speakers closer to the sidewalls, theoretically i could get each about 6 ft from the listening position which would probibly expand the stage but i doubt it would make the sweetspot any larger... hmm here is where the selfish side of me tries to justify keeping them. has anyone here had positive or negative experience with the Zu Druid?

edit: actually if i can arrange the room on a diagonal i could get the speakers about 10 ft away on each side. hmm i have to do some brainstorming here.

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Well surely you're the one who will have to decide, but to me it doesn't sound like a good fit.

The Zu Druids simply are bad speakers. They measure terribly, they have a very poor power response (both uneven and limited, leading to the small sweet spot), and at least in the first version, had a huge null in the upper bass.

These measurements were taken at Canada's National Research Council (who have been measuring speakers for longer than the owners of Zu Cable have been alive):
http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/me...zucable_druid/
It's clear that the Zu Druids are very far from neutral, and perhaps the most poorly measuring commercial speakers currently being manufactured. A real shame for $4000. No matter what gear you swap in, or how much you play with room placement, you won't be able to overcome their basic sound signature.

these are the MK4 but im not sure if they would measure any differently.

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i don't know what your budget is or your efficiency requirements, but i strongly recommend you check out the DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 8 or Gibbon Super 8, both 8 ohms, at 88dB and 90dB sensitivity respectively.

my favorite speakers in the price range and beyond, bar none.

edit: and for the record, i hated the Druids when i heard them, too.

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I like the Druid sound just fine, but if you're into high-energy, high-PRAT music, it just won't do.

Druid's forte is being able to play loud with very few watts, like even 1-2 watts, and still sound pretty good with music that is centered around midrange. With the right amp, they can sound great in this setting, but I don't think you will ever be happy with them. There's just no substitute for a couple of stout bass drivers loaded optimally into a big box...

after some more relocation today ive basically decided that bass is dependant on how far the speakers are from my listening chair, anything farther than about 5 ft sounds sucked out. the imaging is also tighest at these short distances.

What's your budget for speakers?
TR

i can get around $2,000 for the Druids and would like to keep another used pair around that price. though i'd probibly spend an extra $1000 if i felt the gains would be worth it.

Well of course I like Merlin's.
TSM-MMe and a good sub like a REL Strata III is killer set up.
Something in the VonSchweikert speaker line would be good for "that chest punching bass".
The bigger PSB's will slam you as well.
TR

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Based on all of the reviews I have read... The Druids are an amazing loudspeaker when paired with a tube amp(which they were diesigned?) and a powered sub. Most full range single driver or single driver/super tweeter designs are designed with SET tube amps in mind. My friend made some amazing Lowther single driver horns that sound very realistic and wonderful, only bass impact is lacking. He powers them with a 1w/ch Berning MicroZotl amp. When hooked up to a SS amp they sound merely OK.

If what you are looking for is impact, look at dynamic speakers. Maybe not as transparent but the whoomp will be there! Paradigm makes a Studio 100 v3 for around your budget which are a great value for dynamic loudspeakers. Don't judge them unless they have at least 300hrs break in though cause they sound like crap until then. I am making an active DIY speaker that should wlak on any speaker/amp combo under $25000 and the cost of the parts is around $3500. The speakers will incorporate a seven driver 3-way design with four amp channels per tower. The enclosure will be sealed and parabolic in shape. I prefer sealed enclosures to ported ones unless bass is lacking or the drivers distort to easily. However, with 4 Extremis 6.8 bass drivers per tower and 90 watts per driver they should exibit great control and being that they won't be working so hard, distortion should be very acceptable. The front baffle would look like the picture below with a curved cabinet instead of a rectangular one and will sport a different ribbon tweeter. I am DIY because I am tired of speaker designers putting a few bucks in components and then charging 10 to 20 times as much for the enclosure and Xover design!

http://adireaudio.com/Home/APEX_front_perspective.jpg

Where are you located? I'd love to hear the Zu Druid.


Mitch