High Efficiency Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Zu Cable Druid MK-IV Speakers by Paul Folbrecht

Model:	Druid MK-IV
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2,800
Description:	101 db efficient, single 10-inch driver + supertweeter
Manufacturer URL:	Zu Cable
Model Picture:	View

Review by Paul Folbrecht on August 15, 2010 at 18:00:01
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for the Druid MK-IV

I had a pair of Zu Druids five years ago. They were not bad speakers - they did a good job with dynamics unlike virtually all medium-efficiency boxed speaker. And they didn't ever sound shouty or shrill unlike most single-driver, HE speakers (under a certain price-point). However, they did have certain audible colorations, and some seeming anomalies of the wideband driver - an odd 'metallic' aftertaste for lack of a better way to describe it. Still, all in all, a great speaker, especially considering its drivability.

Enter the Druid Mk IV with '08 drivers. I acquired a pair of these recently and they are really a much improved speaker - an exemplary one, even. They are smooth, balanced, and natural while remaining dynamic. They retain the Druid 'tone' thing completely. Mind you this is a very large achievement - a wideband driver with true high sensitivity that does not sound like a wideband driver.

The cabinet is pretty dead. You don't hear the cabinet. There are other HE speakers that admirably use cabinet crosstalk to their advantage, and in many ways it works wonderfully. However, there are times when it is a detriment. The Druid sidesteps this issue.

No, they are not 101 dB/W, but they are quite easy to drive. Probably more like 97 dB/W. I use a First Watt F3 which is an excellent match in all ways and plenty of power for quite loud levels. If you wanted 110 dB, certainly not, but I don't.

What other weaknesses are there? Well, of course, a speaker at this price-point doesn't do it all. The last octave of bass is not there. The tweeter does not have the finesse or extension of a ribbon. And of course they can be exceeded to a certain extent in this or that category by speciality speakers of all stripes.

But, all in all, they are a truly excellent speaker. I feel comfortable recommending them with no reservations at all along with the Audio Note AN/E (Kit 3) and the Tonian TL-D1 as low-power friendly speakers that sound phenomenal on virtually all music and that any sane person could live with forever.

Oh, and you can't buy them anymore.

Product Weakness:	see review
Product Strengths:	see review

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: First Watt F3
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): JE Labs 76/6SN7 pre
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Audio Note Kits DAC 3.1
Speakers: Zu Druid Mk IV 08
Cables/Interconnects: various
Music Used (Genre/Selections): various
Room Size (LxWxH): 30 x 20 x 15
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): various
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	First Watt F3
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	JE Labs 76/6SN7 pre
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Audio Note Kits DAC 3.1
Speakers:	Zu Druid Mk IV 08
Cables/Interconnects:	various
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	various
Room Size (LxWxH):	30 x 20 x 15
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	various
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner