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Zu speakers, listening imnpressions

No mp3 or AM could possibly ever look as bad as that graph.
I tell you what it does look like though, it looks like the response curve you'd expect to see on a cheap guitar driver.
 
I saw a response graph for a set of recondition Quad 57's, it was not pretty but the speakers sounded awesome. :scratch2:
 
Let's see that data, please. :yes:

Toole @ P. 341 said:
The Quad Electrostatic, Mark 1 ESL (Figure 17.2d) was designed in 1957. It must have been a revelation at the time. It's on-axis performance was, and is, exemplary. Many audiophiles found great pleasure listening to it in circumstances where the direct sound field was prominent. However, electrostatic loudspeakers have limited diaphragm displacement. Large diaphragm areas are necessay to compensate for this, and directional behavior therefore tends to be problematic. In a typical reflective room, this loudspeaker does not sound as good as the on-axis curve suggested. Its successor, the ESL-63, had much improved dispersion, as can be seen in Figure 8.10 (loudspeaker "BB").
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QUAD-FRQ.gif


esl57_response_graph.jpg
 
As measured 35 years ago, Quad's about where I say "O.K., I'm done with it, now," today.... :thmbsp:
 
dnewma04 said:
There are times when the sound of a speaker seems to belie it's response graph, but not often. The Zu Druid definitely doesn't fit in with that group because it's sounds almost exactly like the response graph.

frequency_on1530.gif
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Is it a frequency graph or a mountain range?

dnewma04 said:
I moderated my first 4 replies, Ray. I almost banned myself.
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Now comes the question, can you do that? I know you can friend yourself. :yes:

barredowl said:
Here ya go...
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You missed. :smoke:
 
x_25 said:
Is it a frequency graph or a mountain range?
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Perhaps they can use different color wires inside the speakers as an "Upgrade" and rename it The Nepal as a tribute to it's Himalayan-style frequency response.
:thumbsdn:

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
Since JBL already used Everest and K2, I think Zu needs to focus on the truly dangerous peak in the himalayas, Annapurna.
 
Zilch said:
BAH!

All together now, let's recite the mantra:

"FORGET the measurements -- trust your EARS. It's the MUSIC, stupid...!"
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Why the shot at listening to the damn things?

I've heard Zu speakers on several occasions in different rooms and systems - I don't like them. I didn't measure them, I listened to them because that's what I'd do if I ever bought a pair.

I'm not surprised in the least that they measure bad but I guess I'm not one of those guys that has to pick a side and worship the subjective OR objective with speakers.

I feel BOTH evaluation methods have their place and sometimes correlate well but at the end of the day, I'm going to listen to music on them - not make graphs - so listening takes precedence.
 
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