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from Zu Druids to....

with all the talk about Zu's new lineup I thought there might be some experience and thoughts about the upgrade I am contemplating from Druid iV's to Audio Note HE's. Anyone done this? I am running my system with a 300b set amp plus tube preamp so need high efficiency. Plan is to listen first - probably in the next week or two. The Audio Notes are quite a bit more expensive and the Druids do a lot right so not sure this is a going to be a clear cut decision. Have considered lots of the alternatives such as Definitions, see even a deal on the discontinued Essence's plus a variety of horns, etc.
ladavid
ladavid OP
67 posts
 
I'd love to go to RMAF - on my must do list one of these years, every year I think about it but never make the plans. Glory thanks for advice on the stands - I was considering buying the AN stands as well. I find the dynamics of the Druids and bass (I also have a Method sub) something I never tire of. Have opportunity for a slightly used ANE locally - sense I get is that I will trade some of the excitement of Druids for midrange and a more solid performer top to bottom. I have a great room that is about 18 x 27 feet with corners, the room works well for pretty much any speaker I have had in it from Thiels to Green Mountain Audio to the Druids.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
The importance of corners for the AN speakers cannot be overstated. Corners are crucial to proper bass extension, balance and control. There is at least one other Audiogon member I'm aware of who ultimately gave up on Audio Note speakers because he did not have a room conducive to placement of the AN speakers.

Unless you have a room with corners, I'd look at other speaker options. Based on the experiences of other previous AN speaker owners in these threads, trying to dial in the sound of Audio Note speakers without corners is a frustrating endeavor.

If you have corners, then absolutely listen to AN speakers as a good option.

I use sand filled Audio Note stands, and I have no issues with them. I live in Southern California...a place prone to earthquakes, so for me the ability to "lock" the speakers onto stands (with small dots of BluTak) to add stability was an important consideration.
glory's avatar
glory
1,373 posts
 
If you can pick them up around the corner (pun) and have corners then buy the AN speakers without hearing them LOL they are that good. They will draw you into the music with the right pre/amp.

If you are in the West coast I would research a different stand then Sistrums. If you want the best out of AN speakers then do your homework on the stands. After hearing the sonic upgrade from the AN stands to the Sistrums I was pissed that AN had made such sh... stands and sold them to me.
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