[Kaiwai]

I'm a new to Audio Circle. I'm considering buying the CS2 speaker and was hoping some of you who own or have listened to this speaker could give me sound advice. I live in Fiji and don't have the opportunity to listen for I buy. I do have a large listening room with a very high ceiling but normally prefer listening at low levels. In sound reproduction, I crave coherence, neutral tonal balance and dynamics with low level resolution. It seems from the reviews and comments I've read the CS2 sound impressive all round.

Does this speaker sound good at low listening levels?

Does the supplied DSP/Crossover unit require a lot of adjustment to setup?

Because I crave dynamics and resolution at low listening levels I'm also considering other speakers. How does the CS2 compare to say for example the Zu Druid IV, Devore Gibbon 9s?

My system consists: Wadia 861 CD player; Leben CS600 Integrated amp

I look forward to your comments and advice.

Regards, Kaiwai

[Duke]

In my experience, the CS2 retains articulation and tonal balance even at very low listening levels.   I don't have experience with the Devore speaker you mention, but I'd pick the CS2 over the Zu Druid.  Now for the disclaimer:  While there is presently no commercial affiliaton, I used to be an Emerald Physics dealer, and have a great deal of respect for the designer, Clayton Shaw.  Clayton now distributes his speakers through only one outlet here in the US, otherwise I'd still be a dealer for him.

Duke

[sts9fan]

As an owner of Druids I would say they are great at low levels.  i will say though that Devore speakers are fantastic.  i have not heard the 9's but if they are anything like the super 8's then they are great.

[Joey54]

Not to confuse the issue but one of the best speakers I have heard, that play well at low volumes is the Harbeth Super HL5. From some of the reviews I have read there is a special synergy between the amp you own and the Harbeth's. I have not heard the Devore's so I cannot comment on them. The Emerald Physics require 4 channels of amplification so you will not be able to use the Leben with them. I also recently heard the Leben with a set of Proac speakers in a NYC apartment and thought they sounded really good together as well. The owner ended up with this system due to the need to listen at low volume also.

I used the Harbeth's for a few years with a Primare integrated and they sounded great at every volume level. Given the equipment you already own I would suggest that you try to hear them.

Good Luck!

Joe

[denjo]

Not to confuse the issue but one of the best speakers I have heard, that play well at low volumes is the Harbeth Super HL5. From some of the reviews I have read there is a special synergy between the amp you own and the Harbeth's....
Good Luck!

Joe

I full agree with the Harbeth's ability to sound right even at low listening levels. Also, the great synergy between Leben and Harbeth. Its like they were made for each other! The Harbeth SHL5 is definitely worth a listen if you have the opportunity!

Best Regards
Dennis

[zybar]

As Duke stated above, the CS2's do quite well at lower listening levels.  I never feel that I "have to" turn the volume up in order to get the details and dynamics that I crave.  The blending of the drivers and tonality remain spot on at the lower volume levels as well.

That being said, I hope you can crank them up every now and again.   aa

Just like Duke, I used to be a dealer for Emerald Physics.  I also have a great respect for Clayton's abilities, as well as his passion for his products, customers, and music.

George

[consttraveler]

Kaiwai:

I can echo the comments of both Duke and Zybar regarding the CS-2's ability to retain their excellent tonality and dynamics at low listening levels.  In fact, I find myself listening at lower levels that I used to, because I can!

The outboard crossover requires NO adjustment to set-up.  You push a button to recall the distances to the wall behind the speakers (3 feet, 4 feet, etc.), push a button to choose one, and that is it!  If you wish, you can read the manual that comes with the speakers and perform all types of adjustments, but I have not felt the need as yet.

I do not know the Leben.  The crossover requires balanced interconnects for input (2, 1 each to the L & R channels), as well as balanced output connections (4 ea.) to the amplifier(s).

Best regards,

Dave

[kck]

I used to own Druids and now own CS2s (had Defs in between). Besides the fact that the CS2 hands down is preferable to Druids in pretty much every way (unless you must color your music), it also sounds very good at low levels.... I think.

I say "I think" (obviously only sorta joking) because the CS2 is so easy to crank up that I rarely use it at low volumes. I am fortunate that my family members all love music and fine audio reproduction, so they almost never object (unless my mother-in-law is on the line, which is motivation for me to crank it even louder  )

The CS2 easily better the Druids, as I noted. At least one other member here has also owned Druids and now owns CS2... I'll let him speak for himself. When comparing the CS2 to the Definition Mk1.5, which costs at least 2.5 x, it is a closer match but due to the CS2 dealing with my difficult room much better I would choose it even at the same price.