New Zu "Tone" monitor

Brad · « **on:** 18 Jul 2005, 10:33 pm »

Looks like Zu has released a 'bookshelf' version of the Druid called the Tone.

Goes down to 50hz instead of the 35 of the Druid MK4
Power handling is 150w instead of 300.

http://www.zucable.com/tone/specifications.html

can't wait to hear some initial reviews

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Jul 2005, 11:31 pm »

I wondered about that difference, too (150 vs 300W power handling). I also noticed the driver is named the 260 FR/B where the Druid uses what is called a 260 FR. I wonder what the differences are between them, especially in light of the identical claimed efficiency. Otherwise it looks on the surface of it like you are paying $1005 difference for the cabinets.
Russell

Brad · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 01:43 am »

It looks like the internal cabling is different too.

Sounds like an email to Zu with some questions is in order.
Since I already have subs, the Tone fits into my budget a LOT better (all the way up to 'probably not' compared to the 'no way in Hades' of the Druids)

nathanm · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 02:20 am »

There's no silver spike doodad in the middle of the driver on that one.

ton1313 · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 12:06 am »

I spoke with Adam @ Zu tonight, & he informed me that the Tone is a " stripped down version of the Druid". It has a different motor structure and has about 80% of the performance of the Druids.

I felt that the Druids were a great bang for the buck (and that was for version 2) so this can only present itself as an awsome entry into the monitor forum.

Hope this helps

miklorsmith · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 02:29 pm »

I sent an inquiry to Sean yesterday and here's what he wrote:

"The Tones, are a really cool loudspeaker. They are a simple sealed box but we are doing some cool stuff with it. The main driver is a very similar to that in the Druid, same cone, suspension, basket, magnet; we changed the motor a bit and left the phase plug out, to allow it to work a bit better with the enclosure. Super tweeter is mounted on the outside of the fixed grill. Fixing the grill allowed us to also reduce baffle resonance nodes quite a bit and also intigrate upper end presence region diffraction and resulting comb distortions. The sound is very close to the Druid, just doesn't play as low. Still gets down their pretty deep though, deep enough to be satisfying. Very response, just like the Druid." (I assume this means "Very even response")

He also mentioned they're selling everything they can make to China and Hong Kong and will be back up to speed in about a month. They were actually packing a big shipment for Asia when I ordered my speakers. Trade deficit my ass!

ss397 · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 02:52 pm »

looks very cool, did they say what the price is?

miklorsmith · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Jul 2005, 04:03 pm »

Website shows it at $1,795. The black finish shown is neat, but I got the Druids in the Tokyo Frost, which is really bitchen. It's kind of a semi-translucent gunmetal grey with a hint of sparkle. It's understated and classy. AND different.