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REVIEW: GR Research Diluceo Speakers

208.176.169.222


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Model: Diluceo
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $1679/pr Assembled
Description: MTM Minimonitor with Eton Woofers and CSS Ribbon Tweeter, Available Assembled or As a Kit
Manufacturer URL: GR Research
Model Picture: View

Review by Todd Krieger ( A ) on July 27, 2003 at 11:55:32
IP Address: 208.176.169.222
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for the Diluceo


The Diluceo is a compact MTM monitor with two Eton 5-880/25 HEX-b 5.25" mid-bass drivers and one CSS ARG2 ribbon tweeter. Portions of the tweeter assembly are "cut out" to allow closer positioning of the mid-bass drivers. The speakers are available in a variety of cabinet finishes. My particular pair has a slate gray "faux marble" finish. (See Audio Circle for pictures of actual speakers.) Although my particular pair were production units, these speakers are also available in "kit" form, which will save you up to $600 for the pair.

The Diluceos were placed atop a pair of damped 21" Target 4-pillar stands. Slightly lower than ideal, but the response does not vary significantly with subtle vertical axis variations. The speakers were driven by a JE Labs 300 single-ended triode (SET) amplifier via Silverline audio speaker cables. The bi-wire terminals were tied together with jumper wires. The sources were a Harman/Kardon 930 receiver (used as a source switcher and provided FM source) and a G&D Transforms UTP-1 transport with a Channel Islands Audio VDA-1 DAC, fed by a Belden 89108 digital cable. The music used ranged from rock to jazz to orchestral to country to new age.

Sonically, the Diluceos do very little wrong. In spite of the speaker being a two-way non-time-aligned design, the midrange had a sense of coherence normally heard only with three-way and/or time-aligned designs. (The only other non-time-aligned speakers that do this well in my recollections are the Audio Physic designs.) The "seam" at the low 2 kHz crossover frequency is almost unnoticeable, and unlike most two-way designs, does not adversely affect vocals, piano, and other acoustic instruments. The ribbon tweeter is a gem- It provides a sense of "speed" and extension lacking with dome tweeters, yet has very little artificial "glaze" that seems to plague a lot of other ribbon tweeters. This combination provides a very natural presentation with a wide variety of music, with excellent timbral accuracy, soundstage, image specificity, and most-importantly listenability. The "deadness" of the cabinet makes the Diluceo virtually devoid of "box" colorations, even in the bass regions. **Very** few minimonitors are devoid of such colorations. The overall transparency of the speaker, with decent efficiency for a 300B SET amp make this a winner for those who want absolute fidelity on a budget. (With the sacrifice of "rock" volume levels.)

Weaknesses... Although the Diluceo is 300B SET friendly, some amps of this type (especially without tube rolling), will not be able to control the bass sufficiently, which could make the mid-bass somewhat "overbearing." (This goes away somewhat with break-in.) Although the bass is perfectly adequate in my particular setup, some who want more extension will need a subwoofer. The power response is merely "good," but the frequency anomalies are smooth in transition, and is impressive for a speaker with a ribbon tweeter. (Only the extreme "sparkle" is lost off axis.) The one time I used high-powered solid-state, the low crossover frequency strained the tweeter a tad when playing the speakers at loud "rock" volume levels. (A trace of "shout" above the crossover frequency. This might also go away with further and/or harder "break-in." The speakers were driven "really hard" only once.) The bass could have been tuned with a more-gradual slope, which could have yielded more low-frequency energy, while also making the speaker even more SET friendly (from a bass-control standpoint) than it is now. (Although doing this would also increase one's urge to use a subwoofer, because the slightly-warm tonal balance would go away. I also think doing this would require a "larger box.") The sonic perspective is ever-so-slightly "distant," suggesting the tweeter level could be boosted a smidgen. The low impedance in the bass range could also raise an issue with certain amps.

There are a plethora of high-quality minimonitors in the $1,500/pr. to $2,500/pr. range, and there could be a few out there that eclipse the GR Research Diluceos' performance... But for now, at least I have found a speaker that will likely be in the "B" system for time to come. It combines the "audiophile" and musical qualities that evade even highly-regarded speakers, and it has yet to give me the thought of trying something else. But best of all, I've been listening to the music instead of the equipment.


Product Weakness: Ever-so-slightly "distant" perspective. Does benefit from amp with good bass control. Impedance lower in bass region may not match well with certain amplifiers. Lowest octave MIA, will benefit with a sub if one wants full-range response.
Product Strengths: Superb transparency and musicality. Very coherent for a non-time-aligned design. Very pleasant outside the "sweet-spot." Virtually no "box" colorations. Superior HF extension and timbral accuracy. Good image specificity. Can be used without a subwoofer. Can be used with 300B SET amps. Can be listened to all day without fatigue.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: JE Labs 300B SET
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): H/K 930 Receiver for FM and switcher; G&D UTP-1 with Channel Islands VDA-1 for CD source.
Speakers: GR Research Diluceo
Cables/Interconnects: Belden 88281 interconnects, Belden 89108 digital coax, Silverline Audio speaker cables.
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Everything...
Room Size (LxWxH): 15 x 18 x vaulted
Room Comments/Treatments: Ceiling fan, carpeting
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): ZeroSurge 20A protector. Tripp-Lite voltage regulator, Vans-Evers Clean Lines power conditioner. Crescendo power cords.
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: GR Research Diluceo Speakers - Todd Krieger 11:55:32 07/27/03 ( 4)