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REVIEW: GR Research Paradox 1 Speakers

64.12.105.161


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Model: Paradox 1
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $450 pair / Kit Form
Description: 2 Way Standmounted
Manufacturer URL: Not Available
Manufacturer URL: Not Available

Review by Cut-Throat on September 19, 2001 at 08:02:15
IP Address: 64.12.105.161
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for the Paradox 1






I first did a review of the GR Paradox 1 speakers in July of 2001. When I completed the kit there was no dampening material in these speakers. Still, I thought highly of them. Since then, I have added the Black Hole 5 dampening material and have upgraded the crossover network to the new one that is currently being supplied by GR Research. I wanted to do an update of my review of the Paradox 1 speakers.

The first thing I did was to procure some Black Hold 5 dampening material that was suggested by Danny Richie of GR Research. He claimed that the Black Hole 5 was the best material he knew of. So why not go with the best. I found that cutting the Black Hole 5 was easiest with my jigsaw, as the stuff was quite substantial.

As far as listening goes this was a huge improvement. I completed one speaker first, and had each one playing – one with the Black Hole 5 and one without. It was very obvious that the one I damped had much deeper and substantial bass. It also removed a little of the harshness of the tweeter. When I completed both speakers, I had a friend over that had listened to these speakers before without damping them. He was immediately impressed. He had just purchased a pair of $3500 floorstander speakers and commented that the little paradox 1’s had much more “presence and air” about them. He then told me that he was putting his new speakers up for sale.

We spent the next hour listening to quite a bit of contemporary jazz without my Rel Sub on – just to see what these speakers could do. We were both quite impressed of how musical and enjoyable these little monitors were. The highs were very detailed as well as the midrange and bass. Both of us not being bass freaks commented that we did not miss the Subwoofer all that much. We have both listened to countless number of speakers and both remarked that the Paradox 1’s were competing with the best of them a fraction of the cost.

Since I built my Paradox 1’s, GR Research has updated the crossover to a new and improved one. Because GR Research obviously knows what they doing I wanted to update my speakers with the new crossover. I wanted these babies to sound as good as they could. When I got the new parts from Danny Richie, the job was a little more difficult this time, since I had to remove the old crossover first and then assemble the new one. Add to that the new crossover has more parts than the old crossover had.

Listening to the new crossover vs. the old was not quite as dramatic as the damping material change. I admit to not having a set of golden ears as I cannot distinguish between different types of solder. However, I can say that I did notice a certain smoothness of the music that was not there with the original crossover. I can honestly say that these speakers have never sounded better. These speakers produce an effortless, dynamic and detailed sound. As I said in my first review. These little monitors are in the class of some of the best standmounted speakers that I have owned and listened to The Dynaudio 1.3SE ($3500) the Silverline SR-17 ($2500) and the Sonus Faber Signum ($2750).

The Paradox 1 will not be blown away by the previously mentioned speakers and anybody that has heard the others could happily live with the Paradox 1’s for a fraction of the cost. Clearly this is one of the best buys in audio that I have come across in 25 years. Everyone should own a pair. If not to be used as your main speaker but to judge any other speaker that you bring into your home for audition. I have heard many a 3-5 thousand-dollar a pair of speakers that I did not enjoy nearly as much as the Paradox 1’s. This speaker is that good!



Product Weakness: None at this Price.
Product Strengths: Overall Musical presentation, Cabinet Build, Price


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: AVA Fet-Valve 550hc
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): AVA Fet-Valve EC
Sources (CDP/Turntable): AVA Omega Star DAC / Marantz CD-17 Transport
Speakers: GR Paradox 1's
Cables/Interconnects: DIY Silver
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Contempory Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 30 x 28 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: Heavy Karastan Carpet -
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Osiris Stands filled with Silica Sand
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: GR Research Paradox 1 Speakers - Cut-Throat 08:02:15 09/19/01 ( 5)