Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: GR Research Paradox 1 Speakers by jonbee

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 jonbee on December 31, 2001 at 10:50:41
IP Address: 12.228.8.198

Add Your Review
for the Paradox 1

I just finished assembling these, and compared them to my Soliloquy 5.0, my previous standard in the "affordable" monitor category. I have owned many dozens of minis in the last 30 years, including LS3/5a, Paradigm Active 20's, Axiom 3ti, KEF 102, NHT 1.5 (modded), Sound Dynamics RTS3(modded),ALR/Jordan Entry 2SE, Silverline 12,Paragon Jubilees, Soliloquy 5.0 and Sat5 and many others I can't recall. (My current main large speaker is Merlin VSM).I think I know pretty well what to expect in different price categories. The Paradox's are well named: how they get this quality sound in this price class is indeed a paradox. They are , even without breakin, significantly better than any small speaker I've owned. The closest is the Paragon Jubilee (at $2500), but I believe the GRs have all the refinement of the all-Dynaudio driver Jubilee, but even greater detail and dynamic punch. I believe these are seriously competetive with any $2000 monitor produced today, except for maximum SPL level. If you want to play loud in a large room, you should look at Paradox 3, I think. Compared to my Soliloquy 5.0, they are more open and refined, with a significantly more smooth, open and detailed top end. The mids float in space apart from the speakers to a much greater degree. The S-5 has a little deeper bass, I think, but not greatly so. I'm going to compare these to my Merlins next. That should be very interesting! By the way, this speaker has the series xover and black hole cabinet liner. If you are an audiophile that loves fine sounding minis, buy a pair of these even if you were planning to spend 5x more. At this price, it an absolute no brainer. Well done, Danny!

Product Weakness: Max spl, limited choice of finishes.
Product Strengths: Everything you'd expect in a top notch mini. Excellent cabinet construction.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Audio Refinement Complete
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Marantz DV18 dvd
Speakers:	Lots
Cables/Interconnects:	Goertz MI2
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	lots
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 20 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	bedroom system
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Adcom 515
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Max spl, limited choice of finishes.
Product Strengths:	Everything you'd expect in a top notch mini. Excellent cabinet construction.