Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: GR Research Paradox 3 Speakers by Chuck

Model:	Paradox 3
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$450 as kit w/boxes (see notes)
Description:	floor-standing MTM design using Focal tweeter and 2 GR Research woofers
Manufacturer URL:	GR Research
Manufacturer URL:	GR Research

Review by Chuck ( A ) on February 07, 2002 at 14:22:57
IP Address: 129.237.61.60

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The Paradox 3's, like their much-admired smaller sibling the Paradox 1's, are outstanding speakers. The 3's are true full-range speakers that are in a league with the best floor-standers in the $4000 range. Over the past few months, I've listened to a range of floor-standers, and the Paradox 3's compete with the best. I finished these out with African Cherry (Makore) and, if I do say so myself, they look elegant. The word that best describes these speakers' sound is: refined. Their treble is detailed, yet smooth and nuanced; it shimmers. Their mid-range is fast and defined, yet very rich and natural. Their bass is controlled and fast, yet rich and deep. Indeed, they have a surprisingly deep bass extension (easily down well into the 30s), as well as substantial ability to move air; I see no need at all for a sub, and I occasionally (!) listen to pretty aggressive rock and early punk. Their soundstage is very well-defined and positioning of instruments is clear. They have a presence -- air, aura, etc. -- that is in a league with the best floor-standers that I've heard over the past few months. The only weakness in comparison to any other speaker that I've recently heard is that the bass extension and control is not up to the par of the Wilson Watt-Puppies -- but if that's the comparison, who's complaining? Not me. These speakers convey the human voice, both male and female, very well; they do strings very well, but violins perhaps don't have quite as much warmth as when played through Sonus Fabers (but these speakers are much more accurate and fast and have better bass definition and resonance than the Sonus Faber Grand Piano); they convey brass exceptionally well; and they convey stand-up bass better than anything I've heard recently. Plucked strings are heavenly through these speakers. They are not forgiving: e.g., if a recording has sibiliance, it will be revealed very clearly. But with good recordings.... Oooh.
For comparison, I've recently listened to Thiel 3.6s, Sonus Faber Grand Pianos, Wilson Watt-Puppies, Wilson Cubs, and various Sonus Faber stand-mounts.
For this review, I listened to:
Geoff Muldaur, The Secret Handshake
Charlie Rich, Pictures & Paintings
Patricia Barber, Modern Cool
Marc Ribot y los Cubanos Postizos
Beethoven's 7th (with Previn)
Blind Boys of Alabama, Spirit of the Century
The Embarrassment, Heyday, 1979-1873
Townes Van Zandt, Live and Obscure
Notes on construction: I added nearly 3 sheets of Black-Hole 5, which ain't cheap. I moved the binding posts up to the level of the speakers in order to limit the amount of internal wiring. The boxes are straightforward, but a builder would need a very good table saw, as there are long cuts that require stability when cutting.
Notes on break-in: I strongly recommend at least a 50-hour break-in period before serious evaluation; for the first 12 hours, my Paradox 3's, to my ears, sounded somewhat harsh at the top end, somewhat recessed in the mid-range, and somewhat boomy and lacking in definition in the bass. These limitations evaporated as break-in proceeded.
Notes on service: as everybody says, Dannie Richey is a great guy and provides excellent service.

Product Weakness: None that matter.
Product Strengths: This is a great full-range speaker that competes handily with commercial models in the $4000 range.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Audio Analogue Puccini SE
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rotel 951 on diyumas/ ART/DIO dac
Speakers:	reviewed
Cables/Interconnects:	Bolder digital; DIY tefloned silver interconnects; DIY CAT-5 speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	see review
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	DIY Risch power conditioner
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None that matter.
Product Strengths:	This is a great full-range speaker that competes handily with commercial models in the $4000 range.