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I don’t do many reviews as I find it very difficult to try to put into words what I am hearing. Also I don’t think I am a very good writer. But I thought I would take a stab at it, because I found what I believe to be one of the best buys in Audio.

I have just finished building a pair of GR Research Paradox 1 speakers in Kit Form. My initial reason for wanting to build a pair of speakers, was more for the project than the speakers. However, I did want something that also sounded very good. I searched the Web and came across the Paradox 1’s. What really piqued my interest is that the reviewer compared them favorably to the SilverLine SR-17, which I have owned and really thought them a top-notch monitor. I didn’t really believe that they were in the league of the SilverLine SR-17 though.

When the Kit arrived, the first thing that I noticed were the very nicely veneered Oak MDF cabinets, with solid Oak corners and precise cutouts for the Drivers. The compact cabinet size measures 12” high by 8” wide and 11” deep. Most speaker cabinets are not this nice. So, It was rather a pleasure to sand, stain and apply 4 coats of Tung Oil to the Cabinets. In reality finishing the cabinets took 90% of the total time of building the kit. I had them finished in about a week. Most of the time spent was waiting for the Tung Oil to Dry. Danny Richie of GR Research was very helpful during the building process and answered all of my questions promptly.

After the final assembly, I could not wait to hear them. I set them atop of my Osiris Stands and fired up the Van Alstine Fet-Valve Amp and pre-amp. And in 30 seconds, I was floored by what I heard. This monitor was truly World Class! And I put it together for a Grand Total of $410 for the pair! The regular price of the kit was $450 but they had the cabinets on sale for $40 less. Now I have only listened to these speakers for 10 hours. And for those of you who believe that the sound improves with break-in – well, the best may still be to come. Also I did not use internal damping, but may food around with this also.

Yes, these monitors were in the class of some of the best Monitors I’ve heard and owned. The SilverLine SR-17 ($2500), Sonus faber Signum ($2800), Dynaudio 1.3 SE ($3500). I am not saying the Paradox 1’s were better than any of these speakers, what I am saying is they were in the same ballpark as these expensive speakers and very musical and very listenable. All of these speakers have their strengths and weaknesses. But the biggest strength of this monitor was to compete at a fraction of the cost of these others. Good Bass, articulate Mids and Highs, and just plain musical!

I remember shopping a few years ago at a local audio salon for a pair of good sounding monitors for under $500 a pair for my Den. The Salesman replied that “there are no good sounding speakers for under $500 a pair” Boy – not only was he wrong – He’s out of business!

Product Weakness:	None at this price!
Product Strengths:	Price, Cabinet Build, Physical Size, very musical.

• Look At That Tweeter!! - Todd Krieger 03:54:05 07/23/01 (1)
  In Reply to: GR Research Paradox 1 Speakers posted by Cut-Throat on July 22, 2001 at 09:52:53:

  The Focal tweeter. My previous Von Schweikerts had these tweeters, and I prefer them to the tweeters in my present Von Schweikerts.

  Aside from the Saras paper invert dome, my favorite dynamic tweeter. (I've never heard a ScanSpeak Revelator.)

  A candidate for my "cheap-high-end" project.
  
  

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  • You are correct - This is a Focal Tweeter ! (nt) - Cut-Throat 07:46:44 07/23/01 (0)
    In Reply to: Look At That Tweeter!! posted by Todd Krieger on July 23, 2001 at 03:54:05:

    nt
    
    

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• GR Research Paradox 1 Speakers - Dennis 10:46:06 07/22/01 (1)
  In Reply to: GR Research Paradox 1 Speakers posted by Cut-Throat on July 22, 2001 at 09:52:53:

  This is interesting. Can you post a more detailed review after more break in?

  Dennis
  
  

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  • Here is Professional Review - Cut-Throat 07:51:48 07/23/01 (0)
    In Reply to: GR Research Paradox 1 Speakers posted by Dennis on July 22, 2001 at 10:46:06:

    I am not much of a writer, here is a link to professional review.
    

    • Paradox 1 Review

    
    

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• ********************* Picture of Paradox 1 ************************ - Cut-Throat 10:26:19 07/22/01 (3)
  In Reply to: GR Research Paradox 1 Speakers posted by Cut-Throat on July 22, 2001 at 09:52:53:

  

  Here is a Picture of one of the GR Research Paradox 1's that I just finished building.
  
  

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  • Mfgr's Website for the Paradox One - Cut-Throat 15:50:12 07/22/01 (0)
    In Reply to: ********************* Picture of Paradox 1 ************************ posted by Cut-Throat on July 22, 2001 at 10:26:19:

    Here is the link for the Paradox One - GR Research.

    A lot of the details and specs are here.
    

    • GR Research Paradox One

    
    

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  • Nice work! - David S. 13:10:31 07/22/01 (1)
    In Reply to: ********************* Picture of Paradox 1 ************************ posted by Cut-Throat on July 22, 2001 at 10:26:19:

    Looks like you did a fine job of finishing those cabinets. Thanks for posting the picture!
    
    

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    • Thanks for the compliment! (nt) - Cut-Throat 16:57:38 07/22/01 (0)
      In Reply to: Nice work! posted by David S. on July 22, 2001 at 13:10:31:

      nt
      
      

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