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

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 MikeCh on August 11, 2001 at 09:19:48
IP Address: 66.52.248.254

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for the Paradox 1

I purchased these speakers thinking they would be an interim solution until I could find a replacement for my Magneplanar 1.6QRâ€™s. My review is based on using the speaker with a Hsu VFT-2 subwoofer. The speakers were placed on 28" stands that were 5 feet from the rear walls and two feet from each side wall.
The Paradox 1 is a miniature two-way that uses the Focal Tc90Tdx inverted dome tweeter and a 6 Â½ proprietary poly cone woofer. The speaker has a very small baffle and the two drivers are mounted quite close together to minimize interference and optimize off-axis response. All corners of the cabinet are Â¾â€ radius rounded. A first order crossover is employed using a CFAC coil and Axion polypropylene cap w/bypass.
My set of Paradox-1â€™s came with individual MLS frequency response curves and each driver was matched within 0.75 db of each other. Also included were off-axis response curves, which demonstrate very wide and uniform dispersion pattern. The supplied impedance curves show a nominal 8 ohm impedance with peaks at 90Hz and again at 22Hz.

Iâ€™ve owned these speakers for nearly two weeks but it didnâ€™t take me long to form an opinion of them. First off, let me state that the set I purchased use a new prototype series crossover in place of the original parallel design . According to the designer, Danny Richie , the series crossover allows the drivers to work better together. This is the first thing that struck me â€“ the sound is exceptionally seamless from top to bottom. Anyone who knows the sound of the Focal tweeter as being a tad hot or â€œsplashyâ€ sounding will question why it sounds so smooth in this loudspeaker.
Imaging is superior to one of my all time favorite small speakers, the Spica TC-50 (which I used for eight years). The Paradox 1 is very neutral sounding, especially through the midrange region. The smoothness extends all the way up the spectrum. The tweeter is very transparent and very detailed without ever sounding harsh. If anything the Paradox 1 errs on the side of warmth, which pleases my ears. The other area that the Paradox 1 excels in is its ability to sound unconstrained. Low-level detail and dynamic contrasts are first rate (better than my bi-amped Magnepan 1.6QRâ€™s).
Anyone looking for a sub $800 speaker really ought to give these guys a serious listen. I intended using these as an interim solution until I could fine a replacement for my Magnepans. What I may have ended up with is their replacement.

Product Weakness: deep bass response.
Product Strengths: neutral tonal balance, imaging, cost.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Music Reference RM200 w/Svetlana 6550
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Sonic Frontiers Line2 Sig w/NOS Amperex 6922
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	LP12/Cetech w/ET2/DV 20XL/EAR 834P
Speakers:	Magnepan, Joseph Audio, Spica, ESL 57, Acoustat, Vandersteen
Cables/Interconnects:	Goertz MI2 / HGA Silver Lace
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	folk; new age; classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	24 x 24 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	damped front w/argent room lens on both sides and rear
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	P300 power plant
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	deep bass response.
Product Strengths:	neutral tonal balance, imaging, cost.