|   Paradigm or DIY | Layton
Jan 18, 2002 2:16 PM | | I've been saving to build an audio/HT system. With family living in the Pacific NW, I was planning to drive up to Canada and bring back some Paradigm speakers, cheap. However, being experienced in cabinetry, the DIY route is looking good these days.
Any recommendations on DIY kits? I've read about kits from GR-Research, Madisound, and Parts Express. Anyone with experience with these kits that could offer some comparisons?
Thanks |
| re: Paradigm or DIY | Viperoni
Jan 18, 2002 3:05 PM | | Check out my recent discovery about some Paradigm 5se's:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=38&threadid=686993&highlight_key=y
For $600, you could build the entire Vance Dickason 5 speaker HT setup:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=4213448&St=2558&St2=-78053129&St3=67415206&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=16176&DID=7
Or the Audax HT setup is also a very nice choice!
http://www.madisound.com/audaxhometheater.html
But I've also heard teh GR-research's are VERY good...the AV3's for the fronts, the AV1+ for a center and the AV1 for the rears looks like a very nice setup.
For sub...a 15inch Dayton DVC or (15inch) Adire Tempest or BluePrintDrivers 1803 are all very nice subs. |
| re: Paradigm or DIY | Layton
Jan 18, 2002 3:57 PM | | You listed three of DIY kits I've been looking at, particularly the GR-research A/V kits. I'm really interested in someone who can compare them with the Paradigm Studios.
What's you opinion of the Vance Dickason Titanic sub kits? I'm not sure that I want to go all the way to a 15" sub. I've been looking in the 12" range. What are the pros/cons of 12" vs 15"? |
| The GR-Research kits are the best for the $$$ | jefflam79
Jan 18, 2002 4:23 PM | | I own the AV1's and they are spectacular speakers, In my opinion, they topple the studio line in everything but Bass extension. That's to be expected though with 5" drivers. However the bass that is produced is much cleaner and tighter. They have an F3 at 60Hz. I would much rather have a bass roll off than sloppy bass. I haven't done a lot of listening to the studio's but I was going to buy the Minimonitors until I discovered the DIY route. I'm glad I did because I got the GR AV1's for the same pice as the minis would have costed me and IMO, the GR's are 10X better than the minis. The detail and soundstage is so much broader. The one thing I really noticed though was the imaging. I have never heard a pair of speakers that has better imaging than the GR's. But it doesn't stop there. I hear the GR Paradox 1's are even better than the AV1's unless you don't like the sharp high end. The focal tweeter in the paradox works best with tube amps but from what I hear, a lot of people like them even with solid-state amps. The paradoxs' are also not as forgiving to room acoustics as the AV1's are but it's your choice. If you can, stop by Witchita Falls TX on your road trip and visit Danny and his Speaker heaven. I highly recommend them. I highly doubt you will find anything near this good at the same or lower price.
BTW, Pjay over at madi and a few other forums compares the MB1's(AV1's with different crossover) to 95% or his ACI sapphires which cost over $1000. |
| More info and reviews on GR-Research products | jefflam79
Jan 18, 2002 4:41 PM | | http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/speakers/bbs.html
The audioasylum has many GR owners and its catching on like fire over there. With a few rave reviews, many people are trying them and finding they are what everyone says they are.
The Paradox 1's are the product going around. Read what other people are saying abouth them at audioasylum. |
| re: Paradigm or DIY | Viperoni
Jan 18, 2002 8:24 PM | | I honestly can't say, but when you figur the Vance Dickason setup has Audax woofers ($25 a piece I believe) and $50 Morel tweets....that says something. Plus the obviously high quality crossover.
I've read a few reviews of people that bougth them, and they like them.
12inch vs. 15inch....well, the 15inch would give you more impact (especially for stuff like movies with gun shots, punches, etc), but it would need a bigger box.
I have my 15inch Dayton DVC in a low Q sealed box (4.75cf, but it'll go as small as 2cf with 2-3lbs of stuffing while still sounding good) with the Parts Express 300-794 272watt RMS @ 4ohm plate amp.
Very nice sounding combo. Once you see a massive 15incher stroking 40mm back and forth, you just can't give it up :D
Plus the 115db @ 20hz I get is awesome :D |
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