2. speakers
  3. 191568-169653

A brief review of GR Research Bully

I was looking for speakers that would allow me to enjoy classic rock at reasonable volume. NOT at a venue volume. I don’t like loud music at all. Thus something that allows me to have full spectrum sound without having to crank in up. First I tried ProAc 38R, which were nice, but lacked bass at low volumes. Accuphase amp has loudness and tone controls, but they did not quite worked to my satisfaction.

So I ordered a pair of GR Research Bully, assembled. GR typically sells kits, but I am not into finishing cabinets so rather prefer it professionally done. It took about 12 weeks from the order to delivery. I did not buy matching stands and instead ordered custom metal made for me.

I am very satisfied. The bass section is powered - the amp is Rhythmik. It is, effectively, a subwoofer and is very adjustable - crossover frequency 40-120Hz, phase 0-180 and even includes parametric equalizer. This allowed me to adjust amount of bass to the volume level I prefer.

The speakers come with printed measurement chart (in GR Research room). I also performed a number of measurements in my room with UMIK-1 and REW for Windows. I could make frequency response pretty close to linear, but prefer a bump below 100 Hz to compensate for lower listening volumes. Waterfall is also very clean, no ringing.

Associated gear: Denafrips Terminator with DDC, Rega P6 + SoundSmith MC, Pass XP-12, Accuphase E650. The room is 30x16x8 with some acoustic panels and ASC Tube traps.

Room frequency response

Room waterfall

mikhailark
mikhailark OP
246 posts
 

@quickjack1234 - you suggest that I delete MY thread? Why would I do that? So you would come and pollute it again? You were reported.

Post removed 
thom_oz
25 posts
 

@moonwatcher  Between Erin and Danny I think we have two truly useful and VERY accurate sources of analysis for this field of study. I love and follow both channels regularly.

moonwatcher
446 posts
 

To the OP, @mikhailark how difficult was it to dial in the 12" servo subs in these? What is your opinion on the imaging? I know many say these old school big box speakers don't do as well as the popular skinny towers of today, but I have some old school ADS speakers in my bedroom that image spooky well. 

Do they indeed play well at both lower and higher volumes?  Thanks. 

To @thom_oz, yes, Erin's Audio Corner and Danny at GR Research give us more than just subjective opinions (which can also be good), but it is good to know and have solid information before making a purchase.  I keep hoping someone will send Danny or Erin a JBL L100 MK II Classic and see how it performs and if the crossover is up to snuff. It was on my short list but after a bad review of the L82 MK II by a channel who paid for them out of her own pocket, I have reservations, until I see some actual data. 

thom_oz
25 posts
 

@moonwatcher  - if you're at all interested in flat (accurate) frequency response and driver time alignment those JBL are a non-starter. I really do like how the new Klipsches and the JBL Classic look but (to these ears) they sound quite primitive next to a Vandersteen, Rockport (admittedly stupidly expensive) or even the Andrew Jones Mofi products, all of which have near-flat response 200hz - 16khz.

Danny at GR seems very dedicated to flat on-axis response, accurate phase and smooth off-axis response, I really need to try one of his designs before I stop collecting gear.

More to discover