A brief review of GR Research Bully

@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.

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. 

@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.

@moonwatcher - since you can dial sub part, you can add enough bass for YOUR level of listening, compensating for the typical loudness curve loss and room issues. I only wish they would have remote with different presets :-) so I could flip between levels for different recordings or my mood of the day...

Dialing in took a while. I first dialed to my general taste using favorite recordings, then measured using REW software and UMIK-1 mic. Moved speakers around quite a bit and found that they like to be quite close into corners. I didn't need parametric EQ although there is a room mode dip so I may try and compensate later. 

Now, imaging is surprisingly wide. I don't have to be in a sweet spot - as compared to, say, ProAc 38R that I also own.

I think $5-6K Bullies sound like many $20K+ speakers. I am pretty happy with value for money. Wish they would use higher end finish and have remote for the sub.

Someone's been a very bad boy.