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Interesting ASR review of small GR Research speaker kit

I bounce between various kinds of analysis — more subjective listening reports, more quantitative measurement analyses and, my favorite, those that combine both strategies to tell a useful story about audio products.

Amir of ASR has just done a very powerful takedown of a fairly inexpensive kit being sold by Danny at GR Research. Not only does he prove his point about the speakers, he also makes (to my mind) a very convincing case that Danny put his finger on the scale in how he reported his own measurements. 

I'm not in any camp — Danny's or Amir's or anyone else's. What I appreciate is thoroughness and meticulousness in exposition. Danny does that in his own videos. (Again -- to me. I'm really still learning and cannot easily spot gaps in argument in this subject matter.)

I know people with some of GR's best kits — and I've heard one of them. They sounded incredible. I've watched a bunch of Danny's videos where he criticizes other companies; I've come away thinking, "Wow, he really revealed some of the grift embedded in that product." 

But here, the tables are turned, it seems, on Danny. I hope he responds, both to defend his reputation and methods, but also because it will set in relief where some of the distance may be between these two dominant online figures' methods in assessing what makes for a good speaker.

https://youtu.be/IikqAg38FPs

hilde45

Showing 1 response by bassdude

bassdude
505 posts
 

As many (most) have noted... how any component "measures" does not determine whether it sounds good to the listener, or not - that is just a FACT! More often than not, a component that sounds superb does not measure well... and one that does... not so much.

Though... some metrics are relevant (e.g. impedance, efficiency, noise, damping factor)... to, among other things, determine how well components "match" one another (i.e. system matching or synergy matters most). Tube components often measure poorly - though - they often sound the best, depending on the entire set up. And... excessive noise can obscure detail resolution, etc. While poor damping factor can ruin bass response and control.

So... consider selected metrics... when setting up your system... but... the sound that you finally achieve is all that matters. In fact... you will do better in assessing components from reviews, shows, manufacturers’ suggestions, and YouTube videos - determining the type of sound you prefer and can achieve.

In fact - the comments of Nelson Pass in this thread sum it up quite well:  

 

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