GR Research Speaker Upgrade Review (Sierra-2EX V2)

[Chester]

Aside from the degrading of performance this “upgrade” offers, a kit that even the original speaker designer can’t fit without having to resort to some adjustments to the speaker…..what the hell.

So even if it had improved things, the chances of an amateur being able to install it correctly are low. Just awful all round.

 

[Mnyb]

Well, let's look at what Danny thinks he has done vs. what he has actually done.

View attachment 529525View attachment 529524

Danny's measurement: his modification boosts the low midrange between 200Hz - 500Hz by about 2dB. Also restores the high treble >10kHz to flatness. This comes at the expense of noticeably more lumpy treble frequencies, notable a dip at 3kHz, which we can see in both measurements.

Amir's measurement: very slight low midrange boost in the same region I highlighted, about 0.5-1dB at most. Slight peak in high treble > 15kHz.

After looking at this, we observe that the 3kHz dip and the treble boost >15kHz can be seen in both measurements. This can potentially be blamed on faulty microphone / improper calibration / improper measurement technique.

But what is curious is why Danny measures a low midrange boost between 200-500Hz, and Amir doesn't. The difference between Danny's "before and after" can not be explained away with an improper cal file or faulty mic - if he used the same mic, the same fault would be observed. What exactly is in that bag of mods that he sent you, and does he state what the intention of those mods are for? Is there anything in that bag that might produce a shelf?

I’m even more curious to how many other of his published projects have the same measurements anomaly, all the time or has it crept in gradually ?

How do you keep your test gear calibrated ? Do you send in your mic for re measure and trim ,or is it easier to by a new one regularly to get a recent calibration file

 

[TheKoC]

"Would you let a backyard tinkerer with 1970's car knowledge 'improve' your 2020's car electronic fuel injection? If so, we also have a nice speaker mod here for you!"

 

[Mnyb]

Money?

He seems to modify popular models otherwise there is no market ? A mark of honour a Danny mod on your coattails

The modding cottage industry is another of those bad outcomes of the current audiophile culture ? I have in my less informed youth send in for example a DAC to some huckster in a shed to have it modified.

It also turns the second hand value hard towards zero .

 

[Tell]

Paying more for worse performance, isn't that exactly what many audiophiles want?

Really curious how this will play out though, probably no drama will come of this, none whatsoever

 

[davidc]

Danny really screwed with and messed up some great legacy speakers such as Brian Cheney's VMPS 626. He's been at this a long time.

 

[Nango]

Make it cost $5.000 not just $500 and everyone will think this is best upgrade in the world after paying and listened to.

 

[antcollinet]

And now someone gave it the highest vote probably same contrarian who regularly gives great products the lovest vote ?
I think there are some people with an axe to grind who is polluting the polls now and then .

Or we just have some GR Research fans/sock puppets on here.

 

[VientoB]

Danny is a horrendous GRifter.

 

[Sokel]

He seems to modify popular models otherwise there is no market ? A mark of honour a Danny mod on your coattails

The modding cottage industry is another of those bad outcomes of the current audiophile culture ? I have in my less informed youth send in for example a DAC to some huckster in a shed to have it modified.

It also turns the second hand value hard towards zero .

All of these are playing with the owners need for change or for them having a word on the outcome, short of a proud DIY.

Any one searching for business opportunities for audio, should look at Iran when the conflict is done
Best silk or silk/wool carpets in the words by far, combine them with some acoustics properties and sell them north of 50k euro (not that the really good, big ones cost a lot less though)

They will make a meaningful difference too.

 

[audiofooled]

Clearly there wasn't enough "Research" into what this tweeter does, or what it even is. So why not destroy it right at the crossover. What a performance degradation.

 

[daniboun]

A little reading on the websites is enough to realize that GR Research has an approach worthy of a used car salesman...
First, what surprises me is that Danny never talks about his methodology for audio measurements.
A website that doesn't present its methodology, measurement tools, etc., is absolutely not credible, at least in my opinion...
Here is the measuring device used by GR Research for those who haven't yet asked themselves the question:
Audiomatica

Danny uses measurements only when it suits him, This is often the problem for people who consistently fall into confirmation bias...
If you think about it, the SIERRA-2EX speakers have already undergone Klippel NFS testing. Who would be foolish enough to perform an "upgrade" based on Audiomatica tests?
It makes no sense, since Klippel tests are the gold standard. In fact, GR Research is offering "downgrades," and that's a revolution for naive audiophiles.

A small addition to Amir's review that's worth reading about GR Research :

On the Danny Richie / GR-Research's UberBUSS hypocritical video against Amir / Audio Science Review.

A blog for audiophiles about more objective topics. Measurements of audio gear. Reasonable, realistic, no snakeoil assessment of sound, and equipment.

archimago.blogspot.com

Loudspeaker crossover parts and sound quality. (Regarding Danny Richie / GR-Research's claims, of course.)

A blog for audiophiles about more objective topics. Measurements of audio gear. Reasonable, realistic, no snakeoil assessment of sound, and equipment.

archimago.blogspot.com

 

[Geert]

 

[kimmosto]

As already told, Audiomatica, gating or smoothing are not the problems here. It's probably GR alone. Looks that he is trying to improve phase matching between the mid-woofer and tweeter. That approach is generally very popular, but realization by lowering XO frequency or filter order of high-pass is a bad idea especially with ribbon transducers. More proper way would be to maintain at least 3rd order electrical high-pass for the tweeter, and manipulate Q or order of low-pass for mid-woofer, and lift mid-woofer's level a bit right below and at XO overlapping range to compensate increased directivity index due to better phase match (assuming it is achieved).
High XO frequency is also sensitive to reference axis selection. There are some differences between the measurements indicating that all measurements published here don't use the same reference axis. GR's own measurements have differences too.
Even more difficult is to control quality with this kind of mods. Components and drivers have some real life tolerances, and high price does not guarantee much...anything. I have seen almost 2 dB differences at operating band with drivers priced 300-400 €. Errors can also cumulate due to multiple tolerances.
Anyway, this speaker deserves to be as it is.

 

[Ropeburn]

Changing op-amp and cables don't have measurable effects in many cases. This thing did.

So credit where due. But this is like saying hitting the woofer with a hammer has measurable effects, ie not much to say.

I'm always looking for complex distortion behaviour for my music and you just gave me an idea.

 

[Mort]

He definitely deserves better. They make a great product by all accounts and I almost bought their ELX towers. I'm sure I'd be just as happy with those as my BMR Towers.

They aren't nearly as beautiful.

 

[Mort]

Or we just have some GR Research fans/sock puppets on here.

Or it's just snark

 

[mmmargherita]

Dr Death for speakers

 

[VientoB]

Every review has at least one contrarian vote.

 

[CB89]

So, there are indeed solutions to the problem of "the speakers are a bit too good." You live and learn.