AudioCircle
Industry Circles => GR Research => Topic started by: Norman Tracy on 24 Jun 2021, 04:13 pm
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This will certainly need a discussion thread.
Introducing the $199 "Desktop Mini! https://youtu.be/5HhYRlbGyfU
My comment is three cheers for Danny, this is how we get new generation music lovers into our HiFi hobby/passion/obsession.
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I'm so excited for these. They're going to be a great projects to do with my children for their first DIY.
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Absolutely on both counts. :thumb:
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These look like neat little speakers. Danny mentioned the drivers coming from a buyout of AV123 stock, interestingly those drivers I believe would have been used in the Onix series speakers which at that time were marketed as a step up from the X-series. Lots of good reviews of Onix series speakers out there.
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They're launching them on the site starting Monday.
We've already taken 10 orders over the phone since we started the day till lunch time.
The drivers were supposed to be for a new segment of the Onix Rocket series, but that never happened.
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Am I seeing right from the video this is a sealed design? Would be great to have a small sealed monitor on the market easy to integrate with a sub, sealed designs are so rare and just sound better to me - except OB of course :)
Are any specs available? Sensitivity, response...
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Perfect speaker for getting people in the hobby! :thumb: Well done!
I'd say a bit simpler than what I'm attempting for my first DIY... a 17 piece crossover (each) :lol: Although, it's probably not much harder when you have the layout down, just takes more time for the complex ones.
Awesome work as always, Danny!! We can't let HiFi die with the older generation. Keep doing what you're doing!
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Hey Danny,
Are those the drivers from the original AV123 LRS speakers in the Desktop Minis?
Best,
Rich
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Hey Hobbs, when we gonna see you in one of the yt vids? :lol: :green:
JCarney
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:thumb:
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Hey Hobbs, when we gonna see you in one of the yt vids? :lol: :green:
JCarney
Hopefully never.. LMAO :lol:
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I am new to GR Research. I have been a bit hesitant to pull the trigger on ordering a kit. This makes it a no-brainer!
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Danny is a big fan of 'tube connectors'. I am trying to keep this Desktop Mini project cost low, but would like to benefit from tube connectors without opting for the top of the line tube connector GR Research sells for $50. Looking less pricey alternatives online and all I am finding are very low quality ones. Actually, I cannot find anything when searching for 'tube connectors'. They seem to be listed as "Banana Plug Socket Jack Connectors'. Does anyone have any leads for for affordable, decent quality tube connectors?
Thanks!
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Danny is a big fan of 'tube connectors'. I am trying to keep this Desktop Mini project cost low, but would like to benefit from tube connectors without opting for the top of the line tube connector GR Research sells for $50. Looking less pricey alternatives online and all I am finding are very low quality ones. Actually, I cannot find anything when searching for 'tube connectors'. They seem to be listed as "Banana Plug Socket Jack Connectors'. Does anyone have any leads for for affordable, decent quality tube connectors?
Thanks!
Tube Connectors are a proprietary GR Research product. I don't think there's anything else quite like it. Banana type connectors are similar and the male bananas will plug into "5 way" binding posts.
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Danny is a big fan of 'tube connectors'. I am trying to keep this Desktop Mini project cost low, but would like to benefit from tube connectors without opting for the top of the line tube connector GR Research sells for $50. Looking less pricey alternatives online and all I am finding are very low quality ones. Actually, I cannot find anything when searching for 'tube connectors'. They seem to be listed as "Banana Plug Socket Jack Connectors'. Does anyone have any leads for for affordable, decent quality tube connectors?
Thanks!
I wouldn’t bother with the tube connectors at this level of speaker. But that’s my cheap side talking. If cost is that important then just go for the binding post cup.
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I wouldn’t bother with the tube connectors at this level of speaker. But that’s my cheap side talking. If cost is that important then just go for the binding post cup.
Agreed... If you're willing to spend another $50 for an upgrade on a $200 speaker like that I'd start looking up the line... But then again, I have a problem with that. I went as far up as I could go with my room limitations, and maybe even too far lol. Almost definitely too far into the bank account :lol:
If I were building these speakers, I'd eliminate the posts all together. I'd figure the longest I'd ever need the speakers apart, divide that by 2, add 1'-2' for slack, then just extend the internal wiring off the crossover that length and terminate a spade on the other end. Then again... I'm not what a normal person would call sane lol. Probably why most of us are here though :thumb:
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Agreed... If you're willing to spend another $50 for an upgrade on a $200 speaker like that I'd start looking up the line... But then again, I have a problem with that. I went as far up as I could go with my room limitations, and maybe even too far lol. Almost definitely too far into the bank account :lol:
If I were building these speakers, I'd eliminate the posts all together. I'd figure the longest I'd ever need the speakers apart, divide that by 2, add 1'-2' for slack, then just extend the internal wiring off the crossover that length and terminate a spade on the other end. Then again... I'm not what a normal person would call sane lol. Probably why most of us are here though :thumb:
That approach will provide the definitive connection. No connector can sound better than NO connector
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I wouldn’t bother with the tube connectors at this level of speaker. But that’s my cheap side talking. If cost is that important then just go for the binding post cup.
+1. I assume the standard cup binding post Danny includes is low mass and non ferrous so they’re going to be decent quality anyway. There’s always another upgrade available, so don’t feel bad going with the standard. It already has high quality components and engineering behind it.
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Thanks guys! Great advice. I found these on ebay. Tempted to try them.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=226014)
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WBT and Neutrik make high quality Speaker Binding Posts too. Look for the low mass ones.
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Thanks guys! Great advice. I found these on ebay. Tempted to try them.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=226014)
Does it say what they’re constructed from?
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I think the Desktop Mini is a great offering... bringing DIY speaker construction to the masses. Well done Danny.
And I can't wait to see what else you have coming :thumb:
I'm currently using a pair of LGKs for desktop speakers. Can you share your view on how the new Mini compares to the LGKs?
thanks!
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Thanks guys! Great advice. I found these on ebay. Tempted to try them.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=226014)
I think I'm the most amused by the fact that there's 5 per... :scratch:
Maybe they assume one will break? :lol:
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Any binding post that's decent quality is at least as expensive as the tube connectors, if not more. So I'd just spend the $$ on the tube connectors.
Just because the speaker is low cost does not mean it's low quality. IMO it deserves excellent connectors.
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I am curious about how this new speaker might compare to the LGK 2.0. Maybe this is the new LGK 2.0?
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I am curious about how this new speaker might compare to the LGK 2.0. Maybe this is the new LGK 2.0?
No, per Hobbs there’s a run of the new LGK drivers going into production soon. This speaker uses drivers Danny has had on hand for some time and hadn’t had a chance to design a speaker with previously.
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No, per Hobbs there’s a run of the new LGK drivers going into production soon. This speaker uses drivers Danny has had on hand for some time and hadn’t had a chance to design a speaker with previously.
Correct, partially.
The new LGK 2.0 drivers are very similar to the originals tho they looks like a mini NQ driver, now since it has a copper-plated phase plug, while the original had aluminum ones. Assuming things dont change between the last pair of prototypes that were sent out. (They did slightly with the NQ drivers, the proto NQ model had a rounded phase plug and polished back structure)
Hopefully, we'll be getting those in hand sometime in the next few months.
Danny only somewhat recently got the drivers for the new Minis.
They were originally designed for AV123 for the Onix Rocket series but were never put into use, so they got stuck with them.
They somewhat recently went up for sale at auction where Danny purchased them.
When I came to visit for a week, back in early May, Danny & Killian were tweaking the cabinet designs,deciding on shape/cost, etc.
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Thanks for the clarification Hobbs. I must have made a leap in what I heard from Danny’s explanation without knowing it.
Those new LGKs are going to look slick with the copper colored phase plugs!
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The ad did not state the material. They were low cost from China. I guess that pretty much tells you the quality.
I ordered the kit this morning and just went with the standard binding posts. I did opt for the $8 bypass cap.
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The ad did not state the material. They were lost cost from China. I guess that pretty much tells you the quality.
I ordered the kit this morning and just went with the standard binding posts. I did opt for the $8 bypass cap.
They will sound great either way. What speakers are you coming from?
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The ad did not state the material. They were lost cost from China. I guess that pretty much tells you the quality.
I ordered the kit this morning and just went with the standard binding posts. I did opt for the $8 bypass cap.
I bet you are in for a surprise. Danny has very high standards for how a driver has to perform before he even considers using it. He knows full well his reputation is on the line with each model so he won’t put something out there if it doesn’t pass muster.
Unless I misunderstood and you were talking about the binding posts not the drivers or crossover.
It wouldn’t be the first time I misunderstood something
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I bet you are in for a surprise. Danny has very high standards for how a driver has to perform before he even considers using it. He knows full well his reputation is on the line with each model so he won’t put something out there if it doesn’t pass muster.
Unless I misunderstood and you were talking about the binding posts not the drivers or crossover.
It wouldn’t be the first time I misunderstood something
I think he was referring to the binding posts he found online, I asked him what they are made from.
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hawkeyejw, I currently have a pair of Swans D2.1se monitors. These were $600 about 10 years ago. I recently compared them to the KEF LS50 Meta and although the KEF's were a bit better, the difference was not nearly large enough for me to write the $1500 check.
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That will be a good comparison, looking forward to hearing your impressions.
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Hobbsmeerkat,
Any idea as to when the stands will be available and if they will be available as a standalone item?
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I think that depends on if we can get ahead of the current volume of orders that need to go out.
The first test run will be made over the weekend,
And pending Danny's approval, they'll be up Monday, or the following week.
They will be a standalone option.
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Danny just finished filming the build of his Desk Mini's today!
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=226481&size=large)
We hooked them up and let them play for a little bit and they kick butt! They image really well and offer great off-axis response, and offer plenty of detail and a balanced tone.
No complaints here! :thumb:
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Hopefully never.. LMAO :lol:
Don't be shy now Hobbs.
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Danny just finished filming the build of his Desk Mini's today!
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=226481&size=large)
We hooked them up and let them play for a little bit and they kick butt! They image really well and offer great off-axis response, and offer plenty of detail and a balanced tone.
No complaints here! :thumb:
Man they look cool in the blue Hobbs. Maybe offer the blue or red or white coloured option for the enclosure kit. I think we need the Millennials onboard with our hobby. :thumb:
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Hey Killian/Danny/Hobbes
(or anyone with the info I don't have :D )
I'm looking and the minis on the website. I see the flatpacks (unassembled) have the square edges. The assembled versions have the round overs on the corners. Is not possible to offer the round overs in the un-assembled version too?
just curious... I suspect I could put a flatpack together... but that round over... well that's another story.
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Danny just finished filming the build of his Desk Mini's today!
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=226481&size=large)
We hooked them up and let them play for a little bit and they kick butt! They image really well and offer great off-axis response, and offer plenty of detail and a balanced tone.
No complaints here! :thumb:
Ok what are those monoblocks?
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Hey Killian/Danny/Hobbes
(or anyone with the info I don't have :D )
I'm looking and the minis on the website. I see the flatpacks (unassembled) have the square edges. The assembled versions have the round overs on the corners. Is not possible to offer the round overs in the un-assembled version too?
just curious... I suspect I could put a flatpack together... but that round over... well that's another story.
Sure, just give us a call after you place your oder to let us know so we can make note of it on the order & let killian know as well.
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Ok what are those monoblocks?
Those are a pair that are currently "in development."
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Cool, now do an MTM version.
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Cool, now do an MTM version.
Can't, the woofers are 8-Ohm versions only. We would need a 4 Ohm tweeter.
Best we can do is MMTMM doing series-parallel connections.
Otherwise, we'll need to change the tweeter. Only thing right now is the Neo3.
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Best we can do is MMTMM doing series-parallel connections.
chop chop then. Time's a wastin'! :lol:
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If I were building these speakers, I'd eliminate the posts all together. I'd figure the longest I'd ever need the speakers apart, divide that by 2, add 1'-2' for slack, then just extend the internal wiring off the crossover that length and terminate a spade on the other end.
I like out of the speaker box thinking like this. I was pondering the same idea. I'll put Tube Connectors on my more expensive projects, but for the mini, we'll see what I decide.