[Tyson]

B&W 805d3 and Focal Utopia Diablo are the highest end I compared to directly. Wasn’t close. Danny doesn’t mess around.

I'll add to this, I did audio show coverage for about 12 years and I got to hear just about every high end speaker out there.  The NX-Studios are the best bookshelf sized speaker I've heard.  Those things are magical.  The only thing I ever heard that came close to them was the TAD Compact Reference One:

https://www.technicalaudiodevices.com/compact-reference-one-tx/

I'd say the Compact Reference One beats the Studio's in overall dynamics and bass impact/extension.  That's if you compare the Reference One to the Studio without using an OB sub (or 2) with the Studios.  With the OB subs, the Studio wins, hands down. 

[maty]

So what GR speakers should I consider given a roughly $3K max budget?

It will depend on whether you build them or not.

Manufactured by GR-Research

NX-Studio $3,000. You need to add at least one good subwoofer -> money+++
LGK2.4 $1,850. One good subwoofer < $3,000

If you build them, NX-Studio without any doubt!

If they are not Gr-Research, there are new ones, made in France, that have me hooked (but they like watts). It is problematic for Europeans to buy in NA due to shipping, customs and taxes.

[Blooze]

It will depend on whether you build them or not.

Manufactured by GR-Research

NX-Studio $3,000. You need to add at least one good subwoofer -> money+++
LGK2.4 $1,850. One good subwoofer < $3,000

If you build them, NX-Studio without any doubt!

If I did the GR-Research it would be flatpacks most likely. I could make the cabinets from scratch myself, but my time is worth something to me and getting those cuts correct are important. Easier to let a CNC do it and be exact. Then all I'd have to do is veneer/paint and assemble.

Of course, figure in stands for these as well = more $$$

I'd really like to hear what I end up purchasing first.  Like I said earlier, I'm just starting to think about what I want to assemble and I've budgeted myself ~$3600/year until I get there. Unfortunately I've just got about $750 in the kitty so far, but so much gets put back every month to end up with the $3600 at the end of the year. No instant gratification. My whole rig needs updated because it is mid-fi at best. Like to have it all done before I think about retirement.

My daughter lives in McKinney so maybe I could persuade Danny to let me listen for a few minutes on one of my trips down there. I need to start visiting the audio shows again too.

[nlitworld]

There are lots of us around the country with the NX-Studios with various different setups. Give the Owners Audition thread a peek and see if anyone in your area is up for hosting an afternoon of listening.
Owner's Audition Thread

[mlundy57]

If I did the GR-Research it would be flatpacks most likely. I could make the cabinets from scratch myself, but my time is worth something to me and getting those cuts correct are important. Easier to let a CNC do it and be exact. Then all I'd have to do is veneer/paint and assemble.

Of course, figure in stands for these as well = more $$$

I'd really like to hear what I end up purchasing first.  Like I said earlier, I'm just starting to think about what I want to assemble and I've budgeted myself ~$3600/year until I get there. Unfortunately I've just got about $750 in the kitty so far, but so much gets put back every month to end up with the $3600 at the end of the year. No instant gratification. My whole rig needs updated because it is mid-fi at best. Like to have it all done before I think about retirement.

My daughter lives in McKinney so maybe I could persuade Danny to let me listen for a few minutes on one of my trips down there. I need to start visiting the audio shows again too.

By all means, get to Danny’s when you are that close already.

[Danny Richie]

McKinney is just a couple of hours away. Give us a call and schedule a visit. Then you can hear everything.

[Blooze]

McKinney is just a couple of hours away. Give us a call and schedule a visit. Then you can hear everything.

Will do. We come down from SW KS. We’re almost directly north of Wichita Falls so no biggie to go that way instead of 40 to OKC from Geary. You can show me all the stuff I definitely can’t afford but love to listen to.

Really Danny, my hearing is fairly crap anymore from loud gigging, concerts, and guns all with no hearing protection in my youth. I can’t really differentiate to much, if at all, between the same speakers with different caps and such. What I can notice is soundstage and imaging.  Of course I want clear sound because I need it more now than ever, but it’s the ambience and immersive quality I really want. That’s what always drew me in to the shows I used to go to. Speakers like Emerald Physics, Vandersteen, and others that always caught my attention 15 years ago or so. Looking forward to getting to hear what the buzz is about with your creations.

[RDT944]

Would the servo sub be better in the sealed or a single H-Frame OB configuration?

I am in the middle of my NX Studio build and I too have a small well treated room at 10ft X 12ft with a vaulted ceiling.
I will be going with one of these sub options and I am seeking guidance as well.
I can get the H frame out 3 feet in from the front wall but that is about the limit.

So, which is best?

[mlundy57]

I am in the middle of my NX Studio build and I too have a small well treated room at 10ft X 12ft with a vaulted ceiling.
I will be going with one of these sub options and I am seeking guidance as well.
I can get the H frame out 3 feet in from the front wall but that is about the limit.

So, which is best?

It depends. The problem with the open baffle subs in a small room is getting the baffle at least 3ft into the room. If you can't do that, the sealed sub is the way to go.

If you can get the baffle at least 3ft into the room, you can use either type of sub. Which one you choose comes down to what you want from the sub. Both are quick, clean and musical so that won't be the deciding factor. The biggest difference comes down to how the two types of subs load the room and the presentation the different types of loading give.

If you want heavy gut punching, chest thumping, window rattling bass down to 10Hz, the sealed sub is the choice. However, if you are OK with a less forceful bass presentation and ultimate speed , finesse, tone, timber, spaciousness, smoothness, and tight bass that is still very impactful, the OB subs are the way to go as long as you keep in mind the caveat that the baffle has to be at least 3ft off the front wall.

I am not saying the OB subs are not impactful, they just have a different type of impact.

[Tyson]

I agree with Mike.  I'd add that if you can get the sub 3 feet into the room, the OB sub is less likely to be boomy and overload the room. 

[RDT944]

Thank you Mike and Tyson. Very useful information. I will probably go with the sealed sub.

[linasaudio]

Hey Tyson, TAD Compact Reference are indeed one of the best speakers I've heard.
Have you ever listened to the big TAD Reference speakers? How would you compare them to the bigger NX series?

[Tyson]

Hey Tyson, TAD Compact Reference are indeed one of the best speakers I've heard.
Have you ever listened to the big TAD Reference speakers? How would you compare them to the bigger NX series?

Similar in overall quality. 

[jmimac351]

Similar, like a rattlesnake and a chimpanzee?