GR Research Alpha LS

[RuSsMaN]

Yeah, I'm done. Seriously. D - O - N - E

At least with this room.

Enter the Alpha LS.

Eight of the new BG Neo 8’s ribbon tweeters and nine 6” CSS woofers per side. Height is 6’ 3” - Weight is 250lbs each. 93db 1w / 1m. The woofers are crossed over to the ribbons at 1200Hz, and are actually padded down 10db below 200Hz - otherwise the bass would overload my room. Hand assembled and tuned by my friend Danny Richie.

I'm done. I don't even know what to say right now. These speakers are SO far beyond anything I've had in house. They may very well be some of the best speakers I've EVER heard. Alexis Park / Venetian included.

B&W eight-hundred what?

Cheers,
Russ

[haimoc]

Very amazing speakers.... What do you drive them with, Russ?

[RuSsMaN]

I'm in the market actually, I've got a bill to pay off first, then I'm thinking maybe a Levison or a big Classe.

Right now, they are running on a Hypex chip amp (UDC-400 modules), 400 w/ch with a fully balanced power supply. A prototype Gary Dodd built for the 2006 digital amp shootout.

Cheers,
Russ

[dorokusai]

I don't usually post in his threads, beings we talk regularly, but thats just simply bad ass. You're one of a couple core Polkies that continues to push the limits and try something new and unique....and I am not one of them. Rock on!

[TroyD]

I'm actually touching myself right now.

Seriously, man. Hi-effin'-fidelity. I mean, at this point, what more could you want and, more importantly, at what price?

Long way from Fisher integrated and Yammie C-40 pre's, eh?

BDT

[I-SIG]

DAAAAYYYYYUM!!! So those aren't RTA'ed?

What about some big Pass amps or the like?

Wes

[Bill Ayotte]

Those things look as good as the Gallos Venom just got......God I need to get a woman....

[TroyD]

See, at 93db 1w/1m.....I can't see needing/wanting an amp that can power a small city. I'm thinking something with finesse...a nice EL34 based tube amp.....

BDT

[dorokusai]

Folks always forget efficiency vs power.

Venom may own a hobbit Gallo but it aint no line array.

[RuSsMaN]

The funny thing is, an array works differently.

Per Danny:
They are 93db with 1 watt/1 meter, but a line source does not lose sensitivity with doubling of distance like a typical point source. With a 1 watt input at 2 meters they are equal to a point source that is 96db at 1 meter. At 4 meters with a 1 watt input they are equal to a point source that is 99db at 1 meter/1 watt
//Danny off//

The only real reason I'm looking solid state, is to do something different - and I want an amp with good damping and control for all those woofers. I'm going to setup tube amps and a nice bookend, Reference 3a, ProAc, etc in the cave.

Cheers,
Russ

[TroyD]

True enough, true enough.

Man, I can't WAIT to get an ear on them. Ain't it great to find the sound you been looking for? For me, when I heard the Quads, it was an epiphany.

BDT

[dorokusai]

I feel you both, intimately, as my love is Magnepan.

[Bill Ayotte]

I feel you both, intimately, as my love is Magnepan.

I wold love to try a set of maggies....Maybe someday soon.

[hearingimpared]

As usual all I can say is, GIMME DEM!!!

[engtaz]

Congrat
Great work
What can I say.
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEET

[Midnite Mick]

I cannot imagine the bass capabilities of that many extremis's. Scary. They are actually an Adire driver however that are now the exclusive rights of Raw Accoustics.

Mike

[Early B.]

Damn!

Just when I thought I was finished, and you gotta pull something like this...

I'm sure they sound phenomenal. Only problem is -- low WAF.

Someone is selling a pair of 'em on the 'gon:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1181801020

[Early B.]

More info here: http://www.gr-research.com/discontinued/alpha.shtm

[Early B.]

Russ --

What's the size of that room?

[hoosier21]

Great looking speakers, I am sure they sound awesome.

Got me thinking again and even ore about getting Danny's new LS-6's.

[amulford]

Very pretty. Got me thinking again, too. I've been wondering about doing some line arrays for the living room for a couple of years now.

[tonyb]

Russ realy got his hi-fi on now...congrats.
Agree on the SS amp for control of those woofers.
Gotta love big ass line arrays.

[AndyGwis]

Nice. Very subtle look to them. Not at all intimidating.

[Shizelbs]

Exceptional. Those look incredible. I'm sort of tempted to just show up at your house uninvited with a couple armfuls of CDs.

Until then, I'm going to be standing in front of my Amazings, arms crossed, giving them the old stink eye.

[hearingimpared]

old stink eye.

I haven't heard that one in a while!!!:D

[madmax]

Very nice! Those should be a thrill ride!
madmax

[RuSsMaN]

Mike - The woofers are monsters, I'm enjoying the slow cruise my projected 500 hour break in.

Early, the listening area is about 17 x 25, and open on the left into the kitchen.

Russ, saw the LS-6 yesterday being assembled at Danny's, in the final cabinet design. Don't buy anything else, just wait for those. You'll be ruined for all other conventional designs.

I've had arrays, multiple woofers, single tweeter before - but a line source is a really different experience. Hard to put words to it right now, but the imaging is off the charts, almost startling at times.
Cheers,
Russ

[Early B.]

Early, the listening area is about 17 x 25, and open on the left into the kitchen.

One last question -- do you think those line arrays would work well in a 13 x 20 room with speakers on the long wall with the seating position about 9 feet away?

[RuSsMaN]

Hell yes.

[Midnite Mick]

I was considering those LS6's for a possible build for awhile myself, but my room is just to damn small.

Mike

[RuSsMaN]

The LS6 is a new model Danny designed for Mark Schifter at AV123.com. Same tweeters, but modified, new woofer design.

[Fireman32]

Looks beautiful Russ. Congrats!

[michael_w]

Definately an amazing speaker. I demo'd a couple lower designs / prototypes with CSS Bob and nothing but amazing results. A CSS kit may pretty soon be replacing my LSi's. I just know if they put together another northwest audio meet it'll be the end of all sanity from here on.

[Ricardo]

Wow. Nice speakers. They look impressive. (And I bet they sound better)

Early, already looking for your next last speaker? ;)

[dkg999]

Russ - those are just amazing! I was really considering some Madisound kit speakers for my new HT system, but maybe I should look into the GR kits as an option!

[AndyGwis]

Early, already looking for your next last speaker? ;)

I, along with everyone else probably, was thinking the same thing. Didn't Early proclaim to be DONE and in audio nirvana two months (and about four upgrades) ago?

I love it when that happens. I'm also "Done" once I get my Thiel tweeter rebuilt and my new source in place. . . until I find a good deal on a better source, better speakers, a power conditioner, a new stand. . . or anything else that I find at the right time, right price.

Congrats again, Russ.

[steveinaz]

Breathtaking. Awesome Russ.

[Early B.]

I, along with everyone else probably, was thinking the same thing. Didn't Early proclaim to be DONE and in audio nirvana two months (and about four upgrades) ago?

I love it when that happens. I'm also "Done" once I get my Thiel tweeter rebuilt and my new source in place. . . until I find a good deal on a better source, better speakers, a power conditioner, a new stand. . . or anything else that I find at the right time, right price.

Congrats again, Russ.

Whoa, there. I haven't bought anything (yet), nor do I plan to. I'm just drooling like the rest of you guys. Even if I wanted to buy them, it's waaaaayyy out of my price range (<$1K). I am very, very curious, though, how they would sound in my room.

[AndyGwis]

I was just busting the proverbial balls a bit, Early. I think you did upgrade something within weeks of proclaiming I'M DONE and/or Audio Nirvana, if memory serves me correctly.

I'm as guilty as anyone of that as well, tho. It's part of the fun and the justification process to say "this is it for a while."

[hearingimpared]

I am very, very curious, though, how they would sound in my room.

Yep and somehow Bro that curiousity causes green stuff to leave your bank account! LOL:D :p

[RuSsMaN]

Breathtaking. Awesome Russ.

Steve,

I know you like to change things up speaker wise every couple of years - and with your recent threads regarding 'looking' for that next speaker.....

I would give SERIOUS thought to either the LS6 or LS9 Focus Line Source from av123. They should be shipping fairly soon, I heard the LS6 and it's mind boggling. It's the smaller of the two, but measured flat down to 19Hz in an 'average' listening room.

Attached, a pic of an un finished cab for the LS9 and a prototype release of the LS6.

Cheers,
Russ

[AndyGwis]

Can you briefly explain the concept of Line Source? I'm still learning all this stuff.

[RuSsMaN]

Come on over, I'll let them explain it themselves in person - won't take long.

[AndyGwis]

I may take you up on that. When's a good day/time? Just email me and I'll head out there sometime soon. They look awesome, BTW.

Oh, and can I brink my Indigo girls CD for a demo?!?

[RuSsMaN]

I think Doug, dkg999 is coming in town Weds or Thurs, maybe we can make it a threesome? ;)

[steveinaz]

Steve,

I know you like to change things up speaker wise every couple of years - and with your recent threads regarding 'looking' for that next speaker.....

I would give SERIOUS thought to either the LS6 or LS9 Focus Line Source from av123. They should be shipping fairly soon, I heard the LS6 and it's mind boggling. It's the smaller of the two, but measured flat down to 19Hz in an 'average' listening room.

Attached, a pic of an un finished cab for the LS9 and a prototype release of the LS6.

Cheers,
Russ

I'll definitely consider these, I'm open to do something BIG this time, and I figure speakers would provide the biggest change.

[I-SIG]

I'll definitely consider these, I'm open to do something BIG this time, and I figure speakers would provide the biggest change.

As if a new pool wasn't enough..... :rolleyes: ;)

Wes

[steveinaz]

As if a new pool wasn't enough..... :rolleyes: ;)

Wes

Just think of the speakers I could have bought with that $35 grand.....:D

[AndyGwis]

I think Doug, dkg999 is coming in town Weds or Thurs, maybe we can make it a threesome?
This statement evokes fear, digust, intrigue, etc.

[RuSsMaN]

Headed for the chopping block - my RTi10's are a better fit for the large family room asthetically, and these are TOO big for my cave...... Jack Johnson, Ben Harper etc overload the room, too much bass. I've alread got the woofer section padded down 10db under 200Hz. Thinking of going with a small floorstander, or maybe some monitors and getting back to listening, instead of tweaking.

Interested parties contact me, Club Polk price will be substantially less than when they hit the 'gon (soon).

Cheers,
Russ

I'm done, yeah yeah yeah.

[AndyGwis]

Early. . . I mean. . . Sid "the Kid". . . I mean. . . Russ, say it ain't so!!

You should look into some Thiel CS 1.2s. They're fabulous!

[RuSsMaN]

Been there, done that. Apparently audio isn't a destination for me, it's a neverending journey, and I'm fine with that. I'm thinking Opera or Sonus Faber again, maybe Triangle.

Alphas are for sale, contact me with questions.

[wingnut4772]

Where can one get a pair of those?

[RuSsMaN]

McKinney, TX.

I own the last pair made. Danny is designing two different arrays based on the Alpha design for AV123, as mentioned earlier in the post.

[wingnut4772]

McKinney, TX.

I own the last pair made. Danny is designing two different arrays based on the Alpha design for AV123, as mentioned earlier in the post.

Sorry . Missed that. Thanks and enjoy.

Found THIS (http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13909) thread on the AV123 version.