Here’s my overall review: Assembled cabinets, crossovers, drivers, hooked them up, and all that came out was MUSIC!

Now, for the details: my total experience with the speakers, AND with Danny & Hobbs at GR-Research has been one big wow! I am grateful. Being a Recording Engineer since the 1970’s and now teaching at the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS.edu), I have heard, recorded and mixed through all kinds of loudspeakers: Altecs, JBLs, Electro Voices, Westlake’s, Genelecs, ADAMs, ATCs, even the terrible (Yamaha) NS-10’s; and many others. I also have a vivid memory of hearing a demo of Arnie Nudell’s astounding, massive, Infinity Reference Columns; also back in the ’70’s.

Recently, with my teaching at CRAS, we have 10 studios at two campuses: SSL-4000’s, API Legacy +’s, SSL Origin’s, and a host of Genelec and other monitors. But, my favorite studios, to which we refer as Studio F and Studio G, have SSL948 Hybrid Consoles & use the British ATC SCM-25A (Mk II) monitors. If you are unfamiliar, the ATC’s have a signature 3″ dome midrange driver handling frequencies from 380Hz to 3.5kHz, between their 6-1/2″ woofer and 1″ soft dome tweeter. A current favorite and reference for listening. (best vocal rendering I’ve heard until the NX-3’s.) Here’s my point: the NX-3’s sound BETTER! Now, the ATC’s sell for $9,990. (Current price at Sweetwater). OK, they have built-in power amps, so deduct $3,000. The big point is for a fraction of the cost, the NX-3’s sound better than $7,000 reference grade studio monitors. Serious. The Neo 3 tweeters are magical and faster than ribbon or AMT tweeters I’ve heard, the M130 Woofers are also FAST. What caught my attention in a big way was the 950Hz crossover. Danny has solved what I thought was not possible, using a simple, but genius waveguide! Well, along with the also genius “back cup” on the Neo 3 tweeter! No need for a 3-way crossover and drivers. Now, I am bass managing the NX3 Towers at 90Hz; but I did some extensive listening without the subs, and they are remarkable on their own. However, high-passing at 90Hz relieves the M130’s of attempting the excursions of the 30-50Hz range. I should not have been surprised how seamlessly the NX-3’s integrate into my four, phase-aligned subs. I just finished installing the NX-3 center, enjoying some particular SACD’s in my collection recorded with L-C-R Decca tree miking played through my (now) three NX-3’s. OH – BTW, I went with the Sonicaps upgrade version. Which gets to my final observation of really high quality parts, along with the heavy-braced cabinets with “NO-Rez” + polyfill, and Danny’s expertise of years’ experience choosing incredible drivers. Almost forgot: VOCALS! Whether Diana Krall, Michael Jackson, or any singer in between, jeez Louise, best vocals I’ve heard from any speaker at any price. Something I believe I now share with Ron over at NRD.

BEST GEAR PURCHASE I’VE MADE in a long, long time.

Here’s my overall review: Assembled cabinets, crossovers, drivers, hooked them up, and all that came out was MUSIC!

Now, for the details: my total experience with the speakers, AND with Danny & Hobbs at GR-Research has been one big wow! I am grateful. Being a Recording Engineer since the 1970’s and now teaching at the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS.edu), I have heard, recorded and mixed through all kinds of loudspeakers: Altecs, JBLs, Electro Voices, Westlake’s, Genelecs, ADAMs, ATCs, even the terrible (Yamaha) NS-10’s; and many others. I also have a vivid memory of hearing a demo of Arnie Nudell’s astounding, massive, Infinity Reference Columns; also back in the ’70’s.

Recently, with my teaching at CRAS, we have 10 studios at two campuses: SSL-4000’s, API Legacy +’s, SSL Origin’s, and a host of Genelec and other monitors. But, my favorite studios, to which we refer as Studio F and Studio G, have SSL948 Hybrid Consoles & use the British ATC SCM-25A (Mk II) monitors. If you are unfamiliar, the ATC’s have a signature 3″ dome midrange driver handling frequencies from 380Hz to 3.5kHz, between their 6-1/2″ woofer and 1″ soft dome tweeter. A current favorite and reference for listening. (best vocal rendering I’ve heard until the NX-3’s.) Here’s my point: the NX-3’s sound BETTER! Now, the ATC’s sell for $9,990. (Current price at Sweetwater). OK, they have built-in power amps, so deduct $3,000. The big point is for a fraction of the cost, the NX-3’s sound better than $7,000 reference grade studio monitors. Serious. The Neo 3 tweeters are magical and faster than ribbon or AMT tweeters I’ve heard, the M130 Woofers are also FAST. What caught my attention in a big way was the 950Hz crossover. Danny has solved what I thought was not possible, using a simple, but genius waveguide! Well, along with the also genius “back cup” on the Neo 3 tweeter! No need for a 3-way crossover and drivers. Now, I am bass managing the NX3 Towers at 90Hz; but I did some extensive listening without the subs, and they are remarkable on their own. However, high-passing at 90Hz relieves the M130’s of attempting the excursions of the 30-50Hz range. I should not have been surprised how seamlessly the NX-3’s integrate into my four, phase-aligned subs. I just finished installing the NX-3 center, enjoying some particular SACD’s in my collection recorded with L-C-R Decca tree miking played through my (now) three NX-3’s. OH – BTW, I went with the Sonicaps upgrade version. Which gets to my final observation of really high quality parts, along with the heavy-braced cabinets with “NO-Rez” + polyfill, and Danny’s expertise of years’ experience choosing incredible drivers. Almost forgot: VOCALS! Whether Diana Krall, Michael Jackson, or any singer in between, jeez Louise, best vocals I’ve heard from any speaker at any price. Something I believe I now share with Ron over at NRD.

BEST GEAR PURCHASE I’VE MADE in a long, long time.