Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX. It ranks #37 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,598. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146, rated 3.5/5, at $1,300, $298 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A compact bookshelf speaker with very neutral, flat sound, a wide soundstage, and surprisingly deep bass in a bamboo cabinet. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.63 against 5.05 for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. Its bass reaches about 47Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. The catch: Very low sensitivity at about 81dB, so it needs a genuinely powerful amplifier to reach normal listening levels.
Why pick the GR-Research X-LS Encore: Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them. The tradeoff: A slight depression in the upper bass and some peaking in the lower bass shows up on-axis, along with directivity error in the crossover region.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $298 you would save on the GR-Research X-LS Encore does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A compact bookshelf speaker with very neutral, flat sound, a wide soundstage, and surprisingly deep bass in a bamboo cabinet.
Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX | GR-Research X-LS Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1598 per pair | $1300 per pair |
| Ranked | #37 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14.3” x 7.5” x 10.5” (362 x 191 x 267 mm) | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (5.5 ohms minimum) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 81dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6” aluminum cone woofer, 26mm dome tweeter | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, flared rear port | ported |
| Power Handling | 350W continuous, 500W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 23kHz (in-room, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Country | USA | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.63 | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.44 | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
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