Short answer: the GR-Research X-LS Encore. Both are rated 3.5/5 for sound quality (#146 and #148 of 222 bookshelf speakers), and the GR-Research X-LS Encore costs $1,300 against $3,600 for the Dynaudio Special Forty, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
The Dynaudio Special Forty is the deeper-bass choice. Premium bookshelf speakers with strong output, wide dispersion and fairly deep bass from a compact rear ported cabinet. Its bass reaches about 54Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. The catch: A glaring, sometimes sibilant quality around 3-4kHz was the most noticeable issue in listening, the one thing the reviewer would want notched out with EQ.
The case for 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 GR-Research X-LS Encore. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $2,300 less than the Dynaudio Special Forty.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Premium bookshelf speakers with strong output, wide dispersion and fairly deep bass from a compact rear ported cabinet.
Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Special Forty | GR-Research X-LS Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3600 per pair | $1300 per pair |
| Ranked | #148 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.7”W x 12.1”D (358.1 x 195.6 x 307.3 mm) | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (4.9 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 83.5dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86dB manufacturer specified) | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 5.9” MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cone woofer, 1” Esotar soft dome tweeter | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.73 | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.74 | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
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