Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It ranks #48 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $549; the GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146, rated 3.5/5, and costs $1,300, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 is the more accurate pick. A great value bookshelf speaker with neutral sound, an AMT ribbon tweeter, and decent bass for its size. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.65 against 5.05 for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. The catch: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff.
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 catch: 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the GR-Research X-LS Encore and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A great value bookshelf speaker with neutral sound, an AMT ribbon tweeter, and decent bass for its size.
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
| Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | GR-Research X-LS Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 per pair | $1300 per pair |
| Ranked | #48 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 8.5” x 11.5” (325 x 216 x 292 mm) | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1x 6” woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported | ported |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Power Handling | 125W continuous, 200W peak | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.65 | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.93 | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
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