Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio for the higher ranking, the GR-Research X-LS Encore for the lower price. The GR-Research NX-Studio ranks #1 of 47 bookshelf speakers at $3630. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #28 at $1300, $2330 cheaper.
What the GR-Research NX-Studio gets right: Ultra clean burst decay/waterfall plot. Set against that: Bass will be very tight but won’t be quite as deep as others due to the sealed woofer enclosure.
On the GR-Research X-LS Encore side: An amazing value, especially if you managed to snag one of these built by AV123 in the early 2000s for $200-300. CEA2034 spinorama shows. Set against that: A slight depression in the upper bass and some peaking in the lower bass shows up on-axis.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Studio if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research NX-Studio | GR-Research X-LS Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3630 | $1300 |
| Ranked | #1 of 47 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 47 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 18"H x 8.5"W x 15.5"D (457.2 x 215.9 x 393.7 mm) | 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.125"D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 87dB |
| Drivers | GR-Research M165NQ 6.5" paper cone, non-resonant polymer frame, copper shorting rings and aluminum phase plug sealed enclosure woofer, GR-Research Neo3 Planar Magnetic Ribbon open baffle tweeter | 6.5" Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1" Peerless India T26SG tweeter |
| Weight | 20.5 lbs / 9.3 kg each | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Sealed | Ported |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 44Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 64Hz |
The Two Speakers In Full
GR-Research NX-Studio: $3630 Gr-research
Pros: Ultra clean burst decay/waterfall plot. Amazingly open sounding due to the semi open baffle Neo3 ribbon tweeter, will image better than any other bookshelf speaker. Neo3 ribbon tweeter is one of the best ribbons around for detail. Bass will be very tight and fast due to the sealed enclosure, but may possibly need a sub.
Cons: Bass will be very tight but won’t be quite as deep as others due to the sealed woofer enclosure.
| Dimensions | 18"H x 8.5"W x 15.5"D (457.2 x 215.9 x 393.7 mm) |
|---|---|
| Drivers | GR-Research M165NQ 6.5" paper cone, non-resonant polymer frame, copper shorting rings and aluminum phase plug sealed enclosure woofer, GR-Research Neo3 Planar Magnetic Ribbon open baffle tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Weight | 20.5 lbs / 9.3 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Sealed |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs March Audio Sointuva AWG
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs AsciLab C6B
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs ELAC DB63
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs Polk Monitor XT20
- See all 9 comparisons
- Links
GR-Research X-LS Encore: $1300 Gr-research
Pros: An amazing value, especially if you managed to snag one of these built by AV123 in the early 2000s for $200-300. CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response, especially in the listening window. Predicted in-room response is generally smooth and on-target. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is pretty clean above 200Hz.
Cons: 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. Vertical directivity requires staying within about 20 degrees of the tweeter axis. At 96dB SPL/1m distortion becomes “rather unhappy,” with bass distortion, a possible woofer issue around 2kHz, and a tweeter problem above 7kHz. As a DIY kit, it requires building the cabinet and crossover yourself.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.125"D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1" Peerless India T26SG tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Weight | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Polk Monitor XT20
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs ELAC DB63
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Zu Audio Method
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs AsciLab C6B
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.