Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio for the higher ranking, the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod for the lower price. The GR-Research NX-Studio ranks #1 of 47 bookshelf speakers at $3630. The HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod ranks #13 at $346.74, $3283.26 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 HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod side: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly smooth on-axis response for a DIY three-way kit. The catch: Some directivity error appears around 2.1kHz on-axis.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Studio if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research NX-Studio | HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3630 | $346.74 for the kit (assembly required) |
| Ranked | #1 of 47 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #13 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) | - |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 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" Kevlar woofer, 2" Dome midrange, 1" Soft Dome tweeter |
| Weight | 20.5 lbs / 9.3 kg each | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Sealed | Rear ported |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 60Hz |
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 ELAC DB63
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs Polk Monitor XT20
- See all 9 comparisons
- Links
HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod: $346.74 for the kit (assembly required) Amazon
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly smooth on-axis response for a DIY three-way kit. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±70 degrees is wide and consistent. Distortion stays under control down to 40Hz at 96dB SPL/1m, a strong result for a 6.5” woofer in this class.
Cons: Some directivity error appears around 2.1kHz on-axis. Predicted in-room response needs about 1-2dB of correction to fit an ideal target curve. Vertical directivity is just okay, so listening height matters more than with a coincident design. Minimum impedance dips to 3.8 ohms with several peaks, a moderately demanding load. Requires DIY assembly (kit only), with additional Sehlin-mod parts and labor beyond the base kit price.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz |
| Drivers | 6.5" Kevlar woofer, 2" Dome midrange, 1" Soft Dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Rear ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs ELAC DB63
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs AsciLab C6B
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs Polk Monitor XT20
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs Zu Audio Method
- Links
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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.