Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio for a clean waterfall, the HiVi Swans mod for a smooth DIY three-way. The NX-Studio’s burst decay plot is ultra clean, but its sealed enclosure means bass is tight rather than deep. The HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod shows a mostly smooth on-axis response for a DIY three-way kit, with some directivity error appearing around 2.1kHz on-axis.
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 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research NX-Studio | HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3630 per pair | $364.99 per pair for the kit (assembly required) |
| Ranked | #4 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #61 of 130 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) | 16.5"H x 8.5"W x 13"D (420.0 x 215.0 x 330.0 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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 | ported, rear |
| DIY Kit | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.8 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.6 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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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The Two Speakers In Full
GR-Research NX-Studio: $3630 per pair Gr-research eBay
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.
Full GR-Research NX-Studio review and specifications →
| DIY Kit | Yes |
|---|---|
| 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 |
- Links
- 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 Perlisten S4b
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs AsciLab C6B
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs Audio First Cadentia 3
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs KEF R3 Meta
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs Wharfedale Aura 2
- See all 48 comparisons
HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod: $364.99 per pair for the kit (assembly required) Amazon eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
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.
Full HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 8.5"W x 13"D (420.0 x 215.0 x 330.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Kevlar woofer, 2" Dome midrange, 1" Soft Dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.8 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.6 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- 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 MoFi SourcePoint 10
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs KEF R3 Meta
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