Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio for a clean waterfall, the March Audio Sointuva AWG for low distortion. The NX-Studio’s burst decay plot is ultra clean, but its sealed enclosure gives very tight bass that will not go as deep as others. The Sointuva’s Purifi drivers deliver exceptionally low midrange distortion, though the correct listening axis sits about 7° above the tweeter line.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Studio. It is rated higher for sound quality than the March Audio Sointuva AWG and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research NX-Studio | March Audio Sointuva AWG | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3630 per pair | $4150 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #5 of 222 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) | 17.7”H x 9.4”W x 8.7”D (449.6 x 238.8 x 221 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 82.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| 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” Purifi PTT-OEM Midwoofer, Satori TW29BNWG-4 Beryllium Dome Tweeter with Waveguide |
| Weight | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) each | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | passive radiator |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 6.95 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 8.45 |
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