Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio for a clean waterfall, the Polk Monitor XT20 for a simple two-way bookshelf. The NX-Studio’s burst decay plot is ultra clean, though its sealed enclosure means bass is tight rather than deep. The XT20 pairs a 1” tweeter with a 6.5” woofer, but its treble is notably bright, elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange across the Polk XT line.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Studio if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Polk Monitor XT20 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research NX-Studio | Polk Monitor XT20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3630 per pair | $277.50 per pair |
| Ranked | #4 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #157 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) | 13”H x 7.5”W x 11”D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 86dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| 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” bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1” Terylene dome tweeter |
| Weight | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) each | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | ported |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 43.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.07 |
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