Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Treme is the better speaker; the Polk T50 is the value pick. The NX-Treme ranks #1 of 71 and radiates in all directions for a huge soundstage, but it is very tall and needs open baffle subwoofers. The Polk T50 gives pretty deep bass for the price at $249, with a 5dB peak at 1kHz and a 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up.
What the GR-Research NX-Treme gets right: Amazing in terms of soundstage and imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not. The tradeoff: Very tall and will require GR-Research open baffle subwoofers one on each side.
On the Polk T50 side: Pretty deep bass for the price. Set against that: 5dB peak at 1kHz, 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Treme when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Polk T50 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research NX-Treme | Polk T50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9662 per pair for the kit with subs (assembly required) | $249.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #1 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #55 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | <20Hz (With GR-Research open baffle subwoofers) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 85"H x 17"W x 20"D (2159 x 431.8 x 508 mm) (plus a subwoofer on each side) | 40.4"H x 9.3"W x 12.5"D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | Eight 6.5" M165 open baffle woofer, Two 6.5" M165NQ open baffle midrange, GR Neo 3 Magnetic planar open baffle tweeter; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers | 2x 6.5" bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1" Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8" passive bass radiators |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Woofer Cabinet | open baffle | passive radiator |
| Weight | (35.3 lbs (16 kg)) | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.15 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How GR-Research NX-Treme compares with other leading options:
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs Revel F328Be
- JBL Studio 698 vs GR-Research NX-Treme
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
GR-Research NX-Treme: $9662 per pair for the kit with subs (assembly required) Gr-research eBay
Pros: Amazing in terms of soundstage and imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not being a speaker box. One of the highest sensitivity speakers around. Open baffle mids, highs and bass (using GR-Research Open baffle subs). If you have not heard open baffle bass, you must hear it in person, there’s no going back. Amazing in terms of imaging as the speaker can radiate in all directions and not have internal reflections due to there not being a speaker box. Can easily be driven by tube amps due to the mild impedance. Measured bass extension of <20Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Very tall and will require GR-Research open baffle subwoofers one on each side
Full GR-Research NX-Treme review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | <20Hz (With GR-Research open baffle subwoofers) |
|---|---|
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 85"H x 17"W x 20"D (2159 x 431.8 x 508 mm) (plus a subwoofer on each side) |
| Drivers | Eight 6.5" M165 open baffle woofer, Two 6.5" M165NQ open baffle midrange, GR Neo 3 Magnetic planar open baffle tweeter; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers; Three 12-inch Rythmik Audio servo-controlled subwoofers |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94.5dB |
| Weight | (35.3 lbs (16 kg)) |
| Woofer Cabinet | open baffle |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs KEF Blade Two Meta
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs Revel F328Be
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs JBL Studio 698
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs Revel Concerta2 F35
- GR-Research NX-Treme vs Klipsch Forte IV
Polk T50: $249.00 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Pretty deep bass for the price. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is reasonably controlled outside a narrow spike around 250Hz. The reviewer notes performance is “not too bad for a budget speaker” once the two main tonal issues are addressed with EQ. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.3dB.
Cons: 5dB peak at 1kHz, 4dB bright top end from 11kHz on up. Just okay vertical off axis. Impedance and phase show several resonances between 200Hz-1kHz, with a minimum impedance of 4.2 ohms. Distortion rises substantially at 96dB SPL/1m across the midrange, with repeated peaks between 100Hz-2kHz.
Full Polk T50 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.4"H x 9.3"W x 12.5"D (1026.2 x 235.0 x 317.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" bi-laminate paper cone woofers, 1x 1" Terylene dome tweeter + 2x 8" passive bass radiators |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.14 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.15 |
| Weight | 75.4 lbs (34.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons