Short answer: the Aalto Speakers Aalto 3 Passive. It ranks #53 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5); the GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146 (rated 3.5/5).
What the GR-Research X-LS Encore does well: Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them. The catch: A slight depression in the upper bass and some peaking in the lower bass shows up on-axis, along with directivity error in the crossover region.
The Aalto Speakers Aalto 3 Passive is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. A passive bookshelf speaker for buyers with their own amp, close to neutral sound, and well controlled bass from passive radiators. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.82 against 5.05 for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. Its bass reaches about 56.6Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. The tradeoff: Requires an external amplifier (50-250W recommended) that the Active Pro doesn’t, and shares the same review gap: no independent editorial coverage found, only manufacturer-supplied specs, with factory-direct-only sales from Finland.
Buy the Aalto Speakers Aalto 3 Passive. It is rated higher for sound quality than the GR-Research X-LS Encore.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them.
A passive bookshelf speaker for buyers with their own amp, close to neutral sound, and well controlled bass from passive radiators.
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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Aalto Speakers Aalto 3 Passive | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | €3,490 per pair |
| Ranked | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #53 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 32.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between manufacturer spinorama -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 56.6Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Dimensions | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) | 9.4”W x 15.7”H x 9.8”D (240 x 400 x 250 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (min 4 ohms @ 18kHz) |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 83.5dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Drivers | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter | 26mm aluminum dome tweeter, 6.5” long-throw bass-midrange, 8” passive radiator |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | 6.82 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 8.45 |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, passive-radiator loaded, MDF |
| Power Handling | - | 50-250W RMS recommended amplifier power |
| Country | - | Finland |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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