Short answer: the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 for better sound quality, the GR-Research X-LS Encore for the lower price. The Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 ranks #23 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $6,000. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146, rated 3.5/5, at $1,300, $4,700 cheaper.
The case for the GR-Research X-LS Encore: Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them. The tradeoff: 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 Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A big three way monitor with dual 8 inch woofers, bass deep enough to skip a subwoofer, and extremely low distortion at high volume. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.59 against 5.05 for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. Its bass reaches about 41Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. The catch: A dip in the midbase around 100Hz noticeably reduces the “chestiness” of male vocals compared to the reviewer’s reference speaker.
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them.
A big three way monitor with dual 8 inch woofers, bass deep enough to skip a subwoofer, and extremely low distortion at high volume.
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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $6000 per pair |
| Ranked | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) | 31.8”H x 11.4”W x 17.6”D (807.7 x 289.6 x 447 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 84.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter | Dual 8” woofers, 5” midrange, 28mm tweeter |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 103.6 lbs (47 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | 5.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 7.04 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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