Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It ranks #24 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $798; the GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146, rated 3.5/5, and costs $1,300, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The GR-Research X-LS Encore is the deeper-bass choice. Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them. Its bass reaches about 64Hz before falling 3dB, against 77.6Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. Watch for: 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 Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 is the better-sounding choice. A dual woofer bookshelf speaker with accurate sound, high sensitivity, and lots of clean output, a superb partner for a subwoofer at a modest price. Watch for: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the GR-Research X-LS Encore and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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 dual woofer bookshelf speaker with accurate sound, high sensitivity, and lots of clean output, a superb partner for a subwoofer at a modest price.
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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $798 per pair |
| Ranked | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #24 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Drivers | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | 5.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 7.99 |
| Power Handling | - | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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