Short answer: the GR-Research X-LS Encore. It ranks #83 of 130 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $1300; the ATC SCM19 ranks #119 and costs $3750, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the GR-Research X-LS Encore offers: An amazing value, especially if you managed to snag one of these built by AV123 in the early 2000s for $200-300. CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response, especially in the listening window. Predicted in-room response is generally smooth and on-target. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is pretty clean above 200Hz. 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. Vertical directivity requires staying within about 20 degrees of the tweeter axis. At 96dB SPL/1m distortion becomes “rather unhappy,” with bass distortion, a possible woofer issue around 2kHz, and a tweeter problem above 7kHz. As a DIY kit, it requires building the cabinet and crossover yourself.
What the ATC SCM19 offers: Harmonic distortion at 96dB SPL/1m stays generally low across the range aside from the spike tied to the 700-800Hz resonance. Sealed (unported) cabinet avoids port noise and resonance, and the extremely dense, heavy-duty enclosure (17.8kg/39lb each) reflects ATC’s pro-audio build standards. Watch for: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700hz, 4dB bump around 700hz. Not recommended for the price. CEA2034 spinorama and predicted in-room response both show a very uneven overall balance - a broad accentuation from midrange to treble paired with too little bass - along with directivity error. At 96dB SPL/1m, harmonic distortion tied to the 500-700Hz resonance rises to a level the reviewer says “should not be there.”
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore. It ranks higher for sound quality than the ATC SCM19 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the ATC SCM19. It ranks near the bottom of the 130 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | ATC SCM19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $3750 per pair |
| Ranked | #83 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #119 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.1"D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) | 17.2"H x 10.4"W x 11.8"D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1" Peerless India T26SG tweeter | 5.9" Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.79 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.21 |
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- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Perlisten S4b
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs KEF Reference 1 Meta
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
- AsciLab C6B vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
GR-Research X-LS Encore: $1300 per pair Gr-research eBay
Pros: An amazing value, especially if you managed to snag one of these built by AV123 in the early 2000s for $200-300. CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response, especially in the listening window. Predicted in-room response is generally smooth and on-target. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is pretty clean above 200Hz. Measured bass extension of 64Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.4dB.
Cons: 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. Vertical directivity requires staying within about 20 degrees of the tweeter axis. At 96dB SPL/1m distortion becomes “rather unhappy,” with bass distortion, a possible woofer issue around 2kHz, and a tweeter problem above 7kHz. As a DIY kit, it requires building the cabinet and crossover yourself.
Full GR-Research X-LS Encore review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.1"D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1" Peerless India T26SG tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Mission LX-3 MKII
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs SVS Prime Bookshelf
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs KEF Q3 Meta
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Polk Monitor XT20
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Philharmonic BMR Monitor
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
- See all 47 comparisons
ATC SCM19: $3750 per pair Tmraudio eBay
Pros: Harmonic distortion at 96dB SPL/1m stays generally low across the range aside from the spike tied to the 700-800Hz resonance. Sealed (unported) cabinet avoids port noise and resonance, and the extremely dense, heavy-duty enclosure (17.8kg/39lb each) reflects ATC’s pro-audio build standards. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Some stored energy resonance around 500-700hz, 4dB bump around 700hz. Not recommended for the price. CEA2034 spinorama and predicted in-room response both show a very uneven overall balance - a broad accentuation from midrange to treble paired with too little bass - along with directivity error. At 96dB SPL/1m, harmonic distortion tied to the 500-700Hz resonance rises to a level the reviewer says “should not be there.”
Full ATC SCM19 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 17.2"H x 10.4"W x 11.8"D (436.9 x 264.2 x 299.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.9" Super Linear Magnet cone woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.79 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.21 |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons