Short answer: the Buchardt Audio E50 if sound quality matters most, the GR-Research X-LS Encore if price matters most. The Buchardt Audio E50 ranks #16 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $4,600. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146, rated 3.5/5, at $1,300, $3,300 cheaper.
Why pick 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 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 Buchardt Audio E50 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.84 against 5.05 for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. Watch for: A roughly 3dB dip in the upper midrange/lower treble softens attack and dialogue clarity: the reviewer’s main complaint, and it’s baked into the crossover rather than a directivity artifact, so it’s audible both on and off axis.
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Buchardt Audio E50 if sound quality is the priority over 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 bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall.
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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Buchardt Audio E50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $4600 per pair |
| Ranked | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 40Hz (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) | 15.6” x 7.5” x 11.2” (395 x 190 x 284 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 83.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter | 1” Scanspeak dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” Purifi extended-stroke woofer, dual 6.5” passive radiators |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | Passive radiator loaded |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | 5.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 7.61 |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2000Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 36Hz - 30kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 60W - 200W |
| Country | - | Denmark |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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