Short answer: the Dynaudio Contour 20i for better sound quality, the GR-Research X-LS Encore for the lower price. The Dynaudio Contour 20i ranks #96 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 3.9/5, at $5,750. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146, rated 3.5/5, at $1,300, $4,450 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. 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 Dynaudio Contour 20i is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. The tradeoff: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment.
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Dynaudio Contour 20i when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them.
Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM 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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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Dynaudio Contour 20i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $5750 per pair |
| Ranked | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #96 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 56Hz (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) | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 82.5dB |
| Drivers | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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