Short answer: the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod. It ranks #13 of 47 bookshelf speakers at $346.74; the GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #28 and costs $1300, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the GR-Research X-LS Encore side: 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. The catch: A slight depression in the upper bass and some peaking in the lower bass shows up on-axis.
The case for the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly smooth on-axis response for a DIY three-way kit. The catch: Some directivity error appears around 2.1kHz on-axis.
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore if the price matters more than the ranking. Buy the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod if the ranking matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 | $346.74 for the kit (assembly required) |
| Ranked | #28 of 47 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #13 of 47 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz | 38Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz | 60Hz |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.125"D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) | - |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 87dB |
| Drivers | 6.5" Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1" Peerless India T26SG tweeter | 6.5" Kevlar woofer, 2" Dome midrange, 1" Soft Dome tweeter |
| Weight | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported | Rear ported |
The Two Speakers In Full
GR-Research X-LS Encore: $1300 Gr-research
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.
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.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.125"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 | 87dB |
| Weight | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Polk Monitor XT20
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs ELAC DB63
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Zu Audio Method
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs AsciLab C6B
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- Links
HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod: $346.74 for the kit (assembly required) Amazon
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly smooth on-axis response for a DIY three-way kit. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±70 degrees is wide and consistent. Distortion stays under control down to 40Hz at 96dB SPL/1m, a strong result for a 6.5” woofer in this class.
Cons: Some directivity error appears around 2.1kHz on-axis. Predicted in-room response needs about 1-2dB of correction to fit an ideal target curve. Vertical directivity is just okay, so listening height matters more than with a coincident design. Minimum impedance dips to 3.8 ohms with several peaks, a moderately demanding load. Requires DIY assembly (kit only), with additional Sehlin-mod parts and labor beyond the base kit price.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz |
| Drivers | 6.5" Kevlar woofer, 2" Dome midrange, 1" Soft Dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Rear ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs ELAC DB63
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs AsciLab C6B
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs Polk Monitor XT20
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs Zu Audio Method
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.