Short answer: the HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin mod, on relative rank. It places #61 of 130 against #83 of 130 for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. The Swans’ CEA2034 spinorama shows a mostly smooth on-axis response, though it has some directivity error around 2.1kHz; the X-LS Encore shows a slight upper-bass depression and lower-bass peaking on-axis.
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 HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod. It is rated higher for sound quality than the GR-Research X-LS Encore and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $364.99 per pair for the kit (assembly required) |
| Ranked | #83 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #61 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 38Hz (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) | 16.5"H x 8.5"W x 13"D (420.0 x 215.0 x 330.0 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| 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 | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | 5.8 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 7.6 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
| DIY Kit | Yes | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod compares with other leading options:
- GR-Research NX-Studio vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- AsciLab C6B vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- KEF R3 Meta vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
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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) |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| 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) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| 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 ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs SVS Prime Bookshelf
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- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Polk Monitor XT20
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HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod: $364.99 per pair for the kit (assembly required) Amazon eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.5dB.
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.
Full HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 8.5"W x 13"D (420.0 x 215.0 x 330.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Kevlar woofer, 2" Dome midrange, 1" Soft Dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 86.5dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.8 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.6 (derived from ASR thread measurement data) |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- 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 MoFi SourcePoint 10
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs KEF R3 Meta
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs AsciLab C6B
- See all 10 comparisons