Short answer: the KEF Reference 1 Meta on measured sound quality, the GR-Research X-LS Encore on price. The KEF Reference 1 Meta ranks #3 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.8/5, at $9,999.98. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146, rated 3.5/5, at $1,300, $8,699.98 cheaper.
What the GR-Research X-LS Encore does well: 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 KEF Reference 1 Meta is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. Extremely accurate bookshelf speakers, with a superb three dimensional soundstage, no harshness, and tightly matched pairs. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.48 against 5.05 for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. Watch for: At roughly $10000/pair, nearly four times the cost of the similarly-sized KEF R3.
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the KEF Reference 1 Meta if sound quality is the priority over the price.
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.
Extremely accurate bookshelf speakers, with a superb three dimensional soundstage, no harshness, and tightly matched pairs.
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 | KEF Reference 1 Meta | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $9999.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #3 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) | 52Hz (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) | 17.3”H x 8.1”W x 16.6”D (439.4 x 205.7 x 421.6 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 2.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 82.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter | 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 125 mm (5 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 25 mm (1 in.) aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 40.1 lbs (18.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | 6.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 8.29 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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