Short answer: the Mission LX-3 MKII. It ranks #138 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5); the GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146 (rated 3.5/5).
The GR-Research X-LS Encore is the more accurate option. Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.05 against 4.17 for the Mission LX-3 MKII. The tradeoff: 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.
Why pick the Mission LX-3 MKII: Large affordable standmount speakers with a 6.5 inch woofer, useful bass and easy to drive sensitivity. Watch for: On-axis smoothness of 0.217 and predicted in-room smoothness of 0.344 reveal clear response unevenness, with a -0.46dB-per-octave downward tilt.
Buy the Mission LX-3 MKII. It is rated higher for sound quality than the GR-Research X-LS Encore.
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.
Large affordable standmount speakers with a 6.5 inch woofer, useful bass and easy to drive sensitivity.
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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Mission LX-3 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | £249 per pair |
| Ranked | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #138 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 42.5Hz (derived from ASR on-axis curve, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 67.4Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) | 13.6H x 8.9W x 12.1D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 88dB |
| Drivers | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter | 1” microfiber-dome tweeter, 6.5” composite-fiber woofer |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 18.5 lbs (8.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | 4.17 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 6.42 |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way, bass-reflex |
| Country | - | United Kingdom (design) |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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