Short answer: the Perlisten A3m. It ranks #51 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $3,000. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146, rated 3.5/5, at $1,300, $1,700 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The GR-Research X-LS Encore is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. 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 4.30 for the Perlisten A3m. Its bass reaches about 64Hz before falling 3dB, against 85.8Hz for the Perlisten A3m. 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.
The Perlisten A3m is the better-sounding choice. A sealed high output monitor with dual 8 inch woofers and a waveguide tweeter, a great match for a subwoofer in a home theater. The tradeoff: The low-quality vendor Spinorama data measures only 85.8Hz at -3dB, 74.1Hz at -6dB, and 55.7Hz at -12dB, conflicting with Perlisten’s much deeper in-room extension claim.
Buy the Perlisten A3m. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1,700 with the GR-Research X-LS Encore does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them.
A sealed high output monitor with dual 8 inch woofers and a waveguide tweeter, a great match for a subwoofer in a home theater.
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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Perlisten A3m | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $3,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | approximately 61Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 85.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) | 26.6 x 11.0 x 13.8 in each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal; 3 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 87.4dB at 2.83V/1m |
| Drivers | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter | Two 8-inch carbon-fiber woofers; 35mm Teteron dome tweeter |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 63.9 lbs (29 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | 4.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 7.34 |
| Enclosure | - | Sealed |
| Maximum SPL | - | 111.4dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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