Short answer: the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, if you are buying new. The Philharmonic BMR (v1) ranks higher than the GR-Research X-LS Encore (#40 vs #146 of 222 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, is rated 3.6/5 at $2,200 and is still sold new.
Why pick the GR-Research X-LS Encore: Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them. The catch: 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 Philharmonic BMR (v1) is the better-sounding pick. A large three way bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter, flat response, broad coverage, and an unusually expansive midrange. The catch: The measured 83dB sensitivity and roughly 4-ohm load demand meaningful external amplification.
Buy the Philharmonic BMR Monitor, the replacement for the discontinued Philharmonic BMR (v1); it is rated higher for sound quality than the GR-Research X-LS Encore.
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 large three way bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter, flat response, broad coverage, and an unusually expansive midrange.
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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Philharmonic BMR (v1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $2,395 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #40 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 37.8Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | Approximately 62Hz relative to mean (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner website) |
| Dimensions | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) | 22H x 9W x 13.5D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | Approximately 4 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) | Approximately 83dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter | RAAL 64-10 ribbon; 2.5” BMR midrange; 7” Scan-Speak woofer |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 37.9 lbs (17.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | 4.86 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 7.17 |
| Port Tuning | - | Mid/low-30Hz range (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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