Short answer: neither is cleaner than the other, so let size and price decide. The Polk Monitor XT20 is a two-way bookshelf with a 6.5” woofer, but its treble is elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange, a trait shared across the Polk XT line. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146 of 222 and shows a slight upper-bass depression and lower-bass peaking on-axis at $1,300 against $277.50.
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Polk Monitor XT20 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Polk Monitor XT20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $277.50 per pair |
| Ranked | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #157 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 43.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 64.5Hz (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) | 13”H x 7.5”W x 11”D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter | 6.5” bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1” Terylene dome tweeter |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | 4.71 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 7.07 |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for GR-Research X-LS Encore: