Short answer: the GR-Research X-LS Encore for the higher ranking, the Polk Monitor XT20 for the lower price. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #28 of 47 bookshelf speakers at $1300. The Polk Monitor XT20 ranks #35 at $279, $1021 cheaper.
What the GR-Research X-LS Encore gets right: An amazing value, especially if you managed to snag one of these built by AV123 in the early 2000s for $200-300. CEA2034 spinorama shows. Set against that: A slight depression in the upper bass and some peaking in the lower bass shows up on-axis.
On the Polk Monitor XT20 side: Two-way bookshelf design with a 1” tweeter and 6.5” woofer. The tradeoff: Notably bright treble, elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange depending on frequency - a characteristic shared across the whole Polk XT.
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Polk Monitor XT20 if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Polk Monitor XT20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 | $279.00 |
| Ranked | #28 of 47 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #35 of 47 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz | 50Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz | 75Hz |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.125"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 |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 87dB |
| 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 |
The Two Speakers In Full
GR-Research X-LS Encore: $1300 Gr-research
Pros: An amazing value, especially if you managed to snag one of these built by AV123 in the early 2000s for $200-300. CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally flat on-axis response, especially in the listening window. Predicted in-room response is generally smooth and on-target. Distortion at 86dB SPL/1m is pretty clean above 200Hz.
Cons: 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. Vertical directivity requires staying within about 20 degrees of the tweeter axis. At 96dB SPL/1m distortion becomes “rather unhappy,” with bass distortion, a possible woofer issue around 2kHz, and a tweeter problem above 7kHz. As a DIY kit, it requires building the cabinet and crossover yourself.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.125"D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1" Peerless India T26SG tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Weight | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Zu Audio Method
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs MoFi SourcePoint 10
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs AsciLab C6B
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- Links
Polk Monitor XT20: $279.00 Crutchfield Amazon
Pros: Two-way bookshelf design with a 1” tweeter and 6.5” woofer, part of Polk’s budget-friendly XT lineup (spanning roughly $200-700 across the series). Measures more linear and has fewer/smaller cabinet resonances than its smaller sibling, the XT15, making it - by the reviewer’s own assessment - probably the better of the two based on data alone. Reasonably good bass output for the price and size, with an F3 of 63Hz. Horizontal radiation of about ±50° gives a respectable, enjoyable soundstage width. Takes well to EQ correction - the early-reflections directivity trend is decently linear, meaning tonal adjustments can meaningfully improve the sound. Provides usable, respectable volume when paired with a subwoofer crossover, even though it isn’t intended to play extremely loud on its own.
Cons: Notably bright treble, elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange depending on frequency - a characteristic shared across the whole Polk XT lineup, requiring either EQ or toe-out to tame. Small resonances appear around 300Hz and 800Hz, with some of that energy leaking from the port area. Vertical listening window is narrow - best kept close to the tweeter axis, with only a couple of degrees of tolerance above or below before the sound changes. Still needs a subwoofer for real low-end extension despite the decent F3. Overall linearity isn’t state-of-the-art flat, and while the reviewer found it pleasant, some artificial brightness remains even after basic EQ correction in the crossover region.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz |
| Dimensions | 13"H x 7.5"W x 11"D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1" Terylene dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.