Short answer: the GR-Research X-LS Encore. It ranks #146 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $1,300; the Sonus Faber Lumina II ranks #158, rated 3.4/5, and costs $1,600, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
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 3.81 for the Sonus Faber Lumina II. 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.
Why pick the Sonus Faber Lumina II: Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement. The catch: Not a neutral speaker: has a persistent high-frequency boost/lift that makes it sound forward and bright, present whether pointed directly at the listener or toed out.
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Lumina II and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them.
Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Sonus Faber Lumina II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $1,600 per pair |
| Ranked | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #158 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 60Hz (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) | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 12.5 lbs (5.65 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | 3.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 6.10 |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1800Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
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