GR-Research X-LS Encore vs XTZ Spirit 4

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Short answer: the GR-Research X-LS Encore if sound quality matters most, the XTZ Spirit 4 if price matters most. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #83 of 130 bookshelf speakers at $1300. The XTZ Spirit 4 ranks #92 at $477, $823 cheaper.

GR-Research X-LS Encore vs XTZ Spirit 4

What the GR-Research X-LS Encore offers: 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. Watch for: 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.

What the XTZ Spirit 4 offers: Substantial 6.5-inch stand-mount with a waveguided dome tweeter, adjustable treble level and port tuning. Spinorama predicts 44Hz in-room extension, broad roughly +/-60-degree horizontal coverage and a 5.39 preference score with a subwoofer. Watch for: The third-party measurement is low confidence. On-axis smoothness is only 0.248, directivity-index consistency is middling at 3.21, and the mildly downward -0.29dB/octave tonal slope contributes to a modest 3.27 raw preference score.

Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the XTZ Spirit 4 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.

Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore at Gr-research →Buy the XTZ Spirit 4 at XTZ ($477/pair) →

Specifications Side By Side

GR-Research X-LS Encore XTZ Spirit 4
Price$1300 per pair$477 per pair
Ranked#83 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers#92 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers
Bass Extension (-10dB)44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)-
Bass Extension (-3dB)64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)-
Dimensions13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.1"D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm)13.8H x 7.5W x 10.6D in
Impedance8 ohms4 ohms
Sensitivity84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 87dB manufacturer specified)86dB
Drivers6.5" Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1" Peerless India T26SG tweeter1" dome tweeter, 6.5" woofer
Weight17 lbs (7.7 kg) each17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported-
Enclosure-2-way passive, rear-ported
Spinorama Preference Score-3.27
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub-5.39
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore at Gr-research →Buy the XTZ Spirit 4 at XTZ ($477/pair) →

More worthwhile head-to-heads for GR-Research X-LS Encore:

Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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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The Two Speakers In Full

GR-Research X-LS Encore: $1300 per pair Gr-research eBay

GR-Research X-LS Encore ranking card

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. Measured bass extension of 64Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.4dB.

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.

Full GR-Research X-LS Encore review and specifications →

Bass Extension (-10dB)44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Dimensions13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.1"D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm)
Drivers6.5" Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1" Peerless India T26SG tweeter
Impedance8 ohms
Sensitivity84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 87dB manufacturer specified)
Weight17 lbs (7.7 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported
Check current price at Gr-research →Search eBay for GR-Research X-LS Encore →

XTZ Spirit 4: $477 per pair XTZ eBay

XTZ Spirit 4 ranking card

Pros: Substantial 6.5-inch stand-mount with a waveguided dome tweeter, adjustable treble level and port tuning. Spinorama predicts 44Hz in-room extension, broad roughly +/-60-degree horizontal coverage and a 5.39 preference score with a subwoofer.

Cons: The third-party measurement is low confidence. On-axis smoothness is only 0.248, directivity-index consistency is middling at 3.21, and the mildly downward -0.29dB/octave tonal slope contributes to a modest 3.27 raw preference score.

Full XTZ Spirit 4 review and specifications →

Dimensions13.8H x 7.5W x 10.6D in
Drivers1" dome tweeter, 6.5" woofer
Enclosure2-way passive, rear-ported
Impedance4 ohms
Sensitivity86dB
Spinorama Preference Score3.27
Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub5.39
Weight17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) each
Check current price at XTZ ($477/pair) →Search eBay for XTZ Spirit 4 →