Short answer: the GR-Research X-LS Encore for the higher ranking, the Zu Audio Method for the lower price. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #28 of 47 bookshelf speakers at $1300. The Zu Audio Method ranks #47 at $700, $600 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. The tradeoff: A slight depression in the upper bass and some peaking in the lower bass shows up on-axis.
On the Zu Audio Method side: High-sensitivity design (measured about 90-90.7dB average through the 300Hz-3kHz vocal range). The tradeoff: A severe suckout in the 1.5-3kHz range (down as much as 19dB below the mean at its worst) removes attack and clarity from brass, woodwinds.
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Zu Audio Method if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Zu Audio Method | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 | $700 |
| Ranked | #28 of 47 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #47 of 47 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz | 56Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz | 92Hz |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.125"D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) | - |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB | 91dB |
| Drivers | 6.5" Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1" Peerless India T26SG tweeter | 8" coax HE (Eminence/Zu) woofer, Eminence ASD-1001 tweeter |
| Weight | 17 lbs / 7.7 kg each | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported | Front 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
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Polk Monitor XT20
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs ELAC DB63
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- 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
Zu Audio Method: $700 Zuaudio
Pros: High-sensitivity design (measured about 90-90.7dB average through the 300Hz-3kHz vocal range), making it easy to drive to loud levels with modest amplifier power. Not a difficult electrical load - minimum impedance around 5.8 ohms, compatible with most 8-ohm-rated amplifiers, though Class A/AB amps should have good ventilation given a 3-ohm minimum EPDR. Verified not to be a defective unit: both speakers in the pair measured consistently with each other, and an independent reviewer’s own measurements of the same model matched the findings here.
Cons: A severe suckout in the 1.5-3kHz range (down as much as 19dB below the mean at its worst) removes attack and clarity from brass, woodwinds, and snares, and gives an overall laid-back, unengaging character. Erratic, inconsistent high-frequency response - alternating between accentuated and subdued at different frequencies - makes cymbals, hi-hats, and sibilant vocal sounds behave unpredictably from track to track. Directivity is poor and inconsistent with frequency, meaning off-axis (sidewall-reflected) energy is actually louder than the direct sound in several bands - a problem that fundamentally cannot be corrected with EQ, since boosting the direct sound would boost the already-too-loud reflections even more. High sensitivity comes at the direct cost of bass extension: F3 of 92Hz and F10 of 56Hz mean essentially no meaningful bass. Despite the high sensitivity, dynamic headroom is poor rather than better as often assumed - distortion in the higher frequencies creates what the reviewer calls an “electronic glare.” Third-order harmonic distortion peaks sharply around 6-7kHz, contributing to an edgy, metallic quality on cymbals and hi-hats, and multitone distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold. Instantaneous compression testing shows serious dynamic-range issues specifically in the treble (a dip around 2kHz, a peak around 4kHz, and a large dip across 5-7kHz). Vertical radiation has an unusually narrow sweet spot, since the midrange driver beams while the tweeter stays wide, creating a mismatch. Switching to a high-output-impedance amplifier shifts the response by roughly 1-1.5dB in places but doesn’t come close to correcting the fundamental frequency-response problems. Toeing the speakers out reduces some of the on-axis dip’s severity but doesn’t restore a properly immersive soundstage, since off-axis and on-axis response remain too different from each other.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 92Hz |
| Drivers | 8" coax HE (Eminence/Zu) woofer, Eminence ASD-1001 tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 91dB |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Front 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.