Short answer: the GR-Research X-LS Encore. The Zu Audio Method is high-sensitivity, measured about 90-90.7dB through the 300Hz-3kHz vocal range, but it has a severe suckout in the 1.5-3kHz range, down as much as 19dB below the mean, which removes attack and clarity. The X-LS Encore ranks #83 of 130 against #128 of 130 and shows a slight upper-bass depression and lower-bass peaking on-axis.
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. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $600 with the Zu Audio Method does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| GR-Research X-LS Encore | Zu Audio Method | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1300 per pair | $700 per pair |
| Ranked | #83 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #128 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 56Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 92Hz (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) | 15"H x 8.7"W x 11"D (381.0 x 222.0 x 280.0 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 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 | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) | -0.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) | 2.40 |
| DIY Kit | Yes | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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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The Two Speakers In Full
GR-Research X-LS Encore: $1300 per pair Gr-research eBay
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) |
| DIY Kit | Yes |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12.1"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 | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Zu Audio Method: $700 per pair Zuaudio eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 92Hz (-3dB).
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.
Full Zu Audio Method review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 92Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15"H x 8.7"W x 11"D (381.0 x 222.0 x 280.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" coax HE (Eminence/Zu) woofer, Eminence ASD-1001 tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 91dB |
| Spinorama Preference Score | -0.39 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 2.40 |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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