Short answer: the JTR Speakers Noesis 210HT. It ranks #43 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $3,998; the McIntosh XR50 ranks #155, rated 3.4/5, and costs $4,000, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The JTR Speakers Noesis 210HT is the better-sounding option. A very high output home theater speaker with dual 10 inch woofers and a coaxial horn, easy to drive and built for reference level movies. The catch: Erin measured F3 at 76Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so the 210HT is designed to hand bass duties to subwoofers rather than operate full-range.
The McIntosh XR50 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. Compact, heavily braced three-way bookshelf speakers with surprisingly weighty bass, wide dispersion and premium build. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.99 against 2.66 for the JTR Speakers Noesis 210HT. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 3dB, against 76Hz for the JTR Speakers Noesis 210HT. The catch: Erin measured roughly 80-81dB sensitivity, making the XR50 exceptionally power hungry despite its nominal eight-ohm rating.
Buy the JTR Speakers Noesis 210HT. It is rated higher for sound quality than the McIntosh XR50 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the McIntosh XR50 reaches 35.6 Hz (10 dB down) against 43 Hz for the JTR Speakers Noesis 210HT, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the McIntosh XR50 scores 6.8 against 5.4 for the JTR Speakers Noesis 210HT on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the JTR Speakers Noesis 210HT is rated at 92.5 dB sensitivity against 81 dB for the McIntosh XR50, so it plays as loud with roughly a third of the amplifier power.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JTR Speakers Noesis 210HT | McIntosh XR50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,998 per pair | $4,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #43 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #155 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 35.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 92.5dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | ~81dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | Approximately 3 ohms minimum at 100-200Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Drivers | Dual 10” woofers; coaxial compression driver on 60° x 60° horn | 6-inch woofer; dual 2-inch inverted-dome mids; 0.75-inch titanium dome |
| Crossover Frequency | Approximately 850Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 34”H x 12.25”W x 14”D | 17H x 8W x 11.75D inches |
| Weight | 85.1 lbs (38.6 kg) each | 19.4 lbs (8.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.66 | 4.99 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.41 | 6.80 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- JTR Speakers Noesis 210HT: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- McIntosh XR50: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner video.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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