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 KEF Q3 Meta ranks #156, rated 3.4/5, at $764.97, $535.03 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The KEF Q3 Meta is the deeper-bass option. Coaxial bookshelf speakers with very wide dispersion, punchy kick drums and bass tuning that works close to a wall. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. The tradeoff: Not well suited to high-output use: compression and strain in the 1-2kHz region emerge above about 90dB at 10 feet, so a high-output home theater setup isn’t the best application.
What the GR-Research X-LS Encore does well: Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them. The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the GR-Research X-LS Encore. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $535.03 with the KEF Q3 Meta does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Coaxial bookshelf speakers with very wide dispersion, punchy kick drums and bass tuning that works close to a wall.
Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q3 Meta | GR-Research X-LS Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $764.97 per pair | $1300 per pair |
| Ranked | #156 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.7 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 84.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) aluminium cone woofer, 25 mm (1 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 8.3”W x 12”D (357.0 x 210.0 x 305.0 mm) | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.66 | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.50 | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
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