Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio. It ranks #4 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $3,630. The Polk R200 ranks #178, rated 3.2/5, at $799, $2,831 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Polk R200 does well: A Polk bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer and a ring radiator tweeter, sized for a medium room. The tradeoff: A resonance and associated distortion increase around 800Hz-1kHz creates a “tinny,” occasionally glaring quality on certain instruments and vocals, confirmed both by ear and in the frequency-response and distortion measurements.
The GR-Research NX-Studio is the better-sounding choice. A DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass. The catch: Bass will be very tight but won’t be quite as deep as others due to the sealed woofer enclosure.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Studio. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $2,831 saving on the Polk R200 is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A Polk bookshelf speaker with a 6.5 inch woofer and a ring radiator tweeter, sized for a medium room.
A DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk R200 | GR-Research NX-Studio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 per pair | $3630 per pair |
| Ranked | #178 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 87dB |
| Drivers | 25mm soft dome + 165mm woofer | GR-Research M165NQ 6.5” paper cone, non-resonant polymer frame, copper shorting rings and aluminum phase plug sealed enclosure woofer, GR-Research Neo3 Planar Magnetic Ribbon open baffle tweeter |
| Weight | 31.3 lbs (14.2 kg) | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 14.1”H x 7.5”W x 13.9”D (359.0 x 190.0 x 353.8 mm) | 18”H x 8.5”W x 15.5”D (457.2 x 215.9 x 393.7 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.09 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.61 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
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