Short answer: the GR-Research X-LS Encore on measured sound quality, the Triangle Borea BR03 on price. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 3.5/5, at $1,300. The Triangle Borea BR03 ranks #198, rated 2.8/5, at $399, $901 cheaper.
The Triangle Borea BR03 is the deeper-bass choice. A budget French bookshelf speaker with dual front ports, decent bass for the price and solid, well braced build quality. Its bass reaches about 57Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. The catch: A noticeable mid-range suckout, most pronounced in the upper mid-range/lower treble, that the reviewer attributes to cabinet resonances and driver breakup rather than a deliberate voicing choice: it makes vocals and instruments sound recessed and thin rather than warm.
The GR-Research X-LS Encore is the more accurate option. Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.05 against 4.03 for the Triangle Borea BR03. The catch: 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 Triangle Borea BR03 if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the GR-Research X-LS Encore if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A budget French bookshelf speaker with dual front ports, decent bass for the price and solid, well braced build quality.
Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Triangle Borea BR03 | GR-Research X-LS Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $1300 per pair |
| Ranked | #198 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 6.5” natural cellulose midwoofer, 1” (25mm) EFS silk dome tweeter | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter |
| Crossover Frequency | 3600Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 14.96”H x 8.11”W x 12.36”D | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (6 kg) each | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 4.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Recommended Power | 100W | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual front ports | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.03 | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
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