Short answer: the Wharfedale Linton 85. It ranks #36 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,999. The GR-Research X-LS Encore ranks #146, rated 3.5/5, at $1,300, $699 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Wharfedale Linton 85 is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A retro styled bookshelf speaker with an 8 inch woofer, very neutral sound, and good bass extension for its size. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.07 against 5.05 for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. Its bass reaches about 52Hz before falling 3dB, against 64Hz for the GR-Research X-LS Encore. The tradeoff: The spacing of the drivers makes the vertical off axis not very good.
Why pick the GR-Research X-LS Encore: Two-way bookshelf speakers with a Peerless woofer, also sold as a kit so builders can save money by assembling them. 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 Wharfedale Linton 85. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $699 with the GR-Research X-LS Encore does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A retro styled bookshelf speaker with an 8 inch woofer, very neutral sound, and good bass extension for its size.
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
| Wharfedale Linton 85 | GR-Research X-LS Encore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999 per pair | $1300 per pair |
| Ranked | #36 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #146 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 22.2”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (563.9 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 13.5”H x 8.5”W x 12.1”D (342.9 x 215.9 x 308 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Drivers | 8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter | 6.5” Peerless M-165 paper composite cone, non-resonant polymer frame woofer, 1” Peerless India T26SG tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 85.1dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 84.4dB (measured by Audio Science Review on the kit; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 40.6 lbs (18.4 kg) each | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.07 | 5.05 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.87 | 7.42 (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | - |
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