GR Research XLS Encore DIY Speaker Review

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Question for you: Have you thought about doing DIY? What has stopped you from building your own speakers?

[@beatmaniaboy]

Yes I built the dinas and I Love them, Im building another set with eso 7s and corundums just built my own with built in dsp adau1701, built my own Amp as well, I don't describe speakers I just measure the response in room eq wizard, no response graph no buy

[@RennieAsh]

Sanding

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

That is awesome! What speakers did you build?

[@eksine]

I have a van I've been trying to paint forever and restore. Too many projects

[@randylneisen4824]

Time, knowledge...bought drivers from GR Research for future project as I learn more about building xovers

[@Bradimus1]

Considering you don't have to build the ELACs, I think they held up well in comparison. These should probably be compared against something in the $1000 a pair range and you are intended to get some value in the DIY aspect. (Plus fun!)

[@sportsmonster66]

I just made a set as a first time builder and they sound amazing. Large chamfered edge is the way.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Stoked for you! They are great speakers

[@WheeledandWellArmed]

I bought 2 sets of completed speakers direct from GR Research. First I got the Carnegie Acoustics Davanti bookshelf speakers. Designed by Danny for some guy with marketing plans, he built them in China and the market changed. Danny helped him liquidate the Davanti speakers for $300 or $400. Happy with these I bought the completed L-XS Encore with all the upgrades. With supply chain issues it took 3 months. I moved the Davanti to the NAD M10 with a HSU subwoofer to my TV. And put the XLS to my Parasound P23 and preamp Bluesound Nodes. After a few days the XLS changed and now have more base than the Davanti with Subwoofer. But also more clarity and transparency. Maybe the amps? Both rooms are side by side and 12x24 feet. I can put them in the same BlueOS group and A B test them most everyday. I have a 3rd BlueOS zone in my home office.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

The Encores are great speakers, no denying that. Good bass performance 👍

[@ttownscott]

Thanks for this review. I'm actually considering building either this or the Wilmslow LS3 kit

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Thanks for watching!

[@bingoberra18]

Big fan of GR Research´s yt channel, so I was kinda hoping you would be blown away by their performance compared to the elacs. Very surprised that they didnt seem overly impressive to you. But I liked your presentation so def will sub and look forward to future content :)

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I do think they are great speakers. They have a big sound and can go loud without strain. They do many things better than the Elac's. Danny is a great speaker designer. Thanks for the support, appreciated!

[@jaytorr6701]

I like them as well. Problem is that Danny and Ron exaggerate how good they are. They make it like these are as good as 2k-3k speakers. Which they are not... They are a decent 600 dollar speaker. That's it.

[@mw8653]

@@jaytorr6701 Agree with your comments also they are the fully upgraded versions a base model comparison would be interesting.

[@andrewlim7751]

The review done via an av amp, the moment I heard of the gear, I'm switch off. 🥱🥱🥱

[@fcamiola]

@@jaytorr6701 you own these?

[@flyingjeff1984]

What you may be missing is a $500 retail speaker has about $50 in value such that about three levels of mark-up can be tacked on. Danny goes into great detail (with graphs) to explain the point of his kits.

[@edwardbalboa5528]

Yes but they mass produce , so $50 value actually costs $$$$$$ to manufacture .... Plus Elac design Thier own drive units

[@karlcotleanu486]

@@edwardbalboa5528 Danny has speakers that are made to his particular specifications. A lot of quality control going on over there at GR Research. That is why I love his products, even though I don’t own any, as yet.

[@sparkeyjones6261]

@@edwardbalboa5528 Well, no.... $ to manufacture, $$$ in marketing, $$$ in packaging/shipping, and $$$ to pay the middlemen who sell the speakers to end users.

[@edgar9651]

I would love to read GR-Research Danny's response to this.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I'd welcome his feedback. There were certainly limits to what I tested and listened for and each time I do this I grow from the experience.

[@gregvanpaassen]

Your listening room (if that's it in the background of your shots) doesn't look like it's had any acoustic treatments applied. Not surprised the speakers weren't great. What's the room's T60 and what does its waterfall plot look like?

[@jaytorr6701]

The problem with GR speakers is the exaggerated claims from Danny and Ron. They say that these are components used in 2k-3k speakers, hence they create the expectation that these are speakers with sound of that price range. Which obviously, from your review and from other independent ones, they are not...

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I gave the speakers what I felt was a positive review but some people have been pretty upset that I had any critiques. I like Ron. I feel like there is a lot of loyalty to these speakers, and I think that has played a factor.

[@jaytorr6701]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904I can see that. The issue is that I have not seen any other review apart from Ron's to claim these are speakers that perform 5-6 times their price. I get that the theory behind this is that commercial speakers are priced 6 times their material costs. I have not heard the speakers myself. But I have yet to find an independent review that to corroborate their claim. I mean, in your opinion, do they sound like a +2k speaker? Did not get than from the review... in the US one can buy the Tekton Lore for 800 dollars. Here in the UK I can buy the Wharfdale Evo 4.2 or the Denton 85th for about 700 dollars. They really believe that the XLS can compete with those? As I said, I get the idea behind it, but I think there is more to building a great speaker than putting two drivers and a crossover in a wooden box...

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

They were great speakers, they were not $2k great speakers for my tastes.

[@edwardbalboa5528]

Ridiculous claims like PVC coated cables are garbage , ruins any credibility ....

[@kdomster9141]

@@edwardbalboa5528 PVC does not help , Teflon dielectric is the best for audio applications. All depends on how far you want to go with your set up and what kind of music are you listening to and what kind of equipment and room acoustics , lot of variables... so you can't generalize . If you listen to today's POP or RAP in MP3s with HT 400usd receiver than feel free to use PVC and Electrolitic Chinese caps as there will not be any audible difference 😉

[@stephenyoud6125]

A Fair revue. See also that from Jay of Jay’s Iyagi for another. But I think Danny recommends having a decent round over on the edge of the front baffle to reduce edge diffraction. But it sounds like you had the loaded version with Sonicap upgrade with Bypass caps

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Yes, they are good speakers. I am sure there are improvements you can make but DIY comes with some of these challenges. It was the loaded version. They sounded great.

[@eksine]

I'm as confused as everyone else here. If the elac or elac 2.0 sound just as good or better I'll just buy the elac. The price you quoted doesn't even include the cabinet which you still have to buy or make so it's a no brainer, I'll research these elacs you're talking about

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Yeah, DIY can be a great thing if you have space, time and skills. But there are lots of other speakers that are great and you can buy them outright. The Encores are probably better overall speakers but it really depends on what you value.

[@cobar5334]

I would have liked you to use better amps and a good turntable... good review though. You are giving me the DIY itch

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I'm not sure what you would want in "better amps" but I did finish my theater and I got to hook my turntable up. It's an entry level Pro-ject table as I don't listen to a lot of vinyl.

[@7966016]

Love your honest review!...I feel Danny exaggerats his designs, and he doesn't do himself any favors by ripping apart other accomplished speaker designer's to push his kits!...his speakers are just OK and barely compete with lesser costing speakers...if it's your passion to build your own speaker than I see where someone would purchase these, but keeping in mind your buying solely relying on reviews like this!

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Hey, thanks for the compliment! I do like them, they are decent speakers. I too don't care for some of his criticisms of other designs (multi tweeter designs for instance). The value proposition here is really dependent on your tastes and how easy it is for you to build your own speakers which gets pretty personal. I don't fault him for trying to have a successful business but I would caution people not to fall victim to hyperbole from the Owner/Designer selling his products. True for anyone in that situation.

[@pjmt29]

Good review, looking forward to more.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Thanks! Keep your eye out for a new video tomorrow!

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

This is an appealing review. If a speaker that you build NOT INCLUDING THE BOX compeats with one that cost LESS and is off the shelf, then it is an abject failure.

[@peterjames2580]

Great video AAron!

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Thanks!

[@Newrecordday2013]

Subscribed.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

You are the man Ron! Thanks for subscribing!

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Not to get all weird but I have been following your channel for years so really cool that you subscribed to the channel. Rebekah and I were watching Umbrella Academy and I had her pause it to explain.

[@a88888888a]

How do you think this compares to the CSS Criton diy kit? Which is highly regarded in the diy speaker community

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

It looks like a really cool kit. Unfortunately I haven't heard the CSS Criton kit. Looks like they are making their own high end drivers (unless they are rebranded) so even harder to compare. Looks like there are more varied reviews for the CSS Criton speakers so probably easier to get an impartial sense of the speaker. I think the best thing is to figure out what kind of sound you are looking for and look for that in a speaker/speaker kit (assuming you don't already know and were just asking for my thoughts). Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for watching!

[@a88888888a]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 I'm thinking of few kits that I may try in the next few months.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Cool, interested in what you find!

[@a88888888a]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 I'm planning on the hivi 3.1, CSS Criton and maybe the kit you reviewed in this video

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

@@a88888888a Those all look like great kits. You should also take a look at the new video I did on the Philharmonic Audio Affordable Accuracy Plus speaker kit. Pretty impressive to me. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnrVeKmlbJupgrs

[@neccros007]

The things you mention between the UB5s and the Encores might be due to the UB5s being a 3-way and the Encores as a 2-way

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

That is my assumption too.

[@neccros007]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 I wish the owner could list what mods he/she did on the X-LS's you reviewed.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Val mentioned he did the full upgrade. My assumption is that you can go to the site and choose all the upgrades to know what was used. Unless Danny replaced what he has been offering on the site it should be that.

[@neccros007]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 Danny has a basic build/upgrade kit with Sonicaps and Mills resistors but there are even better caps that you can use and take these even higher but those will set you back another 200-300 bucks.... I was curious if the owner of these went the basic route or stepped it up further.

[@Zarkoff500]

@@neccros007 Just the upgrades available on the website including the NoRez and tube connectors. These cabinets are very inert.

[@franciscoortiz6980]

Dude... awesome intro

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Thanks man!

[@nathandaniels4823]

Great review! I have thought about doing DIY, in fact, I’m trying to decide right now between three sets of DIY speakers. Question for you: did you also try the Elacs with the higher end rig, and if so, did their performance improve as much as the GR-Research did? I currently have the Epos Epic 2’s, and I love them, but I’m ready to upgrade...looking at DIY MTM designs at the moment. I’m torn between the GR-Research X-CS, the DIYSG Helix, and the VSS Criton T2D MTM. And I’ve yet to hear anyone who’s been able to compare any two of these! Sigh. Good luck with your channel, and keep up the good work!

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Hi Nathan, thanks! I have used the Elac's with the reference gear and they do scale up. I would say they still run with the same basic differences between the two speakers. Best of luck with your decision, sounds like a tough choice. Thanks for watching and commenting and I appreciate the encouragement!

[@beatmaniaboy]

if you really want to go ham, do a 2 way with an active crossover, should be ridiculously loud and clear, going active is the same price as 2 sonicaps to put things in perspective, tube connectors, NAH, just run the wire straight to amp since its active anyways, then you can dsp it to exactly how you want it

[@edwardbalboa5528]

Epos are far better than all of those .... Try an ES14 or Es11 if I want amazing sound

[@nathandaniels4823]

Just in general? I’m guessing you haven’t heard the majority of speakers I mentioned. I ended up building the DIYSG Helix MTM and they’re substantially better than the Epos Epic 2. The Epics image slightly better, but in every other area the Helix outperform the Epic 2 by wide margins.

[@mcjonner]

Hi, which would you want in your living room or listening room, can you say which is overall better? Those were the original ub5s not even the ub5.2 correct. I thought this speaker would clearly beat a speaker in the similar price range and supposed to compete with one's twice its price. I'm trying to figure this out because I'm interested in buying one. Thanks, good video

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Both are great speakers. The DIY speaker is built by you so you get parts that compete with more expensive speakers. If I had around $600 to spend I wouldn't go DIY at the moment. I just don't have the time. On my short list would be UB5 2.0, Klipsch RP 600m, Triangle BRO3. Hope that helps? Let me know if you have more questions.

[@bennyandreberge491]

hi i have build the x-ls encore and the x-sls encore and i have testet it against dynaudio focus 160 and the klipsch rp 600m and the modify klipsch 600m and the sound quality on the Encore is twice as good and even better, for me the x-ls can sound a little thin in bass and not that full sounding because it rols of at 55hz, but the x-sls florstanding has bigger box and the bass is so BIG and powerfull and sound so much fuller and naturel, the bass go down to 30hz i my room and the x-sls is a more complete speaker with a more fuller and more impact sound, they do compete with the high end speakers out there. The x-ls need to have sub to sound more fuller.

[@chrisjordan6498]

Funny, I have the UB52 2.0s. I really like them. Just for fun, I built the XLS encores, and recently finished them. Being rather unskilled with soldering, there was definitely a learning curve! I plan to compare the two very soon, to see which pair becomes my #1.

[@mcjonner]

@@chrisjordan6498 awesome! I think I'm going to try the css critons. I've heard there maybe be towers coming out this year.

[@sparkeyjones6261]

@@chrisjordan6498 Which ones became your #1?

[@RennieAsh]

He says, the Elacs have slightly more detailed mids and imaging, but je t’aime Encore

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

As well you should. They are good speakers. Thanks for watching!

[@FOH3663]

New sub here Appreciate the content 👌

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Thanks for the sub!

[@colincombes3981]

I’m actually rn looking at getting the x-ls encore or the zaph sr71. I’m unsure which way to go. Do you have any experience with the zaph?

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Excellent question. Unfortunately, I haven't heard the Zaph. It might be a great kit. I do like that the GR Research site includes video instructions. Best of luck and thanks for watching and commenting!

[@briansimmons5363]

i cant help that much. yes i have poured over the zaph site. nothing really grabbed me. not great marketing and it shows. is gr research more marketing/sales oriented, sure. even more than madisound. i can say i'm a budget audiophile guy emotiva rig, former elac unifi ub5 owner, diy sub guy. i can say the encore x-sls i built are fantastic for so many people. they don't exactly check all the boxes for me but what speaker can under say $4k? tekton double impacts? will i keep the x-sls? for a while but getting the elacs ub52 2.0 for christmas. will be interesting to see which commands more air time... .

[@tjellis1479]

Is that the speaker playing? Hello? 1:23

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

No, that is just a music edited in the video. The drivers aren't moving.

[@cole147]

"Referense rack" LOL... time to upgrade.

[@FOH3663]

Very nice ... please. Everyone is at different points along their journey. Anyone with multiple systems, and one is of higher quality... then that's the reference rig. Nothing wrong with Marantz pre, Denon source, Parasound power.

[@ah.l]

Kef q350 or xls encore?

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

To be fair, I've never listened to the Kef. Randy really liked the XLS and he had listened to the Kef. I think a question is, do you want to build it? One is a production speaker that is going to sound awesome the other is a kit you will have to build and it might sound better.

[@bradhuskers]

What's your opinion on the klipsch sixes?

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

They looked like a cool product when they came out. I haven't had a chance to hear them or use them unfortunately. I would like to in the future.

[@bradhuskers]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 From what I understand, the sixes are part of the klipsch heritage line and made here in the USA. They are powered with a digital amp. Have Bluetooth and DSP. From what I've heard, they have a warm detailed sound.

[@billcarson7548]

I watched the video with a completely open mind, but honestly, I just could never get past the finish on the Encore Speaker, it's just not up to par, and honestly, this is the reason I have not attempted one of Danny's kits. I would hope the Encore blew the ELAC away, but obviously this is not the case, and reading between the lines, what I gathered from you video, sonically, it appears the ELAC "overall" was a better performer than the Encore. Couple that with the excellent fit and finish of the ELAC, it was no contest for me, the ELAC was the winner. I am not trying to be critical of your efforts, I probably could do not better myself, but I just could not look at a much less than professionally finished loudspeaker cabinet, I just couldn't, and have that loudspeaker not win overall in the listening test, is a no go for me. If I was unable to produce a beautiful finished product, which literally takes a woodworker with thousands of dollars worth of equipment, I just would not undertake the project, which is why I have not. I am disappointed that Danny's design was not a clear winner in all categories (sound wise), I thought it would have been. I agree with some of the other posts here. I don't think I have ever heard the Encore demoed anywhere, and we just don't ever see any comments about Danny's kits, satisfied customers! Let me detail what I am speaking about, if I could not produce a DIY loudspeaker like this, I would not begin the project, unless the box would be behind a grill cloth in a home theater application. No, if I could not get this, I would not begin the project, here is what I am speaking of: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5qbZnumpKylps0

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Hi Bill, no offense taken. I think the value of the video was to give my impression of the speaker. I thought it sounded good. It is a good speaker. I wasn't completely wowed with it but it is a good speaker and has its own strengths and weaknesses. Certainly a down side is that you have to build it yourself but for some the value is there. I think it is totally normal to have the reaction that you did as each person is going to have their own criteria.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@edwardbalboa5528]

Loudspeaker tech hadn't changed much .... It's the quality of the designer that counts.... A.jones is a proper engineer , not just playing about with off the shelf parts

[@7966016]

Couldn't have said it better myself buddy..totally agree with your comments!

[@stevenichols5708]

How much were the cabinets?

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Hi Steve, great question. I don't know how much they were but this guy builds them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZa0nJ-QZ9OEq80. If you want he has an email and you can contact him for a flat pack. [e-mail] . Thanks for watching!

[@stevenichols5708]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 thanks

[@yvesboutin5604]

Hi! I modified close to 100 pairs in the last 40 years and if some turned to be a great investment in time and money, others didn't provide much delight because of unredeemable attributes in cabinet design and drivers rough response. Garbage in, garbage out. Also, room treatement is useful for a proper stereo listening experience. The intro was fun but most reviewers put their effort in the content rather than easy joke to attract subcribers. Bye!

[@tjellis1479]

no demo? GR speakers are so popular cant find a decent DEMO. What is going on ?

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Demos are nice to see but they aren't incredibly accurate to how they sound. Are there things you are looking for in sound? Maybe I can answer a question for you.

[@edwardbalboa5528]

Not THAT popular

[@neccros007]

How much of a difference do you think the tube connectors make? That was one item I left off my list when buying my upgrades for my X-LS's

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Good question. I don't know for sure as I wasn't able to test without it but my guess is it won't be a big difference. Small cost difference between the two but with the tube connectors you're pretty limited on how to connect. It wasn't a big deal to me but it might bother others.

[@neccros007]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 How Danny explains it it makes sense and they aren't "snake oil" but My thing is having to change up my existing cabinets to accommodate the tube connectors and change out/alter my speaker cables. So if the difference isn't that massive, it might be small enough where I wouldn't notice since I am not a full on "audiophile" but I can recognize when stuff sounds good or improved from a prior setup.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

@@neccros007 To me, modifying an existing speaker to do that isn't worth it.

[@neccros007]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 Yeah I will probably stick to the stock binding posts since Danny was the designer of these speakers so I am sure they aren't bad... LOL I already paid over $300 for upgrades so $50 more for simple connectors was a little hard to swallow at the time....

[@Zarkoff500]

@@neccros007 I don't know if my ear is sensitive enough to tell a difference between regular 5 way binding posts and the tube connectors. I as well agreed with Danny's reasoning for using them. A positive is that standard banana plugs can be used with the tube connectors for comparison.

[@Cityj0hn]

You forgot to add 500 dollars for assmebly. My time is valuable you know.

[@edwardbalboa5528]

No it isn't

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

This is a valid point. DIY has a cost to it that is variable. Some people have the tools and the space already. It's simple for them. Some people might not have those things. Time in that is a cost too.

[@DougMen1]

No sound samples? Then you're just talking out of your ass. I don't trust other ears/opinions, only my own. And, Andrew Jones, and his designs for Elac are legendary and punch well above their weight. If I were going to spend about $600-700 on a pair of speakers, it would be the Polk R200, KEF Q150 or 350, Elac DBR62, or Wharfedale Diamond 12.2. They all blow away the RP600M and XLS Encores, IMO

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

You are using sound samples to determine the quality of speakers and you think I'm talking out of my ass? Yikes.....

[@cobar5342]

Why do you say 'Yarmaha'? It does not have a 'r'

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I'll have to go back and watch but I probably just said it funny.

[@WyreForestBiker]

All Americans struggle with the English language , any time spent on YT would confirm that ....

[@edwardbalboa5528]

They're great at BS though

[@Sloimer]

@@WyreForestBiker racist

[@gside98]

Who the heck is Val?

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Val is the guy who loaned me the speakers. He built the set I reviewed.

[@nicktarnofsky9523]

I was super into this review until you used Bon Iver for a bass test and I wanted to kms. thx

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

[@JClay-lf7nx]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 The world would perhaps be a better place if you'd delete your reply. 😊

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

@J. Clayton why do you say that? My comment, (though not serious) is probably what you should say to someone who might not have been joking. I don't want anyone to kill themselves.

[@TheEchelon]

@@JClay-lf7nx How? It's literally a help line

[@cadiehl1]

No sound demo or comparison? Um…. Ok.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I appreciate that people like that. You aren't really going to hear what they sound like through my microphone, then compressed through my editing, then uploaded to KZbin and compressed again and then played through whatever you are listening to KZbin on. Makes the whole chain pretty suspect and not likely to be representative. That said, I may do that in future videos because people like it.

[@CinemaDemocratica]

Friendly correction: You did send a big thank you to Val, but actually you wanted to *start* the video off with some of the weirdest, most atonal crapola I have ever seen.

[@Freedom89984]

The Encores look like a DIY box, not so great if you ask me.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

The Encores are a DIY box. It's a DIY speaker.

[@Freedom89984]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 🤭 ah that says it all, no problem, it’s all about the sound 👌🏽

[@jaguilar101]

Turn off that strange Sega video game menu screen music from the 90's and you got something.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Hahaha, is that for the intro? I was thinking of removing the intro anyways.

[@jaguilar101]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 No, your background music for the video it is not necessary. You content is strong and informational it doesn't need it.

[@C-man553]

“Sweet” offends you .

[@pliedtka]

Cheap drivers from Peerless of India, I really don't get it what's hype is all about.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Yeah, I would agree that none of the components are of any special design. Just well used, which is the mark of a good designer/engineer. I do like them. They are a good value.

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

Useless. Not valid to use different amps!

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Hahaha, who have you been talking to?