Head to squarespace.com/jaysiyagi to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code jaysiyagi PRODUCT LINKS (non-affiliated): *Please note that our pair was fully maxed out with all the upgrades and the Copper foil inductors that is no longer available unless you source it yourself (due to supply issues with GR-Research)* GR-Research X-LS Encore (KIT): gr-research.com/product/x-ls-encore/ GR-Research X-LS Encore (Finished): gr-research.com/product/xls-encore/ Sonus Faber Electa Amator III (dealership only): www.sonusfaber.com/prodotti/electa-amator-iii/ RELATED VIDEOS: Full Blind Test Video (2 hours long): kzfaq.info/get/bejne/at9ghaiVxJy5eYk.html Sonus Faber Electa Amator III: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r795dLqruM6VoIU.html GR-Research XLS Encore Initial Impression: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p-Bnm7xjr5mmnKs.html Audio note and Vincent: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oMCTls2kvaupopc.html

Another comparison that I think would be really interesting is the CSS Criton 1-TDX, they are both kit speakers in the same price range

I've never been more captivated, more excited, to hear each of your perspectives on what you've just experienced. Vincent brings so much to the table given his background and extensive musical experience. I believe he feels the sound and truly knows when a speaker is getting it right. Vincent's insights, I believe, are invaluable in this instance and I am so happy he made the trip and participated. Thank you both for taking the time to share this experience with us. Vincent truly is an entertainer at heart and really makes all of this so much more fun. What a cool guy. Hands down the best review I've ever seen in my life.

Really well done review Jay. As someone who owns GR Research speakers I am really impressed with how fair you seem to be given the way this all started.

The X-LS encore was a $200 production speaker fully built in the mid-late 2000s. This is a budget design. I highly encourage people to check out his updated speakers to get a real taste for what Danny can do. I honestly don’t care that much for SF speakers, usually, or the X-LS Encore line. They’re all fine… but they don’t impress me to the point I’m blown away. It’s always interesting to hear that people enjoy those speakers given my own relationship with them. Comparisons are tough when you have speakers built with different intentions, price points, and with different frequency responses. This was entertaining.

Just wanted to give you some praise for your content it’s advanced so much over the past couple of years, your killing it Jay 🤙🏻

I enjoyed this type A/B testing! To hear the preference and opinions of an "audiophile" and a professional musician is a great idea.

I'm watching Jay's channel because of Gary at GR Research and all the great reviews of the XLS Encore so it would be only fitting for a head to head with the CSS Criton 1-TDX. The CSS is something I recently heard about and I very much want to DIY a speaker system so these 2 companies are at the top of my list. This blind test was interesting only because comparing a $10K speaker to a $700 and the outcome was (all things considered) very eye opening, for most of us the Sonus Faber is out of our price consideration, and I think most are also here to see how the XLS holds up to the Sonus Faber out of curiosity.

Very excited to watch this review Jay! You and your guest did not let down! The quality of your reviews have been improving lately and it's nice to watch. Thanks for the show. Good job 👍

Nicely done Jay. If The XL-S Encore was going to loose to a better speaker, it is good that it costs 10x the price. Hopefully this will help heal the community a bit and get us back to focusing on great sound and products. Thumbs up!

Very nicely done. Thanks for being there for us!

I would love to see some comparisons with Troels Gravesen designs. He works with ScanSpeak and other manufacturers to test new drivers. His kits are sold through Jantzen.

It seems like the musician prioritizes sound stage over fullness and Jay prioritizes tone and dynamic range over imaging. That the GR research speakers can be so much better at imaging that it is apparent to both of you is quite amazing.

I paid $650 for a completed and basic Encore speaker built with stained birch plywood last year. At that price it blows everything out of the water. A professional woodworker built the cabinets for me for $350 and the other stuff cost $300. I assembled the electronics myself.

Great video as always. In my opinion it is not a blind test any more the moment you recognize a speaker by its sound. Still this is a great comparison in my opinion 💪

Looks and Price: Interesting how they influence our perception of sound quality, even after the fact. Choosing the cheap one 40% of the time, but then the expensive one suddenly became better at everything. And 10x better too. Just shows how we should admit we like certain esthetics, even over sound quality. I would be willing to believe the $10k one was better overall. But that's also 10x more expensive. That's not "just twice the price". 10x is a LOT more expensive. Looks like the GR Res did pretty well. 40/60 to an unbiased (haven't heard either previously) listener. I liked the look of the SF better too, it's really well designed visually. SUGGESTION: Price and Looks probably should NOT have been revealed to the listener until AFTER the review. Retrograde Bias is a real effect in experiments. Good overall job here though.

Great video Jay! Now for an ‘Encore’ or sorts, please do a comparison vs. the 1TDX. That is the dollar for dollar, DIY match I would like to see!

I think the real competition is the CSS audio kit. That would be a proper apples to apples comparison.

One thing not discussed in a lot of listening tests is the fact that one gets used to the sound of ones own home room acoustics. Therefore, small differences will be more apparent to the homeowner than anyone else. I wonder if the outcome of the double blind test would be the same if Jay took his gear over to Vincent's place ?

An interesting turn-around. I am grateful that you took the time to explore the GR research product and provide fair and useful content on it. I think this will help Danny get beyond coming off as an elitist and do a lot to mend his earlier misrepresentation of himself and his brand. Vincent Bélanger, Wow! What a cool individual. Deepest respects to you both.

Vincent is impossible not to like. I bet filming this you must have had many breaks in filming due to laughing.

Good job! I bought one of Vincent's CDs at Axpona in 2019. He played his Cello simultaneously with music played in the AudioNote Room. The 2022 Room at Axpona was a big improvement over 2019's room.

Is that audiophile duct tape on the blindfold?

Love your work and approach to reviewing GR Research stuffs. It is like watching a good TV series. It has drama and suspense. I can't wait for more stuffs like this.

The next logical comparison then would be a step up model from GR. If you find the Sonus 2.5x better. Compare it to a 2.5x more expensive GR.

Well done!! For me what makes the GR XLS Encore is the tweeter. One of the big problem I find with a lot of speakers today is the tweeter is to hot and to in your face. This make the speaker very fatiguing. Sure you can start to turn knobs but as soon as to do that you start to lose detail. Besides I build all my own gear, DAC Pre, Amp and speakers and I never use any type of tone control. The music was mixed the way that artist wanted it to sound. As soon as you start to change the tone to can change how the artist wanted it. You will also lose detail, and you can also change it's soundstage as well. It's like going out to eat a fine dinner and you order the meal without the sauce. The sauce is the most expensive thing on the plate and it's what makes the meal. Without the sauce it's just a cooked protein. Anyway I can listen to my XLS Encores all day. I can't say that about the rest of my speaker collection. Yes I do have some that sound better in different ways but I can't listen to them all day.

Another great review Jay, Thanks. It may put you on the spot, a bit. Criton vs Encore please!!

Vincent's reaction upon hearing the MSRP of the Amator III was priceless.

If the GR did this well, Jay you should do another blind test with the same SF vs the NX Studio (all maxed out). Then I think we are going to see the GR take the prize money home. $10k vs $3k (fully built). Great job on this one!

Loved this video! Great concept, great guest. Thank you for making this happen Jay!

I'd like to see a review of the NX-Studio monitors. I don't see much out there on these.

The French guy picked the GR Research speaker 🔈 4/10 times but after he learned its price he walked everything back and kept saying “for its price.” Jay you spoiled his opinions as soon as you told him the price.

Would be great if you could devise a switching system for instaneous switching between speakers. I've found that this makes a real difference in blind comparisons. Easier to hone in on differences when the switching is instantaneous. No time for hearing memory lag. Keep up the good work! Thanks.

@Jay Iyagi, can you compare the GR Research XLS vs the CSS Audio 1TD-X

the fact that the GR research kit is compared to a price point way above its srp... is a statement in itself... it all comes down to personal taste and preference... cant go wrong either way. great vid

Good job Jay. Glad you used the SF speakers for the comp.

I think both speakers are good products. I love the Sonus craftsmanship and design. I love the GR value. Now can we have a company that can build like Sonus with the leather and quality finish with the GR value? Maybe for $3-4K?

Danny of GR RESEARCH pulled of this amazing sound with a $40 driver that anybody can afford. Imagine what he can achieve if he started playing with $150-$250 drivers Wholesale cost. As for skill level ?. When I went to school in six grade we went to full-blown electrical electronics class with soldering and making circuit boards. we had wood shop and auto shop and metal fabrication shop and art class where you cut glass you cast jewelry and metal etched in glass etched materials. All the way through 12th grade. So by the time you graduated high school you had six years of taking wood fabrication metal sabotation electronic class in arts using different materials. So to reproduce a fine piano finish like on a grand piano is child’s play very easy to do. The contouring of wood and fabrication is of a beginner level who just graduated high school there is no high-level skill involved. It’s only due to the lack of education trade schools that people nowadays think these are great finishes because of the lack of education and skills. OK exact same looking wood & finish can be applied to the GR Research speaker. It all in the hands 🙌 of the worker

Jay, congratulations man. I am glad you were able to stay objective and above the fray given what has happened recently. Good review. Cheers!

That’s pretty impressive that a thousand dollar speaker could do so well against something 10X it’s price!

Thanks for the Video Jay/Vincent For a informative comparraion .

Very nice video. Thanks to both of you for sharing your thoughts! I think the point a lot of people keep missing is, even though the GR Research kits are very inexpensive...'CHEAP' even...that does not mean they are BAD. The point is, Danny's products, including the X-LS, punch WAY above their weight, metaphorically speaking. I think you are going to love your trip to GR Research in Texas. Safe travels! 🙂

We are all in this hobby, all too aware of the hazards of the laws of diminishing returns. The price at which that kicks in, I think largely depends on your enthusiasm for perfection, audio nirvana and your disposable income. I think the 80/20 rule is crucial here. You can buy a pair of speakers which please your listening preference. If you paid 80@% more, you’d get a 20% increase in performance. Is it worth paying that extra 80%? Well, if you have the enthusiasm and disposable income, yes! So, fully factory assembled, those GR Research speakers cost $1400 as opposed to the 5 times the price $7000 Sonus. Yet in blind testing the Sonus were picked 80% of the time. I think that speaks volumes for the Sonus. As you rightly pointed out, if someone had invested in a pair of Sonus, likely they would be using ‘higher end’ or more price appropriate electronics which would doubtless bring out the ‘higher end’ virtues of the Sonus. I think it’s a win win situation for Sonus. That is take nothing nothing fron the GR Research speakers. For a more cash strapped audiophile, they’d doubtless make for a very impressive pair of more wallet friendly speakers.

Excellent Observations and remarks in this Blind A/B Test. It seems that if you had the GR Research speakers and added a quality sub with it you could potentially have a really nice system for a fraction of the cost of the Sonus Fabers. For some us retirees that is a big deal. 😉👍🏻

All of this audio gear “taste” stuff is subjective: the gear, the music, the rooms, the recordings, etc and the individual’s taste ... that is why there are so many choices for so many people to be able to choose ... indeed GR Research is an incredible value ... that one chooses it or not. (Ex. my highest level equipment was: Threshold / Conrad-Johnson / Classe Audio amps, Threshold / Counterpoint / Conrad Johnson pre amps, Meridian / Wadia CDs, VPI / Linn Turntables... and some might not consider that very good but I loved all of those audio gears) !!! 🤠

Nice job, Jay. I think you did a fantastic job in reviewing these two products which appear to be similar, but albeit priced on opposite extremes. Vincent liked the SF because of aesthetics and a bit more in sound, however for $1,000 or $2,000, you could have a very nice carpetner use expensive woods to make it identical or even more pleasing to the eye than Sonus Faber. Save the rest of the money or upgrade the GR Research drivers and you still have a bunch of money to pocket for amps. You guys did a great job in reviewing these products. Keep up the great work.

Well you can throw Jays “blind” test out the window.

Definitely wanna see how the polks r200’s fare against them. While the xls should be much better it will be interesting to see how well Polk does for a cheaper price

I want to see a blind test between the GR-Research XLS Encore and the CSS Criton 1TD-X. For the blind test, the reviewer should not know anything about the two speakers under test (nothing) and not see either until the end. So base it totally on the sound, zero on the looks.

Sonus Faber is soo much prettier though

Vincent: "I'm here and I'm very excited about your 'crazy idea'." 5:18 Jay: "Put that on." Vincent: 😨

Well done sourcing an independent, and yet sophisticated set of ears! Do you think there would be interest to go into different direction, a blind compartment between GR ($700) and sub-$200 speakers (eg. Sony SSCS5)? ...Also, goals: To be that successful to have Jay pay your time by taking you to Korean BBQ

I guess that the most substantial difference is the lack of bass punch and deepness that goes in favor of the Sonus Faber. No speaker sound high end if there is bass missing. I'd be curious to see how adding a sub or two would have changed the outcome

My main takeaway? I want Korean BBQ right now.

Thanks for the review and for posting your playlist. Love discovering new music.

He made some good points because he seems to have a good understanding of value & quality. It is difficult to imagine value when one’s income is different. Many people can not easily imagine what it is like to spend $10k as if it were $1k. Two different paintings can use the same canvas and amount of paint and two different violins may have the same amount of elements, however the difference in value can make a massive difference depending on who how and why it was made and who desires it for their own reasons. I own B&W, Klipsch and others as well as SF Olympica IIs and they are definitely worth the $5k I paid for them new (about 75% off original). Clearly people see “value” in Sonus Faber or they wouldn’t sell. They are a valuable work of art to me beyond their musical value. I also love my pre-owned $100 KG 1.5 and $300 KG 3.2 Klipsch and listening to them is a different enjoyable experience.

Great episode, dude. This was an elite review and comparison. Respect 🙌

Love his Les 9 ensamble!! Hope they get another disc out soon! "La" and "conversations" great cello playing.

Great video. Honestly all reviews of all gear should involve blind testing. It does involve a lot more work so perhaps a bit unfair when the videos are free but, I really appreciate this approach, especially when you have courage to include guests. Well done.

For the price, you could add a 8 inch and 10 inch sub to the encore. AND sound treatment plates 😊

Nice guy, Vincent. Seems to be very much in touch with what he experiences while listening to the music. Very helpful indeed! Thanks! I AM starting to get curious of the self-build type of loudspeakers. Even though I don't really want to replace my Harbeth speakers..

An interesting test would be to build two different systems where the total cost was the same, including subwoofers as both speakers will benefit. Say a total budget of $20k. With the savings made with the GR Research being put into better source and amplification. In a comparison like this I'm sure the results would be reversed.

It would be good Jay if you took the Sonus and the GR speakers with you when you visit Danny .

Excellent detailed review gentlemen!

After watching this, although it’s not mention or compare to 1DTX. But by knowing how you compared and evaluated this, I think 1DTX still a better choice. 👍

Fantastic review. I like where all of this is going, and I can't wait to hear the other comparisons. Vincent is such a cool dude too...hard not to like him!

Great video and we'll appreciated, thanks. Would be nice to compare to unifi reference as well and maybe how they compare once you added a sub to take that criticism out of the equation of them being thin sounding. Maybe it would allow them to shine more comparatively. Also I've mentioned a few times of this diy speaker, but never know if people read it so I will mention again, diysg helix is prices between the encores and critons, but have exact same impressive bass specs as the critons and cult following. Would be nice to one day see them reviewed/compared by a mainstream reviewer. Thanks alot for these videos I really like them!

Something I'm curious about... Vincent cites, a couple times, that he liked the Sonus Faber better because he thought it was fuller and had a bit more base (I'm paraphrasing). I just checked and the Sonus Faber is rated down to 40Hz while the XLS is rated to 45Hz. I'm curious what the outcome would be if there was a sub added to the mix (same sub for both speakers) so the low-end extension difference is taken out of the picture. Particularly since when the last piece of music was being discussed (the one chosen by the cameraman that didn't have much low-end information) both Jay and Vincent said it was a much harder choice. I know for myself that if I'm comparing two speakers and one digs lower than the other, I almost always prefer the one that can get deeper.

Simply said: Nice work!

Would like to hear a comparison between the XLS and Sonus Faber Lumina II. Similar prices comparing a pre built XLS for those of us who don't want to DIY.

Jay Your are getting better and better at this. Keep it going. Looking forward to your reviews when you return from Texas. Questions. I was looking at the Amator III's A bit our of my range. What would you say to the Minima Amator II Do you think they'd be worth the purchase.

I see the list equipment below but on the video it looks like you are using some GATO pieces???

Jay, one thing I learned from reading/watching different reviewers’ reviews of the XLS Encore and others is that their performance steps up differing amounts with better/different gear. For your own benefit, you might try listening to two different sets of speakers with two different sources (at way different price points) and see how the speakers compare to each other when being fed by different amps/DACs, etc. You might find that one starts to leave the other in the dust as the quality of gear improves.

Great review Jay. I love the Sonus Faber speakers. Take a listen to another great standmount speaker, the Audiovector r1 arreté, it's amazing.

Danny helped with Tyler Acoustics Timekeeper speakers. They are considerably more expensive. Is love to see you get your hands on a pair for review.

quantifying quality is tough. another way of looking at it is your guest chose the SFs 6-4, if I had got those results I might say that based on listening the SFs are 1.33x better. of course I didn't factor in the appearance.

Conversations with Vincent Belanger and Anne Bisson is one of my favourite albums.

Great Video Jay. The XLS Encore is always a Great Value especially to Hobbyists who want to Dwell in DIY. GR Research has a Great community in Audiocircle that will welcome and help everyone. Godbless. Frederick

It is probably always an issue of "diminishing returns". If you can afford the higher priced components - buy them. But the GR-Research speakers are great for the money spent.

Great blind review.....but once the price was revealed and Jay asks if the Sonus Faber was worth 10X more.....and he says, 'Yes', seems very biased. Then Jay says 2X more. Well, to each his own.

The best bookshelf speakera ive heard personally are DALI Rubicon 2. Can you get a hold of a pair for a comparison test.

Great job, thanks Jay.

Hi jay really good to see the long awaited review and the blind testing is very interesting but a great pity the most interesting comparison is missing. What has happened to the comparison with the CSS audio criton kit Cheers john

Always an interesting watch, but.... 60/40 for the SF speakers and yet they are worth 10x the price? They are just over priced. Also SF speakers tend to have a very different sound signature, so are usually identifiable pretty easily. I would expect a speaker that's approved by Danny to be pretty decent, he talks a lot of sense, he also often talks about many speakers being so overpriced. Jay, I like your honesty, love the channel ❤️

There is a sense when you hear a better speaker that it reveals more. You get more artistry and better separation and less editorialising. Lesser speakers gloss over key details that give you the sense of realism.

Loved it, sounds like maybe I got taken by selecting the R200's but I don't have the technical skills to put that speaker together so maybe I did okay. Love to have your take on this speaker vs. the Polk R200s. Have a good one.

Wow! Putting the GR Research Encores up against the Sonos Fabers? And, for Danny to even suggest it???? Now that is ballsy to say the least. Jay, you do indeed do some very interesting work and this double-blind comparison of these speakers - (pardon the pun) along with along with Vincent's synopsis - outstanding !

Maybe it’s in the longer A/B test video, but it would be interesting to see which tracks from the playlist he chose the GR speakers.

Jay awesome vid my bud Frederick can be proud

where did you guys go for Korean BBQ? I am always looks for good recommendations

I would imagine that DIY speakers need to have exceptional value also because I would think that resell value is much lower than well known speaker brands like Sonos Faber, B&W, etc.

I was shocked when he said this video wasn’t sponsored by GR Research! 😂

If I ever decided to upgrade, the Sonus Faber would not even be considered, way too expensive for me, while even the GR would be a stretch. It sounds as if the GR Research would blow away anything in it's price range.

Great video, thanks

Well done video and comparison. I’m really impressed that the GR Research speaker held its own against a powerhouse like Sonus Farber.

Jay, How does it (GR reasearch pseaker) compare to CSS audio speakers? Thank you for a great review & blind testing.

nice comparison , good take but my question is about this Sonus Faber model, is this the one that for the first time uses high end crossover components? I have seen and heard previous models and I believe significantly less expensive using generic components in it's crossover .

Nice cimparison. Head to head bookshelf.. 🙏🙏

Hey! How about squaring that off against the overly famed "Kef ls50 meta lls" vs the GR research ?!!! Btw, I just bought the Lumina lls... after a day of break in while I was at work and then hooking up my neighbors Yamaha CA 400 back from the repair shop (new guts and sounds pretty dam good!)... I am soooo in love with what they do!!! I see why you like their sound! Great video, THX for your time with that!

Outstanding! Keep doing these excellent videos. ♥️ Today's stand-mounted speakers from $150 - $15,000 will give you plenty of material!