X-LS Encore Kit (Pair)
$359.00 – $714.50
The price is per pair.
The X-LS Encore kit comes with everything you need minus cabinet material. So assembling the speakers are very easy and at a beginner to novice level. Parts used in the crossover for the basic kit (no upgrades) are all Erse polypropylene caps, non-inductive wire wound resistors, Erse XQ air core inductors, and Gen. 2 Sonicap by-pass caps. The crossover requires point to point assembling. The kit comes with binding post cups, ports, high quality OFC wire in polyethylene, screws, solder and heat shrink. We now offer fully assembled Encores ready to play! Click here for details.
Bookshelf Speaker Dimensions:
Width: 8.5″ (216mm)
Height: 13.5″ (343mm)
Depth: 12″ (305mm)
SLS Tower dimensions:
Width: 8.5″ (216mm)
Height: 37″ (940mm)
Depth: 12″ (305mm)
Impedance: 8-Ohms
We recommend 1 sheet of NoRez for the X-LS bookshelf, and 2 sheets for the X-SLS towers. (not included)
Need a Flatpack?
X-LS Bookshelf
X-SLS Tower
Baltic-birch plywood flatpacks:
More info here
Need a flatpack?
The X-LS Encore came about as a direct result of the success of the X-LS Classic design. As the X-LS Classic was setting new performance standards for a mini-monitor in a budget price point, and winning industry awards with every review. It was also rivaling and bettering many speakers in much higher price points. So AV123 (the company producing the X-LS Classic) asked the questions, how far could the performance of this speaker go if the production budget were increased? What would need to be done to it for it to compete with any mini-monitor design regardless of price?
The strength of the X-LS Classic was its woofer. The M-165 woofer had a very smooth and accurate response that needed very few components in the signal path to control it. And it had a beautiful mid-range and clean bass response. The crossover parts used were also very good. The tweeter, while very good, was not one of the worlds best dome tweeters. So an obvious choice was to upgrade the tweeter. Looking at the best available dome tweeters, the Peerless T26SG was selected for its low Fs, high sensitivity, well damped rear chamber, high quality materials, high quality workmanship, and a really smooth response. Resolution levels with this tweeter are very high as well, and one of the best the industry has to offer in this regard.
As designed the X-LS Encore speakers began beating up the competition. It was also an ideal platform for additional modifications and tweaks. An X-LS Encore with point to point wired crossovers using all Sonicaps, Mills resistors, foil inductors and lined with No Rez won the StereoMojo small speaker shoot out in 2007.
The X-LS Encore (like the Classic version) is an 8 ohm load and has 87db sensitivity. The -3db down point is 55Hz. The low 1.8kHz crossover point allows for a great driver integration and consistent phase relationship of the drivers over a wide vertical range. The vertical and horizontal off axis is excellent so the in room response is very smooth and consistent.
The X-LS Encore was also released as a small floor standing speaker with an optimal ported air space. This version was tuned lower allowing a -3db down point of 45Hz. This version is called the X-SLS Encore. This version is also a good choice because speaker stands are not needed. The lower section of the cabinet can also be sand filled for added stability.
The X-SLS version of the kit includes additional wire. The X-SLS option adds $11.50 to the kit cost.
Additional upgrades for the X-LS include a Sonicap upgrade. The Sonicaps increase clarity across the board and improve resolution levels.
The X-LS can also be improved by upgrading the binding post cups to the Electra Cable tube connectors. The tube connectors are the highest quality connectors currently on the market. They offer improved clarity across the board and are extremely easy to install. The tube connector upgrade is $50.
You might also want to add a sheet of No Rez. See No Rez.
Additional information
| Weight | 14 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13 × 10 × 10 in |
| Version | X-LS Bookshelf, X-SLS Floorstanding Version ($11:50) |
| Connector Upgrade | Standard Binding Post Cup, Tube Connectors ($55) |
| Capacitor Upgrade | Stock polycaps, Sonicaps ($289) |
Cabinet Plans
11 reviews for X-LS Encore Kit (Pair)
The Mills resistors and Miflex bypass caps, as shown in these videos below, are no longer offered as an upgrade for any of our kits.
Frequency Response
Vertical Response
Impedance Response
Horizontal Response
Spectral Decay
Kevin Dillinger (verified owner) –
Just finished my set. The kit has everything you need and the support is amazing. I ordered the assembled cabinets and they were excellent. If your thinking about this kit I would strongly recommend it. There is nothing like building these out then hooking them up and get to hear what all your work achieved. And to top it off they sound amazing. Wish I had heard about this DIY stuff long ago. I will be defiantly be ordering the matching center channel in the future. Thanks GR-Research for making these quality of product for all us DIY guys to enjoy.
Christopher Reiter –
I’m a little late to game here, so I’ll just brief my thoughts, I just put together a pair of these xls stand mounts and it didn’t take long for me to hear the best midrange I may have ever heard, after running through every genre of music recorded & live I’m not sure how you would improve on that, at least for what they are. I’ve never heard ALL of the details so present, I mean they bring the wood crackling in the fireplace across the room into the picture, I’m really amazed by the female vocals, very smooth and delicate yet full, with that perfect amount of natural sibilance as you’d hear in real life (0 smearing) . I really noticed the “black” background if you will, in between instruments or should I say very quick decay in between the end of a note and the beginning of another, the bass is set at the right level and blends perfectly with the rest of the spectrum filling out the bottom end, now for the negatives ….. ok there, I didn’t find any…..oh and this subjective opinion of mine is without a sub and straight out the box (no break in) just the encores alone, sorry for the amateur wording but it’s what comes to mind, btw I’ve built 20 different DIY speakers in the past 10 years and most have been really nice but there’s something about these that I haven’t heard in the others
Herold, Thomas, Lloyd –
I have built a pair of X-LS Encores speakers and an X-CS Encore speaker. First of all, thanks to Danny, every time I look at some fancy new speaker, I wonder just how good it will sound. Then I notice all of the design flaws Danny has taught us in his videos, or he does an upgrade video on this new fancy speaker, and I decide it would just be better to build one of Danny’s kits and get a much better speaker for a small fraction of the price of this new fancy speaker. Secondly, since Danny explains why he designs the speaker the way he does, and what his intended application of this speaker is, I feel much better that I am using the correct speaker for my particular situation. Thirdly, since I build these speakers, I have pride of ownership every time I look at them. I know exactly what the speakers are made out of. Quality things are made out of quality parts. Danny uses high quality parts. Therefore, I understand why Danny’s speakers sound so great. Now that Danny has a full line of speakers, I do not think I will ever buy a factory-made speaker again. Thanks, Danny, for making this hobby a lot more fun and much less expensive.
Scott Sabo (verified owner) –
Super fun kit to build out at a solid price. Crazy good imaging even with just the base components and tube connectors. Highly recommended as great set of speakers and a great place to start for beginner DIYers. Danny’s build videos are super helpful.
Harry (verified owner) –
I have never built a pair of speakers before I bought the XLS encores with a flat pack made out of birch plywood not only did they look good they sound great ! They blow me away they just play play I can’t wait to build servo sub see how much better it could sound thank you again Danny!
Quentin Bargate –
The XL-S Encore kits, using your top quality crossover components and tube connectors, Danny, with more than a little help with construction from my skilled electrician friend, fed by a Lyngdorf TDAI3400 amp with RoomPerfect room correction, and a quality sub-woofer, sound superb and have done so for more than a year now. Painted in gloss black. The Encores have replace floorstanders that sell at many, many times the price. Less really is more!
Scott Jarrell –
The feeling of accomplishment and pride is off the chart. From the gluing of the flat pack, soldering the crossover, and installing the drivers, just pure fun! I have pinball machines, so I painted the X-LS Encores blue to match my game room look. Danny’s videos are so helpful, I wish he would make more crossover videos for the higher end products as well. I don’t have any wood working skills and my blue Encores are a bit square… But, they are the best sounding freaking speakers I’ve ever owned! For movie watching, I use them as Left and Right speakers for my 5.1 surround system. For stereo music, the encores sound solid with clear definition of high and low. I enjoy punchy music like the Yacht Rock playlists, these things sound great. Very happy.
suggestion – add pictures to the reviews, it would be fun seeing all the builds.
Frank Costantini –
I built a home theater system for a 13×17 x 8 foot room around Danny’s Encore family. SLS for front L/R, CS center, and Bravo for the sides. These are stock designs using the flat packs. It was a fun project to assemble the cabinets and crossovers. I sealed (2 coats shellac) and painted (interior latex followed by water based polyurethane) the cabinets to match the room. I bought my first router and routed the edges with a 3/8” bit. Easy-peasy!
I drive the system with a Yamaha Adventage RX-A4A receiver, but am using a vintage Adcom 555 amplifier for powering the front L/R. I have a SVS SB-2000 sub.
I could not be happier with the sound. The detail and imaging from these speakers are amazing, and they are a tremendous value. I listen to two-channel more than movies, and it is like hearing my favorite songs again for the first time.
My son liked them so much that I built a pair of XLS for him.
I had a couple questions along the way, and Danny and Hobbs were quick to respond.
Definitely get the No rez. The bass is tight and defined, no booms.
GR Doesn’t have a in ceiling speaker, so I had to buy some 4” chinesium speakers to fit in my coffered ceiling for Atmos. Maybe Danny will make a ceiling speaker some day and I can swap them out!
I can’t recommend the encore family any higher. An awesome speaker that is easy to drive and is not fatiguing. Do it!
Kelly (verified owner) –
The XLS Encore was an awesome first build for me. The sound you get is very engaging in comparison to other speakers I have had. The build was very easy and I have something I am super happy with. I built the upgraded crossover version and made the mistake of getting the standard binding post, do yourself a favor and get the tube connectors, the difference is not small. The clarity and soundstage were impacted significantly! I recommend the XLS Encore’s for anyone who has a need for a bookshelf set-up you will be impressed with the sound quality and parts quality.
Scott Skillman –
My review is a bit different from the norm. I Owned the Avi X-LS speakers. I had read about the Ninja version that GR-Research had designed and submitted for competition. So I bought the drivers and components and rebuilt the speakers. I added no rez, built and new cross-over, and rewired everything. using the easy to use instructions and following some videos, I was able to complete the build in one day. I passed on the tube connectors but I did replace my hardware to make sure there was no steel in my terminals. I loved the new sound and really noticed the changes. I encourage everyone to give them a go. One thing that surprised me was how good they sounded without the front cover. For me this was fulfilling project as it allowed me to economically increase the performance of my system, and take satisfaction in knowing that it was something I built and had fun doing so.
Ron Scott –
I bought the X-LS Encore kit and flat-pack to replace a 35 year-old pair of speakers (with a blown tweeter) while on my first visit to Danny’s place in mid-December last year and built them in January. I got them with the Sonicap upgrade, the tube connectors and bought No-Rez in January while completing the build.
I have played in ensembles for over 50 years and conducted ensembles for over 40, so I have a pretty good sense of soundstage and an ear for details (like the release at the end of a tone, the subtleties of stick or mallet choices on percussion instruments like cymbals, timpani and keyboard percussion. I have also heard some high-dollar Hi-Fi equipment over the years (much higher priced than I could ever afford). I have to say that these speakers were pretty amazing on first hearing, and have only gotten better in the 8 months since I first go them hooked up.
And I have to give a shout-out to Danny and Hobbs. As an absolute novice with the electronics, they were very helpful (and patient!) with me for the crossover build. I never imagined myself ever building my own set of speakers, let alone anything that reproduces music the way these speakers do. These are an incredible value!