[roscoe65]

Given the identical enclosure volume of these two speakers identical drivers, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Is the XRS hands down the better speaker or are there aspects in which the 3U is the better speaker?

[Canada Rob]

Hi Roscoe,

The 3XRS has more bottom end and doesn't need a stand.  The 3U is more flexible being a monitor.  Imaging, they're pretty close.  The wide baffle on the 3XRS gives them a slightly better midrange.

[Ultralight]

Rob - this is an old thread.  But how is a monitor more flexible?  I'm not clear on the reason - one can place a floor stander anywhere in the room. Do you mean monitor can be placed on bookshelves and desks?  Or something else? 

Thanks,
UL

[Canada Rob]

A tower can go in/on one place, the floor.  A monitor can go on a variety of stands (with various types of damping anywhere from lossy to mass loaded), bookshelf, credenza, wall bracket, and in the 3i's case the desktop too.