The Encore tweeter, as good as it is, has a limit with transparency. The NX series is the direction to go if that’s your goal. Of course there’s nothing wrong with maximizing the X-LS. This hobby is all about experimenting and having fun.
Also, a maxed out X-LS Encore is still going to be half the cost of an NX Studio with the same maxed out level of crossover. Remember to factor in the cost of the cabinet, not just the kit.
I've been able to compare the Peerless tweeter against the Neo3 tweeter in a similar design with the same level of upgraded crossover components with the X-LS Encore and the N1X. After doing extensive comparisons over many months I could not choose a clear preference. My preference boiled down to the type of music being listened to. With very detailed and dynamic music like classical I preferred the Neo 3. With more laid back music like blues and jazz I preferred the Peerless. That said, the Neo3 in an open back application is a different animal than the Neo3 in a closed back application like the N1X.
An interesting comparison would be a maxed out X-LS Encore with a stock NX-Studio. The Studio would still be more expensive than the Encore but the information would be useful.
As for the performance of a maxed out X-LS Encore, I've listened to them in systems that cost $1,000 / $3,500 / $10,000 / $40,000 / and over $100,000. In each case the performance improved so the money put into the upgraded crossovers doesn't hit a wall.
I fully expect a maxed out NX-Studio's performance to continue to improve as the quality of the system increases, at least to the same $100,000 level. Since the NX-Studio has superior performance over the X-LS Encore at the base level, it will continue to outclass the Encores at maxed out level.
Which brings the choice of X-LS Encore vs NX-Studio back to budget. If you have the budget for the NX-Studio, choose it. Otherwise choose the X-LS Encore and upgrade the crossover as much as your budget will allow.
