Here are a few things to consider about these speakers and brand, based on tons of reading and online research I've done over the past few months. Admittedly, I moved from not knowing about this brand to having a 3.x setup with them, then 5.x and now 7.x. Obviously, that's based on my impressions so YMMV.
The RC263 is a behemoth of a speaker. It's powerful, has nice bass to it (although it could benefit from a dedicated sub) and delivers clear sounds. It's really of insane value given its price. As mentioned, it's HUGE. make sure you account for its size on all dimensions before making the purchase. Take the measurements and verify it fits your media console or can comfortably sit on top of it. Some people suggested hanging it on a wall, but that sounds too obtrusive too given its size. Here's a review from the fantastic site "Audio Science Review" (link[audiosciencereview.com]): "The Infinity RC263 has excellent objective measurements for a budget center speaker. They have tried hard to hit key aspects of good sound in a horizontal center speaker within a very tough budget. So unless you can afford to spend a ton more, the RC263 makes for a very good center speaker in a home theater, augmented by a subwoofer"
The R162 (I have 4 of those) are amazing for their price. It's really a great speaker. Review[audiosciencereview.com](quote: "The Infinity R162 definitely seems to have benefited from good design. Whether on purpose (to sell better in showroom) or not, the elevated highs are a bit of an issue but fortunately that cam be tamed with equalization. The rest of the performance both objectively and subjective is very good and not at all that of a cheap junk speaker"). Once I got the R253 I actually felt that the R162 are of less value, but given their size they are still great. I use them for surround channels (L/R and back L/R. I put them on "PERLESMITH Universal Floor Speaker Stands 26 Inch for Surround Sound" for $70/pair).
The R152 are supposed to be little brother of the 162. They are smaller, but I don't know if its worth buying those when you can get the R162 for a few $ more.
The R253 tower (I own 2 of those) are fantastic. Review[audiosciencereview.com]: "The Infinity Reference 253 is one hell of a package. You couldn't build one quarter of it for what they are selling it for right now. The new measurements show excellent performance, sans two bits: a dip around 2 kHz and too much treble energy. Both were easily fixable with EQ". That review also reports an issue with the tweeter range, but it's unclear whether that was a one-off or not. I couldn't hear issues with my unit, but I'm far from being an audiophile, and I don't own the relevant equipment to measure the sounds, as was done in the review. I'm happy with my units, to be clear.
The R263 are supposed to be even better than the 253. They are slightly bulkier, so I didn't get/hear them.
Brand/Service/Delivery:
When in stock, they ship super fast - you get it in 3-4 days. Don't think twice - order as IT WILL GO OOS soon.
When things go OOS and backordered, some have us waited ~6 weeks with very poor and conflicting communication from Harman Audio reps regarding the status of orders.
Many report packages arriving banged up. Mine missed a few inches of cardboard. However, I haven't read on someone who got a banged up product. Definitely take photos of the boxes once you get them, instead you need to report an issue.
HA have a 30 days return policy. I haven't tried it, but it sounds good on paper.
Some people report getting coupons codes for a small discount after contacting HA support and complaining about issues with past orders. YMMV.
Good luck!
I have the 263 towers and center channel and I can't say enough good things about these speakers for the money. Crystal clear and they will take all the power you can shoot to them.
I'm legitimately not trying to be a jerk... but if you are asking what's it seems like you are asking, these may not be right for you.
Each of these products are pieces of a sound system setup. You will need space for a receiver to be housed as the control unit for the system. Your TV won't have anything to do with it. I'm no audiophile or technician but I definitely appreciate good sound quality equipment. Based on your question, you may want to find a smaller sound bar or look into what it takes to build a proper sound system before pulling the trigger on anything here.
Hope this helps
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Technically I'm not, just regurgitating what people like "modenacart" and cujobob profess because of "science" and "measurements".
They will tell you science says they are a terrible brand and your a fool and an idiot if you like the way they sound.
Lol ok. I think I may have misunderstood your post. Regardless, the Infinity speakers are a steal at these prices but I wouldn't get rid of my B&W's for them.
Idk if I'm doing something wrong. Added the center to my setup where I had the two towers and the sub and I swear it sounds worse. I feel like the towers sounded amazing for the mids and vocals and the center sounds kind of muted/dead. Any suggestions before I return it?
Idk if I'm doing something wrong. Added the center to my setup where I had the two towers and the sub and I swear it sounds worse. I feel like the towers sounded amazing for the mids and vocals and the center sounds kind of muted/dead. Any suggestions before I return it?
make it one of the side speakers to test it? or set your receiver to all speaker stereo and unplug the rest...
Lol ok. I think I may have misunderstood your post. Regardless, the Infinity speakers are a steal at these prices but I wouldn't get rid of my B&W's for them.
I just got the R162s and compared them to my B&W 602 S3s in Pure Direct on a Denon x3700h and powered by an Emotiva XPA-3. To be honest, I'm impressed for $160. Are they better than my 602s? No. The B&Ws are better in pretty much every way in my room. It's not night and day but the B&W's are more detailed and hit lower. I tried a few surround sound emulation tracks (these are for home theater) and I kept thinking my Denon kept switching back to surround sound with the 602s. When I had the R162s plugged in they just couldn't fool me quite the same.
Odd thing, with how they imaged in my room the right speaker sounded louder and more detailed. The B&Ws sounded even. Pure Direct disabled Audyssey so there was no preexisting setting favoring the B&W. I messed with the toe in some but the changes were minimal. (My placement is restricted behind my screen so there isn't much that can be done to help)
I do think they are impressive for $160 and music sounded great but no, they'll be going back.
It is what I expected but it was worth a try. I'll stick to my original plan and replace my B&Ws with some DIYSG speakers down the line.
Idk if I'm doing something wrong. Added the center to my setup where I had the two towers and the sub and I swear it sounds worse. I feel like the towers sounded amazing for the mids and vocals and the center sounds kind of muted/dead. Any suggestions before I return it?
MOST center speakers are a compromised design and very rarely do they sound as good as the main speakers they are made to "match". MANY people prefer a "phantom center".
I still haven't received my speakers. They sent me a wrong tracking number at first that showed my speakers were delivered . I contacted customer service and they still can't figured where the shipment is at.
MOST center speakers are a compromised design and very rarely do they sound as good as the main speakers they are made to "match". MANY people prefer a "phantom center".
What I ended up doing was having it take over less and increased the cross over between the L/R/C speakers. Made for a marked improvement. As a result though, I don't think they made a HUGE difference in my audio. Wondering if I would have been better off getting the bookshelf speakers for rear instead. Need to convince the wife one speaker type at a time lol
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The RC263 is a behemoth of a speaker. It's powerful, has nice bass to it (although it could benefit from a dedicated sub) and delivers clear sounds. It's really of insane value given its price. As mentioned, it's HUGE. make sure you account for its size on all dimensions before making the purchase. Take the measurements and verify it fits your media console or can comfortably sit on top of it. Some people suggested hanging it on a wall, but that sounds too obtrusive too given its size. Here's a review from the fantastic site "Audio Science Review" (link [audiosciencereview.com]): "The Infinity RC263 has excellent objective measurements for a budget center speaker. They have tried hard to hit key aspects of good sound in a horizontal center speaker within a very tough budget. So unless you can afford to spend a ton more, the RC263 makes for a very good center speaker in a home theater, augmented by a subwoofer"
The R162 (I have 4 of those) are amazing for their price. It's really a great speaker. Review [audiosciencereview.com](quote: "The Infinity R162 definitely seems to have benefited from good design. Whether on purpose (to sell better in showroom) or not, the elevated highs are a bit of an issue but fortunately that cam be tamed with equalization. The rest of the performance both objectively and subjective is very good and not at all that of a cheap junk speaker"). Once I got the R253 I actually felt that the R162 are of less value, but given their size they are still great. I use them for surround channels (L/R and back L/R. I put them on "PERLESMITH Universal Floor Speaker Stands 26 Inch for Surround Sound" for $70/pair).
The R152 are supposed to be little brother of the 162. They are smaller, but I don't know if its worth buying those when you can get the R162 for a few $ more.
The R253 tower (I own 2 of those) are fantastic. Review [audiosciencereview.com]: "The Infinity Reference 253 is one hell of a package. You couldn't build one quarter of it for what they are selling it for right now. The new measurements show excellent performance, sans two bits: a dip around 2 kHz and too much treble energy. Both were easily fixable with EQ". That review also reports an issue with the tweeter range, but it's unclear whether that was a one-off or not. I couldn't hear issues with my unit, but I'm far from being an audiophile, and I don't own the relevant equipment to measure the sounds, as was done in the review. I'm happy with my units, to be clear.
The R263 are supposed to be even better than the 253. They are slightly bulkier, so I didn't get/hear them.
Brand/Service/Delivery:
When in stock, they ship super fast - you get it in 3-4 days. Don't think twice - order as IT WILL GO OOS soon.
When things go OOS and backordered, some have us waited ~6 weeks with very poor and conflicting communication from Harman Audio reps regarding the status of orders.
Many report packages arriving banged up. Mine missed a few inches of cardboard. However, I haven't read on someone who got a banged up product. Definitely take photos of the boxes once you get them, instead you need to report an issue.
HA have a 30 days return policy. I haven't tried it, but it sounds good on paper.
Some people report getting coupons codes for a small discount after contacting HA support and complaining about issues with past orders. YMMV.
Good luck!
Each of these products are pieces of a sound system setup. You will need space for a receiver to be housed as the control unit for the system. Your TV won't have anything to do with it. I'm no audiophile or technician but I definitely appreciate good sound quality equipment. Based on your question, you may want to find a smaller sound bar or look into what it takes to build a proper sound system before pulling the trigger on anything here.
Hope this helps
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They will tell you science says they are a terrible brand and your a fool and an idiot if you like the way they sound.
Lol ok. I think I may have misunderstood your post. Regardless, the Infinity speakers are a steal at these prices but I wouldn't get rid of my B&W's for them.
Odd thing, with how they imaged in my room the right speaker sounded louder and more detailed. The B&Ws sounded even. Pure Direct disabled Audyssey so there was no preexisting setting favoring the B&W. I messed with the toe in some but the changes were minimal. (My placement is restricted behind my screen so there isn't much that can be done to help)
I do think they are impressive for $160 and music sounded great but no, they'll be going back.
It is what I expected but it was worth a try. I'll stick to my original plan and replace my B&Ws with some DIYSG speakers down the line.
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It's the constant search for the "next level" in high fidelity audio! Lol.
MOST center speakers are a compromised design and very rarely do they sound as good as the main speakers they are made to "match". MANY people prefer a "phantom center".
Upgraditis.
The problem is I've heard better speakers so I know what I'm missing.
They will tell you science says they are a terrible brand and your a fool and an idiot if you like the way they sound.
Super = Tool
Maybe you shouldn't call someone an idiot when you can't even spell "you're" correctly.
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Maybe you shouldn't call someone an idiot when you can't even spell "you're" correctly.
Well I guess that explains the 33