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expired Posted by Cooney01 • May 3, 2021
expired Posted by Cooney01 • May 3, 2021

Infinity Reference Speakers: RS152 Loudspeakers (Pair) $130, RC252 Center

or less w/ SD Cashback & More + Free S/H

$100

$350

71% off
Harman Audio
186 Comments 67,314 Views
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Deal Details
Harman Audio has select Infinity Reference Speakers listed below on sale from $99.99. Slickdeals Cashback is available for this store (PC extension required, before checkout). Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member Cooney01 for finding this deal.

Available speakers:

Editor's Notes

Written by oceanlake | Staff
  • About this product:
    • The prices in this deal either match or are lower than the last time these speakers were part of a Frontpage Deal.
    • This Infinity Reference RC252 Center Loudspeaker is $249.96 lower (71% savings) compared to the list price.
  • About this store:
    • Details of Harmon Audio's return policy can be found here.

Original Post

Written by Cooney01
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Harman Audio has select Infinity Reference Speakers listed below on sale from $99.99. Slickdeals Cashback is available for this store (PC extension required, before checkout). Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member Cooney01 for finding this deal.

Available speakers:

Editor's Notes

Written by oceanlake | Staff
  • About this product:
    • The prices in this deal either match or are lower than the last time these speakers were part of a Frontpage Deal.
    • This Infinity Reference RC252 Center Loudspeaker is $249.96 lower (71% savings) compared to the list price.
  • About this store:
    • Details of Harmon Audio's return policy can be found here.

Original Post

Written by Cooney01

Community Voting

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+72
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Top Comments

zdoar
90 Posts
34 Reputation
Pasting from the last deal:

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 ): "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 (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 : "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!
rafoyon
352 Posts
34 Reputation
A good sub can never be overkill
dumask
443 Posts
102 Reputation
I have demo'd every speaker in this line in my theater room, feel free to ask me any questions you may have about the different options. Here are a few size comparison pictures between the RC252 & RC263 as well as the R152 & R162. It's a sizeable difference in both cases.

http://imgur.com/a/dZrLk71

Here are a some snaps of my theater room using all Infinity Reference speakers in a 7.2.4 setup (subs are UM18-22's not Infinity). Please forgive any duplicate'ish photos. I didn't spend time going through them. Just wanted to grab some with speaker grills on and some off to give folks an idea of what these actually look like in a room. I also have a 5.1 setup to put in the living room because I like these speakers so much.

https://imgur.com/a/Tm4beIp

185 Comments

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May 3, 2021
9,243 Posts
Joined Dec 2012
May 3, 2021
JimBanville
May 3, 2021
9,243 Posts
Quote from sHockz_atx :
Moved into a house where my HT is no longer in an enclosed room. It's all open space with wood floors now. And the AJ center sucks for audio in my opinion....just isn't clear enough. I've heard other centers that just sound so good by comparison.
Most people that have a lot of experience listening to various speakers seem to think that the Andrew jones pioneers are a very good entry level speaker that are relatively neutral except for a rolled off treble. They aren't fatiguing. The Klipsch's are more efficient (although not as much as Klipsch claims) and should get louder with the same power. They have more high frequency energy than the pioneers. Really only way to know if you will like them is to try them. Reviews and spec's can only give you an idea if you might like them.
1
May 3, 2021
3,262 Posts
Joined Aug 2006
May 3, 2021
jottect
May 3, 2021
3,262 Posts
Quote from webdoctors :
... I'd pay a bit extra for another inch if I need to fill a large area.
Better idea: switch to a tighter spot...
1
May 3, 2021
1,228 Posts
Joined Jun 2016
May 3, 2021
geezeefosheezee
May 3, 2021
1,228 Posts
Quote from rafoyon :
A good sub can never be overkill
Before I got my house, people in surrounding apartments did not agree with this! Smilie

Good deal on these speakers. I picked up the rc263 and r162s on a similar sale about a year ago. Very nice sound. The center is massive. *massive*! Ended up having to replace my entertainment unit to accommodate (thankfully I'd wanted to do that anyway).

The 162s (not on sale here) sound very nice for music paired with my svs sub. I'm currently auditioning the klipsch rp-600m as replacements. They are "better", but not sure if they're $300 better.

TLDR, these are great sounding speakers, and expert consensus is these punch way above their weight class.
1
May 3, 2021
103 Posts
Joined May 2015
May 3, 2021
skylerdprahl
May 3, 2021
103 Posts
Quote from webdoctors :
Are all of these only 5 inch woofer deals? I'd pay a bit extra for another inch if I need to fill a large area.
That's what she said?
May 3, 2021
422 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
May 3, 2021
mhoward84
May 3, 2021
422 Posts
I have a 12" monoprice $100 sub. I know this is better but I am wondering if it's worth upgrading for someone who never uses the HT but wants to Airbnb it later and will promote the HT...
Pro
May 3, 2021
11,400 Posts
Joined Jul 2010
May 3, 2021
supermanrob
Pro
May 3, 2021
11,400 Posts
Quote from sHockz_atx :
Wondering if I should get RF-8000 and the associated center, this with the 253s and center, or just stick with my full Andrew Jones Pioneer setup with a svs pb12nsd sub.
Having experience listening to all three, you're comparing 3 very different sounding speakers.

Many things go into this but in general terms IMO if you can get past the brightness of 8000 they have a more fuller dynamic sound.
People often say Infinity is more accurate, I would add if true is falls under a more stale/boring accurate sound but they are much cheaper also.

You didn't mention why you want to move away for AJ's but the Infinity's will be closer in sound to them than the 8000's.

I would point out the 8000's falls at the upper tier within Klipsch lines and their claim is the new design reduces brightness & ear fatigue which many fans agree.
3
May 3, 2021
1,712 Posts
Joined Sep 2011
May 3, 2021
56XNO
May 3, 2021
1,712 Posts
Should I get these speakers or wait for 263 and 163?

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May 3, 2021
256 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
May 3, 2021
mkellypc
May 3, 2021
256 Posts
This is really low end stuff. Current deal price should have been MSRP for these.
1
5
May 3, 2021
352 Posts
Joined Jun 2017
May 3, 2021
rafoyon
May 3, 2021
352 Posts
Quote from mkellypc :
This is really low end stuff. Current deal price should have been MSRP for these.
Not really. The tweeter in these speakers is amazing. The imaging and soundstage is crazy good too. I agree these should be 300-350 msrp for the r162 but not 160 msrp. These can even be the same or better than speakers in the 400 range.
2
May 3, 2021
54 Posts
Joined Jul 2009
May 3, 2021
brandOWNage
May 3, 2021
54 Posts
Oh my god, thanks OP! I bought these tower speakers last time I saw this deal and they are by far the best speakers I've ever heard in a home system! Gonna snag the center speaker now!
May 3, 2021
1,081 Posts
Joined Sep 2017
May 3, 2021
Vice_Monkey
May 3, 2021
1,081 Posts
Center channel is strangely wide for this speaker size, just 2 or so inches too wide for my entertainment center :/
May 3, 2021
8 Posts
Joined Jan 2021
May 3, 2021
ShrewdBreakfast926
May 3, 2021
8 Posts
Quote from brandOWNage :
Oh my god, thanks OP! I bought these tower speakers last time I saw this deal and they are by far the best speakers I've ever heard in a home system! Gonna snag the center speaker now!
You can not go wrong with these speakers. At first i bought the emotiva c2+ which is the best sounding center speaker i have heard. Returned it after i saw the sale on infinity speakers. Soundwise, emotivas are better. Price and soundwise , infinity speakers are the best. Now i have the rc263 and the r252. Rc263 is really a nice sounding center speaker, it is just too big and have to put it on top of the tv console not inside the center shelf( it fits because my 75 inch sony is wall mounted). My wife does not think it looks good for we have an open floor plan and that is why i just ordered the little brother rc252 for $80 ($99- 20% discount that the infinity rep emailed me after asking them for a discount code). Hopefully it will not be a night and day difference. I will just use my larger Rc263 in the gameroom to replace the definitive technology pro 2000.
May 3, 2021
60 Posts
Joined Apr 2016
May 3, 2021
Yujikimura
May 3, 2021
60 Posts
I really want the RC263, but they're nowhere to be found. I've been waiting for a deal on them for quite a while. Harman only has them refurbished for way too much money. I just check their page everyday hoping to see the RC263 on sale again.
May 3, 2021
2,708 Posts
Joined Mar 2016
May 3, 2021
webdoctors
May 3, 2021
2,708 Posts
Quote from mhoward84 :
I have a 12" monoprice $100 sub. I know this is better but I am wondering if it's worth upgrading for someone who never uses the HT but wants to Airbnb it later and will promote the HT...
I have both the Monoprice 12inch and the Inifnity R12 sub and I can tell you its WORTH upgrading. Not only is it name brand in case you want to promote the HT but the sub performs great, very clean bass except at low levels unlike the Monoprice which can be pretty messy at even medium levels.


1

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May 3, 2021
2,708 Posts
Joined Mar 2016
May 3, 2021
webdoctors
May 3, 2021
2,708 Posts
Quote from geezeefosheezee :
Before I got my house, people in surrounding apartments did not agree with this!

Good deal on these speakers. I picked up the rc263 and r162s on a similar sale about a year ago. Very nice sound. The center is massive. *massive*! Ended up having to replace my entertainment unit to accommodate (thankfully I'd wanted to do that anyway).

The 162s (not on sale here) sound very nice for music paired with my svs sub. I'm currently auditioning the klipsch rp-600m as replacements. They are "better", but not sure if they're $300 better.

TLDR, these are great sounding speakers, and expert consensus is these punch way above their weight class.
At the rp-600m price point you could get 2 of the RC263 centers!

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