expiredCooney01 posted May 03, 2021 11:27 AM
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expiredCooney01 posted May 03, 2021 11:27 AM
Infinity Reference Speakers: RS152 Loudspeakers (Pair) $130, RC252 Center
or less w/ SD Cashback & More + Free S/H$100
$350
71% offHarman Audio
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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!
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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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.
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.
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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.
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