Harman Audio has select Infinity Reference Speakers listed below on sale from $179.99. Slickdeals Cashback is available for this store (PC extension required, before checkout). Shipping is free.
Thanks to community member Cooney01 for finding this deal.
"Reference" in audio terms is generally referred to a speaker that is flat or "uncolored" in nature. It's a pure-even balance in tone/sound. The idea is that in recording studio audio-engineers are recording and listening to the pure and direct sound, and tuning it as desired for their desired mix. They do not want any bias (such as bass or highs) that would have them tune the mix differently that how you're hearing it. This is my understanding of where "reference speakers" were used.
When you listen at home, some people desire to listen to music as engineered, or intended it to be heard. By it's nature, "Reference" now used as a marketing term to imply the above definition. As a counter example, some speakers have more bass bias or have louder highs in their default configuration (think cheap systems) - so the term "reference" can mean something to potential buyers. As music tastes are subjective, whether this appeals to you or not is up to you.
I will say, that to my ears, these speakers are well balanced and flat and are pleasing to me. Just know they're not in the same price league as recording studio reference speakers or really high end home audio.
I've never heard the RC253, but I have the RC263 and it's the clearest dialog speaker I've heard. English is my wife's second language and she remarked right away that she could understand dialog better than the Sony and Polk before. For me, that was worth the effort to make the space for it.
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You are going to get a lot of opposing opinions on this, everyone has there definition of "best quality" or "best"especially when you add "for the price".
Having heard all three I will tell you all three sound different so depending which sound you like will determine which is best for you.
On the grand scheme of things they are at the same level.
In basic terms I would describe them:
600m-bright side
BR03-neutral
Infinity-flat
Audiosciencereview did an in depth testing of the 162's and rc263 and they tested very well and flat. Excellent speakers for the $ and when they go on sale like this they are hard to beat for such a well performing speaker.
Audiosciencereview did an in depth testing of the 162's and rc263 and they tested very well and flat. Excellent speakers for the $ and when they go on sale like this they are hard to beat for such a well performing speaker.
I did mention you will have "opposing opinions" and even mentioned "for the price" plays a role.
If a "test" tells you what "sounds" good to you, by all means go by what "Audiosciencereview" says.
All I'm doing is giving my opinion based on actually listening.
They sell TV VESA stands that are adjustable and allow you to keep your table in place. #Wife Approval Factor
Haha. I don't have any WAF issues, but generally like how the TV sits on the entertainment stand and don't have to figure out how to hide cables going into the back of the display. Or the fact that they we are currently renting.
I would absolutely upgrade my Infinity CC3 for an RC263 but it is HUGE and won't fit where the center is below our TV... And placing it on the top of the stand with the TV would block a good portion of the bottom part of the TV
This is part of the RC263 problem for me as well. I'm totally committed to buying one when it goes on sale but where do I put it? My wife hates the console we currently have so she would be happy to replace it, but the RC263 is so big at just over 9" tall, and I believe 26" or so wide, that I can't find a new cabinet/console that can fit it.
Those are jamo s803's not the triangle br03's(good deal would be around $350). Totally different caliber of speaker and not in the same league as these other 3.
Those are jamo s803's not the triangle br03's(good deal would be around $350). Totally different caliber of speaker and not in the same league as these other 3.
Sorry I was thinking Jamo.
Based on listening IMO they are "not in the same league" as the br03's, so I was using the Jamo's which are more with what they compete with.
IMO Just because their regular price are near $350, doesn't mean they compete at that price IMO.
Even you said(others also) these are "excellent for the $", I would agree with these compete at these sale prices.
I would point out the Jamo's were voted Best Buy for 2018-2019 by EISA.
This is part of the RC263 problem for me as well. I'm totally committed to buying one when it goes on sale but where do I put it? My wife hates the console we currently have so she would be happy to replace it, but the RC263 is so big at just over 9" tall, and I believe 26" or so wide, that I can't find a new cabinet/console that can fit it.
Have you considered placing the RC263 in a seperate room or using it as the TV console itself?
Agreed if you don't already own these massive Centers they always appear overkill.
I have not heard the Jamo's but have compared r162's to 600m's and paradigm Mini-mk3's and new Atom's. The 162's surprisingly are very close sounding to the the Paradigm Mini-mk3's. They are a little brighter than Atom's and l prefer all 3 to the 600m's (I'm not a super big fan of horn tweeters).
They have the refurbished R12 sub for $160. Is the refurbished sub worth a look for $20 less? Anyone here have experience with refurbished speakers from the Harman site?
I bought this over a year ago at the same price. I've been in the home\car audio hobby for well over 15 years and I can say this sun is worth every penny of the 179 price. I'm tempted to buy a second
Wait, I saw 'reference' (and no I'm not an expert), but there's no balanced in/out?. Thought it was studio (which would be crazy cheap from what my noob brain tells me).
But those aside, is this good?
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When you listen at home, some people desire to listen to music as engineered, or intended it to be heard. By it's nature, "Reference" now used as a marketing term to imply the above definition. As a counter example, some speakers have more bass bias or have louder highs in their default configuration (think cheap systems) - so the term "reference" can mean something to potential buyers. As music tastes are subjective, whether this appeals to you or not is up to you.
I will say, that to my ears, these speakers are well balanced and flat and are pleasing to me. Just know they're not in the same price league as recording studio reference speakers or really high end home audio.
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Having heard all three I will tell you all three sound different so depending which sound you like will determine which is best for you.
On the grand scheme of things they are at the same level.
In basic terms I would describe them:
600m-bright side
BR03-neutral
Infinity-flat
Audiosciencereview did an in depth testing of the 162's and rc263 and they tested very well and flat. Excellent speakers for the $ and when they go on sale like this they are hard to beat for such a well performing speaker.
I did mention you will have "opposing opinions" and even mentioned "for the price" plays a role.
If a "test" tells you what "sounds" good to you, by all means go by what "Audiosciencereview" says.
All I'm doing is giving my opinion based on actually listening.
If a "test" tells you what "sounds" good to you, by all means go by what "Audiosciencereview" says.
All I'm doing is giving my opinion based on actually listening.
I agree with your post. I just wanted to add that the Infinity's definitely tested flat and cost much less than the 600m and br03 when on sale.
I would point out the br03's are $109 right now but they often go down to $99.
Whether that's "much less" I can't answer for anyone, IMO no it's not.
https://www.adorama.com/jas803bla...fla
Whether that's "much less" I can't answer for anyone, IMO no it's not.
https://www.adorama.com/jas803bla...fla
Those are jamo s803's not the triangle br03's(good deal would be around $350). Totally different caliber of speaker and not in the same league as these other 3.
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Sorry I was thinking Jamo.
Based on listening IMO they are "not in the same league" as the br03's, so I was using the Jamo's which are more with what they compete with.
IMO Just because their regular price are near $350, doesn't mean they compete at that price IMO.
Even you said(others also) these are "excellent for the $", I would agree with these compete at these sale prices.
I would point out the Jamo's were voted Best Buy for 2018-2019 by EISA.
https://www.homecinemac
Have you considered placing the RC263 in a seperate room or using it as the TV console itself?
Agreed if you don't already own these massive Centers they always appear overkill.
Based on listening IMO they are "not in the same league" as the br03's, so I was using the Jamo's which are more with what they compete with.
IMO Just because their regular price are near $350, doesn't mean they compete at that price IMO.
Even you said(others also) these are "excellent for the $", I would agree with these compete at these sale prices.
I would point out the Jamo's were voted Best Buy for 2018-2019 by EISA.
https://www.homecinemac
I have not heard the Jamo's but have compared r162's to 600m's and paradigm Mini-mk3's and new Atom's. The 162's surprisingly are very close sounding to the the Paradigm Mini-mk3's. They are a little brighter than Atom's and l prefer all 3 to the 600m's (I'm not a super big fan of horn tweeters).
But those aside, is this good?
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