Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Definitive Technology BP-9020 is the better pick: it ranks #150 of 228 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5), against #179 (rated 3.5/5) for the Infinity Reference 253.
The Definitive Technology BP-9020 is the deeper-bass pick. A tower with a built in powered 8 inch subwoofer for deep bass and a wide, enveloping soundstage without a separate sub. Its bass reaches about 35Hz before falling 3dB, against 78Hz for the Infinity Reference 253. The tradeoff: Significant high-frequency boost creates notable treble brightness and noticeable sibilance on vocal s-sounds.
Why pick the Infinity Reference 253: A budget tower with wide, controlled dispersion and lots of features for the money. The catch: CEA2034 spinorama and predicted in-room response both show elevated treble above 4kHz, a dip around 2kHz, and bass shelved down relative to the midrange.
Buy the Definitive Technology BP-9020 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Definitive Technology BP-9020 reaches 29 Hz (10 dB down) against 38 Hz for the Infinity Reference 253, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Definitive Technology BP-9020 | Infinity Reference 253 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500 per pair Discontinued | $400 per pair used, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #150 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #179 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 29Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 35.3”H x 11”W x 13”D (895.4 x 279.4 x 330.2 mm) | 40.3”H x 6.8”W x 12.4”D (1023.6 x 172.7 x 315 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87.7dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.9dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1 in. annealed aluminum dome tweeter, two 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (front), one 3.5 in. BDSS midrange (rear), 8 in. powered subwoofer | Dual 5.25” (130mm) CMMD™ woofers, 5.25” (130mm) flat-piston CMMD™ midrange, 1” (25mm) CMMD™ tweeter |
| Weight | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, slot | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.08 | 5.43 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.53 | 7.31 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Definitive Technology BP-9020: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Infinity Reference 253: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Audio Science Review.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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