Short answer: the Infinity Reference R162 for easier room placement, the Dynaudio Contour 20i for the better driver set. The R162’s CEA2034 spinorama shows wide, consistent horizontal and vertical response that needs little room treatment, though output is elevated above 3kHz and a resonance sits around 700Hz. The Contour 20i sounds too bright in the lower treble in small rooms with close sidewalls. They are $5,250 apart.
Buy the Dynaudio Contour 20i. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Infinity Reference R162 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Dynaudio Contour 20i | Infinity Reference R162 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5750 per pair | $500 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #62 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #67 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) | 15.5”H x 7.9”W x 11.2”D (394 x 200 x 285 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter | 1” CMMD tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” CMMD woofer |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 49Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.07 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 7.26 (spinorama.org) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Dynaudio Contour 20i: $5750 per pair Safe and Sound HQ eBay
Pros: Two-way design with a 1.125” Esotar2i silk dome tweeter and a 7” magnesium silicate polymer woofer in a vented enclosure. A shallow bass rolloff profile lets it sit closer to a wall (about 1-2 feet worked best in testing) without becoming boomy, and makes subwoofer integration comparatively easy. Very wide horizontal radiation (about ±70° through the midrange) gives an enveloping, spacious sound in a suitably sized room. On-axis response holds within about ±3dB overall and ±1.5dB through the midrange. Attractive build quality with a distinctive metal front baffle and gloss finish options. Long-term compression stays good up to 96dB, and short-term compression is within about 0.5dB at that same level. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment. A roughly 2dB lift in the lower treble combined with wide dispersion means more energy reflecting off sidewalls than some listeners will prefer. Relatively low sensitivity (about 82.5dB measured). Unusually sensitive to amplifier output impedance: high-output-impedance amps like tube or SET designs introduce up to a 2dB dip in the midrange, making the sound more mellow rather than “warmer,” the opposite of what many tube-amp buyers expect. Elevated harmonic and multitone distortion around 700Hz, which the reviewer attributes to typical cone-edge/surround behavior common across many driver brands, though it stands out on the measurement graphs. An upper-midrange dip around 2kHz can reduce attack and clarity on vocals and brass instruments. Vertical listening window is fairly narrow (roughly -20° to +30°): moving outside that range causes a noticeable tonal shift, unlike coaxial designs that tolerate more vertical movement.
Full Dynaudio Contour 20i review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Infinity Reference R162: $500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows good directivity with wide, consistent horizontal and vertical response, and blended early reflections that need little room treatment. 1” CMMD waveguide tweeter and 6.5” CMMD woofer, 85.5dB sensitivity. Measured bass extension of 67.4Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87dB.
Cons: Elevated output above 3kHz adds brightness, with a resonance around 700Hz and some distortion near the crossover point. EQ or a simple inline tweeter resistor can tame the treble; the reviewer still called it a very enjoyable system for the price. Discontinued.
Full Infinity Reference R162 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.5”H x 7.9”W x 11.2”D (394 x 200 x 285 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” CMMD tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” CMMD woofer |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.26 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Infinity Reference R162 vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
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