Short answer: the Focal Chora 816. It ranks #15 of 73 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $900. The Infinity Reference 253 ranks #60, rated 3.5/5, at $400, $500 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Focal Chora 816: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally even on-axis response with nice bass extension and high sensitivity. The tradeoff: Some messiness appears between 500Hz-2kHz on-axis, including a dip around 550Hz.
What the Infinity Reference 253 does well: Horizontal beamwidth of about ±60 degrees is fairly smooth and well controlled. The catch: CEA2034 spinorama and predicted in-room response both show elevated treble above 4kHz (“too hot”), a dip around 2kHz, and bass shelved down relative to the midrange.
Worth knowing: the Focal Chora 816 is discontinued, though it still ranks #15 of 73 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, so a used unit beats most of what is still sold new.
Buy the Focal Chora 816. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $500 saving on the Infinity Reference 253 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Chora 816 | Infinity Reference 253 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $900 per pair used, Discontinued | $400 per pair used, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #60 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 40.7”H x 11.8”W x 15.3”D (1033.8 x 299.7 x 388.6 mm) | 40.3”H x 6.8”W x 12.4”D (1023.6 x 172.7 x 315 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.9 ohms minimum, measured, Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms |
| Drivers | 6.5” (16.5cm) Slatefiber woofer, 6.5” (16.5cm) Slatefiber midrange, 1” (25mm) TNF Al/Mg inverted dome tweeter | Dual 5.25” (130mm) CMMD™ woofers, 5.25” (130mm) flat-piston CMMD™ midrange, 1” (25mm) CMMD™ tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 86.9dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 40.8 lbs (18.5 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.30 | 5.43 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 | 7.31 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Focal Chora 816 compares with other leading options:
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Focal Chora 816
- Focal Chora 816 vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- Revel F328Be vs Focal Chora 816
- KEF R5 Meta vs Focal Chora 816
- Revel F226Be vs Focal Chora 816
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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
Focal Chora 816: $900 per pair used Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Focal Theva N°2. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally even on-axis response with nice bass extension and high sensitivity. Predicted in-room response is very good aside from a peak around 8kHz. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±60 degrees is typical and fairly controlled. Distortion is very low at 86dB SPL/1m and still usable at 96dB SPL/1m. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 91dB.
Cons: Some messiness appears between 500Hz-2kHz on-axis, including a dip around 550Hz. Vertical directivity narrows a little, so listening height matters more than with a coincident design. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows a fair bit of resonances lingering across the midrange. Distortion rises substantially in the 1-2kHz region at 96dB SPL/1m. Minimum impedance dips to about 3.9 ohms. Discontinued.
Full Focal Chora 816 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.7”H x 11.8”W x 15.3”D (1033.8 x 299.7 x 388.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (16.5cm) Slatefiber woofer, 6.5” (16.5cm) Slatefiber midrange, 1” (25mm) TNF Al/Mg inverted dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.9 ohms minimum, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 |
| Weight | 40.8 lbs (18.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Infinity Reference 253: $400 per pair used Discontinued eBay
Pros: Horizontal beamwidth of about ±60 degrees is fairly smooth and well controlled. Really amazing value for the performance. Measured bass extension of 78Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.9dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama and predicted in-room response both show elevated treble above 4kHz (“too hot”), a dip around 2kHz, and bass shelved down relative to the midrange. Vertical directivity requires staying at or below the tweeter axis for accurate tonal balance. Distortion at 96dB SPL/1m is broadly elevated above the reviewer’s audibility threshold across much of the midrange. Minimum impedance dips to 4.2 ohms. Discontinued.
Full Infinity Reference 253 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.3”H x 6.8”W x 12.4”D (1023.6 x 172.7 x 315 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 5.25” (130mm) CMMD™ woofers, 5.25” (130mm) flat-piston CMMD™ midrange, 1” (25mm) CMMD™ tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.43 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.31 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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