Short answer: the Focal Chora 816 for better sound quality, the Infinity Reference 253 for the lower price. The Focal Chora 816 ranks #12 of 54 floorstanding speakers at $900. The Infinity Reference 253 ranks #46 at $400, $500 cheaper.
What the Focal Chora 816 offers: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally even on-axis response with nice bass extension and high sensitivity. Watch for: Some messiness appears between 500Hz-2kHz on-axis, including a dip around 550Hz.
What the Infinity Reference 253 offers: Horizontal beamwidth of about ±60 degrees is fairly smooth and well controlled. Watch for: 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.
Buy the Focal Chora 816 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Infinity Reference 253 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Infinity Reference 253. It ranks near the bottom of the 54 floorstanding speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Chora 816 | Infinity Reference 253 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $900 used, Discontinued | $400 used, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #12 of 54 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #46 of 54 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 |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, rear |
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- Monolith Encore T6 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Dynaudio Emit 30 vs Sony SS-CS3
- Sony SS-CS3 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Focal Chora 816 vs Sony SS-CS3
- Infinity Reference 253 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Chora 816: $900 used, Discontinued
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.
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) |
| Dimensions | 40.7"H x 11.8"W x 15.3"D (1033.8 x 299.7 x 388.6 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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) |
| Weight | 40.8 lbs / 18.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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Infinity Reference 253: $400 used, Discontinued
Pros: Horizontal beamwidth of about ±60 degrees is fairly smooth and well controlled. Really amazing value for the performance.
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) |
| Dimensions | 40.3"H x 6.8"W x 12.4"D (1023.6 x 172.7 x 315 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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) |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs / 17.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons