Short answer: the Infinity IL10. It ranks #54 of 84 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $160; the Cerwin Vega LA165 ranks #78 and costs $269.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Infinity IL10 offers: Impressively flat for a budget bookshelf. Watch for: Resonances at 600 and 5khz, which show up as distinct distortion spikes at 96dB SPL/1m in the same frequency regions.
What the Cerwin Vega LA165 offers: Passive bookshelf design with decent internal cabinet damping/batting material for the price. Watch for: Overall tonal balance is far from neutral: a 2-3dB cut through the vocal fundamental range gives a hollow midrange, while a dip around 2-4kHz removes attack, snap, and clarity from snares and other transient sounds.
Buy the Infinity IL10. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Cerwin Vega LA165 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Cerwin Vega LA165. It ranks near the bottom of the 84 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Infinity IL10 | Cerwin Vega LA165 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $160 used, Discontinued | $269.99 |
| Ranked | #54 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #78 of 84 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 66.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 86.2dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" (165mm) woofer | 1" tweeter + 6.5" woofer |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs / 6.5 kg | 26.5 lbs / 12 kg |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 15.6"H x 8.5"W x 11.5"D (397.0 x 216.0 x 292.0 mm) | 13.7"H x 8"W x 12.4"D (348.0 x 203.2 x 315.0 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs Polk Monitor XT20
- ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- Infinity IL10 vs Dayton Audio MK602X
- Cerwin Vega LA165 vs ELAC DB63
The Two Speakers In Full
Infinity IL10: $160 used, Discontinued
Pros: Impressively flat for a budget bookshelf. Predicted in-room response is good aside from a bit of excess energy here and there. Distortion at 96dB SPL/1m stays low and controlled outside two narrow resonance-driven peaks.
Cons: Resonances at 600 and 5khz, which show up as distinct distortion spikes at 96dB SPL/1m in the same frequency regions. Discontinued.
Full Infinity IL10 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 15.6"H x 8.5"W x 11.5"D (397.0 x 216.0 x 292.0 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 6.5" (165mm) woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs / 6.5 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Cerwin Vega LA165: $269.99 Amazon
Pros: Passive bookshelf design with decent internal cabinet damping/batting material for the price. Delivers noticeable mid-bass punch around 100-120Hz, giving a sense of kick and impact that fans of the brand’s traditionally punchy sound may appreciate. Horizontal radiation of about ±60-70° lands in the reviewer’s preferred range for soundstage width. Reasonably priced at around $270/pair.
Cons: Overall tonal balance is far from neutral: a 2-3dB cut through the vocal fundamental range gives a hollow midrange, while a dip around 2-4kHz removes attack, snap, and clarity from snares and other transient sounds. An elevated upper treble region adds a sibilant, edgy quality (though not as extreme as some pricier speakers with similar issues). The manufacturer’s quoted 33Hz-20kHz frequency response is essentially meaningless without a tolerance bound - actual measured extension is closer to an F3 of 67Hz and F10 of 47Hz, roughly 19dB down at the claimed 33Hz. Measured sensitivity (about 86.2dB) runs several dB below the manufacturer’s 90dB spec regardless of which impedance figure is used to convert it. Significant modal ringing in the midwoofer cone, confirmed by testing the driver in isolation, ties directly to elevated distortion and resonances around 700Hz-1kHz from a cone-edge/surround mismatch. Multitone distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold at 96dB, adding graininess through the midrange and upper-mid. Unusual compression behavior shows the treble actually gaining level (rather than compressing) under both long-term and instantaneous testing - an atypical and not particularly desirable trait. Directly compared to the similarly-priced Polk XT20, which the reviewer considers clearly superior in linearity, distortion, and bass extension.
Full Cerwin Vega LA165 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66.7Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.7"H x 8"W x 12.4"D (348.0 x 203.2 x 315.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 1" tweeter + 6.5" woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86.2dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs / 12 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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