Short answer: the JBL Stage 2 280F, if you are buying new. The Infinity Reference 253 ranks higher than it (#60 vs #63 of 74 floorstanding speakers, 3.5/5 vs 3.4/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Stage 2 280F is still sold new at $1,319.90.
Why pick the Infinity Reference 253: Horizontal beamwidth of about ±60 degrees is fairly smooth and well controlled. The tradeoff: 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.
What the JBL Stage 2 280F does well: Genuinely impressive output capability and low compression/distortion for the price, courtesy of the dual 8” woofers: the reviewer’s standout praise for this pair. The catch: Explicitly called out as disappointing relative to expectations for the JBL name and this price point: lacks native linearity compared to similarly-priced alternatives like the Polk Reserve R500, which the reviewer recommends instead for anyone who doesn’t want to rely on EQ.
Buy the JBL Stage 2 280F if you want one new; the Infinity Reference 253 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Infinity Reference 253 | JBL Stage 2 280F | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 per pair used, Discontinued | $1,319.90 per pair |
| Ranked | #60 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #63 of 74 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 40.3”H x 6.8”W x 12.4”D (1023.6 x 172.7 x 315 mm) | 43.8” x 14.1” x 16.5” (1113 x 358 x 419 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Dual 5.25” (130mm) CMMD™ woofers, 5.25” (130mm) flat-piston CMMD™ midrange, 1” (25mm) CMMD™ tweeter | 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8” polycellulose woofers |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88dB manufacturer specified) | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.43 (spinorama.org) | 4.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.31 (spinorama.org) | 6.14 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz |
| Power Handling | - | 125W RMS |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Infinity Reference 253 compares with other leading options:
- Revel F226Be vs Infinity Reference 253
- KEF Reference 203 vs Infinity Reference 253
- JBL HDI-3800 vs Infinity Reference 253
- Focal Chora 816 vs Infinity Reference 253
- Revel F208 vs Infinity Reference 253
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
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
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Magnepan LRS+
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Polk Signature Elite ES60
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Polk T50
- Infinity Reference 253 vs SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Definitive Technology BP-9020
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Sony SS-CS3
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- See all 34 comparisons
JBL Stage 2 280F: $1,319.90 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Genuinely impressive output capability and low compression/distortion for the price, courtesy of the dual 8” woofers: the reviewer’s standout praise for this pair. High sensitivity (89.5dB measured) and low impedance make it easy to drive. Decent bass extension (F3 48Hz, F10 30Hz) reaches about 50Hz in-room. Horizontal dispersion is reasonably consistent (~55 degrees), meaning the speaker takes reasonably well to EQ correction. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 89.5dB.
Cons: Explicitly called out as disappointing relative to expectations for the JBL name and this price point: lacks native linearity compared to similarly-priced alternatives like the Polk Reserve R500, which the reviewer recommends instead for anyone who doesn’t want to rely on EQ. Treble falls off a cliff above about 10-12kHz, giving a notable lack of air/space that needs real correction (a wide +Q0.5 boost from 10-20kHz) to fix. A sharp impedance resonance around 900Hz-1.1kHz is nearly impossible to EQ out cleanly even with narrow filters. Elevated multitone distortion in the 600Hz-2.5kHz range, tied to the midwoofer rather than the tweeter. Compared to the similarly-priced Klipsch RP-6000F II/RP-8000F II, this JBL is less directive and native-flat but does extend roughly 20Hz deeper in the bass: a real tradeoff either way, not a clean win.
Full JBL Stage 2 280F review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.1kHz, 2.1kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 43.8” x 14.1” x 16.5” (1113 x 358 x 419 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” anodized aluminum dome tweeter with HDI waveguide, dual 8” polycellulose woofers |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 125W RMS |
| Sensitivity | 89.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.14 |
| Weight | 55.1 lbs (25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Polk Signature Elite ES60
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Magnepan LRS+
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Polk Audio XT60
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Sony SS-CS3
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Polk Audio XT70
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs JBL Studio 590
- JBL Stage 2 280F vs Triangle Esprit Antal Ez
- See all 39 comparisons