Short answer: the JBL Studio 630 for precise imaging; the Infinity Reference R162 for a more even balance. The JBL’s directivity linearity keeps harmonics of the same instrument in place for a precise soundstage, but a mid-range scoop leaves it audibly missing something. The Infinity also has good, wide directivity, yet runs bright above 3kHz with a resonance around 700Hz.
Buy the Infinity Reference R162 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Infinity Reference R162 | JBL Studio 630 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500 per pair Discontinued | $699 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #67 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #79 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 54.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 37.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 83.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 85dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 6 ohms nominal, 4.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 40,000Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1” CMMD tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” CMMD woofer | 6.5” PolyPlas cone woofer, 1” compression driver (2414H-1) with waveguide |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) each | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 15.5”H x 7.9”W x 11.2”D (394 x 200 x 285 mm) | 14-13/16”H x 9”W x 11-5/16”D |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 (spinorama.org) | 3.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.26 (spinorama.org) | 5.68 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | up to 150W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Infinity Reference R162 compares with other leading options:
- ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 vs Infinity Reference R162
- ELAC DBR62 vs Infinity Reference R162
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Infinity Reference R162
- Definitive Technology Demand D11 vs Infinity Reference R162
- Dynaudio Contour 20i vs Infinity Reference R162
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
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
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Infinity Reference R162 vs ELAC DBR62
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Behringer B2030P
- See all 10 comparisons
JBL Studio 630: $699 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Excellent directivity linearity: harmonics of the same instrument stay collocated in the soundstage instead of drifting between positions, giving precise, stable imaging that holds up well into higher frequencies where many speakers start to beam and narrow. Good compression behavior: mid-bass stays taut and controlled from low to high volume without the sound falling apart or distorting as you turn it up. A pleasant, controlled mid-bass bump in the 60-100 Hz range adds punch to kick drums without bleeding into an uncontrolled boom on bass guitar. Horizontal radiation holds steady off-axis (about ±60°), so toe-in isn’t fussy. Compared directly to its predecessor, the JBL Studio 530, the reviewer would pick the 630 (smoother trend line through the upper mids and treble, and likely more dynamic headroom) as long as you’re willing to EQ. Measured bass extension of 54.2Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.2dB.
Cons: Noticeable mid-range dip/scoop relative to the higher frequencies: not dramatic, but audibly “missing” something by the second or third track. Some tracks read as forward or aggressive around 2 kHz, like the upper frequencies are jumping out at you rather than sitting in stage depth. Needs EQ to bring the mid-range back up to be fully recommendable; without EQ available, the reviewer says he’d look at a different speaker entirely. Measured sensitivity (about 83.2dB) runs noticeably below the 85dB manufacturer spec, likely a byproduct of the mid-range dip skewing the average downward. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full JBL Studio 630 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14-13/16”H x 9”W x 11-5/16”D |
| Drivers | 6.5” PolyPlas cone woofer, 1” compression driver (2414H-1) with waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 40,000Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | up to 150W |
| Sensitivity | 83.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 85dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.68 |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Studio 630 vs Behringer B2030P
- JBL Studio 630 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- JBL Studio 630 vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- JBL Studio 630 vs Infinity IL10
- JBL Studio 630 vs Dynaudio Special Forty
- JBL Studio 630 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- JBL Studio 630 vs SVS Prime Bookshelf
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- See all 35 comparisons