Short answer: the Polk Audio Reserve R700 for better sound quality, the Infinity Reference 253 for the lower price. The Polk Audio Reserve R700 ranks #32 of 71 floorstanding speakers at $1199. The Infinity Reference 253 ranks #60 at $400, $799 cheaper.
What the Polk Audio Reserve R700 offers: Three-way design with a 1” ring radiator tweeter, 6.5” mid-range, and dual 8” mid-bass drivers in a ported, down-firing cabinet. On-axis frequency response holds within about ±2dB across most of its range, with genuinely deep bass extension (F3 40Hz) reaching into the mid-30s Hz in-room. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±70°, giving a strong, enveloping stereo width and stage-extension effect on well-recorded tracks. Good low-level dynamics - solid bass thump at quiet listening volumes without over-accentuation. Strong distortion and compression control through the bass and midrange. Real nominal impedance closer to 4 ohms than the marketed 8 ohms, so with the right amplifier it can be driven hard - a $3,000 two-channel integrated brought out significantly more life than a budget $300 unit could. Excellent value at its roughly $2,200/pair MSRP, ranking among the reviewer’s top picks under $2,500; outperforms the similarly-priced Klipsch RP-8000F II in bass extension and overall smoothness. Watch for: Compression in the high frequencies rises sharply between 96dB and 102dB output - a real limitation only at very high volumes (around 100dB at 3 meters), but a clear step down from pricier ($5,000+) towers. Horizontal directivity mismatch around 4-5kHz, where the tweeter flares wider than the midrange, can sound a bit forward - especially noticeable when toed out further into the room; sidewall absorption or curtains help tame it. Harmonic distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold around 7kHz at 96dB output, possibly contributing to that same forward quality at high volume. Narrow vertical sweet spot (about ±15° from the tweeter axis), typical of non-coaxial tower designs - more of a consideration for multi-row home theater seating than single-row listening. The ring-radiator tweeter narrows noticeably above about 7-8kHz, and toeing the speaker out more than about 20° causes the top end to fall off quickly. Needs at least 2 feet of clearance from the rear wall to avoid boomy, exaggerated bass, since it lacks the bass-shelf tuning some rivals use to allow closer wall placement. Compared to the pricier KEF R5 Meta, has narrower horizontal (and much narrower vertical) directivity, so seating flexibility is more limited.
What the Infinity Reference 253 offers: Horizontal beamwidth of about ±60 degrees is fairly smooth and well controlled. Really amazing value for the performance. 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. 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.
Buy the Polk Audio Reserve R700 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 71 floorstanding speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Audio Reserve R700 | Infinity Reference 253 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,199.00 | $400 used, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #32 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #60 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.9dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 2x 8" polypropylene cone woofers, 1x 6.5" turbine cone midrange, 1x 1" Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter | Dual 5.25" (130mm) CMMD™ woofers, 5.25" (130mm) flat-piston CMMD™ midrange, 1" (25mm) CMMD™ tweeter |
| Weight | 102.1 lbs / 46.3 kg | 39.2 lbs / 17.8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, down-firing | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 45"H x 12.6"W x 16.9"D (1143.8 x 320.7 x 428.3 mm) | 40.3"H x 6.8"W x 12.4"D (1023.6 x 172.7 x 315 mm) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Sony SS-CS3
- Q Acoustics 5040 vs Sony SS-CS3
- KEF Q11 Meta vs Sony SS-CS3
- Klipsch RP-5000F II vs Infinity Reference 253
- Q Acoustics 5040 vs Infinity Reference 253
Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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
Polk Audio Reserve R700: $1,199.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Three-way design with a 1” ring radiator tweeter, 6.5” mid-range, and dual 8” mid-bass drivers in a ported, down-firing cabinet. On-axis frequency response holds within about ±2dB across most of its range, with genuinely deep bass extension (F3 40Hz) reaching into the mid-30s Hz in-room. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±70°, giving a strong, enveloping stereo width and stage-extension effect on well-recorded tracks. Good low-level dynamics - solid bass thump at quiet listening volumes without over-accentuation. Strong distortion and compression control through the bass and midrange. Real nominal impedance closer to 4 ohms than the marketed 8 ohms, so with the right amplifier it can be driven hard - a $3,000 two-channel integrated brought out significantly more life than a budget $300 unit could. Excellent value at its roughly $2,200/pair MSRP, ranking among the reviewer’s top picks under $2,500; outperforms the similarly-priced Klipsch RP-8000F II in bass extension and overall smoothness.
Cons: Compression in the high frequencies rises sharply between 96dB and 102dB output - a real limitation only at very high volumes (around 100dB at 3 meters), but a clear step down from pricier ($5,000+) towers. Horizontal directivity mismatch around 4-5kHz, where the tweeter flares wider than the midrange, can sound a bit forward - especially noticeable when toed out further into the room; sidewall absorption or curtains help tame it. Harmonic distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold around 7kHz at 96dB output, possibly contributing to that same forward quality at high volume. Narrow vertical sweet spot (about ±15° from the tweeter axis), typical of non-coaxial tower designs - more of a consideration for multi-row home theater seating than single-row listening. The ring-radiator tweeter narrows noticeably above about 7-8kHz, and toeing the speaker out more than about 20° causes the top end to fall off quickly. Needs at least 2 feet of clearance from the rear wall to avoid boomy, exaggerated bass, since it lacks the bass-shelf tuning some rivals use to allow closer wall placement. Compared to the pricier KEF R5 Meta, has narrower horizontal (and much narrower vertical) directivity, so seating flexibility is more limited.
Full Polk Audio Reserve R700 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 45"H x 12.6"W x 16.9"D (1143.8 x 320.7 x 428.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 8" polypropylene cone woofers, 1x 6.5" turbine cone midrange, 1x 1" Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.5 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 102.1 lbs / 46.3 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, down-firing |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Top 5 Just Changed: Polk Audio Reserve R700 Review More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Absolute Favorite Products of 2024 Revealed
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Polk Audio Reserve R700
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Polk Audio Reserve R700 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs Q Acoustics 5040
- Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs Emotiva Airmotiv T2+
- Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs PSB Imagine T65
- Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63
- Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs Polk Reserve R500
- Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs JBL HDI-3600
- Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs KEF R11 Meta
- Polk Audio Reserve R700 vs Definitive Technology BP-9020
- See all 40 comparisons
Infinity Reference 253: $400 used, Discontinued eBay
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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Sony SS-CS3
- Infinity Reference 253 vs JBL Stage 2 280F
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Focal Aria Evo X N°2
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Magnepan LRS+
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Polk T50
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Klipsch RP-6000F II
- Infinity Reference 253 vs Dynaudio Emit 30
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