Short answer: the Polk Signature Elite ES60, if you are buying new. The Infinity Reference 253 ranks higher than it (#179 vs #187 of 228 floorstanding speakers, 3.5/5 vs 3.4/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Polk Signature Elite ES60 is still sold new at $1,198.
The Polk Signature Elite ES60 is the deeper-bass choice. A value tower with three 6.5 inch woofers for strong output and deep bass, easy to drive. Its bass reaches about 51.3Hz before falling 3dB, against 78Hz for the Infinity Reference 253. Watch for: The measured data show enough directivity and response unevenness to keep it below the strongest neutral towers, and its large cabinet needs room.
The Infinity Reference 253 is the more accurate pick. A budget tower with wide, controlled dispersion and lots of features for the money. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.43 against 3.69 for the Polk Signature Elite ES60. The catch: 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 Polk Signature Elite ES60 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.
A value tower with three 6.5 inch woofers for strong output and deep bass, easy to drive.
A budget tower with wide, controlled dispersion and lots of features for the money.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Signature Elite ES60 | Infinity Reference 253 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,198 per pair | $400 per pair used, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #187 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #179 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way floorstander with Power Port | - |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene tweeter, three 6.5” woofers | Dual 5.25” (130mm) CMMD™ woofers, 5.25” (130mm) flat-piston CMMD™ midrange, 1” (25mm) CMMD™ tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz-40kHz (manufacturer) | - |
| Sensitivity | 90dB specified; 89.5dB measured | 86.9dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88dB manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms compatible | 6 ohms |
| Dimensions | 44.5H x 8.5W x 15.7D in | 40.3”H x 6.8”W x 12.4”D (1023.6 x 172.7 x 315 mm) |
| Weight | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.69 | 5.43 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.57 | 7.31 (spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.1Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Polk Signature Elite ES60 (measured by Audio Science Review) and Infinity Reference 253 (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
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