Short answer: the Q Acoustics 5040. It ranks #97 of 188 floorstanding speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $4,014.96 and is still sold new; the Infinity Reference 253 ranks #148 (rated 3.5/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Q Acoustics 5040 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. C3 (Continuous Curved Cone) driver profile technology provides smooth midrange integration, controlled cone breakup, and improved bass damping. Its bass reaches about 70Hz before falling 3dB, against 78Hz for the Infinity Reference 253. The tradeoff: Free-field frequency response exhibits a noticeable mid-bass scoop around 200Hz (~6dB lower than mean SPL), causing an F3 of 70Hz (F10 of 39Hz) in open space and requiring boundary placement (11-22 inches from front wall) to reinforce upper bass output.
The Infinity Reference 253 is the more accurate pick. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±60 degrees is fairly smooth and well controlled. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.43 against 3.80 for the Q Acoustics 5040. 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 Q Acoustics 5040. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Infinity Reference 253 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 5040 | Infinity Reference 253 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,014.96 per pair | $400 per pair used, Discontinued |
| Ranked | #97 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #148 of 188 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 38.1”H x 11.5”W x 14.2”D (967 x 293 x 361 mm) | 40.3”H x 6.8”W x 12.4”D (1023.6 x 172.7 x 315 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.0 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 91.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.9dB (measured by Audio Science Review; 88dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 0.88 in. decoupled dome tweeter, twin 5.0 in. C3 Continuous Curved Cone woofers | Dual 5.25” (130mm) CMMD™ woofers, 5.25” (130mm) flat-piston CMMD™ midrange, 1” (25mm) CMMD™ tweeter |
| Weight | 39.7 lbs (18.0 kg) each | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.80 | 5.43 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.41 | 7.31 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 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
Q Acoustics 5040: $4,014.96 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Q Acoustics 5010 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.5/5), the Q Acoustics 5020 (larger bookshelf, rated 2.2/5), the Q Acoustics 5050 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.3/5) and the Q Acoustics 5090 (center, estimated 3.7/5).
Pros: C3 (Continuous Curved Cone) driver profile technology provides smooth midrange integration, controlled cone breakup, and improved bass damping. High voltage sensitivity (91.5dB SPL at 2.83V/1m) allows loud listening with low-to-moderate amplifier wattage. Cabinet features Point-to-Point (P2P) internal bracing and Helmholtz Pressure Equalizer (HPE) tubes to suppress internal standing waves and panel vibrations. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 91.5dB.
Cons: Free-field frequency response exhibits a noticeable mid-bass scoop around 200Hz (~6dB lower than mean SPL), causing an F3 of 70Hz (F10 of 39Hz) in open space and requiring boundary placement (11-22 inches from front wall) to reinforce upper bass output. Measurements indicate an enclosure resonance near 300Hz visible in sound power data. Minimum impedance drops to 3.0 ohms, demanding a stable 4-ohm rated amplifier despite high sensitivity.
Full Q Acoustics 5040 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 38.1”H x 11.5”W x 14.2”D (967 x 293 x 361 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.88 in. decoupled dome tweeter, twin 5.0 in. C3 Continuous Curved Cone woofers |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.0 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 91.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.41 |
| Weight | 39.7 lbs (18.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Infinity Reference 253: $400 per pair used Discontinued eBay
Same family: the Infinity Reference R152 (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.8/5), the Infinity Reference R162 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.8/5), the Infinity Reference R263 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 4.4/5), the Infinity Reference RC252 (smaller center, rated 4.4/5) and the Infinity Reference RC263 (larger center, rated 4.2/5).
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
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