Short answer: the SVS Ultra Bookshelf for better sound quality, the Infinity Reference R162 for the lower price. The SVS Ultra Bookshelf ranks #47 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $1200. The Infinity Reference R162 ranks #51 at $500, $700 cheaper.
What the SVS Ultra Bookshelf offers: Noticeably more tonally neutral than the cheaper SVS Prime Bookshelf, with response staying within about -3dB/+1.5dB on average - a genuine step up in linearity for roughly double the price. Watch for: Still has a boosted upper mid-range/mid-range area, though less severe than the Prime - the reviewer suspects a baffle-step or tweeter-level issue rather than a resonance, giving mixes a slightly forward.
On the Infinity Reference R162 side: CEA2034 spinorama shows good directivity with wide, consistent horizontal and vertical response, and blended early reflections that need little room treatment. Set against that: Elevated output above 3kHz adds brightness, with a resonance around 700Hz and some distortion near the crossover point.
Buy the SVS Ultra Bookshelf if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Infinity Reference R162 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| SVS Ultra Bookshelf | Infinity Reference R162 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,200 | $500 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #47 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 6.5" composite glass fiber cone woofer, 1" aluminum dome tweeter | 1" CMMD tweeter with waveguide, 6.5" CMMD woofer |
| Dimensions | 14.9"H x 8.5"W x 10"D | 15.5"H x 7.9"W x 11.2"D (394 x 200 x 285 mm) |
| Weight | 19 lbs each | 17.6 lbs / 8 kg each |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 87.8dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 32kHz (manufacturer specified) | 49Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 20-150W | - |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- GR-Research X-LS Encore vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- AsciLab C6B vs HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod
- HiVi Swans 3.1A Sehlin Sound Solutions mod vs Zu Audio Method
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
The Two Speakers In Full
SVS Ultra Bookshelf: $1,200 Amazon
Pros: Noticeably more tonally neutral than the cheaper SVS Prime Bookshelf, with response staying within about -3dB/+1.5dB on average - a genuine step up in linearity for roughly double the price. Slightly higher sensitivity than the Prime (about 87.8dB) with similarly wide, consistent horizontal radiation. Toeing the speakers out about 30 degrees smooths the in-room response nicely if the on-axis tonal balance runs a bit forward for your taste. Distortion and dynamics hold up well; this is a mature, well-regarded design (roughly a decade old at review time) that’s aged better than many contemporaries.
Cons: Still has a boosted upper mid-range/mid-range area, though less severe than the Prime - the reviewer suspects a baffle-step or tweeter-level issue rather than a resonance, giving mixes a slightly forward, occasionally tinny character. Bass extension is modest for the price (F3 69Hz, F10 48Hz measured) - SVS is clearly counting on you pairing this with one of their subwoofers rather than expecting full-range performance from the bookshelf alone. Measured minimum impedance dips to about 3.8 ohms, so a 4-ohm-stable amplifier is recommended rather than a basic 8-ohm-only AVR. Radiation pattern is wide (around 80°), wider than the reviewer’s typical ~60° sweet spot preference, so acoustic treatment on nearby walls helps tame reflections and keep the off-axis response from diverging too much from on-axis.
Full SVS Ultra Bookshelf review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 69Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.9"H x 8.5"W x 10"D |
| Drivers | 6.5" composite glass fiber cone woofer, 1" aluminum dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 32kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 20-150W |
| Sensitivity | 87.8dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 19 lbs each |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Yamaha NS-800A
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs ELAC DBR62
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- SVS Ultra Bookshelf vs Power Sound Audio MT-110-M
- See all 9 comparisons
Infinity Reference R162: $500 Discontinued Bhphotovideo
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.
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) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 15.5"H x 7.9"W x 11.2"D (394 x 200 x 285 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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) |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs / 8 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Dynaudio Emit 20
- Infinity Reference R162 vs JBL Studio 630
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Behringer B2030P
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Infinity IL10
- Infinity Reference R162 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- See all 9 comparisons