Short answer: the Yamaha NS-800A for better sound quality, the Infinity Reference R162 for the lower price. The Yamaha NS-800A ranks #43 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $4800. The Infinity Reference R162 ranks #51 at $500, $4300 cheaper.
On the Yamaha NS-800A side: Exceptionally well-built cabinet with no internal resonance issues at all - confirmed clean in both burst decay and impedance measurements. Set against that: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character - notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison.
What the Infinity Reference R162 gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows good directivity with wide, consistent horizontal and vertical response, and blended early reflections that need little room treatment. The catch: Elevated output above 3kHz adds brightness, with a resonance around 700Hz and some distortion near the crossover point.
Buy the Yamaha NS-800A 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
| Yamaha NS-800A | Infinity Reference R162 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4800 | $500 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #43 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 58Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 78Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) | 87dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 1.25" dome tweeter, 6.5" mid-woofer | 1" CMMD tweeter with waveguide, 6.5" CMMD woofer |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs / 13.0 kg (28.7 lbs) each | 17.6 lbs / 8 kg each |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 9.1"W x 14.1"D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) | 15.5"H x 7.9"W x 11.2"D (394 x 200 x 285 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex | ported |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz | - |
| Output Power | 40W nominal, 120W max | - |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 49Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Yamaha NS-800A: $4800 The Music Room
Pros: Exceptionally well-built cabinet with no internal resonance issues at all - confirmed clean in both burst decay and impedance measurements. Good, wide directivity (~75 degrees horizontal) that stays consistent enough to EQ successfully. Distortion is low, staying under 3% at 96dB, and dynamic range holds up well until right near its 102dB limit. A shallower, higher-frequency bass rolloff profile (F3 68Hz, F10 35Hz) means it can be placed closer to the wall (about a foot) without turning boomy, actually gaining bass presence rather than losing it.
Cons: A wide, roughly 2kHz-10kHz scoop in the upper-midrange/lower-treble gives it a laidback, soft, low-attack character - notably worse than the reviewer’s Audio First Fidelia reference in an A/B comparison. On top of that, treble breaks up badly above 10kHz, swinging up as much as 8dB - a significant, named flaw. Sounds inconsistently voiced as a result (bright on some material like cymbals and shakers, dull/laidback on vocals and instrument attack) until corrected with real parametric EQ (the reviewer needed a +2dB boost around 4.5kHz at Q0.5 plus taming the treble spike to bring it to life) combined with near-wall placement and 30-degree toe-out. Without that combination, it’s a tough sale for a $4,800 bookshelf speaker.
Full Yamaha NS-800A review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz |
| Dimensions | 16.5"H x 9.1"W x 14.1"D (419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.25" dome tweeter, 6.5" mid-woofer |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.3 ohms minimum (measured above 80Hz, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Output Power | 40W nominal, 120W max |
| Sensitivity | 84.9dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz @ 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner; 86.5dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs / 13.0 kg (28.7 lbs) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Definitive Technology Demand D11
- Yamaha NS-800A vs ELAC DBR62
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- Yamaha NS-800A vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Yamaha NS-800A vs JTR Noesis 210HT
- Yamaha NS-800A vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- Yamaha NS-800A vs Revel Concerta2 M16
- Yamaha NS-800A vs JBL HDI-1600
- See all 10 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.
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- 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
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