Home > Consumer Reviews > Infinity BETA 50 3-Way Dual 8" Floorstanding Loudspeaker w/Black Finish(Each)

After a lot of research, I was about to spend $1500 for a pair of audiphile speakers when I ran across a review of the BETA 50s in The Sensible Sound, a periodical which specializes in identifying high quality stereo components that don't cost more than your car.

Intrigued but skeptical, I went to Circuit City (which no longer sells Infinity) and listened. When I found that I could get them for $500/pair, I brought them home and have been happy ever since. The soundstage is wide, occasionally extending beyond the speakers. The sound is very open with highs that are clear but without unnatural brightness. The bass is surprisingly robust. If you have cats or kids, the metal grills are great, rendering the speakers well nigh impregnable. Unlike another reviewer, I prefer the black finish.

There are no serious drawbacks to the speaker. Tall, thin, and heavy, they are a bit tippy if not secured. Detail is fine, but the Betas don't have the crystal clarity of some upscale speakers. However, there is such a thing as too much detail, which can reveal flaws in recordings.

I note that these speakers are now available online for less than $500. I consider that a screaming bargain. If you order a pair, be sure to give them break-in time before judging them. It may take 40 hours or so before they sound their best.

I use these speakers in a 5.1 SACD/DVD-A setup combined with the Beta c360 center and the Infinity ES250's for rears.I already had the center but decided to upgrade my Bose 201 rears and my older front AR loudspeakers. I thought I'd give up some bass despite my sub since I had 12 inch woofers in my fronts. Not so. These 50's drive. They perhaps don't snap like my older speakers but you do feel the drive and the bass is cleaner. I am still breaking these babies in but already I find myself hearing a quality in these recordings that was not present previously. The sax in Floyd's the DSOM SACD has a musky sound never present before. The rears produce instruments and notes not previously heard when listening to 5.1 mixes such as Porcupine Tree's Deadwing. It is like I have a brand new collection of DVD Audio and SACD's.The highs and mid range produced all the way around is outstanding and yet these recording sound more real or natural than I could have ever imagined. Simply incredible and for the price range... worth every penny. One other thing of note. I read about the power requirement of these towers but let me say that I am running a Yamaha at 75w per channel in a fairly large half finished basement set up. I have yet to push my ears to a level that takes the volume knob past 11 o'clock

Ive been thinking about replacing the "Digital Research " speakers I bought on E-Bay for awhile now.I have a pair of Infinity Bookshelf speakers in my garage, hooked up to a Onkyo amp. These speakers have been rockin for over 8 years. So I did my homework and decided to buy the Infinity Beta 50's. All I can say is-- WOW-- Theyre also hooked up to a Onkyo (Home Theatre) There heavy but impressive. I love them. There not that big and bulky, they look great. I plugged in some old Deep Purple (Rat Bat Blue) Shook The Windows. Alot of people say that the speakers lack in the Bass department. If you have a decent amp no need to worry. I thought they have good quailty Bass. You cant go wrong with these babies.
Tim K. Naples Fl.

I've owned on older pair of Infinity KAPPA 6's for years and was always thrilled with them, but I was just tired of the woodgrain finish (70's look), needed an upgrade and mostly, wanted the option to Bi-AMP and Bi-WIRE...these babies had that! I just purchased a Denon 2308 receiver (1oo watts x 7) and had that extra "Speakers b" output just being wasted in the back. Not anymore!! I used "speakers a" for the bass and "speakers b" for the mids and highs, slipped off the brass terminal thingees on the Beta 50s, and BEHOLD! I'm now pushing 200 watts per speaker. Sweet mother Mary, these boys can cook! Very clear, very warm sound. My old KAPPAS only had one woofer each, these have two. Plus, they look GREAT. I'm not too thrilled about the metal grills (appreance-wise) but they're ok...I have them off right now to admire the cones (I know,...get a life!). You really cannot go wrong with these for the price. I was looking into some "ultra high end" speakers like Canton, but come on....cash is an issue these days! These are really a bargin, and, I love Infinity quality (car and home!) I read that these need "warm-in" time? OK....but they're already great. They are deeper than expected (size wise) and that's fine by me. One thing however: the instruction manual says they come with carpet spikes, mine did NOT. They have rubber feet, but no spikes. I see on the Infinity web site, these speakers are not even listed anymore?? How did they go out of production so quickly? Anyway...I'm happy with these. Be sure to Bi-Amp and Bi-Wire if you can and for god's sake, don't use cheesy wire!! It DOES make a difference folks. Enjoy the sounds!!!

These are without a doubt the best floorstanding speakers for the price I have heard in a long time. The CMMD technology is the trick. Quick, snappy and accurate. Strong tight bass. Smooth midrange. Transparent highs. A true 3-way. Prior to these I had Polk Monitor 70's. The Beta's put them to shame. I highly recommend the Beta 50.