Infinity Classia review

It might look good, but the American Infinity Classia package is cruelly hamstrung sonically Tested at £2700.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Big, and superficially good value, but a false economy in practice

Pros

  • +

    There’s plenty of it

  • +

    interesting design features make it easier to install than some

  • +

    ample scale to the sound

Cons

  • -

    Lacks cohesion, midrange expression, speed, precision and excitement

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

In a category dominated by British and Scandinavian brands, can US brand Infinity turn out a speaker package to compete?

Well, there's certainly plenty of the Classia system to go around. Its 120cm-tall C336 front speakers are partnered by an equally hefty CC225 centre, plus two PSW310W active subwoofers. These unusual designs have 400W of power amplification and three 25cm bass drivers.

So far so substantial, and if the C255ES rear speakers are more compact, they compensate with their complexity: they can be configured to run as bipoles, dipoles or conventional monopole speakers to your taste, and even allow you to configure one speaker to fulfil the job of two, with each side of the cabinet operating as each half of a stereo pair.

But for all its apparent value, the Infinity is cruelly undone by its sonic limitations.

Issues across the board
The front speakers lack expression and drive, their midrange appearing too soft-edged and clumsy to convey adequately the drama of The Dark Knight's Batpod chase.

True, treble remains largely controlled, but there's a ponderous approach to middle and lower frequencies.

That lack of precision is highlighted further by the twin subwoofers: they're boisterous and lusty, yet the leading edges of bass notes are soft and ill-defined.

The Classia appeared to have much to offer, but there are far better ways to spend nearly £3000 than this.

See all our speaker package Best Buys

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

Read more about how we test

Latest in Hi-Fi Speakers
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53 standmount speakers
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53
KEF LS50 Wireless II streaming speaker system on a desk next to the the Technics SC-CX700
4 things Technics needs to do to beat KEF’s LS50 Wireless II hi-fi system and one area where it’s better
Elipson Planet L Performance speakers
These Planet-shaped speakers promise "exceptionally pure sound" with an out-of-this-world design
Bowers & Wilkins Radiohead The Bends event
I heard my favourite Radiohead album on the B&W speakers used to record it – and now I love it even more
Dynaudio Confidence 20A
Dynaudio's Confidence 20A active speakers boast "the biggest upgrade in active hi-fi in over a decade"
Fyne Audio F501E floorstanding speakers
Fyne Audio ousts Q Acoustics as our new favourite sub-£1000 floorstanding speakers
Latest in Reviews
iFi Zen Phono 3 phono stage
iFi Zen Phono 3
Google TV Streamer video streamer
Google TV Streamer
Samsung QN990F on a white media unit with a grey curtain in the behind it and soundbar in front
Samsung QN990F 8K TV
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53 standmount speakers
Elac Debut 3.0 DB53
 iFi Zen DAC 3 digital-to-analogue converter
iFi Zen DAC 3
Sennheiser HD 505 open-back headphones
Sennheiser HD 505