I see the Infinity Beta 20's mentioned in almost any thread about budget bookshelf speakers as being discontinued and therefore going at a deep discount compared to their original selling cost.

A pair of Beta 20's is now just over $200 but they were almost double that when they were released. I always thought that with speakers, quality was quality (it's not like they don't support some new format like what happens to receivers or TVs) and they tend to hold price fairly well. If they are "really" the caliber of a pair of $400 speakers, why wouldn't they hold in price - especially with the brand name? Or did they not really compete with other speakers in that range so they had to drop because of what the market will allow.

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question... I'm asking because my current setup (all Cambridge Soundworks) was about the same price 5-6 years ago as I could get with a Beta setup now. I want to upgrade but spending the same $$ as I did 5-6 years ago for a similar system today would be stupid , but so would categorizing these as a $200 pair of speakers when they really should be compared to speakers in the $400 range.

:confused:

because they are being discontinued by the manufacturer (Infinity)

Or if the company goes down like Athena. Doesn't mean they're not great speakers though...

Athena was the goddess of war and to the best of my knowledge, she didn't go down.

because they are being discontinued by the manufacturer (Infinity)

That was part of my question - my understanding was that even if you discontinue a speaker, they tend to hold in value OK. If the Beta 20's still performs like a pair of $400 speakers, why wouldn't they sell as such?

To clear out inventory. To make room for new. Are these terribly difficult concepts for you?

I had a pair of Beta 20s once. I A/Bed them with Primus 150s, and preferred the Primus. (Better imaging and better bass.)

Or if the company goes down like Athena. Doesn't mean they're not great speakers though...

Infinity is part of Harman International, which is an enormous company that also makes JBL, Revel, Harman Kardon, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, etc. It is one of the largest audio companies in the world- it isn't going down...

However, they may be readjusting their brand portfolio, and Infinity may see a different range of products.

I had a pair of Beta 20s once. I A/Bed them with Primus 150s, and preferred the Primus. (Better imaging and better bass.)

I've never heard the Beta 20's, but I do own the Primus 150's. I highly doubt the Primus has better bass response due to the significantly smaller woofer. If the Beta's are anything like my Alpha's, then the Primus and the Beta's are going to sound surprisingly similar...imaging, etc. That has nothing to do with you preferring the Primus, however.

That was part of my question - my understanding was that even if you discontinue a speaker, they tend to hold in value OK. If the Beta 20's still performs like a pair of $400 speakers, why wouldn't they sell as such?Usually when the new model comes out, the older model is available cheaper. This is true with just about anything.

I had a pair of Beta 20s once. I A/Bed them with Primus 150s, and preferred the Primus. (Better imaging and better bass.)Thanks. That's really useful and relevant to this thread. :rolleyes:

Did you not get enough attention as a child?

Thanks. That's really useful and relevant to this thread.

You are correct. It is both useful and relevant to this thread. Try reading the thread title and the OP with comprehension, this time.:rolleyes:

(An important part of the question was "do they perform like $400 speakers?" The answer is no, because Infinity themselves make a less expensive pair of speakers with somewhat better performance.)

Usually when the new model comes out, the older model is available cheaper. This is true with just about anything.

Yup, just about every speaker manufacturer I've seen does it. Heck, last years car models are usually sold at a discount. Nothing new, just economic business sense.

I've never heard the Beta 20's, but I do own the Primus 150's. I highly doubt the Primus has better bass response due to the significantly smaller woofer. If the Beta's are anything like my Alpha's, then the Primus and the Beta's are going to sound surprisingly similar...imaging, etc. That has nothing to do with you preferring the Primus, however.

Subjectively, the Primus' had stronger bass. Objectively, there is no difference (The Beta 20 and Primus 150 are both -3dB at 58Hz.)

Subjectively, the Primus' had stronger bass. Objectively, there is no difference (The Beta 20 and Primus 150 are both -3dB at 58Hz.)

I realize the specs are close, but the bass out of a 6.5" is going to punch harder than the bass from a 5.25" woofer. I don't want to take the thread off topic, but I will say the Primus 150's sound fantastic for the money.

Thanks. That's really useful and relevant to this thread. :rolleyes:

Did you not get enough attention as a child?

You're feeding the troll.:D

The key point here is that, in fact, the Beta 20s never were all that impressive, and certainly not a good value for the original $400/pr asking price. For $200/pr they are pretty good, but one can still do better.

The key point here is that, in fact, the Beta 20s never were all that impressive, and certainly not a good value for the original $400/pr asking price. For $200/pr they are pretty good, but one can still do better.This is still ENTIRELY irrelevant to this thread. So that is not the "key point" of anything really, is it?

This is still ENTIRELY irrelevant to this thread. So that is not the "key point" of anything really, is it?

Did you even read the OP? It is entirely relevant. Once again, the question was "are the Beta 20s worth the original $400 price?" (the answer being no, they are not), but you obviously missed, ignored, or failed to comprehend that part.

Or did they not really compete with other speakers in that range so they had to drop because of what the market will allow.


Correct. That is what happened.

Did you even read the OP? It is entirely relevant. Once again, the question was "are the Beta 20s worth the original $400 price?" (the answer being no, they are not), but you obviously missed, ignored, or failed to comprehend that part.
He asked that question specifically as it related to them now being offered for half what they once sold for. To paraphrase: "If they are being sold for X, now, were they ever really worth 2X?" It was explained to the OP that they are so cheap now because they were discontinued. You, of all people, should know that what a speaker is really "worth" is probably not related to the asking price.

Correct. That is what happened.Oh, now you're Mr. Infinity Marketing Director.

Betas smoke the Primus lineup in both quality as well as sound-wise.


(I'm going back to ignoring you, now.)

Oh, now you're Mr. Infinity Marketing Director.

Betas smoke the Primus lineup in both quality as well as sound-wise.

Infinity/Alesis/Kimber/etc... :D

Betas smoke the Primus lineup in both quality as well as sound-wise.


Other way around. Even the Primus 150s were better than the Beta 20s, and the 160s were substantially better while still costing less.

Infinity/Alesis/Kimber/etc... :DKlipsch, Cambridge, KRK, DefTech, B&W, etc..... :rolleyes:

Klipsch, Cambridge, KRK, DefTech, B&W, etc..... :rolleyes:

Lots of proof of the fact that I know great speakers when I hear them. (The amount of listening experience I have had in my own room is greater than many people have had in showrooms!:cool:)

i eat boogers

i eat boogers

Thank you for sharing that with us.

Thank you for sharing that with us.

what you share, comes from a different hole...

what you share, comes from a different hole...

It comes from a Special Member.:D

Eww.

Athena was the goddess of war and to the best of my knowledge, she didn't go down.

She did, her temple did. Now orthodox rules. But if you're referring to audio, how bout the uncompleted Athena line from the late Dunlavy?

Infinity is part of Harman International, which is an enormous company that also makes JBL, Revel, Harman Kardon, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, etc. It is one of the largest audio companies in the world- it isn't going down... However, they may be readjusting their brand portfolio, and Infinity may see a different range of products.

Like I said, "if"... They are some of the most respected brands.

To clear out inventory. To make room for new. Are these terribly difficult concepts for you?

Thanks for the thoughtful and polite answer.

Thanks for the thoughtful and polite answer.

Don't take it too hard, I think he was just exasperated when the answer was given a few times. Chu Gai is a good guy. Hey, that rhymes:).

The key point here is that, in fact, the Beta 20s never were all that impressive, and certainly not a good value for the original $400/pr asking price. For $200/pr they are pretty good, but one can still do better.

This does help answer my question, thanks.

Dunlavy would have problems completing the line now. Yes, I was exasperated. I just don't find it perplexing when a line is discontinued that prices drop. Hell, it happens at Walmart everyday. Now, brad, since you're in Brooklyn, head on over to Spumoni Gardens on Ave. X and have one of their stellar squares.

This does help answer my question, thanks.

Not completely. That is his opinion. The Beta's are nice speakers. There are many owners of them on here and elsewhere that are quite happy with them...even at regular retail price. Search around the web for other positive reviews.

check out the infinity beta owner's thread here on avs. There are many people who are very happy with the beta's even the one's who paid full price. At 50% off they are a steal. I own beta's & I like them.

Pulliamm doesn't like beta's. that's ok ... it's his opinion.
I don't like klipsch while others do. that's my opinion.

Pulliamm doesn't like beta's. that's ok ... it's his opinion.


Actually, I do like the Betas. I merely like the less expensive Primus better.

Actually, I do like the Betas. I merely like the less expensive Primus better.

that explains your taste in women

Well I really like the Beta 20's, as much as the Beta 40's. For me they don't do anything great. They are just good, solid speakers that don't do anything too wrong and for the price they are something I can easily live with for 2 or 3 years. The metal grills are a huge plus for me as I have a tiny little mini-audiophile running around the house and she likes to stress test everything.

Do we have a pic of PULLIAM's babe?

Do we have a pic of PULLIAM's babe?

Yeah, here he is too. He actually isn't doing bad for a 13 year old.

Yeah, here he is too. He actually isn't doing bad for a 13 year old.That's the best chick there is............ this week.

that explains your taste in women

How do you know if I even like women? Maybe I prefer you, honey.:p

That's the best chick there is............ this week.

Too bad she is about 25 years too young for me.

You'd enjoy my sister-in-law then. She looks like something excavated from a glacier. Just more wrinkles.

how could a 50-60 something be so dense and act so immature

Man, sure glad you didn't say "60-70 something", cause if ya did, I'd have to come over and punch your lights out! ;)

Well I really like the Beta 20's, as much as the Beta 40's. For me they don't do anything great. They are just good, solid speakers that don't do anything too wrong and for the price they are something I can easily live with for 2 or 3 years. The metal grills are a huge plus for me as I have a tiny little mini-audiophile running around the house and she likes to stress test everything.

Ha! Same here, but these look too heavy for her to mess with... Especially the C360. How does Elmo sound on them?

Not completely. That is his opinion. The Beta's are nice speakers. There are many owners of them on here and elsewhere that are quite happy with them...even at regular retail price. Search around the web for other positive reviews.

Fair enough... The Beta thread is a beast but I've read much of it at this point. I obviously see a lot of positives, but it was often with the "for the price" caveat, which is what prompted my initial post. I haven't really seen people (lately) recommend the Beta 20's if someone's budget is in the 400 range for bookshelves... But then the tendency is to push people past their budget by 10-20%, not keep it down :p

I guess it's always pretty subjective with speakers, but given that these are going to be hard to preview I was hoping to hear how people thought they compared to speakers in their original price range... Friday I'm excited to be checking out Paradigms!

How do you know if I even like women? Maybe I prefer you, honey.:p

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