Testing the Infinity Beta 50 speaker system

Beta 50 is the flagship model of its line.

TEST RESULTS

CONSTRUCTION FEATURES: Speakers have a roomy, bass-inverter-type cabinet with a port on the rear panel. The casing is made of MDF and is thoroughly covered. Inside, it is divided into two compartments and fastened with ties in critical places. The exterior of the cabinet is vinyl-covered in cherry or black ash. The bottom of the body rests on rubber feet. For better isolation from the floor feet can be supplemented with spikes adjustable height available in the kit . The front panel is 36 mm thick, has beveled edges and is equipped with four speakers.

Speakers are protected by a perforated metal grill that follows the shape of the front panel. All the cones are made using common C.M.M.D. Ceramic Metal Matrix Diaphragms , which is used by Infinity designers in most of their new. Recall that CMMD was originally designed for top-of-the-line Prelude MTS speakers, but as time passed, the Hi-End technology became so familiar that it is now used by Infinity in midrange ranges. CMMD cones are aluminum diaphragms that have been chemically treated to a ceramic surface.

According to statements of the developers as a result of this process a material which has a set of qualities: weight, stiffness, damping properties is better than those of pure metals like aluminum or titanium or of classic polymeric materials such as polypropylene. The tweeter is equipped with a 25mm CMMD dome. Its working range is extended up to 40 kHz, so the new Beta speakers are suitable for playing SACD and DVD-A recordings. HF head dispersion is controlled by CAI Constant Acoustic Impedance proprietary acoustic horn.

It not only extends the HF dispersion pattern in the horizontal and vertical planes, but also slightly increases the sensitivity of the speaker system. The midrange driver has a 130mm CMMD diaphragm and the two woofers have 200mm CMMD diaphragms. Both woofers run in a separate cabinet compartment and are acoustically loaded on the rear reflex port. The crossover uses 3rd and 2nd order filters with selectable frequencies of 600 and 3200 Hz. Speakers allow for dual cable connection.

AUDIO QUALITY: the tonal balance of the Beta 50 was quite even, the ideal picture was disturbed only by a slight increase in sensitivity

in the upper midrange. But this feature did not spoil the overall impression at all, the sound seemed more luminous and cheerful. Many people will appreciate the dramatic delivery of this musical material, especially when playing modern music. Fortunately, at moderate volume, the brightness of the tops does not turn into harshness. At higher volumes, the upper register gets quite hot, which is an acquired taste.

To Beta 50’s credit, even in this case, their sound does not lose clarity. Clarity is a characteristic feature of the Beta 50 throughout its entire output range. Together with quite even and in general natural midrange the clarity of sound allows the speakers not to limit their repertoire only to electronic music, they are worthy to cope with jazz, acoustic ballads, can play and classics. Although it should be noted that the timbres of “live” instruments are processed by the speakers not to the end – an almost inevitable result for a speaker of their value.

A special place in the sound of “American” is given to bass. The bass of Beta 50 is accurate, fast and at the same time energetic. It doesn’t reach the lower octave, but the mid-bass has a remarkable density, giving the electric guitar chords a peculiar “juiciness”. Shock pulses of drums are transmitted with good attack, know nothing of nasty rumbling noises, the individual beats are differentiated in strength. The bass barely loses any quality up to the power limit, experiencing only subtle slowdown in the aftershocks.

The music scene of the speakers builds in the American way, opening it up as wide as possible, blowing the images, advancing almost close to the listener. Very large-scale, but not very believable.

PRICE: $690.

SUMMARY

BENEFITS: crisp sound throughout the entire range, energetic midrange, sound quality almost independent of volume.

The cons: bright upper mid range, slightly simplified timbres, not quite believable scales of the scene.

CONCLUSIONS: Considering its inexpensive price, the Beta 50 is a good speaker for modern music lovers. Classic and jazz also plays very well, allowing itself only a little sketchiness. Those looking for inexpensive frontal speakers for home theater should take a closer look at Beta 50. American speakers have more than enough power for small rooms.