EMIM differences
- Thread starter geoff727
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Vitopanch
Super Member
geoff,
There are three variants; the brass 3/16 type terminal for the RS 4.5/2.5 which have a case which is a tad chunkier looking than the later model, because of the attaching bolts, then the later model felt variant and non-felt variant. No sonic difference and all interchangeable.
Vito
There are three variants; the brass 3/16 type terminal for the RS 4.5/2.5 which have a case which is a tad chunkier looking than the later model, because of the attaching bolts, then the later model felt variant and non-felt variant. No sonic difference and all interchangeable.
Vito
geoff727
Well-Known Member
Vito,
How about ones with the + and - terminals close together? There are 3 on the 'bay right now. On the site for Orange Counry Speaker repair, it shows the EMIM diaphragm and lists several different EMIM revisions that this diaphragm will (or did) fit. Is there any good way to tell the difference between the 'revisions'?
Thanks,
Geoff
geoff727
Well-Known Member
Vitopanch
Super Member
Geoff,
I apologize for the tardy reply. I can not see those on EBAY that you refer to, however, I can see 6 of them. Perhaps those are the ones that you refer to. Here are some views of the different styles;
The brass 3/16 type:
Felt backed variant:
No felt back variant:
Vito
I apologize for the tardy reply. I can not see those on EBAY that you refer to, however, I can see 6 of them. Perhaps those are the ones that you refer to. Here are some views of the different styles;
The brass 3/16 type:
Felt backed variant:
No felt back variant:
Vito
geoff727
Well-Known Member
Thanks Vito,
I think I'm getting all the iterations finally straightened out. This is the one I picked up that I was referring to on ebay last week, with the close +/- terminals and internal wires from those terminals to the diaphragm. And, the one I picked up from Kathleen is just perfect. I can tell it's a later one, with the off-gray center mylar strips.
I bought the RS2.5's only about 2 or 3 months ago, but I've already had to replace every EMIM on them. Thankfully, they have 4 good ones now. So, it's time to build an adequate spares inventory, which is almost turning into a cost-no-object venture in and of itself. But, the longevity of these speakers is of great importance to me right now, so I guess I'll do what I have to do!
Thanks,
Geoff
I think I'm getting all the iterations finally straightened out. This is the one I picked up that I was referring to on ebay last week, with the close +/- terminals and internal wires from those terminals to the diaphragm. And, the one I picked up from Kathleen is just perfect. I can tell it's a later one, with the off-gray center mylar strips.
I bought the RS2.5's only about 2 or 3 months ago, but I've already had to replace every EMIM on them. Thankfully, they have 4 good ones now. So, it's time to build an adequate spares inventory, which is almost turning into a cost-no-object venture in and of itself. But, the longevity of these speakers is of great importance to me right now, so I guess I'll do what I have to do!
Thanks,
Geoff
Attachments
Coastsider
Curmudgeon
Were the EMIM's working when you got the 2.5's and then went out? I'm curious because I recently aquired a pair myself which at the moment are fully functional and am wondering if I should be concerned. I am giving them plenty of high current amp and so should not have any worries on that score.
Having also been following the listings in eBay for spares I am rather shocked at the prices the EMIM's have been garnering. I played for a bit on a couple of them but it didn't take long before they went out of range for me.
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geoff727
Well-Known Member
Coastsider,
The EMIM's that the speakers had are all 'functional', mostly. They all play, but on certain piano passages, they crackle and distort- even with the volume control set very low. I was told by someone at Orange County Speakers who had lots of experience with EMIM's that this was a classic symptom of "diaphragm fatigue". He was also unaware of any way to resurrect the diaphragm. And, since new diaphragms haven't been made for a while, we're confined to the used driver market. And I agree, these prices aren't getting any better. I'm going to try to get about 3 or 4 more good EMIM's, and then probably call it quits. It's too bad that we all don't have an insider trading group that we can all swap parts among.
I've read posts about trying to heat the diaphragm with hot air to help out the 'crackling' sound. After disassembling one of my old ones and trying this, I'm actually wondering if the stretch incurred during cooling is what is actually happening. On the one I disassembled, the mylar had quite a few ridges, kind of like this one from the infinity classics website. http://www.infinity-classics.de/infinity/technik/reparatur/Images/emimraupen-b.jpg
I tried manually flattening the ridges with a soft toothpick, while keeping the diaphragm backed by a hard surface so I didn't poke a hole in it. I did get it mostly flattened out, but it looks ugly. It does seem to play fine, but the piano problem still isn't totally fixed. I think I will attempt some further surgery on this one, to see if I can get it back up to snuff. Or I may just be on a fool's errand here. I might try to run down some appropriate mylar, doing some precision cuts, and manually removing and re-laying the vertical mylar strips, joining them to the existing strips at the tops and bottoms. But....this sure is a lot of work to go through. Probably for a dubious cause; it might make no difference at all. Let's keep in touch, though. I'm anxious to see how yours turn out, especially with the outriggers.
The EMIM's that the speakers had are all 'functional', mostly. They all play, but on certain piano passages, they crackle and distort- even with the volume control set very low. I was told by someone at Orange County Speakers who had lots of experience with EMIM's that this was a classic symptom of "diaphragm fatigue". He was also unaware of any way to resurrect the diaphragm. And, since new diaphragms haven't been made for a while, we're confined to the used driver market. And I agree, these prices aren't getting any better. I'm going to try to get about 3 or 4 more good EMIM's, and then probably call it quits. It's too bad that we all don't have an insider trading group that we can all swap parts among.
I've read posts about trying to heat the diaphragm with hot air to help out the 'crackling' sound. After disassembling one of my old ones and trying this, I'm actually wondering if the stretch incurred during cooling is what is actually happening. On the one I disassembled, the mylar had quite a few ridges, kind of like this one from the infinity classics website. http://www.infinity-classics.de/infinity/technik/reparatur/Images/emimraupen-b.jpg
I tried manually flattening the ridges with a soft toothpick, while keeping the diaphragm backed by a hard surface so I didn't poke a hole in it. I did get it mostly flattened out, but it looks ugly. It does seem to play fine, but the piano problem still isn't totally fixed. I think I will attempt some further surgery on this one, to see if I can get it back up to snuff. Or I may just be on a fool's errand here. I might try to run down some appropriate mylar, doing some precision cuts, and manually removing and re-laying the vertical mylar strips, joining them to the existing strips at the tops and bottoms. But....this sure is a lot of work to go through. Probably for a dubious cause; it might make no difference at all. Let's keep in touch, though. I'm anxious to see how yours turn out, especially with the outriggers.
Vitopanch
Super Member
That is great Geoff. That was the last one of the lot that I was parting with. I was fortunate enough to obtain a full batch of NIB spares, along with an extra NIB Active Crossover Network, with the RS 4.5's that I bought and have been holding onto them for awhile. Then I obtained two other lots, one from a RS 1b and one from a RS 2A that were unfortunately being parted out. I decided to keep just four spares and offload the rest. I keep my eyes peeled for these ongoing and if I bump into any at a low price I will keep you in mind.
Coastrider, No they do not fail often. I have not lost one ever. The problem is that we are buying used loudspeakers that in some cases were misused. Monkeying around with the passive crossover networks, changing values and crossover points, running big infinities with low current gear clipping the yahoo out of them and the there are the equalizer lads who boost things up out of sight, that wreck these. With high current amplifiers and zero clipping they will last indefinitely.
Yes, the prices are rising steadily and many are going to Germany and Australia, the citizens of which are ravenous for spare parts. In general, they prize their Hi-fi gear as priceless instruments and therefore it lasts longer. Spares are rarer over there, hence, the hunt for them over here.
Vito
rabbit
Well-Known Member
What was wrong with the original EMIM's ?
geoff727
Well-Known Member
It's in post #10.
geoff727
Well-Known Member
Thanks, Vito. I really am looking forward to not having to buy any more. Spending so much time on ebay is not nearly so preferable as listening to music! By the way, did your 4.5's come from Ethan here in Seattle? He had a pair for sale a few months ago. He offered them to me, but with space constraints (and cash flow at the time), I passed on them and decided to keep looking for something smaller (which, obviously, I found). He said that someone back east bought them, who is a member of this forum.
Coastsider
Curmudgeon
Well so far so good with mine, which have been in service now for a bit over a week and both sound and look great. I got the outriggers and have them installed and they are a great success and now have the 2.5's in their new home integrated into my A/V system. I think your idea of mounting the outriggers might be the more attractive alternative as mine didn't turn out visually quite as I had imagined but they are good enough for now and the speakers are ROCK solid. The Soundcraftsmen MA5002 amp I got seems up to the job of driving the 2.5's although I really would like to bi-amp them and might see what else is out there that is a bit smaller that would do the job because if I piled another MA5002 on top of the existing one I might be in serious trouble. I've been holding off taking photos until I get the "toppers" we had been discussing finished, which will hopefully be this weekend.
I have a pair of spare EMITS and would sure like to have at least one spare EMIM but not at the current prices. It's tough to pay half of what I paid for the pair of 2.5's for just one driver.
Tedrick
Infinity-phile
Well, they almost surely are not going to get any cheaper, plus they are getting rarer, so the time may be now if you ever hope to get any spares.
Coastsider
Curmudgeon
That may very well be the case and I'm curious to see how it goes with the current batch on eBay, even though they are not the exact match for the RS 2.5's.
geoff727
Well-Known Member
The trouble is, not every Infinity fan knows every other fan, so we all just end up driving up the price for one another.
For me, I think I'm going to try to get 3 or 4 more, then voluntarily remove myself from this particular market.
