Infinity Kappa dilemma

[alecep]

Hi All
I have just picked up a set of Kappa 6.1 series 2 here in Oslo.
They look brand new but after having tried them with my old JCB 120RMS amplifier, the message overload appeared a couple of times at mid volume and finally one of the original 902-6194 infinity woofer gave up. I think the core is gone and it would probably also need a re-foam since they are very slightly cracking.
Is it worth fixing these woofers or is it better to just change the woofers with something more modern, always 8''? Anything to suggest that could do the trick or even improve the speakers?
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
Alain

 

[swechsler]

I couldn't find any info on your amp (I'm guessing 120RMS is the wattage rather than the model number), but the Kappa x.1 series is not particularly difficult to drive (I run mine with a home theater receiver). In general it's a bad idea to start replacing drivers unless the replacement has been specifically recommended to be used in the model you're putting it into, since it's extremely unlikely you'd luck into something better than the original engineer designed the system for (remember that the cabinet volume, port size & length, and crossover were all designed around this particular woofer).

First off, we'll need to know what you mean by "gave up" and "core is gone"? If refoaming is the only issue than that's easily solved. It's possible there was a short in the voice coil, which could cause both the overload message plus the driver failing (assuming the problem is more than the foam). At any rate, if it turns out that the driver is bad (you can try removing the woofer from the cabinet, disconnecting the wires and testing the voice coil with an ohmmeter/multimeter; the reading should be a bit less than the impedance rating for the speaker), then I'd look for a direct replacement. FWIW, I purchased a pair of refoamed woofers for the 6.1 on eBay for about $50 shipped (of course, that's in the US, but there's a decent chance that you could find someone willing to ship to you for not much more).

 

[alecep]

Thanks for the info.
The amp I tried with the speakers is also a home theater receiver and it is a Jvc_rx-884v (with 120 watts x 2 min. RMS).
By "gave up" I mean the woofer is completely dead so I believe the coil has a problem, meaning it is short-circuited. At the moment I don't have a ohm meter with me but I tried switching the woofers and the other one works fine, so I presume it could only be the coil?

Since changing the woofers with something similar is not viable, how much do you think it should cost to re-coil and re-foam both 8' speakers?

 

[bimasta]

how much do you think it should cost to re-coil and re-foam both 8' speakers?

Swechsler got "a pair of refoamed woofers for the 6.1 on eBay for about $50 shipped" — why don't you start there? If you can find a similar deal, shipping to Norway will be a bit more (not so much more these days) but probably a lot cheaper than "re-coil and re-foam" or recone both woofers. Doing it that way has labor costs.

 

[jazzmans]

Fix the kappas, get a better receiver. or sell someone who values them the kappas.

Dont for the love of Dog go buy some woofer that fits the dimensions and use it instead of the infinity woofer that was designed for that enclosure and crossover and associated drivers.

 

[StimpyWan]

Try eBay.de. eBay Germany is a great site for finding Infinity speakers and drivers in Europe. They usually have a better selection than here in the
U.S.

Plus, check with Infinity Support in Europe. European consumer support laws are different than here. Spare parts have to be provided for a much longer time. You could probably still buy a new woofer directly from Infinity.

 

[Rex81]

The good news is that those are fine speakers. More good news is that those woofers are IMG (Injection Molded Graphite) so they're light, tight, and fast. You will not find a better replacement woofer. The great thing about IMG woofers is that Infinity put them in a ton of different speakers in the 90s so single 8" IMG woofers are everywhere and they're cheap. Ebay is a great place to start.

 

[StimpyWan]

Here's a set of woofers. One or 2 available, as needed. Also, this is the Harman support page for Norway. Maybe email or call for help.

 

[alecep]

Thanks everybody for the very much appreciated help!

The woofer on ebay in germany basically costs with shipping, what I paid for both complete speakers

The seller that sold me the Kappas, proposes to get them back and give me a pair of B&W DM604 S2 if I add another €50.
Between the two sets, which one do you suggest?

 

[swechsler]

Although I'm normally not one to forgo a set of Kappas, that's a good deal and I'd go for it, assuming you like the way they sound and are in perfect working order.

 

[alecep]

Thanks, I will check them out.
I guess at this point my old JCV HT amplifier (RX-884v with 120 watts x 2 min. RMS) is no good for any of these speakers. I was wondering if there are any modern amplifiers with wi-fi or ethernet, that can handle these speakers, possibly without obliging me to mortgage the house!

 

[swechsler]

I have a pair of DM-602s (original series) and they have no problems with relatively low power (currently they're hooked up to a 60W Arcam integrated amp). I would expect the 604s to do just as well.

 

[alecep]

The good news is that those are fine speakers. More good news is that those woofers are IMG (Injection Molded Graphite) so they're light, tight, and fast. You will not find a better replacement woofer. The great thing about IMG woofers is that Infinity put them in a ton of different speakers in the 90s so single 8" IMG woofers are everywhere and they're cheap. Ebay is a great place to start.

Hi Rex81
Does this mean I can use other Infinity IMG 8'' woofers on the Kappa 6.1?
The ones I have have written 902-6194. But I see on internet other IMG 8' Infinity as the 902-4592.

Thanks
Alain