Infinity Kappa Question

[chuck61]

Hello everyone-Which series of Infinity Kappa speakers is best?

The '1' series
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nice-Old-Sc...870535972?pt=Car_Speakers&hash=item27c8ad7724

The '3' series ( none found )

The '5' series
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Infinity-Ka...906643082?pt=Car_Speakers&hash=item416757368a

The '7' series
http://www.ebay.com/itm/INFINITY-KA...962017589?pt=Car_Speakers&hash=item3f16984535

And '9' series
http://www.ebay.com/itm/693-9i-INFI...580138998?pt=Car_Speakers&hash=item19bf1703f6

With Ebay having every series available at one time or another, I hoped someone might have some insight. Infinity changed magnetic structures, tweeter types, and other engineering and materials changes from series 1 to 9-which ones actually performed-sounded better?
Thanks-Chuck

 

[t40killa]

I believe the old ones, "green" kappas are the best. These were made right before or right around the time they sold the company to Harman.

 

[InfinityBob]

The original Kappa series were all Infinity. They were made as an alternative to the mid-range ribbons. I heard from Infinity, back in the 80s, the Kappa 8 was supposed to be as flat as the big IRS, frequency wise. The Kappa 8 was the target project.

One problem with this speaker was the elaborate crossover, which made it have the greatest variation in impedance, form 1 to 9 ohms! These were later considered 'amp killers' and rightly so, as the best amplifiers for these were the high current, such as the Krell and Threshold at that time, which would double in power, when impedance was half, all the way to 1 ohm! Now, most good quality amplifiers double at 4 ohms, some will increase about 50% at 2 ohms, they would suffice. I tried several amplifiers, the best were the ones stated, yet Classe did handle the speaker well, and the of the better Parasound, which was much cheaper, would do a do the job, unless one played it very loud. The Kappa 9 was the same story, but even worse with two 12" woofers and, in my opinion, another crossover for the little SEMIT.

The Kappa 7 left a big sound gap without a mid-bass couple, it was never well received. The Kappa 6 was ideal for most, and bested the previous RS 5B and the older RSB. This had a ten inch woofer, a much better mass for crossing to the polydome. The Kappa 5, if I remember used and 8 inch woofer; is had good acoustics, bit not par with the Kappa 6.

The next series, these were when Harmon took over, they simplified the speaker, making the 8.1 much more efficient, yet not of the same quality as the higher quality Kappa with rear firing EMIT, they used a dome style magnet and a ribbon like dome. These were nice in that the Kappa 7.1 was great for loud music with a higher SPL and needed less power than the Kappa 6. The Kappa 6.1, with an 8 inch woofer, was a great seller, and came in several models, the Kappa 6.1 i and Kappa 6.21, which was for the European market. There was also a smaller Kappa 5.1.

The CS series was made similar to some of these later Kappa; they used the EMIT-r and the 3006 was like a bookshelf version on the Kappa 6.1 with a smaller 8 inch voice coil and no crossover adjustment, these were to be sold at Circuit City, same the 3007 had an additional woofer. The largest, as far as I remember, was the 8.1 which used a different, moire efficient 12 inch woofer ( there may have been a 9.1 with two 12 inch woofers) and a mid -bass cone coupler, the same as used in the Renaissance 90, which was a beloved speaker and still sought after; the smaller Renaissance 80 had an 8 inch Watkins woofer, which was my favorite of any of these, except the Kappa 8 where the difference was more a mater of taste and used amplification. If I were seeking big fount speakers for my HT, I would consider the Renaissance 80, or the one I use, which was a later IRS known as the Omega.

 

[t40killa]

I believe the OP was asking about Infinity's car audio lineup.

 

[janikphoto]

I believe the OP was asking about Infinity's car audio lineup.

You are right. Clicking on his links, they are all car audio links. I installed some series 3, I think it was, and they sounded OK for the money. I never liked any of their newer stuff, though. The 90's era Kappas were much better, in my opinion. But, those will be much harder to find these days...

 

[t40killa]

The green Kappas also have the EMIT tweeter. But shhh, don't tell too many people, especially car audio enthusiasts.

 

[chuck61]

Infinity-Kappa

Hello Infinitybob and everyone else. I was looking for insight on auto stereo equiptment, but I always like to hear Infinity facts from an expert. I sold Infinity home speakers (Military-PX, etc) when the Quantums were 'closeouts' and the new polyprop. 'RS' line was hot. All of the Renaissance as well as the greek alphabet models are new to me. The QLS was the best thing I had ever heard, until the RS 4.5's.....
Thanks again-Chuck

 

[chuck61]

Infinity in your car

Hello and thanks for everyone's replies. After scanning the various sources of auto stereo equipment vigorously for years, I find when (and if) you locate the really good 'mobile' Infinity speakers (e.g. anything with real EMIT's), you will pay BIG bucks for them. That leaves me choosing from the more recent offerings-the newer Kappa's and 'Perfects'.
Thanks again-Chuck