Kappa 8.1 vs 8.1 series II

[okeeteekid]

I have a question, I've been searching the web and can't find any info on the difference between these two speakers, the kappa 8.1 and the kappa 8.1 series II, does anyone know what the difference is if any between these two speakers? is there any improvements on the kappa 8.1 series II over the kappa 8.1 model? the same goes for the 6.1, 7.1 and 9.1 as i believe they all have a series II.

 

[Augy]

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I have a question, I've been searching the web and can't find any info on the difference between these two speakers, the kappa 8.1 and the kappa 8.1 series II, does anyone know what the difference is if any between these two speakers? is there any improvements on the kappa 8.1 series II over the kappa 8.1 model? the same goes for the 6.1, 7.1 and 9.1 as i believe they all have a series II.

This was just discussed a few weeks ago...many differences.....The thread ended up getting closed due to some hostile members remarks....But a few differences are the original kappa uses different drivers ( midbass Cone type in 8.1 and a polygraph in the original ) the polydomes were similar ..the 8.1 had a wire mesh under the dome ....the emits were different emit K in orig and emit r in the 8.1....the woofer is ported in the 8.1 and sealed on the original...the original is also a diipole speaker with an emit mounted on the back where the 8.1 is not a dipole. Many favor the sound of the original and some favor the 8.1.......The 8.1 is easier to power than the original as well......I think the original was designed as stereo listening and the 8.1 was more an all round home theater design.....

 

[okeeteekid]

This was just discussed a few weeks ago...many differences.....The thread ended up getting closed due to some hostile members remarks....But a few differences are the original kappa uses different drivers ( midbass Cone type in 8.1 and a polygraph in the original ) the polydomes were similar ..the 8.1 had a wire mesh under the dome ....the emits were different emit K in orig and emit r in the 8.1....the woofer is ported in the 8.1 and sealed on the original...the original is also a diipole speaker with an emit mounted on the back where the 8.1 is not a dipole. Many favor the sound of the original and some favor the 8.1.......The 8.1 is easier to power than the original as well......I think the original was designed as stereo listening and the 8.1 was more an all round home theater design.....

Augy, i'm not comparing the original slim looking kappa 8 that has the polygraph k and the rectangle shaped emit to the 8.1, im comparing the kappa 8.1 to the kappa 8.1 series II, the only visual difference that i can see is on the back where the speaker terminals are, one speaker says infinity kappa 8.1 and the other says infinity kappa 8.1 series II

 

[Augy]

I misread

Augy, i'm not comparing the original slim looking kappa 8 that has the polygraph k and the rectangle shaped emit to the 8.1, im comparing the kappa 8.1 to the kappa 8.1 series II, the only visual difference that i can see is on the back where the speaker terminals are, one speaker says infinity kappa 8.1 and the other says infinity kappa 8.1 series II

Sorry bout that, I misread your post, I am not aware there was any difference in design of those two speakers...but then again I am definitely not an infinity expert. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of these speakers will be able to tell you if there is in fact a difference.......or perhaps that German infinity site will have some info...Good luck, sorry I could not help you out more....

 

[Listnnthdark]

PHEWW !! That was a close one ! I almost thought there was going to be re-ignition of the now infamous K 1 v K 2 thread ..
As far as I know { which isnt very far } the only variation among the K series 2 {.1 } and the .2 i is that the .2 i was the european version w rear port . otherwise identical . ? no ... Is there actualy a 6.1 7.1 8.1 9.1 that does not have the " Series 2 " designation ?

 

[Listnnthdark]

Just re read your post Greg , obviously there are k .1 that dont have series 2 written on the tweeters . { my 6.1s say series 2 .}. infinity with thier convoluted model #s ... probably identical but for the ink ..

 

[okeeteekid]

Just re read your post Greg , obviously there are k .1 that dont have series 2 written on the tweeters . { my 6.1s say series 2 .}. infinity with thier convoluted model #s ... probably identical but for the ink ..

Does your speaker also say series 2 on the back were the speaker wires go in? the only thing i can think of is that the series 2's are newer but are the same exact speaker and infinity just called them series 2.

 

[cjmustang69]

I actually ran across this situation about 6 months ago. I purchased a set of Kappa 8.1 speakers - which I thought were a matched set. After I had them about 2 weeks, I looked at the back of speakers to see serial numbers and realized one speakers was a 8.1 Series II and the other was simply a Kappa 8.1. I could only see 2 differences visually:

1. Back of speaker marked Kappa 8.1 Series II

2. The face of tweeter had Series II marked on it

I searched for information on net about differences between the Kappa 8.1 and Kappa 8.1 Series II. As I recall the crossover points are different - this is all I could find. As far as performance, they sounded the same to me.

 

[okeeteekid]

I actually ran across this situation about 6 months ago. I purchased a set of Kappa 8.1 speakers - which I thought were a matched set. After I had them about 2 weeks, I looked at the back of speakers to see serial numbers and realized one speakers was a 8.1 Series II and the other was simply a Kappa 8.1. I could only see 2 differences visually:

1. Back of speaker marked Kappa 8.1 Series II

2. The face of tweeter had Series II marked on it

I searched for information on net about differences between the Kappa 8.1 and Kappa 8.1 Series II. As I recall the crossover points are different - this is all I could find. As far as performance, they sounded the same to me.

Very interesting, thanks for your reply.

 

[uvafan420]

The two sets I have owned were both 9.1 Series II. One thing I did notice when comparing the two owners manuals was the owners manual for the .1 did not show a Bass Response switch, which is on my 9.1 Series II.

Not sure if the 9.1 had one or not as I have had only the Series II, but it is not pointed out in the manual as mine is for the Series II.

 

[okeeteekid]

The two sets I have owned were both 9.1 Series II. One thing I did notice when comparing the two owners manuals was the owners manual for the .1 did not show a Bass Response switch, which is on my 9.1 Series II.

Not sure if the 9.1 had one or not as I have had only the Series II, but it is not pointed out in the manual as mine is for the Series II.

I have been searching the web but cannot find anything about the differences between the two, the only thing i found is that the series 2 is a few years newer, i don't think the 8.1's would even have the bass switch being that they only have one woofer, i'm going to try and call infinity to see what they have to say.

 

[okeeteekid]

Well i just got off the phone with infinity and here is what they said the difference is between the two speakers, the speakers are identical except for the crossovers, the 8.1 was made in 92 and has a single board crossover for all drivers, the 8.1 series 2 was made in 95 and has two crossover boards, one for the woofer and one for the rest of the drivers, mid bass,mid range and tweeter, they said the 8.1 series 2 was the better of the two speakers because of the upgraded separate crossover boards, if you could believe them.

 

[uvafan420]

I have been searching the web but cannot find anything about the differences between the two, the only thing i found is that the series 2 is a few years newer, i don't think the 8.1's would even have the bass switch being that they only have one woofer, i'm going to try and call infinity to see what they have to say.

Yeah I was going to add, other than that difference in the 9 series I seen no other differences in the 6, 7, or 8s.
Good luck with Harmon, they seem to know very little about the old speakers. Best shot would be some of the Harmon service centers they have been using for years for Infinity service/warranty. Their technicians would know more about the old stuff than Harmon themselves.

 

[Listnnthdark]

Yep "series two" on the back connection . I guess that solves it ..
{ " .1 " } vs { " .1 series 2 } { different crossopvers } interesting ... Sooooo glad the series 2 was an " upgrade " ... lol

 

[Craftsman1]

I know this is late: But in response to the 6.1, 7.1, 8.1, 9.1. Series One Vs. the series II. (not the older Kappa series without the .1)
The series one crossover was superior to the series II.
They actually cheapened up the crossover in all the series II's to make more money.
Just pull the crossovers and take a look for yourself.
The series ONE's have much better capacitors. (some of the version II's were even the same as series one)
The Series II are much cheaper caps.
Don't believe me, just take a look for your self.

 

[uvafan420]

Here is the .1 Series II. Anyone have pic of the .1 Will have to pull them out again, but I believe it is the same brand caps as in my Ren 90s.

 

[Craftsman1]

uvafan420.
Here is my Kappa Video Center
Version 1 and Version 2. (this is the one with the cheep mostly white capacitors.
I have found the same in most of the .1 series. The version 2 they went with cheaper caps, to keep cost down.

 

[Craftsman1]

The earlier versions of the .1 series have a much warmer sound to them.
Take a little more power though.
But still very good speakers none the less.
Still own the 8.1 series 1, 6.1 series 1, 3 Kappa video. 1 series 1 and 2, series 2.
Had all the polydomes re done by miller sound on the 8.1 and 6.1. Woofers re foamed on the 6.1 as well. All other drivers on the 8.1's are still original and are great.

 

[okeeteekid]

Are these all the caps in the speaker or just for the woofers? the ren 90's use solen caps for the high frequency drivers

 

[Craftsman1]

My refurbished Kappa 6.1 v 1.
Painted entire cabinet.
Polydomes serviced by Miller Sound.
Woofers re foamed by Miller Sound.
Sound great.
v1 crossovers.