Well, I have to admit I am not really qualified to debate or discuss the Infinty/Bill Watkins link or anything "Watkins" beyond the basic facts and findings available here.
However, AK member submissions tend to be tough to verify or take seriously in some cases, so maybe the little knowledge I have is no more factual than it would be if I made it up myself.
The RSMs caught me eye when I passed the online ad, and due to the L-pads I had to look closure myself. L-pads mounted on the front was unusual to me having never seen it configured that way and after spending several years seeing my dads RSMs on a daily basis...I just figured the the guy advertising them was mistaken because RSMs dont have black cones or front panel L-pads....or so I thought.
I asked a friend in the area to have a look and let me know what mistake had been made. If the seller mislabeled his ad for what was actually a pair of 1.5's I'd have quickly made the trip with no further questions. But I suspect the "friend" didnt actually go look at them in person to begin with, and merely told me what he thought I wanted to hear based on what he saw in the same ad.
As I'm waiting for a report form "friend" I called and spoke to an associate down south who happens to be a retired 20 year veteran employee of a very well known consumer audio equipment mfg company. In other words, he is quite qualified and could put most people in shock with the details of how this company did this and that engineer had developed what this engineer claims is his concept....
Not going to drop names, mainly out of respect for Mr H and the possibility that I may have misinterpreted or misunderstood his ideas surrounding the Watkins woofers in Infinity branded cabinets. I mean I'm asking for answers to a very very vague question "Hey Mr H, RSMs L-pads on the front, black woofer cones, seller claims they're original cones refoamed 3 years ago and not modified in any way since new"
Mr H said its quite possible, however several other explanations could apply IE the seller is FOS. The seller had them re-coned and doesnt want to tell you. The Infinity people ran short on drivers from one supplier and continued production with the drivers from another supplier. The drivers were intentionally manufactured with black cones because 12 inch clear poly had suchg a large surface area, the issues with cracking and deterioration from UV etc called for a remedy prior to discontinuing the model. Of course much of it was speculation it seemed a little more conceivable that it was simply a Bill Watkins design.
I thanked Mr H and decided to just call the seller.
"Yes, do you still have the Infinity speakers?"
"Sure do"
"Are they in good shape?"
"Oh hell yeah, they still sound like $900 speakers?"
"Have you heard the name Bill Watkins?"
"Sure, the woofers in the RSMs are a Watkins design?"
"OK, well I'm going to say goodbye, and before you say it too, I'll be there with cash in hand"
Now I admit, I have not pursued the validity of that statement he made, nor did I take into account what Mr H had said could also explain the black cone. I just assumed that it was $150 well spent and Watkins or no Watkins, I am happy I own them. Because the only real important questions were answered when I finished the new home depot extension cord speaker wires, connected one end to the SX-9000 and the other to the pretty speakers and cued up a first pressing of Dark Side of the Moon, closed my eyes, and hadnt thought of the name "Watkins" as I grinned at the full and magical sound punching me in the hell-yeah region of my brain.
So there it is. I'm really not sure if they are, and I guess I was a bit smug and unqualified to make the statement that they are, in-fact Watkins drivers when I had no evidence to support that statement beyond someone who had $150 to gain by saying they were. True or otherwise.
Oh, and just for grins, an RS10 with a nice new black dress and a couple poly mids that have seen better days.
So I am very interested in an explanation for the black cones. I know its clearly possible that they are reconed. Maybe not even an Infinity product? Possibly an OEM replacement when clear poly stocks were depleted? Its certainly going to be enlightening, but no matter what the answer might be, theyre not going to sound different than they did last night when my wife asked me not to lie to her about what I spend on "stereo stuff" as she listened to one of her top 5 fav CDs... Claptons Live in Japan "Just one night" and the track "Double trouble" I just grinned, shrugged and let her think I paid more, until the CD was over.
I printed the craigslist ad which was still posted. Placed it on her pillow with a note.
"Honey, I'm gong to the lounge where I am going to spend on cognac, what you assume I already spent on the speakers. Feel free to call and tell me what that amount might be, or I'll attempt to guess what you assume I paid, based upon your buckled knee slouch when Mr Slow Hand said you look wonderful tonight"
