Please Post your Infinity speakers

[Ficklistnr]

I too am wondering about the black cone, as well as did Mr. Watkins make single voice coil 12" (replacement) woofers.
Hopefully someone on here will have the answers or perhaps contacting Mr. Watkins directly would yield some answers.
This website is a great resource, and what we are discussing today may benefit someone else years from now.
The Infinity 12" woofers (clear and gray cones) seem to have come with at least two, if not three, different cone edge variations.
I know because I tried to buy replacement foams a couple years ago and it was important as far as getting the correct replacement foams.

Couldnt agree more. Hey good point about the cone edge variations too! Might be a good place to start just looking at exactly how many variations are available. But consider this, A Bill Watkins woofer @12 inches with a black cone made an appearance in an earlier model speaker than the RSM. Quantum 2 Had a Watkins DVC and it was black. And thats not the only black cone Watkins out there. But I'll have to run over to Bobbys house and get the facts before I fire off from the hip again.

 

[Coastsider]

Couldnt agree more. Hey good point about the cone edge variations too! Might be a good place to start just looking at exactly how many variations are available. But consider this, A Bill Watkins woofer @12 inches with a black cone made an appearance in an earlier model speaker than the RSM. Quantum 2 Had a Watkins DVC and it was black. And thats not the only black cone Watkins out there. But I'll have to run over to Bobbys house and get the facts before I fire off from the hip again.

I could be mistaken but the 12" black or dark grey cone Watkins woofers in the early Quantums were paper not poly cones. Bill Watkins shop did recently produce a run of 12" black poly-coned DVC woofers but it seems unlikely you have those in your RSM's. I'm guessing that when you pull the woofers you will find only a single pair of leads although that won't explain why the cones are black except that they might be a later replacement driver from HK that were installed when the original drivers needed refoaming. It's a mystery.

As a side note, I have in my spares stash a pair of 5" black poly cone Watkins Infinitesimal DVC woofers that I latched on to a couple of years ago and I have no idea where they might have come from beyond the Watkins shop originally. HK may have had a stock of them as well as replacement drivers at one time or another.

 

[levex]

Went into a second-hand cd store for the first time ever today. Came home and now spinning in a 5 draw player is Mozart, Chess recording of John Lee Hooker, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kid Rock and finally Bob Marley. The Kappa 7's are filling the house with beautiful music. Also have a pair of RS7's that I also listen to everyday.

Lol, that's awesome.

 

[Ficklistnr]

Thanks for offering clarification with the Q woofer cone material. I can't debate it with any authority
year's ago my wife (at the time) had stayed an extra day with our oldest son at our summer getaway. I left for home with young ones...Wife came home the following day handed me a few rolls of film to have developed and later that night I was flipping through the glossy 3x5s of our week at the lake. One picture caused me to pause. It was my wife dozed on the leather bomber with a golden hue cast over her from the side table light with a red mica hand made shade. She was beautiful I thought to myself. But it dawned on me it wasn't really her that caused me to pause. There's something about the room I didn't recognize right away and it jumped out at me suddenly. Behind the chair my wife lay sleeping in, there was a Q series Infinity speaker that was not there the day before. I ran to the kitchen with the photo and inquired the details of its origin as my wife left the room looking for the rest of her vacation pictures and when I finally got her attention she revealed that our vacation cabin neighbor had sold his place and showed up after I left to take the remainder of his things out of his cabin. The wife said "he didn't have room in his car for those old ugly things and said you might have a use for them. I accepted them to be polite but Brian (my son) loaded them into the Volvo and we dropped them at Goodwill so you wouldnt be burdened with it later"

I gasped. But just said thanks.

Never had more than a photo of the Q2s I owned for one night.
Anyway the woofers looked like black poly in the photo. Doesn't hurt any less knowing they were paper!

So I pulled drivers today. 1987 date code on the woofers. Infinity brand. I disconnected single pair of leads and the damn baskets have a second set of tabs on the opposite side. No wires. After further investigation I discovered it was not connectors for a second coil. The drivers had been completely rebuilt with new VC (presumed) Spyder and connector. Apparently the old connector was left to mess with my head.

 

[Coastsider]

So I pulled drivers today. 1987 date code on the woofers. Infinity brand. I disconnected single pair of leads and the damn baskets have a second set of tabs on the opposite side. No wires. After further investigation I discovered it was not connectors for a second coil. The drivers had been completely rebuilt with new VC (presumed) Spyder and connector. Apparently the old connector was left to mess with my head.

Just curious as to the 1987 date code that is on the woofers? Where is it and what exactly is the code? Also, is there a 902-xxxx part number printed on the magnets or any other markings on the magnets or frame? It's sounding more and more like it was a later replacement driver for the RSM from Harman Kardon.

Well you've still got yourself a damn fine pair of Infinity RSM's in any event. If you have any interest in recapping them I'll warn you that I found that the most commonly available RSM crossover schematic is very wrong as to cap values, so be sure to check the caps that are actually installed in your crossovers before you order any or just post a question about them in this forum and I or other RSM owners out here will be glad to help.

 

[Ficklistnr]

Hi Coastsider. I'll load up a picture of the mag shortly. In the middle of Annie Lennox at the moment, RSMs are hosting. I'm sure its been this obvious if not more on other speakers, but today Ms Lennox as well the bands bassist have a special appeal I hadnt previously acknowledged so sincerely.
Considering the work the mid pots need and running through a mediocre Sony amp while the AM7040 Sherwood is getting a complete workover, I'm happy I own the RSMs quite happy.

Mr Watkins took a moment to poke some keys just a few minutes ago, offering a reply regarding the black poly cone inquiry. Its his opinion that the driver is not an Infinity product at all. Of course this could be a matter of interpretation and since I know Mr Watkins via published media only, I'm prepared to fire back a follow up to ask if a Harmon Infinity would qualify as "Not an Infinity" I'll include the picture I am about to take, as an attachment. My guess? Hes not gonna be that bold. He doesnt need to be. I'm a nobody and Karma doesnt need to know.

I guess the question at that point (assuming the stamped mag indicates Infinity mfg) Uhh, Who makes a spec 12in replacement cone in black for that basket and is it endorsed by the mfg or rep?

Also of note. From the horses mouth: "RSMs had Clear poly cones"

Period. No elaboration no disclaimer.

I'm good with that, considering the source.

I doubt BW or anyone else will be offended or question my qualifications when I say I'm enjoying the RSMs
But I've had them for almost 3 days and I've spent more time talkin about 'em than listening to 'em.
That is sooooo Bose !

And now I'm gonna take a woofer out of the box and photograph it! If I end up at a German made car dealership looking at 4 doors I need an intervention with 7 Kappa and Johnny Winter ...stat.

 

[goodolpg]

Not saying Mr. Watkins is wrong, but I've seen Infinity RSM's with the gray coned woofers and midranges pictured online. I always thought maybe they were from the earlier runs of the RSM's rather than later runs.
Here's one such sighting...
http://www.avx.hu/forum/index.php?/topic/19752-infinity-reference-studio-monitor/

Just took a drive around the ebay neighborhood, came across a (beat to crap) pair of black coned Infinity 12" woofers for sale...those must be from the Harman years.
Had part numbers on the back...
902-2680
66888
K91TM
They had an embossed or stamped Infinity symbol on the dust cap.

 

[levex]

Reference Studio Monitor

Here's a photo of my RSM's with serial numbers. Pretty sure these are all original. From looking at the numbers and the mids being clear, I'm guessing these are a later version.

The bass driver's were refoamed and centered about a year ago by BW.

8204649
8204650

 

[Coastsider]

Just took a drive around the ebay neighborhood, came across a (beat to crap) pair of black coned Infinity 12" woofers for sale...those must be from the Harman years.
Had part numbers on the back...
902-2680
66888
K91TM
They had an embossed or stamped Infinity symbol on the dust cap.

Those are woofers from the much later Studio Monitor series (not to be confused with the Reference Studio Monitor or RSM) which was HK's response to the "need" for a cheap name brand mass market speaker. The embossed dust cover is the giveaway.

EDIT: This woofer is not a suitable replacement for the woofer in the speaker in question or any other early Infinity model with a 12" woofer for that matter.

 

[goodolpg]

Yup. Just saw a pair of SM 102's on that auction site...same style woofer.

 

[Ficklistnr]

RSM driver code / xover

Pic one: RSM xover and cab date stamp at right.

Pic two: Current RSM driver mag ID stamp

Appears to be Top 22060 Left 1836 Right 8731

Guess I jumped the gun on the mfg statement.

Coast, lets chat via PM. Need to replace one mid pot so both are getting swapped. Not sure the tweeters are an issue other than needing a shot of doxit. They dont appear to difficult to open and if theres a resistor that can be replaced inside I'd be apt to do it. Also want to talk xovers, but driver specs on the replacement woofer should come first I guess. The Enclosure is branded with an 1981 stamp and the driver has a 1987 mfg date. The Xover as it is, appears to contain two additional components Vs the RSMs I've seen so far in a brief search. Bootom ferrite core coil wrapped in paper and the yellow cap donmt appear in the images Ive found via web search. I suppose I could look at your linked xover spec to verify. But it may all be irrelevant as I hope to make changes in the high and middle and may be forced to make changes at the bottom with that driver. Thoughts?

 

[Coastsider]

Pic one: RSM xover and cab date stamp at right.

Here's a photo of one of my RSM crossovers before I recapped them. Looks pretty much the same as yours with one different colored electrolytic cap but with all the same values. I replaced all of them including the 8.5ufd yellow film cap which I am assuming to also be the same value as the one in your crossover even though it isn't visible in your photo.

Don't know if I can help you with woofer ID with photo info provided. I'll PM you tomorrow with information about recapping these as you requested since we are kind of hijacking this thread. Another option would be for you to start a new thread in this forum specifically on the topic of your new RSM's so we can continue the conversation publicly and you can get additional input from other AK'ers who are knowledgeable about this Infinity model.

 

[Ficklistnr]

Yeah I'll build a thread to include all pics and info required for a one shot all inclusive RSM mod restore. Looks like same network components however there appears to be some config differences. On the top leg of your 20 MF what is and what isnt bonded to that leg? Thanks



To redirect closer to thread topic, heres a pic of my Mint-10 Reference Standard 7b showing the Vifa mid option to the OEM clear. The difference is subject to taste and demands of middle frequency color and presence but in my opinion, I am very pleased with the result and often surprised as well with the things I hear that hadnt stood out in the past with music I know, even compared to the RS7 with the 5 inch clear poly. I'll dig up Vifa part number if anyone is interested. I think they are a K10 model though.

They really provide excellent bass and incredible imaging from a 12 inch steel wire stand, 1/4 inch rubber buffer between stand and cab, tilted @ 10 degrees in a 14 x 16 carpeted room. 3-5 feet from the wall behind them and 12 feet apart with 5 degree toe-in. They amaze me for what they are and the cost of similarly enjoyable modern equipment.

 

[satorusun]

New to me today Quantum 3's

Just picked these up today. Havent had a chance to hook them up. Still catching my breath from lugging these beasts up 3 flights of stairs..

 

[slimpikkins]

Just picked these up today. Havent had a chance to hook them up. Still catching my breath from lugging these beasts up 3 flights of stairs..

Those are nice! :thmbsp:

 

[tubed]

Just picked these up today. Havent had a chance to hook them up. Still catching my breath from lugging these beasts up 3 flights of stairs..

Good job, satorosun.

 

[SicMan]

Are those mirror imaged ones ,?? I have a set of both. 1 set mirrored and the other not. And you got the grills too
good one and good luck.

John m

 

[satorusun]

Are those mirror imaged ones ,?? I have a set of both. 1 set mirrored and the other not. And you got the grills too
good one and good luck.

John m

Yes, mirrored imaged. I am missing 1 emblem tho. The good part is all drivers are working, and the woofers were refoamed recently. Bought them from the original owner. Now I find myself looking for a better amplifier. I have a Jungson integrated amp with 80 a side, and doubles into 4ohms, but still not enough it seems. The Jungson has pre-outs, so at least a pre-amp isnt needed. These were really taken care of as well. No water rings, and just a couple very minor nics.

 

[Rumble]

My Infinity IL40's that I modded with some legs/bases to get the mid-range speakers at ear level (adding around 6 or so inches of height). This is an older pic, I have the speakers in another room now, with my tube power amp and an old Philco "Predicta" TV on a stand between the speakers. The console here is a 1963 Telefunken "Sonata" that I restored.

 

[lordfoo]

wow...