Qe EMIT vs other "EMIT" tweeter?

[ChefE]

Photo 1 "EMIT" tweeter.
Photo 2 non "EMIT" tweeter
Notice the subtle differences above and below?


I have two Infinity Qe speakers. Each was acquired as a single speaker from different thrift stores. It took about 8 months till I got the second speaker. They look similar, but there's differences. Such as:

Blown grill cloth vs black grill cloth.
Tweeter has "EMIT" in white letters [photo 5] vs no lettering or logo on black baffle [photo 3] Its blank.
The rear tweeter has a orange sticker with 20 written on it [photo 1] vs the same spot has glue that pulled off particle board [photo 2]. The wiring connectors are red and black vs black and black. Gauge looks equal.
Front plate chrome design is centered [photo 5] vs extending etching to the bottom [photo3].
Centered mounting holes vs off-centered mounting holes for the tweeter on baffle.
Woofer has 4 mounting screws vs 8 mounting screws.
Infinity address on rear panel vs no address
Serial number 8540600 vs 8500327
And more.....

To me, the speaker which says "EMIT" sounds better and up front in the midrange but the highs are less defined, smeared, and less loud. Lows are about equal. When playing together 4' apart, the differences are barely noticeable. When balance is placed to one side, it's difficult to say which is better sounding. I think I like the non"EMIT" speaker when my eyes are closed, but my preconceptions and fact it says "EMIT" on the tweeter and has the Infinity address on the rear make want to perceive that speaker as better sounding since this speaker looks official while the other speaker looks as if it might be a knock-off speaker or maybe cost cutting details for Infinity.
Either way, each Infinity Qe speaker of mine is different.
**Did Infinity have different versions of Qe speakers? Or is one of mine a fake Infinity speaker? Or is one tweeter a aftermarket clone?

 

[swechsler]

Both tweeters are authentic; there has never been any record that I'm aware of of anyone manufacturing fake EMITs (although there is at least one person making replacement diaphragms, since Infinity no longer stocks them). Infinity used similar designs of EMITs (with slight differences like you're seeing) on different speakers, and they were known to change the design during production of a specific model without notating it. All standard (i.e. non line-source like those found in the upper-range Quantum models) EMITs from this era should sound the same. The EMIT in your right photo is the one typically seen on the Qa/Qb/Quantum Jr, while the left one is what I've usually seen on the Qe (in fact I have a spare pair that looks just like those); however, it doesn't surprise me to see exceptions. Or it's possible that a previous owner blew the original EMIT and could only find the other as a replacement. Does the black metal circle in the right picture have additional unused holes drilled in it?

Anyway, you should start out by replacing the crossover capacitors, which will hopefully make both sound the same. It's also possible that these have different crossovers, another design that Infinity was known to change without documentation.

 

[goodolpg]

Standard and offset chrome EMIT's. With a round backing plate.
Makes a difference if you are trying to get replacement parts, like the chrome, or the lettering.I think.
Diaphragm is the same.

 

[MarkRSIIIa]

swechsler and good are right, there should be no difference. I spent years on eBay buying up Emits just for the diaphragms. I currently have 11 in a box under my stereo and another 6 in speaker cabs. All different shapes, colors and sizes and yet the diaphragms are all the same.
Also like said there is a guy on eBay that is selling new diaphragms which I picked 4 and seem to be decent quality and sound great.
As for changes, I have 2 sets of the same speaker and the crossovers don't look anything alike. Being the run only lasted like 2 years it had to be a matter of months between builds and yet.... and neither set looks like the Infinity's plans for the speakers.

 

[chef free]

Infinity is well known for changing things mid run. There are at least four "half-size" tweeters I've seen, chrome and flat metal with either centered or off set mounting holes. Check inside to make sure the crossover parts match, there should be a yellow, 9.5 uF film cap and a 0.15 mH coil on the woofer circuit.

 

[MarkRSIIIa]

Hey Bobbyd38, I got 4 and really like them. Only suggestion on your next run is to make the diaphragm leads a little thicker. I pretty much had to pinch the speaker lead ends on the diaphragm leads because you couldn't make the ends tight enough to stay on without bending the tweeter lead getting them on. beside that they are awesome.
I'm gonna have to get some more diaphragms and get some of those 11 Emits I have in a box fixed and up for sale.

 

[Bobbyd38]

Hey Bobbyd38, I got 4 and really like them. Only suggestion on your next run is to make the diaphragm leads a little thicker. I pretty much had to pinch the speaker lead ends on the diaphragm leads because you couldn't make the ends tight enough to stay on without bending the tweeter lead getting them on. beside that they are awesome.
I'm gonna have to get some more diaphragms and get some of those 11 Emits I have in a box fixed and up for sale.

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I plan to address that and make the terminals thicker. In the meantime I recommend squeezing the Female connector with some needle nose pliers slightly before mating. That will tighten them up enough to slide on and be tight. Thanks, Bob

 

[ChefE]

Hello AK,
Thank you for the info. I didn’t know Infinity made so many subtle changes. A special thanks to Bobbyd38 for keeping these speakers alive. Very cool.

 

[Stekster]

Bobbyd38 - keep working on new EMITs and EMIMs - I love my Renaissance 80's and would love to get your replacements when they are available!