Reference Studio Monitor 12" Clear Poly SVC Woofer

[tonguestand]

I recently picked up a pair of Reference Studio Monitors from a yard sale for cheap, the cabinets were mint and the the internals looked right except for the woofers- turns out the originals were replaced (and thrown out rather than re-foamed, is my guess) with a pair of 8 ohm Chinese made replacements - not that there's anything wrong with that (disclaimer) per se, but wouldn't it be nice to have simply replaced the foam surrounds? Anyway, a buddy (yes, JOE, that's you) had a pair of SVC from another pair of Infinity's, I kindly accepted them but I guess my aesthetic is too high - I can't get over the fact that simple fact that they're not the clear poly woofers; I can't see the orange fabric covering the voice coil through the woofer, like I can through the mids! Joe has kindly offered to re-accept them (you're cool Joe), but I thought I'd check with AK to see if anyone knows: did Infinity ever release this model with the gray poly woofer?...I didn't think so.

 

[swechsler]

Can't tell if these are translucent or just shadows, but definitely not as transparent as the ones I've seen in other pictures.

 

[goodolpg]

I've seen online pictures of RSM's with both gray woofers and gray midranges as well as both drivers in clear.
I have 4 spare sets of woofers here, 2 pair are clear, 2 pair are gray.
My RSM's from the factory have clear woofers. Model #902-1187. The 2 gray spare pairs are model #490702, the two clear spare pairs are both model# 490602.
I think the Infinity Model 5000A used the same 12 inch woofers, along with the 1001, 2000 II and 2000 AXT, at least according to schematics at Klaus' site.
I'm pretty sure I've seen 12 inch Watkins woofers with both gray and clear as well.

 

[idadude]

My RSM woofers are gray. You can't see through them at all. The mids are clear.

Larry D.

 

[tonguestand]

goodolpg; thank you for sharing that knowledge - and the product brochure pic.
Would you consider parting with a spare set of clears?

Doug
Centennial CO

 

[goodolpg]

swechsler was the one who posted the brochure photo.
Doug, perhaps at some point I'll sell some of my spares but for now I prefer to keep them just in case.
I suggest watching ebay regularly, those 12 inch woofers do get listed from time to time. Make sure to use the zoom feature to really inspect the item.
One of my clear sets has a jagged outer cone edge, like someone did a poor job of removing the original foam (that did show in the photos, in my excitement to purchase I didn't see that, I think the BIN + shipping price must have been pretty good and I had bought from that seller before). I tested them and they work fine, I was disappointed I hadn't seen they weren't 100%, my fault for not looking them over well.
Keep watching, $50 to $100 pairs will show up.

Another option, since you are a subscriber is to place a WTB (want to buy) ad in Barter Town.

 

[tonguestand]

Hat tip to swechsler;
goodolpg; thanks...I'll keep an eye out for them. And thanks for the help.

 

[goodolpg]

Everyone's tastes vary, I don't mind the gray woofers (some may prefer them because you can't see the white stuffing through the cones with the gray ones) but the gray midranges do not appeal to me at all.
JMO but the RSM's are some pretty nice speakers.
Enjoy them as they are (keep the grilles on and you can't see the cones anyways) and bide your time until you can get a set of clear ones if you still desire them.