Why Infinity ?

[7.62]

First as we approach the New Year I'd like to wish all of you Infinity people a Happy New Year ! Many of you I've never met but would consider you friends, brothers in the hobby. So much great info has been shared.



Looking at the forums here we have a pretty low post count compared to other places, and in general looking around the web it's pretty small, cmpared to other speaker, stereo forums. Yet we are a very dedicated bunch.

So of all the choices out there, what did it for you ?

You know, that defining moment where you stoppd dead in your tracks and said H.S ! That's IT !

Regardless of the componets, the sound of Infinity grabbed you .

I know mine and have shared it before, and will again. Let's share shall we, you first .

 

[Hyfi]

When I was 16 and got my first income tax refund, 1978, I went to the local shop Soundex, and listened to what I could afford. It was an Onkyo Receiver and Tape Deck with a pair of Infinity RSb speakers. I wanted the biggest bookshelf speaker I could afford. They served me well for many years but I got a higher end itch and when the drivers caved in needing a refoam, I replaced them with JM Labs (Focal). I like Infinity speakers, but also like many others.

 

[uvafan420]

My brother was a Hi End Home and Car audio dealer (for brands like JL Audio, Yamaha, Luxman, Audio Research, B&W, Paradigm, Alpine, Onkyo, Conrad Johnson, Adcom, McIntosh) etc... Another of the brands he sold was Infinity, and he recommended them to me many many years ago. He has heard about every Infinity home and car speaker made (whether in his store or at shows), including some I haven't, like the IRS V etc... But since, I have just had no reason to hunt for anything different. The old Infinity brand still has a speaker for any budget (and space restrictions).

 

[srb02]

prior to 2007 never had any speakers with note-worthy linage. White box junk. (for over 40 years)
at a yard sale I found a pair of RS 2000.6 towers in decent shape, Recognized the name and for $10 what the heck.

the rest, as they say.............................

Found this site, and here we are, 10 years and 15 + pairs later.............
For me each find was actually a step up the Infinity evolution ladder, until finally, to me, my crowning acquisition:
A beautiful pair of RS II's.
Just wish they had more WAF. She loves listening to them, but hates looking at them.

my two cents Stu

 

[Grenadeslio]

Other than car speakers my first home Infinity speakers were the result of a deal I couldn't refuse. Back in 1991 I was looking to go separates for my new setup and I wanted Carver electronics and Definitive Technology BP20 speaks.

The retailer for the Carver gear didn't handle Def tech but showed me this three piece setup with a pair of nice looking monitors and sub. I REALLY had no interest in a three piece setup so only half heartedly listened when offered to me for $1800, I wanted the Def techs. Went home that evening and checked my stack of stereo mags to do a little research on the speaks the dealer offered.

I went back the next day and with a bit of trepidation picked up the gear and the monitor/sub setup, I needn't have worried, those Infinitys are now still with me and will never be sold until my dying breath.

Proud owner of an original Modulus set in grand piano black, these little babies sing. Original MSRP with stands $3300, at $1800 I think I did ok lol. 26 yrs and still going strong, with the sub being refoamed about every ten yrs.

 

[7.62]

I think the first time I had seen Infinity speakers was at my dad's, it's foggy but I think he may have had some wltc's. Met him 3-4 times in my life but for some reason that stands out. I was never an audio guy but many of my friends were and I remember all the big names, sansui, pioneer, yamaha, kenwood. I think the best system I can remember was my best friends at the time, it was all yamaha, Pink Floyd had just put out The Wall. He invited me over, lived right across from the Vallejo Police station. He cranked it up and I swear I didn't inhale.

Fast Forward 30 + years.

Craigslist, again a friend turned me on to the site. Used it for flipping gun stuff. Purchased an Kenwood reciever, then some polk 70's something's. While searching, one add had 3-4 fuzzy pictures and one of them was a single Infinity Speaker.......an RSII.

Met the guy, bought the pair for $75.00. Missing the woofer of course. I think searching for those woofers is how I found Audiokarma. Anyway, bought some woofers "not correct" and fired them up, fried my kenwood...LOL.! But I knew I liked what I heard.

Off to purchase a turntable from another seller on craigslsit, when I arrived there were other people at the residence looking at his collection of audio gear. somebody wanted to test, audition something, while waiting my turn and looking at all the stuff....

It happened.......he turned up some jazz....my ears, brain was blown away. It was a defining moment as I tried to analyze how could the music be so clear, pleasing. What the hell was pushing this beatiful sound, it was like truly hearing music for the first time !!!

It was the Cresendo CS 3009 !

I asked how much, he say's $300. I went straight to the bank and bought them on the spot. That started it.

 

[goodolpg]

Why not Infinity.

DANGER DANGER long possibly boring story ahead.....

Infinity had a good reputation by the mid to late 70's., Highland Appliance had a few models to audition in their "sound room". Budget was a consideration, but Highland had frequent sales, and even if not on sale prices were negotiable. I really enjoyed negotiating prices on gear back in the day.
Auditioned some speakers, based on reputation, sound, and price bought a pair of RSa's.
Couple years later Highland had RSM's on sale, I picked up a pair and sold the RSa's to a friend.
Was happy with the RSM's until the foams fell apart 10 or 12 years later. Ordered surrounds straight from Infinity, Did my first refoam, one woofer was ok, one had voice coil rub. Put them in the original boxes and put them in a closet, went to the city and bought a pair of Snell JIII. I spent the next 17 years listening to the Snells. Decent enough but did not kick ass like the Infinitys.
17 years later I tipped over a stand holding one of the Snells, ripped the surround, after my previous botched effort on the Infinitys decided I'd have a pro do it this time.
As long as I'm going to the city to a speaker pro might as well pull those old Infinity woofers and get them refoamed at the same time.
After 17 years in the closet I put the Infinitys back together, liked the sound and the kick ass ability so the Snells went in the closet.

************Around that time I found AK which renewed my stereo enthusiasm.*************

Members here walked me through a recap of the RSM's, they sounded much better after that. I decided I would not be without the RSM's again, so I started stockpiling RSM parts.
Picked up some vintage receivers I'd lusted for since around 1980. I was deep into audio now.
Really enjoyed this Infinity forum, the knowledge, and had some envy of other members bigger Infinitys.
Couple years ago went to a Styx concert at the casino, slots were good to me, next morning started "just looking" to see what bigger Infinitys might be available close by.
Came across a pair of RSII an hour away, auditioned them and brought them home. I liked the fact they had no unobtanium drivers and I'd already stock piled a bunch of woofers, mids, and EMIT's. RSII use same mids and EMIT's (diaphragms I mean) as RSM's so the fact I already had spares was nice. Few months ago made a package buy on 6 mids and 4 rectangular EMIT's an ebay seller was parting out from a pair of RS II's.
Oh, I don't have any spare 10" woofers. Yet.
Within a week or two saw a pair on ebay cheap, 20 miles away, got them.
That di-pole mid and EMIT design really throws a different perspective, one I like.
Bought a brand new pair of small Polks for a second system, just didn't care for them, maybe I just don't like them or there's a problem with the receiver. Maybe they weren't broke in, don't think they got played more than 40 hours.
So I then bought a pair of Infinitesimal 2.0 (always thought they were cool back in the day) for a pretty good price. Just my luck, all 4 drivers had problems. Had spare EMITs on hand, had to send the Watkins mid/woofs to MillerSound for repair. Great people, great prices, highly recommended.
Maybe I'm expecting too much but the Infinitesimals just don't knock my socks off like previous Infintys have. Maybe it's the receiver (same as I had with the Polks), maybe they need a recap.
Speaking of recaps, got caps and stuff yesterday for the RS II's from PE. Had to parallel some caps, and also using bypass caps so did the bundling and soldering on those yesterday. Experimented with the cap layout yesterday, today I plan on starting the actual recap.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Why not Infinity.

DANGER DANGER long possibly boring story ahead.....

Infinity had a good reputation by the mid to late 70's., Highland Appliance had a few models to audition in their "sound room". Budget was a consideration, but Highland had frequent sales, and even if not on sale prices were negotiable. I really enjoyed negotiating prices on gear back in the day.
Auditioned some speakers, based on reputation, sound, and price bought a pair of RSa's.
Couple years later Highland had RSM's on sale, I picked up a pair and sold the RSa's to a friend.
Was happy with the RSM's until the foams fell apart 10 or 12 years later. Ordered surrounds straight from Infinity, Did my first refoam, one woofer was ok, one had voice coil rub. Put them in the original boxes and put them in a closet, went to the city and bought a pair of Snell JIII. I spent the next 17 years listening to the Snells. Decent enough but did not kick ass like the Infinitys.
17 years later I tipped over a stand holding one of the Snells, ripped the surround, after my previous botched effort on the Infinitys decided I'd have a pro do it this time.
As long as I'm going to the city to a speaker pro might as well pull those old Infinity woofers and get them refoamed at the same time.
After 17 years in the closet I put the Infinitys back together, liked the sound and the kick ass ability so the Snells went in the closet.

************Around that time I found AK which renewed my stereo enthusiasm.*************

Members here walked me through a recap of the RSM's, they sounded much better after that. I decided I would not be without the RSM's again, so I started stockpiling RSM parts.
Picked up some vintage receivers I'd lusted for since around 1980. I was deep into audio now.
Really enjoyed this Infinity forum, the knowledge, and had some envy of other members bigger Infinitys.
Couple years ago went to a Styx concert at the casino, slots were good to me, next morning started "just looking" to see what bigger Infinitys might be available close by.
Came across a pair of RSII an hour away, auditioned them and brought them home. I liked the fact the had no unobtanium drivers and I'd already stock piled a bunch of woofers, mids, and EMIT's. RSII use same mids and EMIT's (diaphragms I mean) as RSM's so the fact I already had spares was nice. Few months ago made a package buy on 6 mids and 4 rectangular EMIT's.
Oh, I don't have any spare 10" woofers. Yet.
Within a week or two saw a pair on ebay cheap, 20 miles away, got them.
That di-pole mid and EMIT design really throws a different perspective, one I like.
Bought a brand new pair of small Polks for a second system, just didn't care for them, maybe I just don't like them or there's a problem with the receiver. Maybe they weren't broke in, don't think they got played more than 40 hours.
So then bought a pair of Infinitesimal 2.0 (always thought they were cool back in the day) for a pretty good price. Just my luck, all 4 drivers had problems. Had spare EMITs on hand, had to send the Watkins mid/woofs to MillerSound for repair. Great people, great prices, highly recommended.
Maybe I'm expecting too much but the Infinitesimals just don't knock my socks off like previous Infintys have. Maybe it's the receiver (same as I had with the Polks), maybe they need a recap.
Speaking of recaps, got caps and stuff yesterday for the RS II's from PE. Had to parallel some caps, and using bypass caps so did the bundling and soldering on those yesterday. Experimented with the cap layout yesterday, today I plan on starting the actual recap.

Add a Rythmik sub to the Infinitesimals, I think you'll like. Better yet if able to source an original Modulus subwoofer those little Infinitys will really sing.

 

[geoff727]

Regardless of the componets, the sound of Infinity grabbed you.

1989, 18 years old, Soundings in Denver (the original store off I-25 and Evans). Already loved Polk SDA SRSs, Klipschorns, dbx Soundfield 1s, and was even fascinated by the Bose 901s. Soundings had the Betas. Music: first part of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, all strings. I was hooked on high-end audio and big Infinitys from that moment on.
G~

 

[BrianLW]

I saw a pair of Kappa 9s at my local analog dealer for 200 needing foam and at least 1 bad driver, but cosmetically very nice.
Based on reputation, I figured I could recoup all expenses (and then some) if I didn't like them and jumped on the deal. I already had a robust amp to drive them. After repairs and listening, I am NOT going to sell then unless I move to a smaller space. The biggest gain over my other speakers was bass definition.

 

[kurtgo]

Was waiting to get processed out of active duty in the Navy in San Francisco. 1977. Caught the audio bug big time while being stationed in Okinawa for a year and a half. Went to an audio store there (SF) and in one room they had Klipschorns, Bose 901's, AR9, JBL and Infinity 2.5's. Stayed there for 2 hours. Loved the Klipsch but thought the Infinitys would do as they seemed easier to place. Anyway, too expensive at the time ($2,200 pr). Fast forward to 1979 and met an audio dealer that thought he was hot **** and could get a deal on anything. I said, "ok, put it in writing, right now". $1,200 for a brand new pair of 2.5's. Took 6 weeks to get them shipped in and when they came in he asked me for another $800!. I ended up getting them for the original agreed upon amount. He didn't lose out as I bought enough other stuff from him.

Then I discovered saxophone playing jazz. Then modern fusion jazz. Even though I bought many other brands and auditioned a bunch more, none, in my mind, could beat the bigger Infinities playing sax nor their soundstage. I drool for the Genesis speakers (own some APM-1's) as I believe they continue the legacy sound of Infinity in their hayday.

 

[chef free]

Why Infinity? Because, when I had finally saved enough to buy my first stereo, I went to Pacific Stereo and listened. And listened. And listened. It was obvious, to even my untrained ears, that the Infinity stuff sounded better, tighter bass and clear highs. $400 was a lot of money for a high school kid slinging pizzas for $2.65/hr. but I just had to have those Qb speakers.

Fast forward to today, I've heard dozens of speakers, modern and vintage and I've owned a few other brands I've really liked, ADS 810 jump to mind, I used a rebuilt pair of ESS Heil Rock Monitors for years (love those AMT tweeters!) but now my mains are a pair of QLS-1, the TOTL Infinity from my teen years. They sound as good as a friend's Martin Logan 7.1 powered by 300 watts per channel of modern Mac!

I wonder when PS audio is going to start producing the last Arnie Nudell designed speakers...

 

[idadude]

I just happened to find a working pair of RSMs on Craigslist for $40 and liked them a lot. Then another CL ad for a pair of RS 2.5s came up and I got those for $250. After a lot of hard work I got those sounding great. Impressed with the 2.5s I had a friend who wanted to trade a pair of RS II's for some preamp tubes. Deal!
With each pair I've never been disappointed with the sound they put out. I'm pleased with each pair. Infinity knew what they were doing. That's why I like Infinity. Also, so far the price has been right for great sound.

 

[N8Nagel]

I found a pair of RS-5b in a Goodwill for an embarrassingly low price. Still have them. No foam on woofs, pots dirty as hell, so only the EMITs were actually working. I refoamed, deoxed, sanded, and eventually found a pair of terminal cups so I could replace the one busted speaker connection.

I haven't posted about them because they're fixed and working great, although I should probably put more power to them than the Sansui QRX-7001 that is currently driving them. They're the only Infinities that I own, but they would take some doing to be replaced. I have 5 pair of legit good and/or classic speakers around and love them all; Infinity, Rectilinear, Wharfedale, KLH and EPI. All Craigslist or thrift finds save for the Wharfedales which I got off AK.

As an aside, I have never had a speaker fight me so much during the cosmetic resto process. I swear, I'd get all the corner chips glued down, start sanding, and then I'd drop one again and have to start over. This hasn't happened to me with any other speaker project, just this one.

Edit: I also remember that a guy a few doors down from me my freshman year of college had a pretty decent setup in his dorm room, I don't remember what the receiver was but the speakers were large bookshelf/small floorstander black monkey coffin things with the Infinity logo on the grilles... Those things really did kick out some good sound. Unfortunately that same guy apparently only had two CDs, Sir Mix-A-Lot and Digital Underground. He never was really open to letting anyone spin anything else on his system :/

 

[Bahamayellow]

1989, 18 years old, Soundings in Denver (the original store off I-25 and Evans). Already loved Polk SDA SRSs, Klipschorns, dbx Soundfield 1s, and was even fascinated by the Bose 901s. Soundings had the Betas. Music: first part of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, all strings. I was hooked on high-end audio and big Infinitys from that moment on.
G~

Wow Soundings, Sound hounds, Gold Sound, Cherry Creek audio, Listen up, Soundtrack, lol yes I came to Colorado in 1982 as a kid but was able to visit all these fine locations. Only Gold Sound and Listen up still exist in the Denver area.

When I could afford to start looking at stereo equipment I actually was first looking at M & K speakers and really liked the sound. I couldt afford them started to look for a similar sound that was more affordable. This was the home theatre era in the mid 90s and finally settled on Reference 2000.6 speakers which I still use today and sound pretty good for music.

All my friends had some sort of reference 2 channel systems and as I listened to them I realized I was missing something for music. I figured I could put a 2 channel system myself and knew I wanted a little higher end Sound from classic infinities. I looked on Craigslist 3 years ago and found my 8.1s in really nice shape. Auditioned them and was hooked. 2 months later the K9s showed up and I bought those also.

One day I would like to get some IRS gammas. There were a pair in my area for 2500 about a year ago and didn’t have the cash. I’m still kicking myself but deals show up all the time. I would like to get those M & K speakers again also.

 

[geoff727]

Actually, Soundings is still there. It's over in the Denver Tech Center, and still owned and operated by Rod Thomsom, the same guy who started the store. Last October, Rod showed me a fairly new system of theirs with all Boulder electronics and Rockport Cygnus speakers. It was pretty special. Rod is so enamored with the music, it's just a lot of fun to sit and talk about music and gear, and listen and enjoy. Every year around the time of the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (one block away from Soundings), they just kind of throw open their doors and let people come in and look, talk, and listen, and one night they have a music & movie party with beer/wine/snacks/sandwiches. it's a fun spot.

I think Soundtrack is where I fell for the Polk SRS's. On Colorado Blvd., a couple miles south of I-25, right?

Listen Up is where my friend and I first experienced the B&W 801, back when it was the Matrix enclosure and looked kind of like a robot. We heard that right after the Betas. We both agreed that it was a more resolving, more finely detailed and expressive presentation. But, of course, the Betas had that grand sense of scale that was so much fun to listen to.

Is Cherry Creek Audio not there anymore? I visited them several years ago. That was the side-by-side audition of the Maggie 1.7 and the Focal 1038 Electra Be, which was much more expensive. That was the one that put me at ease about the direction I was headed with my own Magnepans, in comparison to a set of other highly regarded speakers
G~.

 

[7.62]

Happy New Year All, and Thank you for sharing your stories. I've very much enjoyed all of them .

 

[Bahamayellow]

Actually, Soundings is still there. It's over in the Denver Tech Center, and still owned and operated by Rod Thomsom, the same guy who started the store. Last October, Rod showed me a fairly new system of theirs with all Boulder electronics and Rockport Cygnus speakers. It was pretty special. Rod is so enamored with the music, it's just a lot of fun to sit and talk about music and gear, and listen and enjoy. Every year around the time of the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (one block away from Soundings), they just kind of throw open their doors and let people come in and look, talk, and listen, and one night they have a music & movie party with beer/wine/snacks/sandwiches. it's a fun spot.

I think Soundtrack is where I fell for the Polk SRS's. On Colorado Blvd., a couple miles south of I-25, right?

Listen Up is where my friend and I first experienced the B&W 801, back when it was the Matrix enclosure and looked kind of like a robot. We heard that right after the Betas. We both agreed that it was a more resolving, more finely detailed and expressive presentation. But, of course, the Betas had that grand sense of scale that was so much fun to listen to.

Is Cherry Creek Audio not there anymore? I visited them several years ago. That was the side-by-side audition of the Maggie 1.7 and the Focal 1038 Electra Be, which was much more expensive. That was the one that put me at ease about the direction I was headed with my own Magnepans, in comparison to a set of other highly regarded speakers
G~.

Wow I will have to check out Soundings again since their open. Yes Soundtrack off of I 25 and Colorado. They had a few more locations around the metro area. Sadly cherry creek audio closed years ago. I’m always at RMAF so will check out the open house.

 

[geoff727]

Wow I will have to check out Soundings again since their open. Yes Soundtrack off of I 25 and Colorado. They had a few more locations around the metro area. Sadly cherry creek audio closed years ago. I’m always at RMAF so will check out the open house.

If you go this year, send me a P.M. I missed RMAF 2015 but that was the only year since 2008. I know two people off the forum, would love to meet more.

 

[tubed]

At the time, my girlfriends brother worked at Infinity and he set me up with a set of Q4s which was my only set of speakers up until the time when people relatively recently started putting vintage equipment to the curb(alert), like ie my RSIIs and QLS-1s