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Just Purchased Infinity RS2B / RSIIb owned RS 2.5

FYI Infinity Fans:
I have lusted after some RS2bs for 20 years after loveing my 2.5s. I thought the 2bs would fill in the middle and keep all of the strengths of the 2.5s. In reading the manual, I was unaware that the 2bs had a bass equilizer (not crossover) that was NOT optional. The bass equilizer has been lost. I hooked up my VTL compact 100s with several preamps & the sound was mud in the bass and boring in the emims/emits. One of the emits is even covered 50 percent, the top one in the front. These 2bs sound like monster cable . . . go figure. Monster cable was used in the speakers. Also, it turns out that ONLY the middle emim is hooked to the midrange control. The middle emim is the only one that sounds like the emims in the 2.5...they are running full out. The top and bottom emim are subdued and they are trying to mimic a good dome midrange....yes the lower vocals are better but who cares?? I have lost the magic of the emims. I have had some Infinity Sigmas in my room and one super emim did a better job than these three emims. Last night I hooked up a couple of transitor amps and the sound was MUCH improved... remember what older monster cable did to good solid state stuff? in the 80s. I guess I'm going to stay with threshold but I own several good tube amps that I love to hear the imaging etc etc. I might be nuts but the improvement I have gained with Kimber Kable 4TC and Audioquest jaguar interconects is lost in the old monster cable wire?? I am probably being to hard on these speakers, but I remember a german saying the 4.5s were the best of that vintage. How are the emims controled in the RS1bs?? are they all hooked to the crossover controls?? To be continued. Thanks for reading. Larry
apfdirtdoctor
apfdirtdoctor OP
36 posts
 
Thanks guys for your input. I have been reading the owner's manual and it states two times that the bass equilizer in cap letters MUST BE USED whether in single amp or bi-amp mode on pages 5 and 18 of owners manual. The manual suggests if you hear boomy bass reduce the bass control (<100hz) and the contour (<1khz) of the bass eq. I have my tech looking at the schematic and he said two of the transitors are given a Infinity number that does not cross to anything???? also, the schematic says to connect to mosfets?? Over the last few days I have run single amps, tube and transitor with all sorts of biamping variations....vtl 100s, vtl 75/75, ARC d-70MKII, dynaco 416, threshold 200, and two hafler xl280s in mono and stereo mode.. The best sound . . . one single hafler xl280????? I'm going to keep experimenting but I do not hear the ribbon sound that I am used to from the top and bottom emims. Elizabeth, I am hearing much lower frequencies from these two not lower output...the middle one sounds like my two emims in the 2.5s. I will clean the rheostats and connecters. BTW these speakers look like they just came from the factory. I think they may have been in storage??? absolutely no dust or discoloration anywhere. Oh preamps ARC SP8 and Quicksilver full function and VTL deluxe. Thanks again guys. audio buddies
sirspeedy
738 posts
 
I owned the 4.5's/RS-1b's/and then the Betas.

My friend still has a mega modded pair of 1b's.The crossover mod is a MUST!!Rear cabinet damping does not hurt either.

I did have a friend who had the II B's.I loved that speaker,and it is "well" worth taking it to the max,if you can.A superb speaker!
I felt the 4.5 was outpointed by the 1B's/and Betas.The II B's are more coherent too(than the 4.5),but a touch less powerful,since it has smaller(faster though) woofers.It really is a killer speaker,especially if in "as new" condition.A Classic!!
I remember my experiences quite well,as I think the Infinity speakers of that era hold up very well....Especially if you try to mod the crossover,and attend to some other tweakery.

BTW,there is a Guy named Bill Legaulle(spelling?) who lives in NY state(from the article I read about him awhile ago).He is an "expert" on anything Infinity,and has built up quite a following regarding re-voicing Infinity speakers,from that era.He actually rebuilds the Emim/Emit drivers,and sets them up as matched pairs for each tower.I know he has many Infinity followers,who have had him rework their speakers.He matches drivers to .5 db tolerances,per tower position. I have no doubt the guy is a "master" with Infinity/Emim/Emit stuff....Worth seeking out,if possible,but I have no more info about his whereabouts.
I DO believe I read about him in Positive Feedback,or one of the web mags.Also,one of my friend's "used" to know him well,and confirms his abilities.

Best of luck
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
I wish I'd never sold my 2B's!! You're right Speedy, I could never get those damn 4.5's to image!(and they had plenty of breathing room too!)
Post removed 
apfdirtdoctor OP
36 posts
 
After listening to the two emims in the 2.5s for 20 years, it is taking time to adapt to the two outer emims playing lower frequency but I am getting use to it. Much better on piano and vocals. The low end is my big problem. If I play at lower volumes the bass is the best I have ever heard, but when I turn it up it definitly gets boomy in my room with the built in shelves and cabnets next to the fireplace...The speakers are half in front of tile on fireplace and half in front of cabnets..two feet away. I opened the cabnets up to put up some stereo stuff in and went back to listen before shutting the doors.....Big difference in bass, total boomy mudd. I am going to take the speakers to a friends house with a solid wall behind them. I think infinity knew the speakers could get boomy and thats why they made the comments in the manual. OK I HAVE A BIG QUESTION. Can anyone tell from the circuit diagram of the bass eq if in the 12 o'clock position it is neutral and not affecting the lower frequencies??? Thanks Larry.
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