infinity bookshelf speakers

[ampegdan]

Hi all-
New to all this stuff, have FINALLY built a component stereo with the finest thrift store finds KC has to offer. Silly question #1 in probably a long line of them. I bought a set of Infinity Reference One bookshelf speakers for the
kitchen at a local junkatorium(grand total $10.68) and one of the woofers (4 1/2" across the cone itself) sounds kind of buzzy. Is this the kind of thing that would be better off repaired or replaced, and if replaced what would be the best budget-minded
replacement option? I assume the voice coil is misaligned or something- I've had this problem from time to time in the Jensens my old guitar amps use.
Also, the same place had a set of Infinity SM82's needing refoaming. Would they be worth the trouble?
Thanks
Dan

[thedelihaus]

Check the foam- the foam is a funny sort on this fella- there's an inner ring that has a bead of black glue on it- the foam isn't one piece, but actually 2, and this inner glue ring (looks like shiny road tar crack filler) sometimes comes loose. How do I know? I've seen your reference Ones (or maybe they were twos) with this issue. Also my pair has a touch of this separation. a little repair glue should take care of it. If not, a foam repair kit should do you well.

Welcome, by the way, to AK. Great folk here!

[ampegdan]

Yup, there it is. Actually it's separated about a quarter of the way around.
Looks like a candidate for my first refoaming project; so much for the bargain. I'll have to keep an eye out for that in the future. What is this miracle "repair glue" of which thou speakest, anyway?

I've been following this forum for a few days and am aghast at your situation.
Thanks for your help with this and I wish you and your dad the best in your recovery.
Speaking of karma, the other guy has forgotten one simple rule of thumb;
Time wounds all heels.
Thanks again
Dan

[Army]

Welcome to AK Dan :thmbsp:

[ampegdan]

Hi all-
Probably just committed an atrocity, but I had to try it. Long story short, I sprayed some Duro all-purpose contact adhesive in a container, used a small paintbrush to coat sides of cracks in foam, let dry, GENTLY joined foam together and dabbed another coat on top. Currently listening to Michael Hedges' "Live on the Double Planet" through them; sounds beautiful. We'll see how long it lasts-I have a sneaky suspicion this is not a factory approved service procedure. Acid test will be whether they hold up tomorrow at higher volume (womenfolks are abed and volume is on 1 1/2). Anyway, thanks for the advice and welcomes. May tackle those SM82's if they're still there on 1/2 price day....I'll be back.
Thanks
Dan

[nukeme]

I had a pair that separated also and I did the same thing instead of refoaming. I glued them back together and they worked fine. I figured it's a quick fix until I feel like refoaming them.

[thedelihaus]

I should have been clearer and stated how strongly I feel the re-gluing of this lip can circumvent a complete re-foam job, which at this level of condition, would be overkill. I feel that these foams are original, and they hold up well, but have that funny construction, and that's how Infinity made them. I think they are quite repairable with the glue one can get from a speaker repair company when one does re-foams, so re-faoming can be staved off for a while, possibly for many years. It's the glue that has given up, not the foam, as the foam is probably, suprisingly, still good on yours- it is on mine!

There is a repair glue someone suggested as well to me, can be bought at electronics supply sytores, I'll see if I can find the name...

glad I was able to help. I was upset when mine started making noise, but relieved when I saw how simple a fix it was going to be.

How's the bass on the little buggers? The bass on the threes is excellent- much more than I expected!

[ampegdan]

Actually I was thinking about the bass earlier. It's nowhere near as boomy as the big Sonys I'm running as the main speakers, but is really closer to what you'd hear from the instrument in the same room. Seems to me we've been socialized to expect exaggerated bass these days and that there's something lacking if your sternum's not being vibrated. Years of playing electric guitar and running woodworking machinery has damaged my hearing anyway, so I appreciate the clarity of the li'l guys. Only thing I'm concerned about is that I haven't been able to find specs on these speakers. My amp says 8-16 ohms on both sets of outputs
(85W old silver Sony STR-V15) but some of the Infinitys I've seen in this size range are 6 ohm. If they are, (here comes silly question #2 in a long line of 'em) am I in danger of screwing anything up?
Thanks
Dan

[Kencat]

Specs from the Infinity Site: provided the model is spelled Reference One

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Response: 55Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB)
Crossover Frequency(ies): 400Hz
Sensitivity: 90dB (1 watt/1 meter)
Nominal Impedance: 6 ohms
Power Rating: 10 - 75 watts
Woofer: 6" (15.2cm) IMG
Tweeter: 0.75" (1.9cm) Polycell

Check out http://www.infinitysystems.com/homeaudio/product_support.aspx?ProdId=CS991002&Submit=Submit
for more info on other Infinities.

As far as the impedance at 6 Ohms, probably as long as you don't go crazy on the volume, you'll be ok. Maybe someone with more experience on the Sony may know for sure. Would be wise to be respectful of the Sony until you know more though. Sometimes the 8-16 Ohm warning is for when both channels are being used at the same time. If you have the manual for the sony, read closer on what a single channel can handle.

[ampegdan]

Thanks for the specs, Ken-they are the Reference One type and I didn't find that area on the site when I was there before. Duh. Looking back, I see we have a link to that area as well. Double duh. Anyway, I'm sure most of you audiophiles have better receivers than the Sony but I still don't wanna blow the sucker up, so I'll keep the volume down. I've never had it up past 2 anyway-spent too many years in front of an Ampeg turned up to 11(!).
Thanks for the advice.
Dan

[onepixel]

I have a pair of $25 Infinity RS9 that are kinda big bookshelf speakers. For what they I really like them. They can crank, the bottom end is a bit muddy, but the sound stage is fairly good. I personally would stay away from the SM series. Anything with the EMITs are nice sounding.

[thedelihaus]

...I still don't wanna blow the sucker up, so I'll keep the volume down. I've never had it up past 2 anyway-spent too many years in front of an Ampeg turned up to 11(!).
Thanks for the advice.
Dan

Yep they are 6 ohm but they don't seem to be too taxing. Does the sony get hot when you're playing them? If so, I'd be concerned. If it just gets warm, don't worry too much. These Infinitys do a good job without making the amps sweat it seems.

The speakers require a minimum of 10 wpc. You're pushing 20 at 8 ohms, so a bit more at 6 ohms. You've got enough wpc to do the job...