The Good Old Days

[Negotiableterms]

Here's an interesting article that I stumbled across by accident. All comments welcome!

http://www.apogeespeakers.com/reviews/a_search_for_the_ultimate_speaker_bestofaudio.htm

[Charivari]

Great read, thanks for sharing.

Would've loved some pictures, though.

- JP

[Negotiableterms]

Trivia:

The article's author is one of the top military analysts in the country. In the first gulf war, he provided commentary for one of the networks, and was widely praised as making the technical aspects of the war understandable by the public.

[Infinitoid]

Yes, Cordesman wrote for the late, lamented, Audio Magazine. He reviewed some really high-end speakers for them over the years. Haven't seen any of his work lately though. Always found it paradoxical that he was so objective in his military analyses yet totally subjective in his speaker evaluations.

Greg

[Kencat]

Very good article NG.

I especially liked the last sentence.

[SicMan]

Anybody have any of those Infinity they want to get rid of? :yes: I can make some room... LOL! :scratch2: Liked that last sentence too. Good read NG. Thanks.

John

[Arkay]

You said "All comments welcome", so here goes:

I can't comment on the Duntechs (never heard them), and the Divas are amazingly good speakers (heard them), but the greatest audio thrill I've ever had --BY FAR-- was hearing a proper set-up of those Infinity IRS-Vs. Nothing compares, just nothing! On some orchestral works, I could hear details you normally can't hear in a live performance, presumably due to closely-placed mikes. If anything can sound almost "better than live", it is those IRS-Vs. Rich, full, extremely realistic (or even hyper-realistic, if that were possible) sound from "invisible" speakers, with compelling, riveting, awe-inspiring presence. Words just can't describe it... way beyond any other speakers I've heard, even including the Divas, Magnaplanars, and other very good ones... sadly (since I own a pair) also much better than the lower-line IRS speakers, too. If anything, I think the guy under-states how good those IRS-Vsreally were/are.

As for non-audiophiles thinking a person is nuts for spending that kind of money, there is a simple answer... just let the naysayers hear them, properly set up, just once! If they aren't deaf, they will want those speakers! To me, anyone who owns these speakers (with proper inputs and a suitable space for them) is not just rich... they know how to pick the best there is. If I could afford a set, I'd grab them in a flash, even if it meant living in a smaller hous... and I strongly suspect that those who disagree never had a chance to hear those speakers really shine.

[In case you think I'm a rather biased raving fan of those monsters... I am, and will be until I hear a better speaker!]

[Kencat]

You said "All comments welcome", so here goes:

I can't comment on the Duntechs (never heard them), and the Divas are amazingly good speakers (heard them), but the greatest audio thrill I've ever had --BY FAR-- was hearing a proper set-up of those Infinity IRS-Vs. Nothing compares, just nothing! On some orchestral works, I could hear details you normally can't hear in a live performance, presumably due to closely-placed mikes. If anything can sound almost "better than live", it is those IRS-Vs. Rich, full, extremely realistic (or even hyper-realistic, if that were possible) sound from "invisible" speakers, with compelling, riveting, awe-inspiring presence. Words just can't describe it... way beyond any other speakers I've heard, even including the Divas, Magnaplanars, and other very good ones... sadly (since I own a pair) also much better than the lower-line IRS speakers, too. If anything, I think the guy under-states how good those IRS-Vsreally were/are.

As for non-audiophiles thinking a person is nuts for spending that kind of money, there is a simple answer... just let the naysayers hear them, properly set up, just once! If they aren't deaf, they will want those speakers! To me, anyone who owns these speakers (with proper inputs and a suitable space for them) is not just rich... they know how to pick the best there is. If I could afford a set, I'd grab them in a flash, even if it meant living in a smaller hous... and I strongly suspect that those who disagree never had a chance to hear those speakers really shine.

[In case you think I'm a rather biased raving fan of those monsters... I am, and will be until I hear a better speaker!]


You're a lucky man Arkay, for having had that chance to hear them.

I've often wondered if a person could finance one of these rarities by charging folks a certain sum of $$ to listen to them for a while. I think I would lay down some coin to have the experience, knowing I could never afford to have a set.

Like that saying "build it, and they will come"

[Negotiableterms]

...In case you think I'm a rather biased raving fan of those monsters... I am, and will be until I hear a better speaker!

Well... Arkay, your task is now to go hear a pair of Arnie Nudel's own design successor to the IRS-V, the Genesis Advanced Technologies 1.1. At $145,000 they're not for everyone, but they're designed on the same basic principles as the IRS-V, and even look very similar. The 1.1s use newer ribbon drivers, and there are lots of other improvements, but the theme is the same. Take a look:

http://www.genesisloudspeakers.com/prd_1p1.html

I have been wanting a pair for a looong time, but they jsut don't seem to fall low enough in price, even on eBay!

[Jygesq]

ad material they are lower price consumer speakers built on IRSV design principles. I really doubt that, But even after 25 years of ownership, they still are an olutstanding sound. I have up grade my electronics many times. the speakers are still a constant. No interest is upgrading them. I have refoamed all four woofers, replaced one tweeter. I bought 2 used emits as back up.

[Negotiableterms]

...they are lower price consumer speakers built on IRSV design principles. I really doubt that...

Don't. That's exactly what they are.

[Arkay]

Kencat, I do consider myself very fortunate to have heard those speakers ... although also slightly cursed, since I have been suffering "withdrawal symptoms" and "cravings" for more of them, ever since.

Negotiableterms, I have seen the website for those latest Nudell speakers... if I win the lottery (or they come WAY, WAY down in price) I will get a pair... if I don't find the original IRS-Vs, first, for less. Never heard the Genesis ones, but I'm sure I could live with either set!


Jygesq, I have the RS III close-cousins of your RS II speakers. As Negotiable terms said, they ARE built along the same principles, using the same basic drivers in a smaller, cheaper configuration.... and they sound very, very good compared to the vast majority of speakers out there (including many more famous or expensive ones). I, too, have worked on mine and stockpiled a few EMITs and a couple other drivers, just to be sure I can keep them going as long as possible.

Like you, I like these speakers a lot, but while they are built along the same lines, with some of the same components as the IRS-V, the sound of the IRS-V is in a whole different league of performance. Those multiple-woofer columns with their dedicated 2000 watt amps and the active-response on the bass make a "thundering" difference that has to be heard (and felt) to be believed. They make the cannon fire on the 1812 overture REALLY sound like an actual cannon going off in the room, because that is what was used in the recording; even knowing it is coming, you JUMP when it goes off, and a big grin spreads over your face... just like everyone else listening with you!!! 102 high-end drivers (If I remember the number correctly) have a similar effect on string passages, etc... The type of sound quality is similar, but that's much like saying a VW beetle and an early Porsche are originally from the same production line, and share some parts, so a Beetle is a "poor man's Porsche". True, in a sense, and they both can get you from here to there, and you can enjoy either one, but one just does things somewhat more magnificently than the other.

Still, until and unless I can afford a set of those IRS-Vs, I'm very glad that Infinity made these lesser versions for the rest of us... they are still "a little taste of heaven".

[Vitopanch]

Negotiableterms,
Thanks for posting that article. I have never heard any of these loudspeakers, but would gladly pay to. What a treat it would be. I wonder how many sets of the IRS-Vs were made and where they are now. I would love to get a listen at some point.
Vito