The Strange New Days

[Negotiableterms]

Infinity has a new line of speakers called "Cascade". I'm interested, but, it seems one can only buy them from Crutchfield. Weird.

Has anyone seen or heard them? Are they available anywhere else?

[Jamison]

I havent heard them but looking at crutchfields website they sure dont look like much... . Looking at the specs they will need a sub.. they only go down to 100 hz... looking at the sensitivity level (85DB) they will need a lot of power to play loudly. that doesnt neccessarily mean they are a bad speaker.. but im not impressed.

[Negotiableterms]

...Looking at the specs they will need a sub...

Actually, that's why I'm interested. The sub is very compact and is one of the few that will fit in the space where I need it to go.

They're not cheap, I seldom pay retail, and there's no way I'd spend that kind of money on an unheard, unreviewed product. That's why I think the Crutchfield-only marketing is weird.

[Jamison]

welll look at it this way... they are probably better than anything BOSE makes ...

what kind of equipment do you have now... how much is your budget? I looked at the sub it is small and will fit a lot of tight spaces... and that is an awful lot of money for the performance you will be getting. Have you looked at any of the Tube style subs from SVS? maybe if i i had more of an idea of where your trying to put the sub? Is there a WAF involved?
are you primarily home theater ? or do you listen to 2 channel more? I would also look into getting some good bookshelf speakers if space is an issue


try this link http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/191267.html
... the floorstanders it sounds like they are a magggie clone..

[Jamison]

here is another link: http://ultimateavmag.com/news/082505Infinity/
i think amazon.com is selling them,
hope this helps ... sounds like they are getting decent reviews. still I wont be trading my Klipsch for them I dont have as much an issue with space though

[Negotiableterms]

Jamison-

Thanks for the comments. I've not responded because the target moved when I wasn't looking!

The system is for my office, but the problem has been solved. I'm changing offices to a larger room (from 11x17 to 13x21) which allows me to use a pair of either Infinity Kappa 9s or Legacy Focus 20/20s which my wife currently hates in our living room.

And, just in case Charivari reads this: the answer is no, the Betas will not be in the living room, out of storage, because the WAF is even lower on those!

[Charivari]

And, just in case Charivari reads this: the answer is no, the Betas will not be in the living room, out of storage, because the WAF is even lower on those!
Aw, for shame. Speakers like the Infinity Betas shouldn't be locked away in storage. You know, I have a living room available to "store" your Betas in and I've no WAF to worry about.

- JP

[Negotiableterms]

...You know, I have a living room available to "store" your Betas in and I've no WAF to worry about.

Ah, JP, your willingness to sacrifice half your living room humbles me. Not enough that I'd say "yes", but still...

[Charivari]

Ah, JP, your willingness to sacrifice half your living room humbles me. Not enough that I'd say "yes", but still...
Yes, it was a selfless offer. For, I would've operated the Betas daily to ensure that the suspensions wouldn't stiffen up from lack of use and to help keep the capacitors from drifting off spec. Of course, to accomplish this act of generosity, I'd also have need for a large amp if you have one spare so that the Betas may be properly exercised so they won't get out of shape. Afterall, who wants flabby bass and a loose midrange?

- JP

[Negotiableterms]

As luck would have it, a pair of the Cascade model that I was interested in appeared on that large auction site, and I snagged 'em for about half price... so mcu better than paying retail at Crutchfield!

So... I'll post a review in this forum once they arrive and I've played with them a bit.

No, they're no IRS V, but then, they fit in my office.

[SleeperSupra]

So, how do they sound???

[RichPA]

You might find this review interesting: http://www.hometheatermag.com/subsatloudspeakers/906infinity/

[Negotiableterms]

In my mind, the review is pretty accurate. I've been very impressed with them, and particularly the fact that they fit so easily into the room and still sound very good.

I was able to compare them directly to a pair of Infinity Prelude MTS, which sell for a lot more, and a pair of Polk LSi9s, which cost a bit less.

The (Stereophile "A" rated) Preludes are much better, but they're also 5 times the price and much larger. In particular, the Preludes are more real-sounding, to the point that they occasionally give me goosebumps. The Cascades never do that, but they're also more forgiving of so-so recordings than the Preludes.

The Polks sound warmer, and less accurate, but very slightly better on voice. This comparison is unfair because the Cascades have a sub, while the Polks don't.

This was all being done for a system in my new office. In the end, I splurged and kept the Preludes, but for an office system, either the Polks or Cascades sounds great, but the Cascades have an edge because they can go right against the wall or in a bookshelf/cabinet, while the rear ports on the Polks require space.

I was driving all these with an MC352, which didn't notice any of the loads, and an Arcam Solo, which found the Preludes a bit tough to work with (it got warm), but liked the other two about the same.

I'd buy Cascades if I couldn't do Preludes. That's the story.

[phaedrus]

NegotiableTerms,

Just wondering if you'd ever heard the original Modulus system and how they compared to it. I have a set and think they are pretty amazing for the size, and pretty reasonably priced in the used market.

Thanks,

David

[Negotiableterms]

NegotiableTerms,

Just wondering if you'd ever heard the original Modulus system and how they compared to it. I have a set and think they are pretty amazing for the size, and pretty reasonably priced in the used market.

Thanks,

David

I too have a set, and they are amazing. Let's be fair, though. In 1990 the Modulus sold for $3300. That's over $5000 today. The Cascades can be had on eBay for a total of $2,400 meaning less than half.

Are the old Modulus better? Yes, as to the satellites, but not by much, and the Cascade sub is better because it has the RABOS system.

OTOH, you can buy a whole used Modulus system now for $1500. But, it's already dying, and will need some parts and drivers soon that are becoming unobtanium.

Speakers are one area where I don't see a big advantage to vintage. There are exceptions, like the very old JBL and Altec horns, etc. But for the most part, I prefer new speakers. So here's the real question. If you're gonna spend $2,400+ on Cascades, why not stretch and go $3800 for a set of Preludes, which absolutely blow all the rest away?

[phaedrus]

Sorry, didn't mean to step on any toes. I wasn't questioning the quality of either Cascades or Preludes. I'd just never heard either and was looking for a comparison to something with which I was familiar.

FWIW, I think you may be overestimating the pricing on Modulus'. If I recall, I think I spent less than $700 for a complete system (speakers/sub/crossover).

David