Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Infinity Systems RS-5b Speakers by jonbee

Model:	RS-5b
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$700
Description:	traditional three way
Manufacturer URL:	Infinity Systems
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee ( A ) on April 14, 2007 at 20:13:41
IP Address: 67.171.27.154

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for the RS-5b

I bought a pair of RS-5bs listed on Craigslist, in good condition except for the rotten woofer surrounds. The picture shown is the rs-4b. The rs-5b has one 10" woofer rather than 2 8"s in the 4b, and is about a foot shorter.
The speakers date from 1985, a period in which Infinity made some classic speakers. I owned some of their more ambitious designs in those years, so it seemd like it might be fun to fix these up and give them a run. I replaced the surrounds and damped the woofer baskets.
I expected them to be pretty good mid fi, but I wasn't prepared for what I heard. Most importantly, the midrange was fast, detailed, natural, and had terrific in room presence. It separates instruments and layers in the mids in a most engaging way. In this regard, I felt it was a true high end performance.
The bass was lively,and went down to around 40 hz. in room, but with an excess of midbass punch. Great for rock n rollers, but not quite accurate. Still, it had the pacing to get the toes tapping. Pretty nice.
The emit tweeter is a known quantity. Detailed, fast, and airy, it nevertheless had a bit too much edge. I have found this to be the case with this driver generally.
So what we have here is a very good midfi speaker, whose faults are pretty easy to live with, particularly if you prefer a punchy, upfront sound. They truly excel at putting the music into the room in a lively fashion. At the used price in good condion of $200-250, these are without competitiion from new models. My previous candidates for best medium sized vintage bargains were the B&O S60, S75, and the JBL L80T. I think these Infinities edge them both by a small margin, per my tastes.
If you find good pair cheap, they would be a great choice in any budget situation where a medium size is desired. Replacement of xover caps, wiring, and adding cabinet damping may well take these up another level, at a bargain price.

Product Weakness: Highs a bit sharp, bass a bit too punchy. L-pads can get noisy.
Product Strengths: Fast, open, low coloration midrange. Nice detail definition overall, decent bass extension. Very inexpensive used for the quality.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	sony avd-500 all digital amp/player
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	See Sony
Speakers:	review
Cables/Interconnects:	Mapleshade Helix
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Lots, every kind
Room Size (LxWxH):	16 x 12 x 8
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Highs a bit sharp, bass a bit too punchy. L-pads can get noisy.
Product Strengths:	Fast, open, low coloration midrange. Nice detail definition overall, decent bass extension. Very inexpensive used for the quality.