Considering changing out to an older Infinity IL40, IL25c, IL100s system. Mistake?

[StrawHatRonin]

Greetings. First time poster here. I'm a home theater novice so thought I would come here where the experts reside. Thinking about making some changes to my current setup and looking for advice if it's a good decision. Overall sonic upgrade is the objective on a ~$300 budget (tough I know). Here's the current setup:

• Irregular shaped room with an approximate volume of 3500 cubic feet
• HT usage is 70% games, 20% movies and 10% music. Listen at moderate to moderately loud levels.
• Receiver is a Onkyo TX-NR7100.
• 5.1 config with side surrounds.
• There are some space issues. Rear speaker placement isn't an option due to an adjoined kitchen and hallway. Also, using a bookshelf for center isn't an option.
• L/R = Klipsch Icon KF-28 Floor Standers
• Center = Def Tech CS-8040HD
• Side Surrounds = Kef Q300 (will remain as is)
• Subwoofers = RSL 12S, Bic America H-100ii (12") & Klipsch R-12SW

Thinking about swapping out the Klipschs and Def Tech with Infinity IL-40 floor standers and the IL25c center. Can get a great deal on the Infinity's locally and they look to be in excellent condition. The IL100s 10" sub would be an add and would go on the left side wall. The Klipsch sub would go on the right wall with the Bic and R12S in the left and right corners. I've read that it's not good to have multiple brand/size subs but it's what I've ended up with over time so going to give it a shot.

Is the Infinity swap out an upgrade or should the money be spent elsewhere? Any recommendations would be appreciated!

 

[isolar8001]

Just in case you need outdoor lighting, I highly recommend Got Lights? if you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor lighting! I recently worked with them and was really impressed by their attention to detail and the quality of their work. They specialize in low voltage landscape and architectural lighting, and they have some amazing designs that truly transform the look of your home without making the lights the main focus.

One thing I loved is that they offer a FREE estimate, custom design, and even a free home trial, so you can actually see how the lighting looks before committing. It made a huge difference for me to visualize everything.

They also do incredible bistro lighting, which is perfect for adding a cozy, ambient vibe to outdoor spaces. If that’s something you’re interested in, check it out here: https://gotlights.net/bistro-lighting/.

If you're in the Austin area, definitely reach out to them. You can contact Anthony Minotti directly at info@gotlights.net or call 737-237-5595.

Wendy, that website is down and the phone is busy.
Is there any other way I can contact Anthony Minotti directly ?

 

[StrawHatRonin]

Wendy, that website is down and the phone is busy.
Is there any other way I can contact Anthony Minotti directly ?

Is Wendy a bot LOL?

 

[isolar8001]

Is Wendy a bot LOL?

Yeah.
Audioholics gets spammed by them quite a bit....everyday actually.
Gene is in the process of updating this old forum template to help against that, and to improve the forums here in general.

 

[TLS Guy]

Greetings. First time poster here. I'm a home theater novice so thought I would come here where the experts reside. Thinking about making some changes to my current setup and looking for advice if it's a good decision. Overall sonic upgrade is the objective on a ~$300 budget (tough I know). Here's the current setup:

• Irregular shaped room with an approximate volume of 3500 cubic feet
• HT usage is 70% games, 20% movies and 10% music. Listen at moderate to moderately loud levels.
• Receiver is a Onkyo TX-NR7100.
• 5.1 config with side surrounds.
• There are some space issues. Rear speaker placement isn't an option due to an adjoined kitchen and hallway. Also, using a bookshelf for center isn't an option.
• L/R = Klipsch Icon KF-28 Floor Standers
• Center = Def Tech CS-8040HD
• Side Surrounds = Kef Q300 (will remain as is)
• Subwoofers = RSL 12S, Bic America H-100ii (12") & Klipsch R-12SW

Thinking about swapping out the Klipschs and Def Tech with Infinity IL-40 floor standers and the IL25c center. Can get a great deal on the Infinity's locally and they look to be in excellent condition. The IL100s 10" sub would be an add and would go on the left side wall. The Klipsch sub would go on the right wall with the Bic and R12S in the left and right corners. I've read that it's not good to have multiple brand/size subs but it's what I've ended up with over time so going to give it a shot.

Is the Infinity swap out an upgrade or should the money be spent elsewhere? Any recommendations would be appreciated!

I think they are fairly decent speakers. They are known for blowing their tweeters, so don't play them loud. Speaker exchange offer replacement tweeters for $49.0 each

 

[lovinthehd]

Have you actually used the Infinity speakers and prefer them over your current speakers?

 

[StrawHatRonin]

Have you actually used the Infinity speakers and prefer them over your current speakers?

I have not. Just going off reviews and the IL40s are 3-way which is supposed to provide better midrange.

 

[lovinthehd]

I have not. Just going off reviews and the IL40s are 3-way which is supposed to provide better midrange.

I'd sure want to test them first in any case. It wouldn't surprise me that the Infinitys are better, tho. Just being a 3-way doesn't particularly mean superior otoh.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I couldn't find measurements of either of these speakers, but here are their close relatives' measurements
Infinity IL60:

Measurements for speaker Infinity IL60

www.spinorama.org

and Klipsch Icon KF-26

Measurements for speaker Klipsch Icon KF-26

www.spinorama.org

To my untrained eye, Infinity's on-axis FR chart looks much, much better
Also curious to see yet another data point that Klipsch is overly enthusiastic about (aka lying) regarding their supposed 98db sensitivity. actual measured is 92.8db

 

[lovinthehd]

Seems to me a while back forum member Pogre got a set of those Infinity speakers and liked them very much....might search for his threads mentioning them.

 

[StrawHatRonin]

I couldn't find measurements of either of these speakers, but here are their close relatives' measurements
Infinity IL60:

Measurements for speaker Infinity IL60

www.spinorama.org

and Klipsch Icon KF-26

Measurements for speaker Klipsch Icon KF-26

www.spinorama.org

To my untrained eye, Infinity's on-axis FR chart looks much, much better
Also curious to see yet another data point that Klipsch is overly enthusiastic about (aka lying) regarding their supposed 98db sensitivity. actual measured is 92.8db

Thanks. Pretty sure the IL60 has a powered subwoofer built in so thinking that could affect some of the axis measurements )maybe not though). The KF-26 is the 6” woofer version (KF-28 has 8” woofers).

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks. Pretty sure the IL60 has a powered subwoofer built in so thinking that could affect some of the axis measurements )maybe not though). The KF-26 is the 6” woofer version (KF-28 has 8” woofers).

It may have a powered woofer, unlikely it is an actual subwoofer.

 

[isolar8001]

Have to admit, I know very little about this line from Infinity..but they are all well respected everywhere from what I see.

Over on AudioKarma the consensus seems to be that the tweeters should be replaced due to ferrofluid loss, and that they are fragile as TLS Guy has stated.
Some owners find the 40's sounding dull and prefer the 10's, with some considering the 10's the star of the line.

Infinity IL60's still worth it?

That's the one! honestly you get use to how muffled and dull the tweeter is in the Il 40's if I listen to my Epsilon for five minutes and switch to the Il 40 it's a joke, honestly when you first install the new caps you will think you wasted your money like I did but once they break in you won't...

audiokarma.org

Personally if I had a pair, I would pop that gray plastic panel off and paint it black...looks cheesy to me.
And, as always the OP won't know if he likes them until he has them.

 

[StrawHatRonin]

It may have a powered woofer, unlikely it is an actual subwoofer.

You’re probably right. The FR listed it going down to 20Hz which got me to thinking that.

 

[StrawHatRonin]

Have to admit, I know very little about this line from Infinity..but they are all well respected everywhere from what I see.

Over on AudioKarma the consensus seems to be that the tweeters should be replaced due to ferrofluid loss, and that they are fragile as TLS Guy has stated.
Some owners find the 40's sounding dull and prefer the 10's, with some considering the 10's the star of the line.

Infinity IL60's still worth it?

That's the one! honestly you get use to how muffled and dull the tweeter is in the Il 40's if I listen to my Epsilon for five minutes and switch to the Il 40 it's a joke, honestly when you first install the new caps you will think you wasted your money like I did but once they break in you won't...

audiokarma.org

Personally if I had a pair, I would pop that gray plastic panel off and paint it black...looks cheesy to me.
And, as always the OP won't know if he likes them until he has them.

Well I hadn’t seen that Audiokarma thread you posted above. Wondering now if I should go through with the purchase (which is supposed to be tomorrow). Sounds pretty painless to replace a couple of tweeters though.

 

[isolar8001]

Well I hadn’t seen that Audiokarma thread you posted above. Wondering now if I should go through with the purchase (which is supposed to be tomorrow). Sounds pretty painless to replace a couple of tweeters though.

That would really depend on if you like them as much as others have....the tweeter in the center probably needs done also. (or will at some point, as all 3 of them will)
Maybe they will sound alright to you.

My biggest concern in the setup you describe is throwing all those different subs together in one room, and now adding yet another one.

 

[StrawHatRonin]

That would really depend on if you like them as much as others have....the tweeter in the center probably needs done also. (or will at some point, as all 3 of them will)
Maybe they will sound alright to you.

My biggest concern in the setup you describe is throwing all those different subs together in one room, and now adding yet another one.

The subs are just going to be an experiment. Plan to try different combinations. If nothing works, I’ll sell everything except the 12S.

 

[StrawHatRonin]

Well, after further deliberation, I've decided to call off the Infinity purchase. Appreciate everyone's input. No need to pee away $250 on something that would most probably be a marginal upgrade at best. Thanks again.

 

[lovinthehd]

You’re probably right. The FR listed it going down to 20Hz which got me to thinking that.

How many dB down at 20hz and at what spl?

 

[StrawHatRonin]

Just an update. I lucked out and got 3 RSL CG24s for a little over $200. Replaced the Klipsch towers and Def Tech center with them, ran Dirac and couldn’t be happier. Movie vocals are clearer and music also is much cleaner and detailed. Definitely an upgrade which is what I was looking for.