Infinity IL-40 isn't shamed by Joseph RM33Si

[Unregistered]

I replaced Infinity Interlude 40's in my main system with Joseph Audio RM33Si's, and I'm amazed how well the IL-40's sound in comparison. The Infinities actually have a wider soundstage than the Josephs, although I'm limited in the amount of positioning I can do. I basically dropped the RM33's in the same spot as the IL-40's and about all I can do is toe in and toe out. They might work even better if I could experiment. The spikes ripping apart the carpet and high center of gravity also discourage me from moving them around.

The RM33Si has two advantages: it goes deeper in the bass (-3dB at 31.5Hz vs -3dB at 40Hz) and it produces a much greater sense of soundstage depth. Both speakers have flat response and good off-axis frequency response.The Joseph is 6dB less sensitive, but it's no big deal since I've got Odyssey Stratos monoblocks. The Joseph is easy to drive because of a flat impedance curve ; the IL-40 has a nasty 2.7 ohm low impedance at one spot on the curve, and it has a lot of capacitive reactance.

The IL-40's were used for all my TV sound as well as music;I never missed a center channel and the imaging was amazing.

I think Harman was crazy to discontinue the IL-40. They claim speaker lines stop selling if you don't change them every four years;maybe somebody should tell Vandersteen the 2C needs replacing.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

My favorite audio mag, the notoriously cranky/techy The Audio Critic raved about the IL-40s a few years back, and I was seriously considering them before going the DIY route. I wonder if the current model at that price is comparably good. I was bummed, too, that they'd been discontinued.

IL-40s are in demand on the used market from what I've seen. They were a bargain new by all accounts and they're a steal used. If you sold them I hope you got a good price!

 

[Unregistered]

Another Audio Critic subscriber!

I've been a subscriber on and off since 1978. I also learned about the IL-40 in the Audio Critic. I've never been disappointed by Aczel's equipment recommendations, when I could afford them.

This must be the place where Aczel's fans hang out;we are not welcome in the Audio Asylum.

Jondahl Davis

 

[creedy]

I have Infinity's IL-50's and I love them! My best friend found the last pair of IL-60's in Oklahoma last year and got them at half price (Im still pissed). I still haven't figured out why they quit making tower speakers with built-in amps...(more $ for them, I guess), but it is a travesty.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

This must be the place where Aczel's fans hang out;we are not welcome in the Audio Asylum.

Jondahl Davis

Naming it the "Asylum" was more apt than they realize! Welcome to our little island of sanity.

I thought Infinity still makes one with a powered woofer and their RABOS bass EQ system, the "Intermezzo", but I haven't looked lately. Powered full range speakers, though they make sense, just don't seem to have taken off in the consumer marketplace, though they're common in pro audio.