Infinity Kappa 600 Loudspeaker Review

[gene]

<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/InfinityKappa600Reviewp1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 65px; HEIGHT: 125px" alt=[kappa] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/kappa_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>It seems that nearly every recent review I've seen for an Infinity product laments the passing of the perceived glory days of Infinity under its founders.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>Under the guidance of the likes of Harmon International Industries Incorporated and Dr. Floyd Toole, who espouses a philosophy of simple design and good engineering, Infinity is perceived to have moved into the mainstream.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>The reincarnation of the Kappa series under Harman's version of the Infinity line has held to the spirit of the original series.&nbsp;<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>Infinity has changed, true, but if the goal is still fidelity, has it really changed?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Read on to find out…</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">[Read the Review]</SPAN></P>

 

[furrycute]

I have the 400 model that come with 8 inch woofers rather than the 10 inch woofers in the 600 (my room is smaller). I love these speakers. The clarity and detail are truly outstanding. And the build quality. I hurt my back everytime I move them (yes, they are that heavy).

 

[Takeereasy]

That is a very thorough and well conducted review by David Waratuke. I am glad to see that Infinity can still deliver the goods with their products when they want to. Those Kappas are pretty sweet looking in my opinion.

I do have a couple of questions though. Don't the Kappas kind of price themselves out of the competition when you consider what you can pick up for $2400 US? They have placed themselves into competition with the Paradigm 90p, PSB Stratus Goldi, MA GR20, and on and on and on. I have to admit that the Kappas would never have made the list for me (not that I can afford this list right now) but now that I've read this review I've got to admit it seems like the product can hold its own. How well would you say this speaker stacks up in the $2400 market? Does it hit that 30hz with authority? Thanks for such a solid and readable review, and for adding in another speaker to muddy up the waters at this price bracket even more.

Edit: I'd also like to thank you for pointing out that Lateralus is a HDCD. I had no idea and I haven't listened to that album since I got the new receiver. Looks like I've got plans for this afternoon.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

i was just considering the $2500-tower class, I'd really like a comparison review of the Kappa 600, the Polk LSi25, The PSB Stratus Goldi, and the Onix Rocket RS1000.

 

[j_garcia]

I listened to the bookshelf from that family, and I was less than impressed. Highs were silky smooth as always, but lower midrange had serious issues. They seemed to be trying to reproduce more bass than they were capable of, even in a well damped listening room with some fairly high quality gear (I moved the speakers around myself a few times). I didn't listen to the towers though.

 

[gene]

The Kappa 600 is a nice speaker for sure. Had I done the review, I would have probably given it a 4.0 value rating since for around the same price you can get what I feel to be a performance class leader such as the RBH 1044-SE. I just wish RBH would update their cosmetics and grill cover, but if sound is what you are after, this speaker is hot!

 

[surveyor]

I enjoyed you review!
I've found the infinity interlude series of speakers to be very accurate and enjoyable.
I would bet the boat the the Infinity Kappa 600 speakers are very good speakers.
I have found over time that many people like Infinity speakers and that many don't, it's a matter of different tastes.
Hats off to your review, it was excellent.
Kelly

 

[jaxvon]

Hmm...I would've liked to see some measurements with the review. Other than that, I liked it. The equipment was pretty nice too...Wadia DAC, PS Audio up front...

 

[hopjohn]

Nice review, I like seeing reviews with speakers in this price range. Though, I was suprised by the Cons comment: "Unforgiving of some recordings." If that's a nice way of saying the Kappa's are bright then okay, but if not, don't criticize the speaker for revealing a poor recording, praise it.

 

[Steve1000]

Nice review!

I think the new Infinity line is on to something.

FWIW, at the other end of the spectrum, I have the Infinity Primus 150s, $180 / pair at circuit city, which I just bought for polite living room listening. From about 80 hz to about 4,000 hertz they are, to my ears, stunning. I've added about 3-5 db treble with my understated living room $100 receiver's tone controls for optimal results. The sound is exceptional for my taste, extremely enjoyable. Both the woofer and the tweeter use the patented Infinity metal matrix technology.

My downstairs full-range speakers are about 20-year-old Infininty RS5000s, which back then ran about $500/pair. I have never found anything worth upgrading to. I've had a few home auditions but the Infinities always hold their own and I am used to the sound. The Primus 150s have a similar signature, aside from the slightly subdued (to my years) treble of the 150s. Here's a goofball Stereophile review but with some nice subjective descriptions and measurements:

http://www.stereophile.com/loudspea...ws/404infinity/

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetco...ity/index4.html

The pleasing and natural sound of the Primus 150 midrange down to mid-bass is really something I had to hear to understand. I don't have words for it. It does not scream out to you, and most quickly reveals itself with classical music, acoustic guitars, vocals, etc... The bass is exceptionally clear and natural down to about 80 hertz (judging by following acoustic bass lines in jazz recordings). All this in a 12 1/2 inch tall $160/pr bookshelf speaker. My only reservation is that without a little dash of mid to upper treble added they can be dull with some recordings at low to moderate volumes.

During my recent auditioning, the best-sounding speakers I ran across for my taste were a pair of $1000 floor-standing Infinity Beta speakers. CMMD drivers again. To my ears, they were the only things that went toe to toe with the mid-bass to midrange of the Primus 150s. Plus the Betas had a more elevated mid-to-upper treble and great bass extension. If I were to buy a new pair of full range speakers I think they would be all I would ever need.

 

[darthjason]

Infinity

I have a set of the Infinity Alpha's and have been very happy with them. Everyone that listens to my system enjoys what I have put together. I was using the Alpha sub and had no issues, I did replace it with the Axiom EP 500 and it used with the other 5 Infinity's sound incredible. Highs, mids and lows are all very smooth.

 

[BassHog]

Excellent review David. I am glad to see a review of the Kappas. They are my favorite speakers, but nobody seems to know about them. They have been flying under the radar I guess.

I have had these speakers for almost two years now and they still thrill me everytime I listen to them. This has been one of the best audio purchases I have ever made. You hear some people talk about trying to find speakers that sound good without regard to looks and for others the speakers must be attractive in their home. Well these are one of the few that are extremely attractive, yet sound every bit as good as they look. They have a furniture grade, real wood finish and they exude quality throughout.The Kappa 600's are true full range towers. The highs are crisp, clear, and detailed, but not harsh. The mid-range is full and strong. And last but not least, the 10" woofer gives them deep, deep bass.

I have a complete Kappa system in the beautiful cherry finish. The 600's as the mains, a pair of 200's for the surrounds and the Kappa center. For the sub I added dual Infinity Intermezzo 1.2s subwoofers. This is a fantastic system. It is equally adept at music as it is for movies. I normally listen to music with 2 channels only and the 600's provide a wonderful soundstage.

I noticed a few people in this thread mentioned the $2400 price tag. The Kappas have been discontinued for some time now in the US and while they were being closed out there were some incredible bargains. Onecall.com had the 600's on sale for as low as $899 a pair at one time. At that price I couldn't resist and purchased a complete extra set of Kappas. I love them that much.