Infinity
Reference Standard II - A less expensive version of the worlds most accurate
speaker.
Since its
inception, Infinity has been setting new standards of accuracy in music
reproduction. Its speakers are designed to, as closely as possible, translate
acoustic theory into practical reality.
There are
two theoretically ideal ways of propagating sound in a room environment; the
line source and the point source.
The Infinity
Reference Standard, introduced in 1980 as a nocompromise state-of-the-art.
Speaker system, approximates line source propagation, in which the sound source
must be infinitely long vertically.
The vertical
dimensions of the Infinity RS is nearly equal to the vetical dimension of most
rooms, approximating ideal line source conditions in a closed environment.
Horizontally, the driver is so narrow at all frequencies in the audio band that
its audio dispersion is essentially complete.
Now we are
pleased to announce the Reference Standard II, a practical simulation of point
source theory.
A true point
source would be an infinitely small, pulsating sphere, with all frequencies
radiating equally in all directions.
In the
Reference Standard II, point source technology is simulated by decreasing the
size of the radiating area as the frequency increases. Thus, the source is always small compared to
the wave length of the sound being radiated.
The
Referency Standard II inherits some of its design configuration and
technologies directly from the Infinity Reference Standard. However, its price,
unlike the the $20,000 IRS, is affordable to most serious audiophiles.
Its
diffraction wing design and dipole drivers in the high and mid-frequencies
create an arresting depth, breadth and clarity of musical image. Its dual 10" woofers in a new
Infinity/Watkins woofer/subwoofer configuration are in their own enclosures,
and incorporate rool-offs at different crossover points. This yeilds deep
strong bass, as well as exceptional tautness and clarity in the midbass.
Diffraction
wings and what they do.
The elegant
curve of the reference Standard II enclosure wings is precisely calculated to
minimize the distortion caused by diffraction.
In an
ordinary speaker sound waves propegated by the drivers bounce off the front of
the enclosure. These diffracted waves interfere with the principal wave,
causing cancellation "dead spots" in the listening room, and
out-of-phase distortion.
As a result,
the music is blurred and sounds muffled; the stereo image is cinfused,
inconsistent, or absent altogether, depending upon one's listening position in
the room.
As with the
$20,000 Infinity Reference Standard, the Reference Standard II diffrection
wings are mathetically curved so that the diffraction effect is minimized. The
small portion of the sound waves which is diffracted is propagated to the sides and back.
Cancellation "dead spots" and out-of-phase phenomena are effectively
eliminated from the listening area.
This creates
an illusion of the three dimensional imaging so accurate the listener can
"place" every instrument in the orchestra; front to rear, as well as
left to right.
For example,
Pink Floyd's "The Wall" side 1, reveals a panorama of sound with
breathtaking impact. As the distant
helicopter approaches and lands, it seems to travel through the top to the
bottom of the speaker; you almost feel the wind from the chopper blades as it
taxis past. The children's voices, their English accents clearly discernable as
they sing. Are heard, not on a single plane, but in layer after layer of sound,
clearly defined in space.
The Two
Woofers
Two ten-inch
woofers in the RS II are identical - yet they are used independently. Although
they both operate in the very lowest bass ranges, one rolls off at 60 Hz, the
other at 125 Hz.
This is a
new embodiment of the Infinity/Watkins principle; instead of two voice coils on
one woofer, there are two woofers operating together at certain frequencies,
yet rolling off independently.
The two
woofers - each in its own enclosure - are mounted in a special master enclosure
of oak vener, suspended within the diffraction wing and stepped forward to
assure precise phase relationship with the other drivers.
The Three
Midrange Drivers.
The three
five-inch midrange drivers are dipoled by leaving their backs open, allowing
the back wave to complete the point source radiation pattern.
Employing a
unique arrangement, the midranges crossover at two different frequencies. The
upper most and the lowest operate up to 1500 Hz, while the central midrange
works up to 3 kHz.
From a
technical point of view, this produces distinct advantages.
Better
midrange coupling is achieved in the critical lower midrange area. And, by
spreading out the crossover frequencies, response is made uniform and the
directivity index is made to correspond to point source radiation within the
range of utilization of each separate driver.
Polypropylene
cones; the advantages are obvious.
Although
much has been written sbout the many advantages of polypropylene over paper
cones, and cones of exotic materials, its advantages are clearly evident upon
first hearing.
This
extremely light, yet very stiff material with no intrinsic sound of its own,
responds uniformly and instantly to the input signal, producing music that is
astonishingly clear and accurate.
It is
impervious to heat, moisture and the wear and tear that shortens the life of
traditional cone materials.
Polypropylene
cones are used in the woofer and midrange drivers of the Reference Standars II,
as they are throughout the Infinity RS series speakers.
Present
Perfect.Future Positive.
Our design
objective for the reference Standard II was to utilize audio technology
developed for the massive Infinity Reference Standard to create a much smaller,
much less expensive speaker system - a
system more technologycally advanced, more aesthetically appealing in its price
range than any other speaker available.
We hope you
find the RS II a profitable investment in pleasure; and an enhancement to the
quality of your life - for a good many years to come.
The Two EMIT
tweeters.
The EMIT
electromagnetic induction tweeters found in the RS II are considered the
state-of-the-art. Tweeter by critics the world over.
EMIT, with
its powerful samarium-cobalt magnets and an almost zeromas etched planar
diaphragm, is unique in its ability to combine exceptional powerhandling
capability with extreme delicacy - through a superauditory 32 kHz.
The
Reference Standard II has two EMIT tweeters configured in a dipole pattern; one
firing forward and the other facing the rear.
It should be
noted that EMIT tweeters are used, in varying configurations, in every Infinity
Reference Standard and RS series
speaker.
Specifications
Frequency
Response: 36 -32,000 Hz ±2 dB
Sugested for
use with Amplifier of: 35 - 250 watts per channel RMS
Drivers
(each channel):
Woofers: Two 10" (25 cm) with polypropylene cones
in Infinity/Watkins dual-drive configuration.
Midrange: Three 5" dipole drivers with
polypropylene cones in dipole configuration.
Tweeters: Two EMIT, one of them facing rearward
Crossover
Frequencies: 60, 125, 1500 and 3000 Hz
Nominal
Impedance: 4 ohms
Dimensions
(W x H x D): 580 x 1220 x 460 mm (22 ¾" x 48" x 18")
Weight
(Packed): 45,5 kg (100 lbs)
Finish: Solid oak diffractions wings. Oak veneer over
high-density particle board woofer enclosure
Warranty: 5
years
