VINTAGE TECHNOLOGY ARCHIVE / AUDIO / INFINITY

Infinity

Arnie Nudell's relentless pursuit of the absolute sound

History

Infinity Systems was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1968 by Arnie Nudell, Cary Christie, and John Ulrick. The company name reflected their goal of creating speakers with seemingly unlimited performance potential. Infinity's first product was the Servo-Static 1 (1968)—a hybrid speaker using a servo-controlled woofer with electrostatic panels for mid and high frequencies. This established Infinity's reputation for innovation. The EMIT (Electromagnetic Induction Tweeter) and EMIM (Electromagnetic Induction Midrange) drivers used ribbon-like diaphragms driven by electromagnetic induction rather than direct connection. These drivers offered exceptional detail and speed. The Reference Standard series (1970s-1980s) including the RS 1, RS 2, RS 3, RS 4.5, RS 5, RS 5000, RS 6000, and RS 6000a brought Infinity quality to wider audiences. The IRS (Infinity Reference Standard) series (1980s) represented the ultimate Infinity statement—massive speakers using servo-controlled woofers, EMIM midranges, and EMIT tweeters in elaborate cabinets. Infinity was acquired by Harman International in 1983. Arnie Nudell later founded Genesis Technologies to continue his ultra-high-end designs.

Key Facts

FactDetail
Founded1968, Los Angeles, California
FoundersNudell, Christie, Ulrick
Key InnovationServo-control, EMIT/EMIM drivers
Famous SeriesReference Standard, IRS
High-End LegacyGenesis Technologies
Current StatusPart of Harman International

Legendary Products

Infinity IRS (1980s)

The Infinity Reference Standard series represented the ultimate statement in dynamic speaker design. The IRS Beta and IRS Epsilon used servo-controlled woofers, EMIM midranges, and EMIT tweeters in massive cabinets weighing hundreds of pounds.

Infinity Reference Standard 1 (1970s)

The first Reference Standard speaker established Infinity's reputation for high-end performance. The RS 1 used EMIT tweeters and servo-controlled woofers.

Infinity Kappa 9 (1980s)

A more accessible Infinity design that brought much of the IRS technology to a (relatively) more affordable package. The Kappa 9 was known for its demanding but rewarding nature.

Infinity SM (Studio Monitor) Series (1980s-1990s)

Popular consumer speakers featuring Infinity's EMIT tweeters and polypropylene woofers. The SM series brought Infinity quality to mainstream prices.

Classic Models Reference

ModelEraTypeDriversKey Features
Servo-Static 11968HybridServo + ESLFirst product
RS 11970sFloorEMIT + ServoReference start
RS 21970sFloorEMIT + ServoUpdated RS 1
RS 4.51980sFloorEMIT + EMIMPopular classic
RS 50001980sFloorEMIT + EMIMHigher RS
RS 60001980sFloorEMIT + EMIMRS flagship
IRS Beta1980sFloorFull EMIT/EMIMStatement
IRS Epsilon1980sFloorFull EMIT/EMIMUltimate
Kappa 71980sFloorEMIT + EMIMKappa entry
Kappa 81980sFloorEMIT + EMIMKappa mid
Kappa 91980sFloorEMIT + EMIMKappa flagship
SM 1001980sBookshelfPoly + EMITSM series

Sound Signature

Infinity speakers are characterized by: - Detail retrieval - EMIT/EMIM clarity - Speed - Ribbon-like transient response - Servo bass - Controlled low frequencies - High-end ambition - Pushing boundaries - American innovation - California engineering

Collecting Infinity

Vintage Infinity gear is valued for: - IRS series - The ultimate - Reference Standard - RS 1-RS 6000 - EMIT/EMIM drivers - Ribbon technology - Servo woofers - Controlled bass - Working drivers - EMIT/EMIM delicate Most collectible models: - IRS Epsilon - The ultimate - IRS Beta - More accessible IRS - RS 6000 - Reference flagship - Kappa 9 - Popular classic

Restoration Tips

Common Infinity service items: - Check EMIT/EMIM ribbons (delicate, can fail) - Service servo systems (woofers) - Replace crossover capacitors - Verify woofer surrounds - Professional EMIT/EMIM repair available - Complex designs, expert service recommended

Competitors & Comparisons

Infinity vs Genesis: Same designer (Nudell); Genesis = later Infinity Infinity vs Martin-Logan: Both hybrids; different approaches Infinity vs electrostats: Infinity dynamic; different technologies

All Models in Archive (102)

15001972
2000-II1975
ALPHA-CENTER1988
BETA-ES2501985
DELTA-CENTER1988
ES-1031980
ES-2001978
ES-3001982
ES-821978
ES-831982
IRS-11977
IRS-1B1980
IRS-BETA1985
IRS-DELTA1988
IRS-EPSILON1984
IRS-GAMMA1985
IRS-OMEGA1985
IRS-SIGMA1987
IRS1980
KAPPA-1001988
KAPPA-2001990
KAPPA-51990
KAPPA-5A1990
KAPPA-61987
KAPPA-601985
KAPPA-6001988
KAPPA-6.1I1994
KAPPA-6.2I-II1991
KAPPA-6.2i1995
KAPPA-6A1988
Kappa 7.1i
KAPPA-701989
KAPPA-7.1I1995
KAPPA-7.2I-II1993
KAPPA-7.2i1994
KAPPA-7A1988
KAPPA-81986
KAPPA-801991
KAPPA-8A1987
KAPPA-91988
KAPPA-9.1I1992
KAPPA-9A1989
KAPPA-CENTER-B1992
KAPPA-CENTER-R1991
KAPPA-CENTER1990
KAPPA-REAR1990
KAPPA-SURROUND1990
KAPPA-VIDEO-II1989
PRELUDE-MTS-CENTER1988
PRIMUS-C251986
Q-JUNIOR1981
QB-121975
QE-11975
QLS-21976
QLS-31979
QLS-41978
QLS-51978
QLS-81979
QLS-91980
QUANTUM-31987
QUANTUM-JR1984
QUANTUM-REFERENCE-STANDARD1985
RENAISSANCE-801985
RENAISSANCE-901985
RS-1 (REFERENCE STANDARD I)1976
RS-101978
RS-1A1978
RS-1B1975
RS-21975
RS-20001978
RS-20011982
RS-31977
RS-41975
RS-4251980
RS-4.51978
RS-51979
RS-5B1977
RS-61976
RS-6B1979
RS-81978
RS-91979
RS-II1976
RS-IIA1977
RS-IIB1979
RSB1977
RSE1985
RSM-REFERENCE-STUDIO-MONITOR1978
SERVO-STATIK-11968
SERVO-STATIK-1A1968
SL-301978
SL-401982
SL-501980
SM-1001979
SM-1021979
SM-1121975
SM-1151978
SM-1201978
SM-1251975
SM-1501975
SM-1551975
SM-821982
VIDEO-1 / VIDEO-ONE CENTER CHANNEL1985
Models

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VINTAGE TECHNOLOGY ARCHIVE / 03-16-2026 / FEEDBACK