Infinity RS-2 (1970s)

Name: Infinity RS-2
Brand: Infinity

One of Arnie Nudell's boldest experiments in point-source imaging and dipole dispersion - deep bass, open highs, and a big appetite for amplifier power.

Overview

The Infinity RS-2 (Reference Standard II) is a floorstanding speaker from the late 1970s. It comes from the "Old Infinity" era under Arnie Nudell, and it is a 5-way, 7-speaker system built to push what high-fidelity could do in a home. It was marketed as an updated version of the RS-1. The RS-2 kept Infinity's focus on time-aligned, point-source theory and refined the execution with advanced materials and a sophisticated crossover. It wasn't subtle and it wasn't easy, but for those who cracked its code, it delivered clarity and spatial coherence that few contemporaries could match.

This wasn't mass-market audio. Many manufacturers at the time were chasing efficiency and cosmetic polish. The RS-2 went the other way, with an imposing 1.2-meter-tall cabinet, a solid oak diffraction wing, and a complex driver array. It was designed for enthusiasts who valued technical innovation over convenience. It dissects music, laying bare the texture of instruments and the space around them with startling precision.

This speaker was never going to suit everyone. It needs serious amplification, careful room placement, and a willingness to tinker. Owners report that the RS-2 reveals every flaw in the signal chain, from poor recordings to underpowered amps. When properly driven and set up, it reconstructs the performance within the room.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Infinity
Model	RS-2 (Reference Standard II)
Type	5-way 7-speaker floor type speaker system
Frequency Response	36 Hz to 32 kHz
Impedance	4 Ω
Sensitivity	87dB/W/m
Crossover Frequencies	60 Hz, 125 Hz, 1.5 kHz, 3 kHz
Dimensions (W×H×D)	580 mm × 1,220 mm × 460 mm
Weight	45.5 kg (approx.)
Drivers	25 cm cone woofer ×2; 12.5 cm cone midrange ×3; EMIT tweeter ×3 (including one rear-mounted)
Power Handling	15–100 Watts

Key Features

The Diffraction Wing & Point Source Theory

The gently curved solid oak diffraction wing is the center of the RS-2's design. It is a structural and acoustic idea borrowed from Infinity's flagship IRS series. It is a functional element intended to minimize edge diffraction and create a more coherent wavefront. By mounting the woofer directly into the wing, Infinity aimed to align the acoustic centers of the drivers more closely, supporting the point source theory behind the speaker's imaging. The result is a focused soundstage, with instruments appearing as distinct, three-dimensional objects rather than smeared sonic impressions.

For time alignment, the RS-2 uses a Watkins network, a specialized crossover topology developed to maintain phase coherence across the driver array. This wasn't standard practice in the late 1970s, and even today few vintage designs went to such lengths to preserve temporal accuracy. The payoff shows in the transient response: attacks are crisp, decays are natural, and the rhythm of music feels more lifelike.

Dipole Dispersion with Rear-Firing EMIT Tweeter

One of the RS-2's most distinctive features is its bi-directional (dipole) design, achieved through a rear-mounted EMIT (Electromagnetic Induction Tweeter). Unlike conventional dome tweeters, the EMIT uses an ultra-thin plastic diaphragm suspended between powerful samarium-cobalt magnets, driven across its entire surface rather than at a single point. This full-surface drive contributes to exceptionally low distortion and a smooth, extended high-frequency response - flat all the way to 32 kHz.

The rear-firing tweeter fills the room with reflected energy, creating a more immersive and spacious presentation. In the right room, this dipole behavior eliminates the "boxy" sound associated with many enclosed speakers and replaces it with an openness that mimics live acoustic events. It also means the RS-2 is highly sensitive to room placement. Too close to a rear wall, and the reflected energy becomes overwhelming. Too far into the room, and the front-to-back balance collapses. Finding the sweet spot takes patience.

Polypropylene Cones and Internal Isolation

The RS-2's woofers and midrange drivers use polypropylene cones, a forward-thinking choice for the time. Compared to paper, polypropylene has a much lower Q factor (7-9 vs. 90-100), so it dampens resonances more effectively and produces cleaner midbass and lower-midrange output. It is also thermally stable, able to withstand temperatures up to 135°C, which helps maintain performance during extended listening sessions.

Inside the cabinet, the woofer enclosure is divided into two isolated chambers to prevent internal interference and promote linear phase behavior. Infinity went after coloration even in areas most manufacturers ignored. The division gives each woofer a controlled environment, minimizing intermodulation distortion and improving bass articulation.

Historical Context

The RS-2 was part of the Infinity Reference Standard series (1970s - 1980s), a line of high-end speakers developed during the company's most innovative period. Marketed as an updated version of the RS-1, it aimed for similar sonic performance with refinements in materials and crossover design. It is not as extreme as the IRS, but it shares the diffraction wing, point source theory, and the EMIT tweeter, which made it a more accessible entry into Infinity's flagship approach.

The Reference Standard series included the RS-1, RS-3, RS-4.5, RS-5, RS-5000, RS-6000, and RS-6000a. The RS-2 was a key model in bringing Infinity's advanced engineering to a broader audience. It didn't compromise, even if that meant being difficult to drive and set up.

Collectibility & Value

Today, the Infinity RS-2 sits in a niche corner of the vintage audio world. It's not a mainstream collectible like the Linn Isobarik or the Quad ESL-57, but fans of "Old Infinity" engineering prize it. Market value varies dramatically with condition and completeness. Units sold for parts or in non-working condition have appeared for as little as $65.00 or Best Offer, while Buy It Now listings have been seen at $89.00 for pre-owned pairs.

One major concern for long-term owners is foam surround degradation on the woofers. The foam surrounds, now over 40 years old, often need replacement with refoaming kits, a common and necessary maintenance step for vintage speakers of this era. Repair kits are sold for RS-2 foam surrounds, which confirms this as a known failure point.

The RS-2 is also known as an "amp eater." It is a demanding 4-ohm load with moderate sensitivity (87dB/W/m) that calls for strong amplification. Solid-state amps with strong current delivery tend to fare better than tube designs, though some hybrid setups have worked well. Owners emphasize careful amplifier matching. Underpowering the RS-2 limits volume, and it also compromises control and clarity.

Despite the challenges, the RS-2 remains a "long-term object of desire" for some audiophiles. It doesn't blend into the background. It's a project, and for those willing to put in the time, it still delivers transparency and precision.