New Product Alert! Infinity Kappa Speakers
I just got the scoop from Infinity on the new Kappa speakers. Cosmetically these look a lot nicer than last year's models. I also noticed Infinity has gone back to 4-ohm voice coils this year (Kappas were all 2-ohm last year). They've upgraded the tweeter to an edge-driven UHF tweeter that plays all the way to 35KHz on some speakers. I was pretty impressed with the previous generation of Kappa speakers, so I'm looking forward to hearing these in person. There aren't many other brands that can touch the clarity of Kappa speakers at this price point ($119.95 - $249.95). We've got a TON of pics after the jump, as well as a full press release with details on all the speakers.
**Correction** Kappas are still 2-ohm. Infinity uses "marketing speak" and states the speakers are "True Four-Ohm" when the drivers are actually two ohm. I think this has to do with the the measured resistance of the wire by the time it reaches the radio (i.e. it measures four ohm at the radio when connected to a two ohm speaker due to the natural resistance of the speaker wire). But I could be wrong. I'm waiting for an explanation from Infinity.
**Update** Infinity has updated their site to better explain the marketing lingo.
Kappa speakers designed for superior performance and easy installation, even when used with today’s advanced factory-installed systems.
WOODBURY, N.Y. – Infinity, a Harman International company and maker of high-performance loudspeakers for home and car audio, today announced its innovative new line of Kappa® loudspeakers. Designed for vehicles, yet rivaling the best in home-audio components, the new Kappa loudspeakers merge several new technologies, enabling them to deliver unparalleled performance in today’s new breed of automobiles.
With a rich heritage in auto sound, the Kappa line of premium loudspeakers – which incorporates the very best in high-end design and proven technology – has long been one of the world’s most recognized and admired. The new Kappa loudspeakers feature reduced impedance to maximize the power available from all amplifiers and head units. And to ensure the best performance possible with that additional power, they incorporate a new distortion-reducing motor that provides clean, crisp bass at all power levels.
“For years, the design of upscale car audio speakers has been loosely based on the design of speaker systems for use at home, where amplifiers are big and power is plentiful,” said Michael W. Silber, director of product development, Harman Mobile, Portable, and Companion Products Division. “The audio systems in new cars are different. Almost all new systems include two-ohm speakers and small, efficient amplifiers or head units designed to drive them. Replacing those two-ohm factory speakers with four-ohm models cuts the available power in half, and that’s no upgrade. Kappa speakers are optimized for these new systems and work beautifully with old-school aftermarket gear, too.”
Installation of standard Kappa speakers is easy thanks to a new crossover dongle, which is permanently connected to the speaker’s terminals at the factory. No special tools or connectors are required to connect standard Kappa speakers to the car’s wiring. Additionally, Kappa speakers include frames designed to fit most factory speaker locations without modification.
The Kappa loudspeaker line features the following standard models:
• 42.9i – 4-Inch two-way loudspeaker; sensitivity: 93dB; power handling,
RMS: 50 watts; power handling, peak: 150 watts; pricing: $119.95 per
pair.
• 52.9i – 5-1/4-Inch two-way loudspeaker; sensitivity: 94dB; power
handling, RMS: 55 watts; power handling, peak: 165 watts; pricing:
$129.95 per pair.
• 62.9i – 6-1/2-Inch two-way loudspeaker; sensitivity: 95dB; power
handling, RMS: 75 watts; power handling, peak: 225 watts; pricing:
$129.95 per pair.
• 62.9is – 6-1/2-Inch two-way shallow-mount loudspeaker; sensitivity:
94dB; power handling, RMS: 65 watts; power handling, peak: 195 watts;
pricing: $129.95 per pair.
• 63.9i – 6-1/2-Inch three-way loudspeaker; sensitivity: 95dB; power
handling, RMS: 75 watts; power handling, peak: 225 watts; pricing:
$169.95 per pair.
• 652.9i – 165mm Two-way loudspeaker; sensitivity: 95dB; power
handling, RMS: 75 watts; power handling, peak: 225 watts; pricing:
$129.95 per pair.
• 692.9i – 6-Inch x 9-inch two-way loudspeaker; sensitivity: 96dB; power
handling, RMS: 110 watts; power handling, peak: 330 watts; pricing:
$169.95 per pair.
• 693.9i – 6-Inch x 9-inch three-way loudspeaker; sensitivity: 96dB; power
handling, RMS: 110 watts; power handling, peak: 330 watts; pricing:
$199.95 per pair.
• 32.9cf – 3-1/2-Inch two-way loudspeaker; sensitivity: 92dB; power
handling, RMS: 35 watts; power handling, peak: 105 watts; pricing:
$99.95 per pair.
• 462.9cfp – 4-Inch x 6-inch two-way plate loudspeaker; sensitivity: 94dB;
power handling, RMS: 60 watts, power handling, peak: 180 watts; pricing:
$129.95 per pair.
• 682.9cf – 6-Inch x 8-inch/5-inch x 7-inch two-way loudspeaker;
sensitivity: 94dB; power handling, RMS: 100 watts; power handling,
peak: 300 watts; pricing: $129.95 per pair.
The following Kappa component system models are available:
• 50.9cs – 5-1/4-Inch two-way component system; sensitivity: 93dB; power
handling, RMS: 85 watts; power handling, peak: 255 watts; pricing:
$249.95 per pair.
• 60.9cs – 6-1/2-Inch component system; sensitivity: 95dB; power handling,
RMS: 90 watts; power handling, peak: 270 watts; pricing: $249.95 per
pair.
• 680.9cs – 6-Inch x 8-inch/5-inch x 7-inch two-way component system;
sensitivity: 93dB; power handling, RMS: 90 watts; power handling, peak:
270 watts; pricing: $249.95 per pair.
The following Kappa tweeter is also available:
• 10.9t – 1-Inch MMD® tweeter; sensitivity: 93dB; power handling, RMS:
50 watts; power handling peak: 150 watts; pricing: $119.95 per pair.
Pricing and Availability
The new advanced Kappa car audio loudspeakers will be available at Best Buy, Crutchfield, Car Toys, other quality retail outlets, and online starting in March 2008. Products range in price from $119.95 to $249.95.
Features:
Edge-driven UHF dome tweeter - These are not commonly used W-domes, but fully edge driven domes like those found in fine home audio loudspeakers. This much larger voice coil increases power handling and provides better sonic integration with the mid-woofer. This brand new Infinity tweeter delivers flawless output to 35kHz, ensuring reproduction of every last detail. Both three-way multielements use a UHF super tweeter.
Woven glass fiber woofer cone material is extremely stiff, minimizing cone flex which yeilds very low distortion and improved clarity, an Infinity trademark.
True Four Ohm - Kappa Series speakers can be safely driven by any head unit.
Computer-optimized voice-matched crossovers - Each Kappa multielement and component system features a crossover that has been voice-matched using audiophile grade air core inductors and polypropylene capacitors. The result is flawless performance with incredible detail and accuracy.
Adjustable tweeter level - Each Kappa component system features a user adjustable tweeter level control on the passive corssover.
Plus One woofer cones - This patent pending technology deliver a cone with more surface area than competing models of the same size. The result is increased bass output and higher efficiency.
Adjustable tweeter level - Each Kappa multielement (coaxial) features a user adjustable tweeter level control. On the two-way models, simply rotate the tweeter to add or subtract 3dB output. On the three-way models, it is the simple push of a button right on the tweeter faceplate.
Gallery:
(Click to enlarge)
in the forums!
Source: Infinity
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