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.

Sound Signature

Infinity speakers have a character all their own, and it comes down to those proprietary drivers. The EMIT tweeters and EMIM midranges deliver a speed and transparency that conventional dome drivers simply cannot match. Transients arrive with startling immediacy — the leading edge of a cymbal strike or plucked guitar string has a crispness that makes you feel closer to the performance. There is detail here in abundance, but it never tips into harshness the way some analytical speakers can.

The bass side of the equation is equally distinctive. Infinity's servo-controlled woofers use a feedback loop that monitors cone position in real time, correcting for distortion before you hear it. The result is low-frequency output that is tight, tuneful, and remarkably deep for the cabinet size. Paired with the lightning-fast ribbon drivers up top, Infinity speakers present music with a coherence that rewards careful listening — you hear layers in recordings you may have missed on other systems.

If there is a unifying thread across the Infinity catalog, from the entry-level SM bookshelf to the room-dominating IRS, it is ambition. These speakers were designed by people who believed that a home loudspeaker should get you as close to the live event as engineering allows. That relentless drive comes through in every listen.

Collecting Infinity

The crown jewels are the IRS series — the Epsilon and Beta command prices from $5,000 to well over $15,000 depending on condition and whether the servo amplifier is included and functional. These are destination speakers for serious collectors, and finding a complete, working pair is a genuine event. Further down the lineup, the Kappa 9 remains one of the most sought-after Infinity models, typically trading between $1,500 and $3,000. Its reputation as a demanding load for amplifiers is well earned, but feed it enough current and it rewards with full-range authority.

For collectors on a more modest budget, the SM series (SM-82, SM-112, SM-152) offers a genuine taste of EMIT tweeter magic at prices often under $300 a pair. The Reference Standard lineup — RS 1 through RS 6000 — sits in the middle ground, with prices varying widely based on model and driver condition. When evaluating any vintage Infinity, the condition of the EMIT and EMIM drivers is paramount. These ribbon-like elements are delicate and replacements are scarce, so working originals command a significant premium. A pair with intact, functioning drivers is worth far more than one needing repair.

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
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VINTAGE TECHNOLOGY ARCHIVE / 03-16-2026 / FEEDBACK