It looks like I'm not going to be able to preview any Infinity Kappa's without an extensive driving trip due to the area I live in. I'll keep checking on this to see, but I have not had any luck in locating a dealer who has them on display.
My question is: Is there enough difference in the way the Kappa sounds as compared to the Reference to be worth tracking it down, or even paying the extra money the Kappa will cost over the Reference?
I can check out the Reference series at Circuit City to know what it sounds like. I checked it out once before, but I don't think my heart was really in it then cause of the cost. Now I know I gotta have GOOD speakers.
Replies (11)
P0werLifter on 02/20/2005 01:20:32
Wish i could help ya here bud but i havnt heard either one. Im doing an install with Infinity Kappa Perfect DVQ 12's within the month but people have had great reviews with the Infinity Kappa Perfect series.
audeogod on 02/20/2005 09:32:41
Well, this is more about coaxials and components than subs but I guess the same question could apply to subs too. Not the Kappa Perfects though cause they are aluminum(I think).
The Reference has silk dome tweeters, while the Kappa has ceramic dome tweeters. I think both woofer cones are poly though. Only thing I've seen in the Kappa is that you can get a 3-way version in the 6 1/2's while the Reference 6 1/2's only offers a 2-way.
danielm87 on 02/20/2005 11:51:22
I've got Infinity Kappa 3.5"s in my front dash and they've worked marvelously for the past 2 years, they hit the highs at full volume like no other, i'd reccomend to anyone. But i havent heard their Reference speakers. Just a comment.
Daniel
audeogod on 02/20/2005 12:16:12
alright that's cool. Thanks.
Pinch on 02/20/2005 13:21:39
Kappas are a bit brighter on the highs than the Reference series. Through accurate tuning, you can take the edge off...but you're still going to have a ceramic dome tweeter which is going to sound bright by virtue of construction. So....if you like crisp highs, go with the Kappas. If you like smooth highs, go with the Reference series. I'd say the mid-bass response of both is similar....and neither can compare to a CDT.
Pinch
uochronos on 02/20/2005 17:37:49
yep i think pinch nailed that one on the head.. biggest differnce to me has always been the tweeters the kappa is a bit brighter and the refernce is a bit smoother tweeter and a better crossover in the components.
also he is right a set of CDTs well sound better all round IMO.
Chronos
audeogod on 02/20/2005 20:07:02
Well, being that I like rock and metal music only, then a bright tweeter may be too much, don't you think?
So, in that case, the Reference series with silk dome tweeters would be better for me.
That's too bad. I always heard that the Kappa was way the better line. And I'm not particularly crazy about the Infinity Reference's white color. Looks like it would look dirty after a while, especially in my truck.
And I wanted the best I could get without spending a huge amount. That's why I thought Kappa over Reference. But, I'm still trying to get used to the idea of paying over $100 for a single pair of 6 1/2 speakers.
I already checked out the CDT speakers. They are way too much money for what I want to spend. I want to find one solid speaker choice and make it work for all three systems I have going(plans only at this stage). A discounted pair of CDT's was $150.00. I would like to NOT pay that much if I can help it. I plan to either buy on eBay, or at a discounted car audio website like thezeb.com.
In addition to the CDT price, they only offered 5 1/4's and 6 1/2's in coaxials that I saw. I need 3 1/2's, 4x6's, 6 1/2's and 6x9's, and I want all speakers in each system to be the same company. Preferably the same company in all 3 systems. I figure if I like the speakers in one system, then why would I go different in another system?
uochronos on 02/20/2005 20:58:18
i would watch it on choosing only one company.... i bought CDT's but if i went coaxil i would go with alpines some companies make good amps some make good subs some make good coax some make good comp's etc... in general i find that to buy what sounds best.
also look on ebay for CDT there where like 50 items last time i checked.. i know it takes time to get used to paying 150$ for 6.5's but thats 4 sperate speakers and a crossover... people buy single subwoofers with no included crossover for over 100$ all the time..
if your willing to spend 100$ on a single sub that plays 25-100hz then why not be willing to spebnd 200$ for 4 speakers that play 100-12000hz? they add way more to your system and should be what you build around.
Chronos
audeogod on 02/20/2005 21:36:54
Yeah, I agree with you on the adding more to my system with the frequency range and all. And if I could get 4 speakers for $200 that would be great. It's the getting 4 speakers for $300 - $400 that I don't like. CDT's are high. $150 for one pair, $300 for two pairs, and that was like a clearance price. That's just too much.
I went and checked out CDT again, and all I was able to find were component sets mostly. All the website has on coaxials is just 2 sizes, 5 1/4's and 6 1/2's. I need 4 different sizes altogether, 3 different sizes in one car alone. I don't want different brands up front from what's in the back, speaker wise.
I will most definitely have different brands when it comes to HU's and amps, but I want all amps to be the same, all HU's to be the same, and all speaker brands to be the same.
The HU's need to be the same from one system to another for ease of use. You get used to one, you know 'em all then.
And the amps need to be the same per vehicle just so they match visually. And if they do a good job in one car, then they will in another too. Don't have to match HU brand though, cause I want Pioneer HU's, but not amp's. Amp brand is still open to debate. I haven't even started an amp brand list yet, but be sure, one is coming.
Speaker brand needs to be the same per vehicle too. You will see the speakers in my truck, grills and all, so they HAVE to match. I got two different brands in there now, and I'm not happy with the way that looks, or sounds. Also same brand speakers up front and in rear so the sound will match too. Some companies are brighter with midrange than others, I've found out. I don't want that in the rear and not in the front. And of course, I figure if they sound good in one system, then I will like it in all 3 systems. I don't want to get used to Eclipse in my truck, and then go to Infinity in my wife's car, and then Phoenix Gold in the house. Knowing myself, I'll find something wrong with one's sound over another, and not like that particular system cause of it.
I know these are 3 totally different interiors. I figure how it sounds in the store will be pretty much how it sounds in my house too. When I go into a store's sound room, I make sure I only have the HU and either 2 or 4 speakers playing. No amps. Room space is actually usually a little smaller than my pool room, but it's the closest comparison I'll get so it'll have to do.
And I figure it will be easy to get good sound in my wife's car too, cause of speaker location, and sizes and all. I don't usually hear a major difference from one car to another with systems. Usually always 6x9's in the rear, 6 1/2's or 5 1/4's in doors, makes for pretty much the same sound from car to car to car. My wife's car happens to have 3 1/2's in the dash too, for 6 speakers altogether. I figure that's just a little bonus for making the soundstage not be so low to the floor. Works really well with factory speakers. I just need some clarity and a little more bass in there, and it'll be great. May not even need a sub or amps.
My truck is going to be the hard one cause of small cabin space, no real room for subs and amps, and poor speaker location and all. An overly midrangy speaker might help in the doors, but not in the dash. Still, I'd rather have an EQ to adjust for this and have both sets match than have different brands in there.
All in all, this is turning into one hell of a project designing the different systems. Keeping it simple brand name wise will help a lot!
uochronos on 02/20/2005 21:59:40
why not just run the 6.5 components in your truck... dont need 4 speakers really. in my 2003 ranger i only run my fronts i have nothing insatlled in the rear. sounds great a single set of CDT EF series componments... and it sounds better then 90% of other systems i hear.
and by 4 speaker si mean your getting 2 tweeters adn 2 mids for less then 200$... i'm into CDT so much my next purcahse is a set of there euro sport components and i'm getting rid of my current ones.
by all means if you find a pair of components you like the sound of then go for them... but i had a set of alpine's and a set of infnityies once and i couldnt go back after hearing my CDT's
Chronos
audeogod on 02/20/2005 22:15:55
OK, that's cool, but what scares me about using just one set of speakers in my truck is that they are located in the bottom of the doors. Way down low. And cause of their location, and them facing directly at each other, and not me, then I have significant midrange losses. I don't really know what frequencies I'm losing, but it just sounds like it's all bass and tweeter, with very little voice and instrumentation like guitars and such. The dash speakers kinda bring that back a little. Tweeters in a component system mounted up higher may help, but I don't want to invest in something I can't return to find out it won't help after I bought it.
I'm now stuck putting in a 6 1/2 in the doors as opposed to kickpanels cause I already cut the holes for the Sony's that are in there now. So, I gotta use something that will go there. I considered just using it like a midbass, and maybe getting a 4" component set and putting the 4's someplace different and the tweeters on the dash or up high on the doors. But all 6 1/2 midbass speakers sold separately that I've seen are like almost 3" deep. I can have about 2 1/4", to MAYBE 2 1/2" max depth. I think 2 1/2" would actually be too deep though. So a component 6 1/2 or a coaxial is my only choice that I see. Many components are too deep too.
My question is: Is there enough difference in the way the Kappa sounds as compared to the Reference to be worth tracking it down, or even paying the extra money the Kappa will cost over the Reference?
I can check out the Reference series at Circuit City to know what it sounds like. I checked it out once before, but I don't think my heart was really in it then cause of the cost. Now I know I gotta have GOOD speakers.
Replies (11)
P0werLifter on 02/20/2005 01:20:32
Wish i could help ya here bud but i havnt heard either one. Im doing an install with Infinity Kappa Perfect DVQ 12's within the month but people have had great reviews with the Infinity Kappa Perfect series.
audeogod on 02/20/2005 09:32:41
Well, this is more about coaxials and components than subs but I guess the same question could apply to subs too. Not the Kappa Perfects though cause they are aluminum(I think).
The Reference has silk dome tweeters, while the Kappa has ceramic dome tweeters. I think both woofer cones are poly though. Only thing I've seen in the Kappa is that you can get a 3-way version in the 6 1/2's while the Reference 6 1/2's only offers a 2-way.
danielm87 on 02/20/2005 11:51:22
I've got Infinity Kappa 3.5"s in my front dash and they've worked marvelously for the past 2 years, they hit the highs at full volume like no other, i'd reccomend to anyone. But i havent heard their Reference speakers. Just a comment.
Daniel
audeogod on 02/20/2005 12:16:12
alright that's cool. Thanks.
Pinch on 02/20/2005 13:21:39
Kappas are a bit brighter on the highs than the Reference series. Through accurate tuning, you can take the edge off...but you're still going to have a ceramic dome tweeter which is going to sound bright by virtue of construction. So....if you like crisp highs, go with the Kappas. If you like smooth highs, go with the Reference series. I'd say the mid-bass response of both is similar....and neither can compare to a CDT.
Pinch
uochronos on 02/20/2005 17:37:49
yep i think pinch nailed that one on the head.. biggest differnce to me has always been the tweeters the kappa is a bit brighter and the refernce is a bit smoother tweeter and a better crossover in the components.
also he is right a set of CDTs well sound better all round IMO.
Chronos
audeogod on 02/20/2005 20:07:02
Well, being that I like rock and metal music only, then a bright tweeter may be too much, don't you think?
So, in that case, the Reference series with silk dome tweeters would be better for me.
That's too bad. I always heard that the Kappa was way the better line. And I'm not particularly crazy about the Infinity Reference's white color. Looks like it would look dirty after a while, especially in my truck.
And I wanted the best I could get without spending a huge amount. That's why I thought Kappa over Reference. But, I'm still trying to get used to the idea of paying over $100 for a single pair of 6 1/2 speakers.
I already checked out the CDT speakers. They are way too much money for what I want to spend. I want to find one solid speaker choice and make it work for all three systems I have going(plans only at this stage). A discounted pair of CDT's was $150.00. I would like to NOT pay that much if I can help it. I plan to either buy on eBay, or at a discounted car audio website like thezeb.com.
In addition to the CDT price, they only offered 5 1/4's and 6 1/2's in coaxials that I saw. I need 3 1/2's, 4x6's, 6 1/2's and 6x9's, and I want all speakers in each system to be the same company. Preferably the same company in all 3 systems. I figure if I like the speakers in one system, then why would I go different in another system?
uochronos on 02/20/2005 20:58:18
i would watch it on choosing only one company.... i bought CDT's but if i went coaxil i would go with alpines some companies make good amps some make good subs some make good coax some make good comp's etc... in general i find that to buy what sounds best.
also look on ebay for CDT there where like 50 items last time i checked.. i know it takes time to get used to paying 150$ for 6.5's but thats 4 sperate speakers and a crossover... people buy single subwoofers with no included crossover for over 100$ all the time..
if your willing to spend 100$ on a single sub that plays 25-100hz then why not be willing to spebnd 200$ for 4 speakers that play 100-12000hz? they add way more to your system and should be what you build around.
Chronos
audeogod on 02/20/2005 21:36:54
Yeah, I agree with you on the adding more to my system with the frequency range and all. And if I could get 4 speakers for $200 that would be great. It's the getting 4 speakers for $300 - $400 that I don't like. CDT's are high. $150 for one pair, $300 for two pairs, and that was like a clearance price. That's just too much.
I went and checked out CDT again, and all I was able to find were component sets mostly. All the website has on coaxials is just 2 sizes, 5 1/4's and 6 1/2's. I need 4 different sizes altogether, 3 different sizes in one car alone. I don't want different brands up front from what's in the back, speaker wise.
I will most definitely have different brands when it comes to HU's and amps, but I want all amps to be the same, all HU's to be the same, and all speaker brands to be the same.
The HU's need to be the same from one system to another for ease of use. You get used to one, you know 'em all then.
And the amps need to be the same per vehicle just so they match visually. And if they do a good job in one car, then they will in another too. Don't have to match HU brand though, cause I want Pioneer HU's, but not amp's. Amp brand is still open to debate. I haven't even started an amp brand list yet, but be sure, one is coming.
Speaker brand needs to be the same per vehicle too. You will see the speakers in my truck, grills and all, so they HAVE to match. I got two different brands in there now, and I'm not happy with the way that looks, or sounds. Also same brand speakers up front and in rear so the sound will match too. Some companies are brighter with midrange than others, I've found out. I don't want that in the rear and not in the front. And of course, I figure if they sound good in one system, then I will like it in all 3 systems. I don't want to get used to Eclipse in my truck, and then go to Infinity in my wife's car, and then Phoenix Gold in the house. Knowing myself, I'll find something wrong with one's sound over another, and not like that particular system cause of it.
I know these are 3 totally different interiors. I figure how it sounds in the store will be pretty much how it sounds in my house too. When I go into a store's sound room, I make sure I only have the HU and either 2 or 4 speakers playing. No amps. Room space is actually usually a little smaller than my pool room, but it's the closest comparison I'll get so it'll have to do.
And I figure it will be easy to get good sound in my wife's car too, cause of speaker location, and sizes and all. I don't usually hear a major difference from one car to another with systems. Usually always 6x9's in the rear, 6 1/2's or 5 1/4's in doors, makes for pretty much the same sound from car to car to car. My wife's car happens to have 3 1/2's in the dash too, for 6 speakers altogether. I figure that's just a little bonus for making the soundstage not be so low to the floor. Works really well with factory speakers. I just need some clarity and a little more bass in there, and it'll be great. May not even need a sub or amps.
My truck is going to be the hard one cause of small cabin space, no real room for subs and amps, and poor speaker location and all. An overly midrangy speaker might help in the doors, but not in the dash. Still, I'd rather have an EQ to adjust for this and have both sets match than have different brands in there.
All in all, this is turning into one hell of a project designing the different systems. Keeping it simple brand name wise will help a lot!
uochronos on 02/20/2005 21:59:40
why not just run the 6.5 components in your truck... dont need 4 speakers really. in my 2003 ranger i only run my fronts i have nothing insatlled in the rear. sounds great a single set of CDT EF series componments... and it sounds better then 90% of other systems i hear.
and by 4 speaker si mean your getting 2 tweeters adn 2 mids for less then 200$... i'm into CDT so much my next purcahse is a set of there euro sport components and i'm getting rid of my current ones.
by all means if you find a pair of components you like the sound of then go for them... but i had a set of alpine's and a set of infnityies once and i couldnt go back after hearing my CDT's
Chronos
audeogod on 02/20/2005 22:15:55
OK, that's cool, but what scares me about using just one set of speakers in my truck is that they are located in the bottom of the doors. Way down low. And cause of their location, and them facing directly at each other, and not me, then I have significant midrange losses. I don't really know what frequencies I'm losing, but it just sounds like it's all bass and tweeter, with very little voice and instrumentation like guitars and such. The dash speakers kinda bring that back a little. Tweeters in a component system mounted up higher may help, but I don't want to invest in something I can't return to find out it won't help after I bought it.
I'm now stuck putting in a 6 1/2 in the doors as opposed to kickpanels cause I already cut the holes for the Sony's that are in there now. So, I gotta use something that will go there. I considered just using it like a midbass, and maybe getting a 4" component set and putting the 4's someplace different and the tweeters on the dash or up high on the doors. But all 6 1/2 midbass speakers sold separately that I've seen are like almost 3" deep. I can have about 2 1/4", to MAYBE 2 1/2" max depth. I think 2 1/2" would actually be too deep though. So a component 6 1/2 or a coaxial is my only choice that I see. Many components are too deep too.
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