Zoro'sZipper

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
For shear musicality you can't beat the Kappas. Not for the price, that is. I paid $450 in 1995 which was a 25% off sale price. I state the price I paid to make the point that I was on a very limited budget and didn't expect to be able to get superior quality sound for less than $750. I found the Kappa 5.1s at the lately departed Circuit City. I couldn't believe my ears that they were as inexpensive as they were. They easily outdid all equally priced competitors and more expensive models, too. My only complaint is the midrange could be a little stronger. I have since heard the Kappa 6.1s which have a much better mid range driver that is extremely crip and full. CC didn't have the 6.1s at the time so the 5.1s came home and have been pumping out amazing sound for 15 years.

The bass is very good for an 8 in. driver, tight and rarely punchy. Coupled and low pass filtered with a sub woofer the 5.1s can blast beautifully at 100+ watts. The character is warm and full thanks the the cabinet wood and size. Modern plastic or composite speakers can't compare to sound from good wide wood. I will probably keep them for another 15 years.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
For shear musicality, the Kappas are hard to beat. The emitter twitter is a marvel. The overall sound is very well balanced and smooth. I feel the midrange could be stronger, the Kappa 6.1 midrange is much fuller and crisp, but I cheaped out and stuck with the 5.1s. The bass is very well defined and tight, especially for an 8 inch driver. The cabinet wood and size are a major plus.

As front speakers they are transparent, in fact as a center channel its excellent. If coupled with a good powered sub, they don't miss a beat and can blast 150+ watts easy. Modern Speaker boxes are usually plastic or mixed materials that just don't have the warmth and depth of good wide wood. Use 'em every day. 15 years old and going strong.

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
Others also metioned these speakers sounded better than their larger siblings and I agree, that is one thing which prompted me to purchase these. The larger Kappas were much more costly and didn't seem to produce the clarity in the highs and midrange of the 5.1. I would give them 5 stars in their price range, but will give them 4 overall. Obviously you can find better speakers if your willing to spend a lot more money, but these are incredible in their price range.

My system:
Onkyo TX-SV919THX
Onkyo ED-901 AC-3 processor
Infinity Kappa 5.1 fronts
Energy RVS-1 center speaker
Infinity in-walls (surrounds) don't remember model#
Onkyo Integra M-504 amplifier

Strengths:
Best sounding speakers I heard for the price at the time.
EMIT-R tweeters produce incredible highs, midrange and woofer also very good. Others have mentioned the speakers needing lots of power, but after initial break-in I didn't find that to be the case. I feel these speakers sound very good at low listening levels, and can handle lots of power also without distortion.

Weaknesses:
None for the price

Summary:
A very fine performer: sweet detailed highs, clear midrange and good bass. I originally powered these speakers with a HK AVR20 (65 watts per side) and found the amp a little underpowered. However, after upgrading to a HK AVR85 (90 watts a side) these speakers really came alive and sound super, especially at high volumes (they sounded constrained before). Moreover, they are pretty to look at and nicely made. The hardwood veneers add to the classy sound.

Strengths:
Clear, balanced sound, slightly on the warm side

Weaknesses:
needs plenty of power

Similar Products Used:
RS 2000.3, JBL Control, Speakerlab 6

Summary:
What a beautiful speaker, The Kappa EMIT-R tweeter is among the best in the world, details details is all I can hear, makes my components sound terrible, definately one of the best bookshelf's produced, 3 way, 8 inch woofer, 4.5 mids and the EMIT-T Tweeter, god I wish I could find more of these babies! Definately recomended

Strengths:
Incredible Highs, Sweet and detailed, with the right amp not overly bright! wonderfully tight bass and uncolored mids, a steal if found for under $500

Weaknesses:
There not made anymore, and I feel the new line of infinity speakers is not in the same league