I started years ago with a 27" tv, laserdisc and Infinity Kappa 9 & kappa 8 speakers with Adcom amps. Still have the adcom amps, but everything else got much bigger.
I am working on a "reference room" for my home theater obsession. Until then, this behemoth is in my living room, which cannot house or supply the current to run all this gear, so I don't have a good picture of everything running. I am still short 6 channels of amps and could stand to get a better remote control.
I don't run a subwoofer, but all channels are flat to 15 Hz and with 32 12" woofers, having a sub is just silly. I have been considering an Odyssee Motion Simulator, but I haven't been able to view an entire movie with it to determine if I would get tired of it, like my old DSP modes on a previous pre-pro.
Having IRS Betas, I wanted surrounds that matched, so I got IRS Gammas. I then saw a deal on another pair of betas I couldn't pass up, so I got them and decided to run the gammas as a center channel. When the IRS V became available, I had to have them and that put me with 2x beta in the rear, which is better for having non-localized rears, although they are a bit large for surrounds. Still, they match drivers well with the IRS V and come on, betas for surrounds, what is cooler than that?
Actually, for home theater, the star of the system isn't the IRS V, but the HTPC, which can do damn near anything. The DVD output of it is flat out amazing and unless I get a Teranex, it will likely remain king of the video chain for a while. In addition to the scaled DVD, it works as an escient controller for my CD changer, is able to do the same with DVDs, of which I can put maybe 140 on my media server, fully uncompressed. Plus, it can record HDTV and pause HDTV, just like TIVO (although not as user friendly).
This is a work in progress, but I suppose it will always be.
Although this is a home theater, it is also set up for 2 channel audio and as such, I put it in the all out assault category, as that is really a more accurate description of what this system is doing.
System edited: I updated my system once again, adding a High Def. VCR and also an Odyssee Motion Simulator. The motion simulator is flat out kick ass and one the greatest thing to hit home theater, along with Dolby Digital and HDTV. For those who have not heard of the Odyssee, think of Disneyland's Star Tours ride or Universal Studio's Back to the Future ride. Same thing, just a lot more refined for home use and less distracting/more addative to the film experience.
Yes, I was the one who purchased your IRS Gammas, although one of the control woofers had to be repaired and I discovered that when they were repaired last, the drivers were replaced with non-infinity drivers. Still, I was impressed with the sound of the Gammas and the imaging/soundstage. I cannot fit them into my room either, but I will just try to get a bigger room. I can put in at most a pair of betas for surrounds and I don't have room to run the center unless I make it necessary to step OVER the speaker to put in a DVD.
Mike, You are one crazy man. I believe I sold you the Gamma's. I have gone back and forth with 3 pairs of Beta's & the Gamma's but I just could not fit them in my space you room must be gigantic. Wish you the best.
I know that the parts are no longer made. There was an auction on ebay for EMIM drivers, but the guy wanted around $400 per driver, so it was fairly expensive.
I heard that you can repair them with a rear windshield defroster repair kit. Although I doubt it would be as good as new, as long as it is an improvement, it would make the wait to find replacements a little more bearable.
Mike
PS: Remo, would you happen to have pictures of your IRS V you could upload? I would love to see a collection of pictures showing these speakers in many different settings.
Hi Buster, I'm diver, from Italy; I'm an (old) infinity supporter too. Finally two years ago I've bought a system IRS V. It was more difficoult because here in Italy we work at 220 volts, but have had luck to find one system in Belgium. Absolutely a great sound; powered by ARC M 300 and driven with an LS 25 II. But the best is the turntable, an EMT 930 with 139 st RIAA eq. Last but not least; I am thinking to spare parts; do you know who sale EMIT and EMIM K? Bye, Remo
