Infinity Kappa 9's sound terrible...HELP


Recently I got a pair of Kappa 8's. Plugged them into Adcom 860 preamp and to an old HK Citation 16, GFA-555 and GFA-565's. They sounded...beyond my wildest dreams! Absolutely amazing!

A week later I bought a pair of Kappa 9's. Was really excited thinking they would out preform the k-8's! Plugged them into the same system and they sounded like crap. Tried running each k-9 to 1 GFA-565 and bi-wire them, changed all knobs to flat, experimented with the adjustments on the back of the k-9's in every conceivable position, ran them in standard and extended bass modes...and they still sounded terrible!

Has anyone experienced this before? Any tests or checks I can do to eliminate any doubts of anything? If I can't resolve this on my own, I guess I'll have to take the speakers somewhere...if I can a reliable source between the Philadelphia to Harrisburg, PA area.

Also, if any can suggest any good techs between the Phila and Harrisburg area for amplifier rebuilds (Adcom GFA-555 II models) I would also appreciate getting a name and address.

Thanks guys...appreciate your help!
barricadedbob

Showing 2 responses by audiogod66

Brett just saw this the Kappa 9 should sound magnificent with the proper gear - the amp has to be a comfortable 1 ohm stable -not 2 ohm at 2 points it dips below 1 ohm -if you have any power line noise that grunge can come out so a really good power conditioner also helps -In Australia we have no longer made ME amps and the larger models 850 and above can bang the woofers into the back of the cabinet on Yola ! if you want a terrific bargain that drives them well grab a Dusson V8 or 2 -absolutely fabulous just loses a little in the 3 dimensional image stakes(tone is gorgeous) - at reasonable volumes i can use an Antique Fisher valve x10d and the soundstage is incredible -people who say these are crap A: have a broken pair -very common B: cheap  amps that cannot handle the load C: have not set them up properly I have mine on German steel cone points $700 but worth every penny just reveals bass detail that is still state of the art today -get them off the ground but don’t skimp and you will easily hear good male voice etc
these really do sound good with big Audio Research and VTL -better than solid state because as stated and in personal conversations with Arnie he designed them using them
cheers Roy
ps just checked out some of your work -bloody amazing!
Hi i owned 8's and never ever heard that(used Accuphase p102 and Audio research Classic 60 etc when i had them ) perhaps the Emit needs sorting is it in both sides? First step would be check the crossovers and make sure that is in spec - I have seen so many hacked speakers it is sad - i have no idea who to trust over there but swapping Emits out(with the 9 pair) and using a test cd may help isolate the problem .It could still be the polydomes at the upper end of there range -maybe get a pair of those black drop in replacements and see what happens. Both sets of speakers 8's and 9's should sound competitive with modern day speakers if in perfect condition .
In Germany there are a couple of experts who apparently even get the Emits redone and after these guys do the speakers up supposedly better than new - note not cheap i believe but apparently well worth it -there is an article in the German stereo magazine that you can download -not sure what issue now - think in the first 6 anyway get in touch with that guy I will post a link to the Magazine site -even ask the editor 
https://stereo-magazine.com/
cheers