IRS BETA Repair

Is this a problem that recently developed, or are these speakers new to you? Have you checked the gain setting on the back of the xover/servo unit so that it is at the correct level for your amp?

Wonderful speakers that I’ve had the pleasure of listening to. Only advice I can give if you don’t figure it out is call Paul McGowan of PS Audio. With Arnie gone Paul probably knows who to ask if he doesn’t have the answer. Good luck.

Will do. Where is PS Audio located?  This is a new issue.  I’ve had the speakers for 4 years.  Had a grounding issue in the Servocontroller.  Someone had worked on it before I bought it.  Some of the soldering let go.  I brought the unit in for service but the problem persists. Even got another Servocontroller but have the same problem.  That’s why I’m Wondering if the control woofers are damaged and that is the problem. 

Michael Marks may be able to assist you. You can look him up on eBay where he goes by the user name magicmarksy. He is an expert on vintage Infinity speakers. I think he offers repair service for the servo controllers and he may have a unit for sale if needed.

c421c

PS Audio is a audio manufacturer in Boulder CO.  You can go to their website and ask Paul if he can give you some advise or recommend those who work on these speakers. Possibly as reubent suggest Michael Marks is the person. I suspect Paul knows your speakers well as he and Arnie Nudell were very close friends and business partners. Arnie Nudell was one of the founding fathers of Infinity. I’m sure Paul will be very helpful or lead you in the right direction.

Have you tried without the amp turned on plug one side at a time ( servo cable from speaker) and see which side shuts down the servo control. I suspect it is a cable problem. If you need service on your servo unit Bill Thalman at music Technology serviced one of mine and did a great job on it. ( no affiliation)

Where are you located?
I may have someone who can help.

I am using a pair of Infinity IRS Beta speakers also and love them.  I have heard that people in Infinity consider them sounding even better than their IRS V.  
I suspect it is the plug of the small cable from the control box to the base speaker that causes the problem.  Perhaps you can unplug the cable, open up the 5 pins connector and see if there is a short circuit anywhere or a broken connection.  Beyond this, I have no idea what the problem is.  
May be one of the surrounds of the speaker units is broken and requires replacement as if the speaker cone is touching the unit and unable to move, the servo linking all the driver units will step in to try to make the broken unit to move like the rest and cause the amp to trip.  
Good luck.  
I think what rvito suggested in using Bill Thalman at Music Technology is a good one and may the right one to follow.  

c421c.: Great to know you are another IRS Beta owner.  Where are you in the US?  If we are near to each other, I really like to get together some time to share our experiences.  I think my pair of IRS Beta is working as well as they could but like to listen to other people's Beta to confirm I am not too far off.

Also, the Infinity Loudspeaker forum over at Audiokarma.org is a good resource. Lots of vintage Infinity users there who can likely assist.

I’m located in SW Florida.  Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions. I will let you know how it works out. I suspect a lot is a phase issue. Will go over the wiring when I get the units back from testing. 

We are far apart as I am in Boston suburb.  You are welcome whenever you are in the area for dinner and visit.  
Hope your Beta will be back to their best soon.

I am having the same problem.  Can you share what was the solution?

Well, I tried so many things that I have no clue what solved the problem. But they are working now and they are sweet!