Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Infinity Systems Primus 150 Speakers by jonbee

Model:	Primus 150
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$199/pr
Description:	Small stand mount speaker
Manufacturer URL:	Infinity Systems
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee ( A ) on May 26, 2005 at 12:15:34
IP Address: 65.219.140.66

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for the Primus 150

The re-do of my home office system began when I replaced my work office speakers, Triangle Titus 202, with Monitor Audio GR10, which was a big step up, IMO. I still liked the Triangle, and had used them for over a year, but when I put them in my home office, paired with a Panny XR25 receiver, the top end emphasis of the Triangle was so over the top I couldn't listen to them. I replaced the Panny with a vintage NAD 7020 recvr., which was much smoother but still didn't quite work for me sonically. I decided to give the little Infinities a try, at $108 plus shipping per pair!
Here's what Robert Reina wrote in Stereophile last year (http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/404infinity/)to sum these up: "The Primus 150 has achieved a standard of performance at the $200-or-under price point that I didn't think was possible."
Tha's the way I see it, too. The review is quite accurate, IMO. The sound is very smooth and easy, with quite good detail overall and low coloration. They won't play louder than 95 db or so, and have no real bass. I prefer them in my home office to the 3x the price Titus: the Titus is even more open, dimensional, detailed, and goes a little deeper in the bass, but the smoother, sweeter presentation of the 150s is just easier to listen to in the small room. The Titus needs a better quality front end to work well; but the forgiving nature of the Infinities makes them a better choice with less costly gear.
Inner orchestral detail is clearly delineated with the 150s, unimpeded by major colorations, and there is a small emphasis in the lower mids that adds a little extra body in that range, but not enough to obscure the detail. They also sound a little polite dynamically, but they are not quite broken in, so that may improve.
I prefer these to the Axiom M22 and Epos ELS3, both of which I've tried in this room and found wanting. The 150s have a smoother, morer refined sound than the Epos, and the tweeter is at least as detailed as the Axiom, but smooth and without the peakiness that the Axiom tweeter displayed.
In short, I found the 150 to be just what I wanted in my office, a musical, easy to listen to low cost system. They won't quite compete with the $1000 and up competiton, and are limited in bass and output, but within their limits are truly amazing. I'm thinking about replacing xover parts and wiring already to see how much more can be gotten from them.
Stereophile has a current review of the 360 model, which can be bought online for under $400 a pair. I suspect for those wanting a budget floorstander should take a serious look at them, as well.

Product Weakness: No low bass; limited volume ability. A bit polite dynamically; slight lower mid emphasis.
Product Strengths: Smooth, low coloration, balanced presentation. Very Musical and easy to listen to.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	NAD 7020
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	NAD 5330 CDP
Speakers:	see rev.
Cables/Interconnects:	Mapleshade golden helix
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	lots
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 10 x 8
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Counterpoint AC filter
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	No low bass; limited volume ability. A bit polite dynamically; slight lower mid emphasis.
Product Strengths:	Smooth, low coloration, balanced presentation. Very Musical and easy to listen to.