I’ve enclosed an ad for Infinity Reference Standard V speakers, which are described as “the embodiment of Infinity’s obsession.” These speakers, you will note, cost $50,000 a pair. Cecil, tell me: is there anybody out there so desperate for self-justification that they’ve actually plunked down $50,000 for a pair of speakers? If so, how many? Are there audiophiles who after listening to a $5,000 pair of speaks and a $50,000 pair can discern a difference? I always thought there was a threshold of sound beyond which the human ear just gives up. Maybe they sell themselves into slavery so their dogs can enjoy the finest in high fidelity entertainment. –Jim Geckle, Cockeysville, Maryland
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Brace yourself, acushla. Not only do people buy these speakers, there’s a three-month waiting list to get them. And they wonder where those defense contractors got the idea to charge $600 for a toilet seat. Since the IRS-V was first introduced in late 1987, some 15 to 20 sets have been sold. Only two dealers in the country handle them, one in New York, the other in California. (Palo Alto, actually. Must be all those students.) Why would anybody spend so much? God knows. As one observer has noted, speakers make a terrible status symbol. You can’t wear them, eat them, or park them out front of the house. Then again, you can’t crank up your Rolex and peel the first three layers of skin off your face, either, so I guess it just depends on what you’re into.
Needless to say, these are not speakers you want to hook up to that cheesy squeakbox you got from Radio Shack. It’s expected you’ll probably spend another 50 to 100 grand for additional amps (two required) and other components, not to mention modifications to your house. You’ll probably want a specially engineered room, for maximum listening pleasure. You may want to reinforce the floor, since these babies weigh 1,500 pounds all told, and you’ll also need to run in heavy wiring, since the bass speakers alone draw 2,000 watts per channel. Too much trouble? Too much money? No prob. Twelve thou will get you a comparatively lightweight IRS Beta system, and if you’re really caught short this month, you might even settle for the Gamma or Delta systems, $7,000 and $5,500 respectively. Unless you invite me over (and I’m not the kind to make a fuss), probably nobody will be able to tell the difference.
