Infinity Systems
| File:Infinity Audio Logo.png | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Audio |
| Founded | 1968 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Founders | Arnie Nudell, John Ulrick, and Cary Christie |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
| Products | Amplifiers, loudspeakers |
| Owner | Samsung Electronics |
| Parent | Harman International Industries |
| Website | www.infinityspeakers.com |
Infinity Systems is a U.S.-based loudspeaker manufacturer established in Los Angeles in 1968, with its headquarters situated in Stamford, Connecticut.[1] Since 1983, Infinity has operated under the umbrella of Harman International Industries, which itself became a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics in 2017.
The company offers a variety of audio solutions, including multichannel surround sound systems for home theaters, in-wall speakers for residential use, and audio equipment designed for marine environments. Their product lineup also features powered subwoofers and amplifiers tailored for automotive applications.
Infinity’s audio systems are available as optional equipment on vehicles from Hyundai Motor Company and Kia, as well as on certain Mitsubishi models produced between the 1990s and 2006, along with numerous Chrysler automobiles.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
History
Established in 1968 by Arnie Nudell, John Ulrick, and Cary Christie, Infinity has been recognized for integrating advanced materials such as neodymium magnets, mylar diaphragms, and polypropylene cones into their home and mobile audio products. Their inaugural offering was the Servo-Static speaker system.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
Infinity maintained a business association with Eastern Air Devices (later known as EAD), which included consumer brands like KLH speakers, Avid Peerless drivers, and Kyocera/Cybernet electronics manufacturing.
During the late 1970s, Infinity introduced the EMIT (electromagnetic induction tweeter) and EMIM (electromagnetic induction midrange) drivers. These flat quasi-ribbon drivers operated on electromagnetic induction principles and incorporated samarium–cobalt magnets to achieve an exceptionally low mass per unit area for the tweeter element.[1] Variations included the EMIT-R (radial emit), S-EMIT (super emit), and L-EMIM (large emim). The high-end Infinity Reference System (IRS), priced at approximately US$65,000 during the 1980s, featured an array of 72 EMIT tweeters, 24 EMIM midrange drivers, and twelve 12-inch polypropylene woofers distributed across four towers.
Following his tenure at Infinity, Nudell founded Genesis Technologies in Seattle in 1991, focusing on high-end loudspeakers.[2] Genesis’ initial flagship model, the 1.2 system, was marketed at US$235,000,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name essentially serving as an updated iteration of the Infinity IRS.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
After Nudell’s departure, Infinity shifted its design philosophy toward more mainstream markets. The efficient SM (Studio Monitor) series incorporated polycell tweeters alongside graphite-infused midrange and woofer components. Although these models were less complex and upscale compared to earlier Infinity products, they successfully addressed a broad consumer demand.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]
References
External links
Template:Harman International Industries Template:Samsung Electronics
- Pages with reference errors
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- Electronics companies founded in 1968
- Harman International
- Automotive entertainment
- Loudspeaker producers
- 1968 establishments in California
- Companies headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut
- Mergers and acquisitions in 1983