Version: 2008
  • On The Insider: Britney's Bikini-Clad Top 10
advertisement

Infinity Interlude 100s (Black)
Reviewed by
Steve Guttenberg
on 04/17/2001
Infinity Interlude 100s (Black)
CNET Editors' ChoiceApr 01
  • Quick specs
  • Type of speaker: subwoofer
  • Dimensions (WxDxH): 13.5 in x 17 in x 13.7 in
  • Color: Black
  • See full specifications

See all Harman Kardon products

Add to my list Product summary

The good: This subwoofer has brains as well as brawn.

The bad: The silver-toned plastic trim looks cheesy.

The bottom line: We've never heard a better $499 sub.

Read full review

Compare this subwoofer to:

CNET editors' review

CNET Editors' ChoiceApr 01
  • Reviewed by:
    Steve Guttenberg
  • Reviewed on: 04/17/2001
Infinity's IL100s subwoofer is hot. Why's that? Let us count the ways. First up, the stellar 10-inch Ceramic Metal Matrix Diaphragm (CMMD) woofer pumps out deep bass with real verve. There's a beefy 250-watt Bridged Amplifier Switching Hybrid (BASH) amplifier, providing more than ample motivation for that cool-running woofer. And while Infinity could have stopped there, it goes on to include its proprietary Room Adaptive Bass Optimization System (RABOS), which tailors the sub's performance to your room to get the best possible sound. Best of all, the IL100s equally flatters movies and music. Infinity's IL100s subwoofer is hot. Why's that? Let us count the ways. First up, the stellar 10-inch Ceramic Metal Matrix Diaphragm (CMMD) woofer pumps out deep bass with real verve. There's a beefy 250-watt Bridged Amplifier Switching Hybrid (BASH) amplifier, providing more than ample motivation for that cool-running woofer. And while Infinity could have stopped there, it goes on to include its proprietary Room Adaptive Bass Optimization System (RABOS), which tailors the sub's performance to your room to get the best possible sound. Best of all, the IL100s equally flatters movies and music.

Bass-ic high-tech
With a sound-pressure-level meter, a test CD, and a few fancy algorithms, the IL100s's RABOS can significantly reduce your listening room's bass anomalies. Infinity's Web site has a full white paper on the system. The company sells the necessary test CD packaged with a sound meter and other useful items for $60, but your dealer might lend that stuff to you. We achieved excellent results before we tackled RABOS. After diddling with the controls a bit, we measured the IL100s's impressively flat response in our room: +/- 1.5dB from 30Hz to 100Hz (it was down an additional 2dB at 26Hz). That's incredible performance for a $499 sub! Your results, of course, may vary.

The IL100s's inputs and outputs are adequate; the only thing that's missing is a high-pass filter, which would allow you to feed the speaker-level sound through the sub and out to small satellites in a music-only system. The 32-pound cabinet, available in maple-, cherry-, or black-colored vinyl-wrap finishes, feels a bit lightweight for a sub.

Basso profundo
The Brits call feel-it-in-your-gut impact slam. That sort of thing is usually the province of 12- or 15-inch subs, but the 10-inch IL100s isn't the least bit shy about exerting its woofage in the service of slam. We fired up the big, fat kick drum that starts off Roy Hargrove's tasty Crisol Habana CD to check out the IL100s's speed and definition. While most subs can generate enough bass to sound credible, only the best ones delineate the sound of the beater whacking the drumhead. Reproducing the thwack requires precise control over the woofer, and the IL100s let us decipher every juicy hit. Continue reading

Most helpful user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Infinity Interlude 100s (Black)

 ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit

Compare prices for Infinity Interlude 100s

This product is currently not in stock at any of our online merchants.

Email me when this product is available

advertisement

Recent user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Infinity Interlude 100s (Black)

 ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit

Special sponsor stores

advertisement

Infinity Interlude 100s (Black)

Reviews & advice
Site map
Editorial policies
Meet the editors
How we test
Forums
Internet speed test
Popular topics
Apple iPhone
Apple iPod
Cell phones
Dell
GPS
LCD TV
CNET sites
CNET Site map
CNET TV
Downloads
News
Reviews
Shopper.com
More information
Newsletters
CNET Mobile
Customer Help Center
RSS
CNET Widgets
About CNET
sponsored