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IMF, Fried, TDL brands Speakers

luvmusik

luvmusik

HOORAY !...ELECTRICITY !
Any thoughts on comparison of sound for Fried Model R (any series) compared to 4 IMF models specifically: TLS 80, Reference Standard Professional Monitor (RSPM), Special Applications Control Monitor (SACM), Professional Monitor ? Has anyone heard any 2 or more or all of these ? As an aside...also Fried R comparison with 3 TDL models specifically: Monitor, Studio 4, Reference Standard. IMF models here versus TDL models here, too. Any input is greatly appreciated, Thanks !
 
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While I cannot comment on the Fried or TDL models, I can comment on the difference between the IMF models you have listed.

I have personally heard the TLS 80 II (I own a pair), the RSPM Mk IV, and the IMF Pro MK1. I have heard comments from a gentleman who owned the TLS 80, RSPM Mk IV, and SACM.

Basically, the TLS 80 and RSPM Mk IV are the most alike. The RSPM I find to be warmer, far more detailed and deeper sounding. It's a different character overall. It's more accurate to the music, whereas the TLS 80 although is quite neutral in character was built as a domestic monitor and therefore does color the music a bit more. However it is quite warm sounding, but not as warm as the RSPM.

The IMF Pro Monitor I found to be more rounded in tonality. It has more detail than the TLS 80 but is less forward sounding. People who enjoy the Pro Monitor generally listen to more acoustical types of music such as classical. The Pro Monitor has a bigger transmission line than the TLS 80 and sounds deeper as well, so it is 'bigger' sounding. It's quite a different character - some people like the Pro Monitor over the TLS 80/RSPM, some are the other way around (personally I like the TLS 80/RSPM over the Pro Monitor).

Now as for the SACM, it is extremely ruthless in nature. From someone who owned both the RSPM Mk IV and the SACM, he sold the SACM simply because it was not as warm or as musical. It sounded really good, he said, but to his ears for musical enjoyment much preferred the RSPM Mk IV.

Hope that helps. :)
 
I never heard TDL speakers.

IMO the Fried speakers I heard including the Model H and R had better clarity and imaging than the big IMFs. I never liked the bass from the big IMFs I heard, I thought it was wooly and distorted, I thought the big Frieds were much cleaner and better defined.

Note that these are opinions and old ones at that.
 
Have Fried Model R series I, wish I had series II (better)...still looking for pair modfied KEF Concerto woofer to mid crossovers which kit was the upgrade to II's. Out of listed models, besides R's , only ones I've heard are the RSPM also. I find the R's to have great musicality and fantastic bass; they were made with an ever-so-slightly "bass-bump", per "Bud" Fried which he said made folks love them, yet remain very close to neutral. Great speaker for most all music genres. Forgiving, easy to drive and matches with most all power sources easily. The RSPM are phenomenal and incredibly accurate. They reach a little higher and lower in frequency, are very detailed and pleasant to listen to. A great reference speaker. Good for most all music genres. Curious how the TDL Monitors stack up sound-wise to these two. These are all great speakers, don't think anyone could go wrong with any of them and the nuances of differences & preferences in sound make them all the more interesting to hear & discuss; much like all of us and life in general ! Any TDL experiences would also be great to share.
 
I would recommend the R 5 model made in the mid 1990's.
It used much higher performing drivers than the previous models.

The transmission line C6 satellites and O6 subwoofers are among his best designs.
 
Interested in those series 5 Model R's...when they switched to better performing drivers in series 3, 4 and 5 they went to round woofers rather than the oblong KEF. The RSPM IMF used oblong KEF woofers and my Fried Model R series I (and II's did also) used them also...Fried specifically used B139 (SP1044) in my set. I found most enjoyment with the tight and extended, accurate, strong, pleasant bass response that was most unique from these oblong drivers (flat piston design). Has anyone heard the Fried Model R's series I or II (racetrack oblong woofers) compared to any of 3, 4 or 5 series (round woofers) ? How would you describe the sound difference, especially in the low frequency bass region ? Very curious.
 
Always wished for an opportunity to hear Model R series 3, 4 and 5, and have always been curious about them. Folks must both love them and hang on to them, they don't seem to come up for sale (have only seen I's sell lately). Probably some lucky folks upgraded from 1 thru 5 ! The oblong woofers of previous series I and II had to be careful not to put too much power into them, a great handling improvement with newer models. Plus, better dynamics are always welcome with better power handling. Bud's newsletters were always informative, from the 1st issue to last and his developmental mind demonstrated great thinking !
 
Love the IMF Model R Speakers

...just saw this older thread. The IMF Model R Speakers are very nice. :tresbon: I have mine paired with a MAC 1500. As the McIntosh engineers will tell you, every speaker has its own character. I think the post above spells out what these speakers do well - the KEF drivers are especially nice in the IMF transmission line Model R enclosure. If you find a matched pair of these rare, old IMF Model R speakers, you are likely to conclude, like me, that they are keepers. Here's a pic of my little office rig. I've since found a Nakamichi CD player to round out the sources. Enjoy.
Nikon Pictures 072512 535.jpg
 
Great to see an IMF/Fried enthusiast ! We have a close bunch here on AK and are positively open-minded to all types ideas and modifications from everyone. Gotta love smooth, integrated, coherent transmision-line full range bass, along with all the other wonderful attributes of these classic speakers !
 
I haven't listened to the others on your list, but the Fried R Series V speakers are among the better speakers I've heard. An equal to the Vandersteen 2Ci.
 
I listened to a pair of Fried (can't recall which ones) at one of the PNW gatherings a while back. I thought they were very pleasant, smooth as butter.
 
my first exposure to IMFs was the monitor IIIs which had accurate bass all the way down to the center of the earth. the imaging and depth were again the best i had heard. THEN my friend ordered up the new plug in xover card and POW, the speakers then had electrostatic like speed and delineation.

then my friend (Glen) bought the model RIIs which were head and shoulders above the monitors in imaging and soundstage. the bass didn't reach nearly as far down but extended listening allowed you to not need it as the rolled off quite slowly. i bought the Rs from him and still own them today.

then he got the model H sub/sat system which creamed the monitors and RIIs. sitting off to the side of them only put you off center of the musicians playing and not hearing just one speaker as with most other speakers i had heard.

later on, a pair of RSPMs (fried proessional monitor IVs) with their own integral stands came to him and again raised the bar.

PS---sorry for the LATE reply.

he bought some martin logan reQuests and used the Frieds as subwoofers. TALK about bass solidity! what a combination.

i recently put the RIIs into my system after about 15 years setting in my bedroom unused. surPRISE! they are still relevant.

ps---sorry for the LATE reply.
 
IMF TLS 80, TLS80mk2, TLS80mk2a (with Elac cone woofer)

Good morning,

I self got now the IMF RSPM mk4, the last ones with the original KEF B139 flat cone types. That are the best I think next to the old flat ones of 1973 from KEF with a bigger frame.

IMF-RSPM4-k.jpg


The TLS 80 mk2 sounds also very nice:music:. You've got a Professional from 1973:yes: (104 x 50 x 43 cm) and a Professional of 1984 with Elac woofer and the size of a TLS80:no:. I prefer the 1973, much beter, with 13 inch KEF woofer (got them both in the past).

I think it's best to search for (with stand) a pair of IMF TLS80 mk2 with the KEF B139 flat woofer.

Good luck!

Info IMF-TDL

Best regards, Fred
 
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hi,the prof. Mk III is the model who John Wright past a lot of time to perfected.I really believed your choice of equipments you match with, do a big difference.Me to like the old B 139 KEF.Yvan
 
I was glad to find this thread as these are rare. I am the lucky finder of Fried Signature Series Model 4 with the round woofers, made in England. I have a MicroRhendu Sonore music server pulling my Tidal HQ stream into Roon. That feeds into a Schiit Bifrost Uber DAC into my Sansui QS 800 quad decoder rear channel amplifier and a Luxman 71/2R receiver, the very first Luxman receiver. KLH Model Fives for the rear in glorious quadraphonic sound. The Frieds are the bomb.
 

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being a longtime fan of the Fried line(s) including TLS80, Monitor IIIs and IIIs improved (new xover board in IIIs, RSPM4s with the stands, Model RIIs (still own), Model Qs (wish i had gotten a pair), Model As-pretty good and played quite loud). R4s (not so good).

it seems that after KEF drivers were supplanted by the Dalesford drivers selected by Bud weren't in the same league as KEF and the Fried brand went away for a while with the model G and the Betas with some others and they resurfaced claimed only a small part of the speaker market.

a couple of models are being marketed but can't exactly be considered actual Frieds of original heritage. it also seems to be associated with Salk.

with all that said, the Fried Signature Series Model 4 with the round woofers are among those that i have never seen. John Wright had brought out the TDL line in England and Europe and were likely the REAL descendants of the IMF line, i would love to have had any of them. i can only offer conjecture that TDL came as a result of the split between Bud Fried and John Wright (rumored to be the actual designer of the IMFs).

i don't consider myself to be a true historian of the Fried speakers but have expressed what i could reconstruct from memory and distant observation. i was busy engineering a divorce, new marriage, child custody, and then a premature birth (that ended up being a miracle). therefor my reconstruction of that past history is part good observation and some guesswork.

that's not intended to denigrate Irving M. Fried who was a genius in my estimation. he brought Decca cartridges, Decca Ribbon tweeters, and IMF to the US when those were cutting-edge products.

i would love to hear the Fried Signature Series Model 4 which appears to have the model R cabinet with different drivers that the R series.
 
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