IMF owners thread!

[canuckaudiog]

So question,can there be much comparisons made between "Studios" and TL 80 II? I have the chance to get a set at a good price. Can always sell one later but, they are certainly a niche market. And not that I need them, but the rarity of them on the market makes me want to jump. I've had my studio's out of rotation for a couple days now and just miss the bass and laided back ease of the sound.

http://www.imf-electronics.com/Home/imf/speaker-range/studios/studio

Thanks

The "middle" IMF models (the ones that came out in the mid-late 70s) have a bit of a different characteristic of sound compared to the early models. From what I remember of hearing the early Pro Monitor (same era as your Studio) and comparing to my RSPM Mk IV, the main difference I found was in the treble response. The treble response seems more extended and also the speaker sounds more detailed, a bit less on the warm side and a bit more forward sounding. Most people I know of prefer the later IMF models to the early models, but there are those that prefer the early models. YMMV.

The main difference you will find with the TLS 80 II will be that, along with the extended bass response. However, I wouldn't expect to hear a big difference in the bass, you are only extending half an octave or so which you won't really hear well on most music. On music with deep bass you will.

My advice is if the price is quite good, snap them up. If not, I don't feel you are missing out on too much. A bigger jump will be to the Pro Monitor series.

 

[purple1]

Newest owner here. I just picked up a pair of IMF RSPM IV monitors. See this thread for details. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=573558

My son and I just got them inside and had to go out for dinner. Pics as soon as I can. It's a little late tonight to mess with them, just wanted to chime in here.

 

[canuckaudiog]

Newest owner here. I just picked up a pair of IMF RSPM IV monitors. See this thread for details. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=573558

My son and I just got them inside and had to go out for dinner. Pics as soon as I can. It's a little late tonight to mess with them, just wanted to chime in here.

Nice

Looking forward to seeing your diagnosis of the issue. I hope it is the crossover or the pots.

The crossover is accessed by taking off the bottom plate, by the way. Search YouTube for "How to recap IMF RSPM Mk IV" and you will find my video about recapping them which shows you how to best take off the plate to get at the crossover.

 

[c-atle-79bay]

Thanks Canuck, think I'll start a obligatory D&S thread just to be sure on the price.

 

[c-atle-79bay]

Do you even think 50 wpc will be enough for the 80 II's? And I'm confused about the impedance of these, are the 4 or 8ohm.

 

[captouch]

Do you even think 50 wpc will be enough for the 80 II's? And I'm confused about the impedance of these, are the 4 or 8ohm.

I use a Sansui Eight Deluxe (50-55 WPC) for my TLS 50 II's, and it's plenty. Maybe it would sound even better with more power, but it sounds plenty good with 50-55W.

I even ran my RSPM IV's with a Marantz 1060 (30 WPC) for a bit and it sounded good. So I wouldn't worry too much about power. As you scale up your amplification, the IMFs will enjoy the additional power, but it's not like they sound subpar with mid-level power.

 

[Curlycat]

I use a Sansui Eight Deluxe (50-55 WPC) for my TLS 50 II's, and it's plenty. Maybe it would sound even better with more power, but it sounds plenty good with 50-55W.

I even ran my RSPM IV's with a Marantz 1060 (30 WPC) for a bit and it sounded good. So I wouldn't worry too much about power. As you scale up your amplification, the IMFs will enjoy the additional power, but it's not like they sound subpar with mid-level power.

I hooked up my TLS50's to a NAD 3020i which produces only 20W at 8ohm. It sounded great. I was totally gobsmacked at the performance. Does not seem like one needs loads of power to drive these boys

I am currently using a Yamaha A-S300 with 60W at 8 ohm and it is doing a fine job too.

 

[c-atle-79bay]

Thanks for the input, think I'm going for it. I've found myself most of the time with high range adjustment maxed out, think I'm just missing that top little bit. Almost done with the market place, honesty its the subsequent sale that I dread more than buying another set of speakers.

 

[canuckaudiog]

Thanks for the input, think I'm going for it. I've found myself most of the time with high range adjustment maxed out, think I'm just missing that top little bit. Almost done with the market place, honesty its the subsequent sale that I dread more than buying another set of speakers.

Awesome

The nice thing about those models is they don't require much to bring them back to factory performance - just a recap. They're easy to refurb as well, the crossover is located behind the Kef B139 driver.

Keep us posted!

 

[captouch]

Thanks for the input, think I'm going for it. I've found myself most of the time with high range adjustment maxed out, think I'm just missing that top little bit. Almost done with the market place, honesty its the subsequent sale that I dread more than buying another set of speakers.

Seattle seems like a good place for music lovers and you've got a good size population to draw from. That being said, IMF is not well known to the masses. My TLS 50's were apparently sitting on CL for some time before I bought them.

But a little patience should allow you to move them - post to BT as well if you can. Those that want them REALLY want them, so where there's a will, there's a way. Not sure if you got a good deal on the Studios, but if you move them along at the price you got them for (if you got a good deal), that would help as well.

 

[canuckaudiog]

Seattle seems like a good place for music lovers and you've got a good size population to draw from. That being said, IMF is not well known to the masses. My TLS 50's were apparently sitting on CL for some time before I bought them.

But a little patience should allow you to move them - post to BT as well if you can. Those that want them REALLY want them, so where there's a will, there's a way. Not sure if you got a good deal on the Studios, but if you move them along at the price you got them for (if you got a good deal), that would help as well.

Like I always say, it only takes one buyer. captouch is right, it's kind of an odd market where there are a bunch that know all about these speakers and want them, and then there are those that know absolutely nothing or very little about them.

 

[Curlycat]

Like I always say, it only takes one buyer. captouch is right, it's kind of an odd market where there are a bunch that know all about these speakers and want them, and then there are those that know absolutely nothing or very little about them.

That's hitting the nail right on the head. Here in South Africa, they are unknown and VERY scarce. When I saw a pair, I jumped.

We are the lucky few informed owners

 

[c-atle-79bay]

So one more question any idea what a voltmeter reading should be? I will have to listen at a reserved volume as the sellers missus has a meeting at the same time. Haha the adventures of speaker buying. He also said they are a 9 will hopefully report back next with another new set of IMF.

Finding just the right buyer is true. Just sold my AR classic 30's. Which took some time. I'm full into the IMF's. Having also sold my JBL 4312, and my first bought speakers acoustic energy aegis 3's, and my speaker lab 30's. None of them compare.

 

[canuckaudiog]

So one more question any idea what a voltmeter reading should be? I will have to listen at a reserved volume as the sellers missus has a meeting at the same time. Haha the adventures of speaker buying. He also said they are a 9 will hopefully report back next with another new set of IMF.

Finding just the right buyer is true. Just sold my AR classic 30's. Which took some time. I'm full into the IMF's. Having also sold my JBL 4312, and my first bought speakers acoustic energy aegis 3's, and my speaker lab 30's. None of them compare.

Good question, I'm not entirely sure. Your best bet is to play them at a low volume and put your ear up to each driver. It should be obvious there is sound coming out, even for the super tweeter. Some recommend bringing a cardboard tube for paper rolls and putting it up to the super tweeter if your hearing isn't good above 13kHz (it crosses over at 13.5kHz as I recall).

One thing too is there is an attenuator on the back - if you aren't getting sound from the tweeters, try moving that around and see if you can get sound. I had this issue on one of my TLS 80 IIs.

 

[c-atle-79bay]

Well we had a difference of opinion of what 9 means. They were very dry, and one corner had separated to about 3 mm with rusted screen heads on the back terminal. This was the deal breaker. One speakers mid was lower output than the other and one side had tweeters out, not sure if both. Both measured about 8.8 ohms. I think most likely the crossover was at fault. But a ginormous Velodyne sub was in the room, and I said wow you don't need a sub with these do you, and he replied his son was into metal............

 

[canuckaudiog]

Well we had a difference of opinion of what 9 means. They were very dry, and one corner had separated to about 3 mm with rusted screen heads on the back terminal. This was the deal breaker. One speakers mid was lower output than the other and one side had tweeters out, not sure if both. Both measured about 8.8 ohms. I think most likely the crossover was at fault. But a ginormous Velodyne sub was in the room, and I said wow you don't need a sub with these do you, and he replied his son was into metal............

Ah that's a shame.. the veneer being dry isn't an issue though, that just takes some oil and steel wool.

Too bad about the drivers, that sucks. I would have likely passed on them myself unless he was willing to drop the price significantly! But then again they take up so much room, having a project pair of speakers like that sitting around wouldn't be very amenable.

 

[c-atle-79bay]

Good question, I'm not entirely sure. Your best bet is to play them at a low volume and put your ear up to each driver. It should be obvious there is sound coming out, even for the super tweeter. Some recommend bringing a cardboard tube for paper rolls and putting it up to the super tweeter if your hearing isn't good above 13kHz (it crosses over at 13.5kHz as I recall).

One thing too is there is an attenuator on the back - if you aren't getting sound from the tweeters, try moving that around and see if you can get sound. I had this issue on one of my TLS 80 IIs.

+1 for cardboard tube, I always get a sidelong glance as I pull out an old toilet paper tube. But it works, it really showed one mid blasted compared to the other.

 

[purple1]

My IMF RSPM MK IV Improved.

 

[canuckaudiog]

Nice little collection there!

Those IMFs look fantastic, great condition!

When you pull out the mid that isn't putting out as much sound, snap a picture of the driver and I'm sure we can help you identify it (if it isn't obvious) and source a proper replacement.

Being a kit Improved, it likely has the Elac 5/36 in there (I think is the driver model #). However, those were originally RSPM Mk IV (non-improved) and had the Kef B139 and Kef B110 in there at one point. They didn't replace the the Celestion tweeters because of fitting them to the baffle or some such thing.

 

[mech986]

Houston, the IMF RSPM MK VII's have landed!

Well, after a few fits and starts getting these posted, here they are.

I found these IMF RSPM Mk VII speakers just north of Houston early last December. At the time, I was just doing some searching trying to enable Mccarty350, posted them, then thought, hmm, might be worth pursuing.

The speakers were originally bought new by a fellow audiophile in Texas and when he passed, his brother brought them down to his home outside of Houston. The family had them for a number of years but were planning to leave the area, hence the sale. The original ad said $500, but by the time I contacted them, they had dropped the price to $400!!! A deal was struck contingent on my being able to get them locally stored or shipped.

Fellow AK member Grey, also outside of Houston, graciously answered my request for help, picked up and stored the speakers at his home until shipping arrangements were made. I am deeply thankful and indebted to him for his help and care of my speakers for the month he had them. :thmbsp:

I used UShip shipping and had at least 4 quality shippers who vied for my shipment. Ultimately, a $350 bid from William "Bob" Warren was accepted. He picked them up, blanket wrapped them from bottom to top, and secured them inside his trailer, along with a car and other items heading from Texas to San Diego, Los Angeles, and then me. He did a great job, actually able to pick up earlier than I projected, and was able to deliver in 4 days rather than the 6 days we projected. He was also just able to skirt the bad snowy weather that had moved into the Houston area that day. Bob was very professional, treated and delivered my speakers right into my living room without any damage, and kept in touch. I highly recommend him for any shipping needs through UShip, as well as a couple of other shippers who bid on my request.

You can see shipment and bid details here:
http://www.uship.com/shipment/IMF-Speakers--metal-stands/349929624/

Bob Warren's shipper profile:
http://www.uship.com/profile/wmwarren/

I did a lot of research regarding UShip, and like anything, there's positives and negatives. Ken_Boyd gave me a few pointers, and I reviewed a number of AK and other threads. Sure, there's been some bad apples, but I felt that a good description, patience, and careful screening of potential shippers would get me a good result, and it did. Interestingly, If I had listed a couple of weeks earlier, I may have been able to get a somewhat lower price as a number of shippers were heading just that way with loads already in place. Adding a couple of speakers whose footprint is only about 4 square feet would not be very hard for most shippers with enclosed trailers.