IMF owners thread!
- Thread starter canuckaudiog
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IMF_Pioneer
Super Member
You won't be disappointed, everything Jerry sells is top notch because if it wasn't he wouldn't be endorsing it in any way.
My dad has managed to repair one of the tweeters so far. The coils had all corroded on the front plate, no idea how he has fixed it but he is good at things like this. I’ve ordered the new ones so I can now compare between the two. I’m planning on recapping them. Was hoping to use some poly caps but space is quite tight where the crossover is located so electrolytics might be used. The internal wire is pretty crap and thin and I will eventually re-wire them at some point. They are a great sounding speaker in original condition so I’m hoping a few new caps and wire will make them sound better.
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IMF_Pioneer
Super Member
I must admit that they weren't the prettiest of things even back in their day and one can see how the timeline of speakers in general has made them far more appealing as time went on.
While on one hand I’m sure IMF used the wire that would meet their specifications at the best profit margin and that there might be “better” wire to use now… I definitely agree with slofut that you wont likely hear the difference and you’ll be opening yourself up to new issues by touching all of those connections.
I’ve been happy with the falcon recap kit and it’s a fair price that has everything collected for me, but I admit I’m curious about fancier poly caps (space be damned lol).
cosmetic repairs and speaker stands are way higher on my priority list anyway
I’ve been happy with the falcon recap kit and it’s a fair price that has everything collected for me, but I admit I’m curious about fancier poly caps (space be damned lol).
cosmetic repairs and speaker stands are way higher on my priority list anyway
Yvan_donald
Well-Known Member
Hi, I will disagree with you on that, specially by changing the wire size on the woofer and the midrange help + changing the speaker posts for a better quality one (copper) make a difference, good quality contact betwen the amp and speakers make also a good improvment, all thiese changes are not so expensive.At the time IMF made these speakers didn't used these power amps we have today, Yvan.
I’m happy to be wrong about the wiring. And I was tempted to replace the binding posts when I was recapping the tone board, but I found them difficult to remove and reinstall — only completely disassembled one, the other three were just loosened enough for sufficient room to access the solder points on the PCB.
Yvan, did you find it easy enough to trace the wires to the woofer and midrange? If I remember correctly, did you also rebuild the midrange tube?
Yvan, did you find it easy enough to trace the wires to the woofer and midrange? If I remember correctly, did you also rebuild the midrange tube?
Well both original tweeters are in and they sound pretty good, I’m split between ordering the falcon kit or some poly caps. The original caps are 3 lots of 6uf a 60uf and 100uf. All the poly caps I’ve viewed are 5.6uf and I’m wondering if these will be ok since within a 10% tolerance. I am leaning to just order the falcon kit at £58 for the pair 
the reason for poly caps is I had a pair of tdl monitors and recapped them with Mundorf supreme caps and I was chuffed to bits with them. I stupidly sold them to fund some new speakers which I eventually sold….
the reason for poly caps is I had a pair of tdl monitors and recapped them with Mundorf supreme caps and I was chuffed to bits with them. I stupidly sold them to fund some new speakers which I eventually sold….
Yvan_donald
Well-Known Member
Hi,
Hi, I did it on my prof mk 3, it was easy, I have more control on my woofer, but you know after changing many capacitors for high quality one and insulate the tube,because I'm a big listener of classical musics (symphonies) and found I have more clarity in more details, very natural. The original speaker posts are metal and change for Cardas copper, with the WBT betwwen amp and speakers. Better quality products should improved what you have compare to original.
Hi, I did it on my prof mk 3, it was easy, I have more control on my woofer, but you know after changing many capacitors for high quality one and insulate the tube,because I'm a big listener of classical musics (symphonies) and found I have more clarity in more details, very natural. The original speaker posts are metal and change for Cardas copper, with the WBT betwwen amp and speakers. Better quality products should improved what you have compare to original.
IMF_Pioneer
Super Member
................and also back in those days the wiring wasn't even part of the consideration like it is now.
I will say that if one was going to do any extensive upgrading on the larger IMF systems that replacing the original "Bell Wire" to some really reputable Oxygen Free cable is well worth the effort.
On high current amps good cabling is paramount just like we've gone from Carburetors to Fuel Injection in the motor car. It's called awareness and evolution that follows.
So yes I totally agree with you Yvan
I am anxioiusly awaiting the delivery of these early PRE IMF MDKT's. I picked them up from a shop in North Bay Ontario a week ago for a pretty good price around 700 CAD.
The pics only show one set of drivers, The mids do not look original to me and I am not sure what the extra holes that are plugged in the rear were for.
They are supposed to arrive in Ottawa around the 20th of October, and I cannot wait to restore these, I will be comparing them to my Vintage Tannoy Arden, of which I am the 2nd owner. I have restored those and installed a set PIO crossovers from Mainly tannoy.
Cheers, Dave in Ottawa!
The pics only show one set of drivers, The mids do not look original to me and I am not sure what the extra holes that are plugged in the rear were for.
They are supposed to arrive in Ottawa around the 20th of October, and I cannot wait to restore these, I will be comparing them to my Vintage Tannoy Arden, of which I am the 2nd owner. I have restored those and installed a set PIO crossovers from Mainly tannoy.
Cheers, Dave in Ottawa!
Yep I believe that was the company before it became IMF .
They look just like the TLS 80's same drivers and tweets .
But others with more experiance would know more than I
Athanasios
I have had a pair of these before and all the drivers are original. Really nice sounding speakers but do not handle lots of power abit like my tls 50. I have recapped one tls50 speaker this afternoon and the difference is night and day I have no more time until next Tuesday to do the other one.
I have no more time until next Tuesday to do the other one.
IMF_Pioneer
Super Member
Those have the 25 watt Bass drivers which aren't the best for volume but if you are just into respectable listening levels you'll be fine.
I having a few niggles with my recapped speaker. It is by far much clearer, you can hear a lot more detail in all departments. There is a hint of harshness which is annoying me a little. All new caps are the same spec except I couldn’t get 6uf so opted for 5.4uf instead. Maybe the caps need some time to settle down? Or I’m talking rubbish I don’t know haha. I’m listening to London grammar which I know extremely well and it’s just a tad harsh. Will report back after a good few hours listening. Those Mundorf caps were freaking huge
yeah worth letting your ears settle in with the new sound -- listen to a bunch of albums you know really well, and if you have concerns A/B/C the track with different speakers (even headphones) to help isolate what the differences are.
which London Grammar album were you listening to? They're new to me but I like what I've heard so far.
which circuit had the 6uf that got swapped for a 5.4 (I have 6's in several locations in mine)? idk if there's much room, but sometimes you can add a 0.6 uF in parallel with the 5.4 to hit that 6.0 target
which London Grammar album were you listening to? They're new to me but I like what I've heard so far.
which circuit had the 6uf that got swapped for a 5.4 (I have 6's in several locations in mine)? idk if there's much room, but sometimes you can add a 0.6 uF in parallel with the 5.4 to hit that 6.0 target
The wires are original still in the cabinet. I wasn’t too hotpot with whoever soldered the wires to the crossover so I redid them. I still have a little harshness and the midrange doesn’t sound as it should. I’ve emailed Jerry at falcon acoustics and he recommends going back to electrolytic for the 60uf and 100uf. His words were
‘By using a PP film as opposed to aluminium fill electrolytics, you've changed the ESR and Loss factors in the crossover, and thereby changed all the roll-off points.’
So I’ve ordered some electrolytics and will report back with the sound.
‘By using a PP film as opposed to aluminium fill electrolytics, you've changed the ESR and Loss factors in the crossover, and thereby changed all the roll-off points.’
So I’ve ordered some electrolytics and will report back with the sound.