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IMF owners thread!

canuckaudiog said:
In follow-up to that, I've actually sold off the LS50s now in favor of headphones...
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Wow Jeff, you really have gone through an evolution!!!

I listen to a nice set of Labtec Elite 835's at work and I have to say, I now understand what some say about it being hard to beat a good pair of headphones!!! :yes:

R107's be damned!!! ;)


.....and yippie, first on Page 25 of the IMF thread!!! Woohoo!!! :banana:
 
No sweat and no hurry! I am just happy to get your input! It sounds like I definitely should not be sweating whether or not the drivers are manufactured by KEF or Elac, I'm definitely going to end up with a phenomenal speaker either way.

Man, that is a huge endorsement for the LS50's, I'd love to hear a pair. I really don't want to spend the grand just to hear them unless I'm sure they are something that I would like but I'm guessing some AK'er that I know will end up with a pair at some point or I'll run into someone that has some that I can hear. I'm not a pipe organ fanatic nor really into electronic music but I do like my music to have the depth and feeling imparted by reasonably substantial bass.

Man...what a progression! So at this stage I still see the RSPM MK IV's in your signature, are they officially the 'last man standing' of your speaker collection?
 
mccarty350 said:
No sweat and no hurry! I am just happy to get your input! It sounds like I definitely should not be sweating whether or not the drivers are manufactured by KEF or Elac, I'm definitely going to end up with a phenomenal speaker either way.

Man, that is a huge endorsement for the LS50's, I'd love to hear a pair. I really don't want to spend the grand just to hear them unless I'm sure they are something that I would like but I'm guessing some AK'er that I know will end up with a pair at some point or I'll run into someone that has some that I can hear. I'm not a pipe organ fanatic nor really into electronic music but I do like my music to have the depth and feeling imparted by reasonably substantial bass.

Man...what a progression! So at this stage I still see the RSPM MK IV's in your signature, are they officially the 'last man standing' of your speaker collection?
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Yep, you've got it right. :)

If you are interested in the LS50s I'd say go find a dealer that has a pair and audition them. But, if you don't have any dealers nearby, that could be a challenge. There's a big thread on the LS50 over in the Modern Day Hi-fi forum and that should help fill you in some more on what they're like.

As for the RSPM Mk IVs, yes, you bet. They aren't going anywhere. I've had them since October 2012 which is almost 2 years, and out of all the gear that has come and gone these are the ones to stay.. and I'm at a point where I'm settled with what I have and see no reason to change. The IMFs have ousted out many, many speakers, and even if I could potentially find better, I'm so happy with them and the way they sound that I don't feel the need to. Just the other night I put some music on and thought to myself "My god these sound awesome". After a couple years of having them and listening to them, if I still feel that way, something is definitely working right. :)
 
Woohoo! I managed to score the only missing document for my RSPM Mk IVs, the technical data sheet. Now they're totally complete!


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c-atle-79bay said:
Hi all, i just picked up a set of linn SARA isobariks, nice enough speaker but I now have 4 kef b200 1014 (if the sources ive read are correct) would these be acceptable replacements in The STUDIO? Or perhaps, super compacts?

Also reason I mentioned Super Compacts is I'm visiting a pair tomorrow at some time. Nice looking with the EMI mid drivers so no foam (thanks prior posts). They look pretty good shape and the price is pretty good, don't need um, but I want um. Anything to watch out for?

Nevermind, found canuckdogs earlier posts about the supers. Can't wait.

Thanks
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I'm going to bump my question, any thoughts? I found this document, http://www.t-linespeakers.org/drivers/b200.html and it indicates the 1014 has a higer Q, than the 1054.
 
They would be suitable for the SC but I have doubts about the Studio. The SP1039/1022 was used in the t-line models because it has a much bigger magnet and I assume better power handling. But, I could be wrong about the Studio. You would have to pull out the B200 in them now to confirm which one was used as I'm not sure.


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captouch said:
Yes, us other RSPM IV owners would love to have copies of any documentation you have on these. :D
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I found it on eBay, I can't post the link but it's an original document :)

I can certainly scan in what I have. I've got all of the docs, manual, warranty card, schematic, etc. I would be happy to get you a PDF copy.


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Thanks, as crazy as it sounds, I'll considering to keep the sara's for the drivers and not the speakers as a whole. Will also finally try the Hiquphon in the SC, have not wanted to mess with the studio as it has the super and regular tweeter.
 
canuckaudiog said:
I found it on eBay, I can't post the link but it's an original document :)

I can certainly scan in what I have. I've got all of the docs, manual, warranty card, schematic, etc. I would be happy to get you a PDF copy.


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Thanks! Tried to PM you my email address, but your mailbox appears full.
 
canuckaudiog said:
Yep, you've got it right. :)

If you are interested in the LS50s I'd say go find a dealer that has a pair and audition them. But, if you don't have any dealers nearby, that could be a challenge. There's a big thread on the LS50 over in the Modern Day Hi-fi forum and that should help fill you in some more on what they're like.

As for the RSPM Mk IVs, yes, you bet. They aren't going anywhere. I've had them since October 2012 which is almost 2 years, and out of all the gear that has come and gone these are the ones to stay.. and I'm at a point where I'm settled with what I have and see no reason to change. The IMFs have ousted out many, many speakers, and even if I could potentially find better, I'm so happy with them and the way they sound that I don't feel the need to. Just the other night I put some music on and thought to myself "My god these sound awesome". After a couple years of having them and listening to them, if I still feel that way, something is definitely working right. :)
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Unfortunately it looks like the closest dealer that carries the LS series is a few hours away. I'm bummed. I'm sure I'll be able to find a pair to audition at some point but your enthusiasm and that of others really makes me eager to check them out. Man...that is great that your IMF's are the beasts that stayed. Hard for me to express how excited I am to join the group officially. Only another month and I should have my pair and start my restoration crusade. I have some great speakers but not many that every time I listen to them I think 'my god these are amazing' so that's a huge huge endorsement.
 
mccarty350 said:
Unfortunately it looks like the closest dealer that carries the LS series is a few hours away. I'm bummed. I'm sure I'll be able to find a pair to audition at some point but your enthusiasm and that of others really makes me eager to check them out. Man...that is great that your IMF's are the beasts that stayed. Hard for me to express how excited I am to join the group officially. Only another month and I should have my pair and start my restoration crusade. I have some great speakers but not many that every time I listen to them I think 'my god these are amazing' so that's a huge huge endorsement.
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They are definitely special, and receive my highest praise only because they are the best thing I've owned and listened to. I won't sit here and say they are superior than $x systems or any such hyperbole.. because I don't think of them that way. They've brought me a high amount of satisfaction and I feel they are one of the truest high fidelity systems I've had the chance to experience. The Professional Monitor you are going to receive will no doubt be an excellent speaker for you, and whether or not you will get the same satisfaction I have comes down to your preferences, but regardless I know you will not be disappointed with them and these should give you an idea if IMFs are the speaker for you or not.

Of course it goes without saying but, make sure you check all the drivers for sound. The super tweeter can be challenging to hear but I have no issues hearing the ones on my RSPM Mk IVs if I put my ear up close. Also I imagine the foam covers will likely be dried out and deteriorated, so I wouldn't expect those to be in good shape. But they might be, I'm not sure what material they used for them.

Either way, I'm happy that you've finally found a set, and a great set at that. Those are one step below the tippy top which is the RSPM Mk VII (which Bart, a.k.a. mech, owns) in that series. There's also the SACM but.. those are exceedingly rare and the RSPM series is very close based on everything I've read.

Speaking of that, Bart, I have yet to hear your impressions of the Mk VII and any sort of comparison to it and the TLS 50 II. If you read this, I'd love to hear about it!

Edit: By the way, I have a printed copy of a review of the Professional Monitor. I'll put it up for you to have something to read in the mean-time before you get them. It was a positive review as I recall.
 
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Please do post it or shoot it to me in e-mail! I would love to see the review of the professional monitor. Indeed, the foam grills are not included so they must have deteriorated to the point of being pitched. I'm going to have to figure out a way to get a pair or have some made.
 
Have a chance for a set of CM 3 for cheap. Can't determine if they are a tline and what drivers they are? Any thoughts?

Found it. The listing on the IMF electronics site shows the cm2 size info and not the cm3. But here they Re, rough to be sure the mids have been "reconed" or refoamed at some point. Different sound yet again with these but very clear and detailed, less bass than I was expecting.


Here is a shot of the bass driver, note when reinstalling don't push the bolts, have to disassemble and reset the threaded insert. So certainly not a tline, and not a kef driver either.
 

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Yep that is the CM3.

The drivers are all original save for the mids, those should be Elac 4/200s. The bass driver is a mimic of the Kef B200 and I think the tweeter is an original Audax, rebranded for IMF.

The crossovers are certainly original but what a shame about the mids. Although if you keep your eyes peeled, you'll find a pair and can make those all original again with very little cost. Or, you could order the Monacor that is on the falcon website (this would be considerably more expensive, however). Obviously what the previous owner did was just replace the mids because the old ones had rotted surrounds. Too bad.. did you ask him if he had the original mids somewhere? If he does that would save you some money.

Edit: Maybe you are right, that they were reconed. Pull 'em out and let's see what the magnet looks like.
 
Thanks Cannuck, will check back in with seller, but I doubt it. He said they were re-coned, clearly, not the case. I'll try to get them pulled to see what they are. However, they do sound quite good. At some point I'll also try a b200 for S&G's since I got um. Got them for $20 so was really just thinking a parts set, seller was selling as parts too but they are fully restorable IMO.

The imaging is great on these, details of the music are front center. I switched back to my SC's and for the first time I can say I saw "speed" difference in a speaker, hard to describe but the SC's just seemed slower.
 
c-atle-79bay said:
Thanks Cannuck, will check back in with seller, but I doubt it. He said they were re-coned, clearly, not the case. I'll try to get them pulled to see what they are. However, they do sound quite good. At some point I'll also try a b200 for S&G's since I got um. Got them for $20 so was really just thinking a parts set, seller was selling as parts too but they are fully restorable IMO.

The imaging is great on these, details of the music are front center. I switched back to my SC's and for the first time I can say I saw "speed" difference in a speaker, hard to describe but the SC's just seemed slower.
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Looking at the basket, it's possible they may have been reconed. I didn't look close enough at first but on second look it does appear to be the original basket. You'll know for sure by taking them out and having a peak at the magnet, you should see a marking on the bottom for "4/200".
 
Hey fellas,

Another AKer (tyella) graciously offered to pull out these IMF reviews from a Stereo Review magazine. Big thanks to him! I thought I would share them with you here.

See below.

It's IMF Day!


March 1983 - IMF Professional Monitor


December 1971 - IMF Studio


July 1965 - IMF Mark III Cartridge


May 1963 - IMF Styrene Pressure Speaker

Of note, the 1960 reviews are from when IMF was run by Irving M. Fried, and aren't products from John Wright, but are interesting nonetheless. The other two reviews, the Studio is the smaller version of the original t-line that made John Wright and IMF (of the UK) famous. mccarty350, your Pro Monitor review is posted there. :)

Enjoy!


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