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IMF owners thread!

poorman said:
"Like captouch has said, recapping them is a good idea. Not only for the sonics to be properly balanced, but also because it's good measure to protect the speakers. Old capacitors don't have the same power handling capabilities after all these years, and while it is somewhat uncommon for a capacitor to blow up, it can happen."

Canucker -- I looked at the recap kits Falcon offers and noted different offerings, including 5% tolerance, 2% tolerance, and polyester "where required". Do you know which kit includes the closest to OEM caps? Thanks!
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I believe the 5% is closer to original caps, but I had the same question as to which caps to get. I was advised to go for the 2%. My speakers sounds much better now after the recap. Go for it!
 
Curlycat said:
I believe the 5% is closer to original caps, but I had the same question as to which caps to get. I was advised to go for the 2%. My speakers sounds much better now after the recap. Go for it!
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That's correct. The original capacitors were chosen for 5% tolerance. Of course by now, they are no longer within that rated specification, so 5% is what I would recommend as a minimum, but like Curlycat said, I suggest to go with 2% because that brings it just a little closer to the desired crossover frequencies. The cost for the 2% isn't too much more, either.

As for the polyester capacitors, that's up to you. The capacitors on there are likely still fine, polyester capacitors last much longer than electrolytics do. However, there's nothing wrong with replacing these, and can certainly be done.

As an interesting tidbit, the Elcaps that were used for IMFs (and of course, other manufacturers) were actually 10% toleranced capacitors. That means that when buying the capacitors, they had to pay extra, or buy a whole lot of the Elcaps and test and choose only those that fell within 5%. This is a part of the quality that went into IMF speakers.
 
Curlycat said:
The Acurus amp is still forthcoming... :tears: So my hunt for a good inexpensive amp is till on,,,

How will Arcam amps pair with the TLS50's? I can get a FMJ A22 second hand for a "fair" price, or a new FMJ A28 for $200 more. I know the A22 can current 20 Amps. Not sure about the A28 currnent delivery amps?

What do you guys think?
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I wish I could say for sure, unfortunately I am unfamiliar with either of those. Is it possible to try them out first?

The current capability is certainly desireable though, and based on the specs seem like a good match.
 
Curlycat said:
I believe the 5% is closer to original caps, but I had the same question as to which caps to get. I was advised to go for the 2%. My speakers sounds much better now after the recap. Go for it!
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I did! 2%ers ordered. Thanks for the guidance.
 
wtaylorbasil said:
Hi captouch,
Post #35 has no spec for the stand. Can you remember which post has it?
Thanks
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There's an embedded graphic taken from an Excel spreadsheet that shows the dimensions of each piece used to make the stand. I just checked post#35 (in the thread I posted a link to) and it's there.

Or, could can PM me you email and I can send it directly to you too.
 
Threw down an offer on some TLS 80 II today. I haven't even got that many hours on my studios yet, but they looks minty and well, bigger :). We'll see how it goes.

But a question, is it worth it just to hold out for the RT?? MKIV? Sound wise, have not begin to think about it money wise.
 
I think you'll get a lot of enjoyment out of the 80's and you don't know when the RSPM's will come up, esp local. There's actually a nice pair for a great price that just came up on the auction site, but on the other site of the country from you.

But the thing is. . .From what I've read most of the IMF models, even the smaller ones like Super Compact, give you the IMF sound. So the question is how much better sound the higher up models will give you for the incremental price. I'm happy to have my 50's and RSPM IV's, but if I only had the 50's, I'd still be pretty happy.
 
Thanks Cap, like the way you put that, was the other question I wanted to ask. For me it would be interesting as The Studio is a an older version, with a different driver compliment, hum, and just like that I've just about talked myself into it. I wonder if my SO will see it that way? Mine also used fiber batting over foam, for how much, I'm unsure of. Also read that the batting was put in and different densities. But memory does not always serve me well.
 
So looking at these photos, I've noticed that my studios, or what are thought to be studios, are different. These seem to have an extra port, opening, ??? up higher on the speaker, whilst mine do not.

front.jpg


Any thoughts. Also I've chosen to link hear as this thread seems to becoming a great rolling IMF resource.

No word yet on the TLS 80 II yet, I'm actually trying to sell of my AR Classic 30's first, don't have to, but keeps the SO happier (relative term) this way.
 
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c-atle-79bay said:
So looking at these photos, I've noticed that my studios, or what are thought to be studios, are different. These seem to have an extra port, opening, ??? up higher on the speaker, whilst mine do not.

front.jpg


Any thoughts. Also I've chosen to link hear as this thread seems to becoming a great rolling IMF resource.

No word yet on the TLS 80 II yet, I'm actually trying to sell of my AR Classic 30's first, don't have to, but keeps the SO happier (relative term) this way.
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I wish I could say for certain why yours don't have that, but I don't think it's a port. The main vent is still the one at the bottom just like on your pair, and have the same driver complement so I am confident they are the same model, but as for why that slot is there, I couldn't tell you.
 
Has anyone played around with placement and room size with the TLS50's? Recommendations?

Mine are about 2.5m apart (About 10 feet I think) and very close to the rear wall, not angled to a centre seating position. My room size is medium.
 
Curlycat said:
Has anyone played around with placement and room size with the TLS50's? Recommendations?

Mine are about 2.5m apart (About 10 feet I think) and very close to the rear wall, not angled to a centre seating position. My room size is medium.
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I'm not sure if the same advice would apply to the TLS 50s that do to the RSPMs.. but, it may help.

I think your distance between the speakers is good. I would make sure you sit at least that far away, and likely a bit further away would work well. Point them not directly at the listener but just about. If you are finding there is some issues with the bass response move them away from the rear wall.

How far away are they from the side walls? What size room are we working with? I know you said medium but what are the dimensions?
 
canuckaudiog said:
I'm not sure if the same advice would apply to the TLS 50s that do to the RSPMs.. but, it may help.

I think your distance between the speakers is good. I would make sure you sit at least that far away, and likely a bit further away would work well. Point them not directly at the listener but just about. If you are finding there is some issues with the bass response move them away from the rear wall.

How far away are they from the side walls? What size room are we working with? I know you said medium but what are the dimensions?
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My seating position is a bit farther, approx 3.5m. The speakers has about 0.5m each side to the side walls. My room size estimate 4m x 7m.
 
Curlycat said:
My seating position is a bit farther, approx 3.5m. The speakers has about 0.5m each side to the side walls. My room size estimate 4m x 7m.
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That's an excellent sized room!

OK in terms of placement, basically the closer you place them to the walls the more reinforced the bass will be, and the further away from the walls they are the more spacious and open they will sound. The idea is to find the sweet spot between good bass response and that open sound.

I think pointing them in will help you quite a bit.

What sort of freedom do you have over their placement? Are you restricted in where they can be placed?

Also a shot of the whole room might help :)
 
canuckaudiog said:
That's an excellent sized room!

OK in terms of placement, basically the closer you place them to the walls the more reinforced the bass will be, and the further away from the walls they are the more spacious and open they will sound. The idea is to find the sweet spot between good bass response and that open sound.

I think pointing them in will help you quite a bit.

What sort of freedom do you have over their placement? Are you restricted in where they can be placed?

Also a shot of the whole room might help :)
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Ok, I did some moving :) I pointed the TLS50's inwards and swapped them with my Mission MX4's. They are now farther apart. I have noticed that my speakers sound more open. I think that is what is meant with, a better sound stage. Bass response less aggressive or obvious, if any different at all. I am going to try this setup for a while and see how it works for me. But for now I am smiling. :thmbsp:

I don't have much room for placement options, not unless I move some furniture out of the way or get rid of some totally. Heck, perhaps this leads to a whole new lounge ;)

Soundwall.jpg
 
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
 
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