SpeakerTalk

Sonicsyringe · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:15 pm Post subject: Unidentified IMF speaker

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone can help me, please...?

I've recently acquired some IMF speakers, but I cannot find any reference to them anywhere...

I'm pretty sure they're genuine, although some have said not as it is most unlike IMF to make a two way speaker. To me they have classic IMF build quality complete with formica front and back and look like a mini version of the TLS 50, but without the two midrange units. Kind of like an early Compact II (which IS a two way speaker!) but on its side and in a transmission line cabinet... ... ...

They are also very clean and neutral sounding and have a fantastically tuned and natural bass end, the subs of which give my Genelec 7060B a good run for its money!

Any ideas what they might be?!

I'm also curious to know what an IMF TLS Junior looked like, if anyone has any pics or info.

Thanks,

Alan

[img]http://s1157.photobucket.com/albums/p597/Sonicsyringe/?action=view&current=IMFSpeaker.jpg[/img]

ColinR · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 10:47 am Post subject:

Sonicsyringe · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 1:32 pm Post subject:

ColinR · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 3:51 pm Post subject:

Sonicsyringe · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 7:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks again for your input Colin. I'm happy to accept that these might not be genuine... BUT, there ARE marks where the velcro pads have been.. they just don't show up very well in that photo (which, by the way, wasn't mine: I realise that the speakers should be placed with the tweeters on the inside of the pair). The grills look EXACTLY the same construction as others I've seen (same bracing, same grill cloth) and do have the velcro pads still on them. I've even seen pictures of split baffles, and of badges on plain painted baffles, in the IMF brochures and some reviews of the period... so, I'm afraid, those both DID happen too! In fact, if it wasn't for all these little details, I would be quite convinced that they were fakes and wouldn't have even bothered posting here!!

How many dud IMF speakers are there out there...? Are they a well known phenomena...? ...and what I really don't get is, why would anyone want to go to so much time and effort to create a fake that (barring the extra drivers and associated mid range transmission line) probably cost the same amount to build as a real one?!

canuckaudioguy · Junior Contributor 10+ Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Posts: 17

Odd thing that one is. Using a cabinet that looks very much like the original TLS 50, but using the later drive units custom made by Elac for IMF.

It's possible this is a genuine IMF model but, it's very tough to say. When IMF switched over to the IMF Electronics name they didn't use that style of cabinet.. so it's a bit odd to see.

Regardless, it's interesting, if it sounds good that's what really matters.