IPL S5TL Mk2s, just the 3 years in the making…!

[WAD62]

Around autumn 2012 I decided that a DIY speaker kit would provide me with an affordable means of improving on my old trusty Mission 753s.

After a few conversations with fellow AOSers, and a chat with Ivan from IPL acoustics, I eventually settled on the IPL S5TL Kevlar Mk2 Ribbon full kit…

http://www.iplacoustics.co.uk/S5tl%20Kevlar%202.htm

Not being overly skilled in either carpentry, or electronics, my plan was use a couple of my mates skills, one a carpenter who specialises in MDF exhibition stands, the other a specialist in electronic repairs.

Unfortunately my electronics chum fell ill before he was able to do his stuff, so the project stalled with the cabinets built, and the rest of the kit blocking up my study.

After procrastinating for the best part of 3 years, spent indulging in the distractive behaviour of tweaking my system upstream, I eventually manned up I decided I needed to either finish the speakers, or get rid of them…I needed my study back.

I’ve used Wilmslow Audio in the past for speaker repairs, and they thankfully agreed to finish off my speaker build, in exchange for some money…very reasonable to be fair!

I also engaged a professional sprayer to finish off the cabinets, in a lovely satin black, again at a very reasonable price.

So 2 days before this Christmas I eventually took delivery of the S5TLs, it was at this point that their sheer size became fully apparent (spiked plinths and rubber feet all add up)…that’s a 42” Panasonic plasma being dwarfed in the middle! Seems a good excuse to go for a 65” next…

As you can imagine a 3 year wait can generate a large dollop of anticipation, however I tried not to listen too critically for the first few days. After about 4 or 5 days it was clear that all was not well, the big, muffled, closed in, boomy sound was getting worse not better.

I found a couple of articles about IPL speaker tuning etc., one suggestion was to tilt the speakers back a little in order for the ribbon tweeters to be better directed. So off to the local sports shop for some squash balls, to put under the front feet of the speakers. With these in place the balance was better but still nowhere near what I was looking for.

Back the speakers went for the addition of some more long haired wool behind the bass unit, another tuning tip to reduce the overall bass level of the speaker, FYI I’ve put 23g behind each bass unit. At this point I was seriously considering selling them, I was that disappointed, and I’d already written the ‘for sale’ advert.

I picked up the tuned speakers last Thursday night, and initially I was pleased with the improvement, the bass resonance from the top of the speakers had gone, the overall balance and tone was much better…however there was still something wrong!!!

With my old Missions in place I’d taken to toeing them in about 10 degrees or so, so I naturally put the IPLs in roughly the same position without a second thought. My listening position is on the couch about 12 foot away, more by accident than plan I noticed the SQ was considerably better about 4 foot in front to me. I then decided to try the speakers firing directly down the room…bingo!!!

Soundstage, imaging, depth…that’s what had been missing! So then next morning I thought I’d email Ivan at IPL with my ‘major’ discovery, in doing so I spotted the following paragraph on the IPL website…

“2) For best results it is important that the speakers are symmetrically placed, firing down the length of the room, at least 10" from the rear wall and at least 18" from the side walls (This is especially important with the S4tl and S5tl) . If your room is square then you will experience a double room resonance which could be problematic with all speakers that produce low bass . Once again if in doubt opt for a smaller TL or a stand mounted design. You are welcome to phone for advice on speaker selection.”

Note to self….RTFM !!!

Oh well I got there in the end…as for the speakers I still think they’ve a little way to go with respect to running in, but they sound fantastic right now…

I suspect there may also be some brain re-calibration going on too, my ears have been used to a 'Mission' only sound since the mid 90's, these are different gravy...!


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[WAD62]

...some more images

[Macca]

They do look meaty!

I see what you mean with the tilting, that tweeter is very low down for a tweeter.

[Covenant]

Welcome to IPL's!
I thought I was bad taking 3 months to build them. The cabinet build and electronics is very easy, it was veneering that I found really difficult. Still, I got there and it was worth the effort.

[WAD62]

They do look meaty!

I see what you mean with the tilting, that tweeter is very low down for a tweeter.

With the squash balls at the front they're pretty much perpendicular with my ears at my normal listening position, It's my first experience with ribbon tweeters, and they appear to rather more directional than what I'm used to...

As I was listening to them improving over the weekend, I was reminded of one of your comments, about people overreacting about changing interconnects etc., and that it was only something in the nature of new speakers that truly made a difference...err I most definitely see where you're coming from

I don't have any mates with floor-standers, let alone high end speakers, so on reflection my speaker listening experience has been Mission based for the past 25 years or so...this is an entirely different, and ultimately enjoyable experience

[WAD62]

Welcome to IPL's!
I thought I was bad taking 3 months to build them. The cabinet build and electronics is very easy, it was veneering that I found really difficult. Still, I got there and it was worth the effort.

Cheers Jerry, one person's easy is another's DIY disaster, I'll reserve my DIY skills for configuring raspberry pi's, and with the size of the 5s it probably required a small workshop.

I took one look at the crossover diagram and realised I'd bitten off more than I could chew, or solder!

These guys are now providing a build service for the more DIY challenged amongst us

http://www.iqspeakers.co.uk/#!speakers/c211j

[Zoidburg]

Nice looking build!

I also have a pair of (smaller) IPLs though I didn't build them myself. Great speakers for the money cant see me parting with them any time soon.

[IslandPink]

Nice project - well done !
I built a pair of S4's in 2001 or 2002 . They were great ( at the time ) . Ivan's driver choices seem to have gone through a few iterations since then, but they are very interesting speakers. I was looking at the specs on those 10" bass drivers recently - quite old-school in that their Qm is high ( ie. low mechanical damping ) . Would you say the bass sounds 'alive' and satisfying at low drive levels ? ( I guess you might need to do more running-in for that ) .

[WAD62]

Nice project - well done !
I was looking at the specs on those 10" bass drivers recently - quite old-school in that their Qm is high ( ie. low mechanical damping ) . Would you say the bass sounds 'alive' and satisfying at low drive levels ? ( I guess you might need to do more running-in for that ) .

Hi Mark, as you say there's probably still a bit more running in to do, but the bass at low volumes is particularly impressive...

I've just removed my old yamaha sub woofer from the AV portion of the system, I'll not be needing that again

[The Alchemist]

Hi Will,

I am pleased that you are getting on better with your S5's. You don't say what the size of your room is but Ivan recommends a minimum room size of 20' by 12' for these beasts!

May I mention that my hobby is making Ivan's speakers to order. My (very modest) website is www.alchemyloudspeakers.uk. If any forum members are interested in Ivan's speakers and are not sure whether their DIY skills are up to a self build I will be happy to offer advice.
Richard.