IPL M1TLm Ribbon Transmission Line

[r100]

Hi everybody !

I have been searching around for information on these DIY speakers and they seem to garner a lot of very positive feedback. Has anyone here built a pair ?

the ones I would be interested in is the compact IPL M1TLm Ribbon Transmission Line model (http://iplacoustics.co.uk/M1tl.htm)

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[alan47]

Hi,I built a pair of S3TLM's nearly ten years ago,they are still being used every day,and i have no plans to replace them.
Mine use the next size up mag bass unit and a SEAS tweeter,i can only think that the ribbon tweeter would be an improvement,as
i very much doubt that Ivan would have changed to one with out a good reason.I had a great afternoon listening to all his speakers,
and i just bought the biggest one i thought i could fit in my room,and have not regretted it once.
PS,you can't beat a well designed transmission line for effortless bass IMO.
Good Luck

[Zoidburg]

I have a pair of IPA speakers, Bought em from a guy on the wam about 15 months ago far what I considered a silly cheap price. Not sure of the model offhand but look very similar to those. I am very happy with them indeed (certainly an improvement on the MA RS8s I was previously using anyway) and cant see me parting with them any time soon.

[r100]

Thanks for the feedback . Very encouraging indeed. I am in contact with Ivan from IPL concerning the shipping, etc. Ill have to get the wood locally otherwise the shipping would cost more than the speakers :eyebrows:

One thing I have noticed is that the bass is mentioned a lot with these speakers. Are the mids, highs OK as well ? Are they coherent ? Sorry, I am kind of provoking an answer..:)

greetz
ru

[alan47]

Shame the complete kit is to heavy to ship,as it made the build very easy and went together over two weekends.As for the sonic balance of the sound i will say that the bass is ,unlike other transmission lines i have owned,very lively,the mids are clear and the treble superb.The main advantage is that if you follow Ivans instructions,you can tune the speakers to sound how you like them.The wool behind the bass unit will effect the mids,and the resister on the tweeter will effect the treble.I spent several weeks changing everything,to experiment with the sound and ended up back where i started,when i made them.:doh::D

[r100]

That's what I hoped for :)

I have to check out how much it would cost to cut the MDF locally. But it should be possible. These really seem to be great speakers !
I see you are using NVA amplification which is kind of a reference for my ears. So I'm sure your impressions are close to what I would hear as well. Great !!

Thank's for the FB.

All the best

Ru
:)

[naitphile]

Interesting thread. I have been looking at IPL for a while.

I have since spoken with Ivan and a guy called Richard Ellis (listed on the IPL website) who provides a professional build service they are incredibly passionate about the sound these speakers can produce - So much so I have ordered a pair of ST2LK without audition! The new drive units and redesigned crossovers have taken things a step forward I am told.

I could probably build them OK but I would rush in order to hear them! Further I want a professional veneer job so I went with a pro-build.

[Covenant]

Please post your impressions when you receive them. I think I would be looking at a real wood veneer rather than the iron on stuff if they are going in a main room.

[The Alchemist]

I am the person that Robert mentioned. (I am currently building a pair of S2tlK's for him). I have not heard the M1tlm's but you can be sure that all of Ivan's speakers are excellent and I'm certain that you won't be disappointed.
As far as getting the MDF cut to size, perhaps your local carpentry shop could help? I have build many IPL speakers over the years so when you are ready to build I would be happy to offer you some additional advice that you won't find in the instuctions if you need it.

[alan47]

All i can say is that no matter how well you build the first one,the second one is always better.Mind you they both sound the same,to me.:scratch::)

[The Alchemist]

You are right. Part of the pleasure of building for me is making the next one a little bit better than the one before.......
Suggest you go to see Ivan to listen to the Ribbon Tweeters. I'm pretty sure you will want to build a new pair of speakers. I did!http://theartofsound.net/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[naitphile]

The 'Alchemist' aka Richard Ellis of Alchemy speakers delivered my IPL S2 TLKs today.

First impressions out of the box...

Workmanship - the photos do not do justice to Richard's veneering skills - they are very nice pieces of furniture. The edging is particularly nice and the lacquering is of a high professional standard. This is not the kind of finish I am used to in my history of budget/mid-priced speakers. I had considered making the kit up myself and while it may have been fun; it is apparent there was no way, as a one off attempt, I would have produced a cabinet of this quality.

I understand there are not too many of the S2TLKs around - which have the kevlar bass driver versus the Polypropylene one in the S2TLPs the - TLKs go a little bit lower.

Before Richard came we agreed a playlist which I have been listening to repeatedly on my existing speakers which are Dali Ikon 6 MKII. Upon hearing these Richard looked a little worried as these are nice speakers! (my only complaint being the bass is a little muddy and voices never seemed fully open)

Upon first playing the S2TLKs immediately showed more detail and more open voices but surprisingly although the bass was much tauter they seemed less weighty. However after a couple of hours listening the bass started to extend quite dramatically but at the end of day one the thing that impressed me is the detail and the accuracy of sound of individual instruments and human voice. Having said that the cabinets are loaded with the full amount of recommended wool so after further run in some of this can be removed to add more weight to the bass if needed.

Ivan (at IPL) is very explicit about matching speaker and room size. I went for a speaker that should be in a slightly larger room (I am hedging my bets as we are looking to move house) nonetheless the sound doesn't seem to have suffered.


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