Klipsch Heresey 2 / IMF TLS80 MK 1 values and opinions

[aquapiranha]

Hi, a long time indeed since I have posted here but I have arisen from obscurity to look for advice. I have an opportunity to buy either of the two listed loudspeakers, which are likely chalk and cheese! I am looking for opinions as to the value of the items, assume both are in working if not pristine condition. Any opinions greatly appreciated, thank you all and I hope you had a great Easter break.

Steve

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[aquapiranha]

Oh sorry I forgot to mention, source will be a Rotel RCD955AX CD player and amplifier yet to be determined but will be based on potential speaker choice.

Steve

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[Lawrence001]

You can pick up the IMFs for £4-500 off Gumtree if you're lucky but well advertised they can fetch a bit more on eBay. Watch out for scratchy mid ranges on certain frequencies and the Coles supertweeter not working, it's easy to miss.

They are amazing speakers I miss mine a lot

[aquapiranha]

You can pick up the IMFs for £4-500 off Gumtree if you're lucky but well advertised they can fetch a bit more on eBay. Watch out for scratchy mid ranges on certain frequencies and the Coles supertweeter not working, it's easy to miss.

They are amazing speakers I miss mine a lotHi Lawrence. The pair I am looking at are considerably less costly, and from the age will be the mark 1. I have had a pair of Super Compacts in the past, and I did have to replace the mids in them. What would you say are the strengths and weaknesses of the TLS80? Thanks, Steve

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[walpurgis]

I could be wrong, but I have the impression that the Heresy/Heresy 2 are speakers that many do not keep for long. Whereas, the opposite applies to the IMFs (possibly because they are too enormous, heavy and awkward to shift :)). If I had to choose, my pick would be the TLS80. Some parts may be getting scarce, but Falcon Electronics are good at finding suitable alternatives.

[Lawrence001]

Hi Lawrence. The pair I am looking at are considerably less costly, and from the age will be the mark 1. I have had a pair of Super Compacts in the past, and I did have to replace the mids in them. What would you say are the strengths and weaknesses of the TLS80? Thanks, Steve

Sent from my M2012K11AG using TapatalkStrengths, sound good at all volumes, deep but tight bass even if close to walls (50cm in my case) not sure about corner placement though, nice sounding, probably not as refined as modern quite expensive speakers but a lot of fun, and not unrefined at all. I think mine were probably the MK1 too I wouldn't get hung up on that at all.

I'd just watch out they can't be pushed as hard as modern speakers of a similar (or even smaller) size as the drive units then weren't designed for the SPLs some like these days.

Sound like they might be a bargain. If the Klipsch are too them I'd just get them both and see which I prefer. Definitely if you can get both pairs for under £400 (condition dependent) I'd just go for it.

[aquapiranha]

Strengths, sound good at all volumes, deep but tight bass even if close to walls (50cm in my case) not sure about corner placement though, nice sounding, probably not as refined as modern quite expensive speakers but a lot of fun, and not unrefined at all. I think mine were probably the MK1 too I wouldn't get hung up on that at all.

I'd just watch out they can't be pushed as hard as modern speakers of a similar (or even smaller) size as the drive units then weren't designed for the SPLs some like these days.

Sound like they might be a bargain. If the Klipsch are too them I'd just get them both and see which I prefer. Definitely if you can get both pairs for under £400 (condition dependent) I'd just go for it.Brilliant thanks for your advice. The IMFs would be £300, the Hereseys £500. I will have a long think...

Steve

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[Lawrence001]

I'd have the IMFs for that if the cabinets weren't too bad and the drivers all worked. They are in my top 3 speakers ever owned out of what must be 100 odd.

[Macca]

IMF will need the crossovers redoing probably, mine were way out of spec. Falcon sell ready made pack of components.

I'd avoid the Hereseys at all costs.

[aquapiranha]

IMF will need the crossovers redoing probably, mine were way out of spec. Falcon sell ready made pack of components.

I'd avoid the Hereseys at all costs.Hi Macca. Yes I saw the kit on the Falcon website, it looks like they are the go to people for IMF spares. Why would you give the Hereseys a wide berth? I have head that the mid is sublime but the bass a bit lacking..

Steve

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[Lawrence001]

I've heard the treble may not be refined either.

Better with valves but for some reason the UK distributor was demoing then with high power MF amps at the last Windsor show. Maybe they don't distribute valve amps but I'd be choosing my distributors more carefully if that was the case...

[Macca]

Hi Macca. Yes I saw the kit on the Falcon website, it looks like they are the go to people for IMF spares. Why would you give the Hereseys a wide berth? I have head that the mid is sublime but the bass a bit lacking..

Steve

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No bass, sound is toppy and shouty.

I said I would avoid them, I know there are people who are keen. But seems to me to be a speaker that will dictate your listening choices.

[struth]

i had a set of the super compacts at one time. interesting speakers.

[aquapiranha]

No bass, sound is toppy and shouty.

I said I would avoid them, I know there are people who are keen. But seems to me to be a speaker that will dictate your listening choices.Thanks. They are a bit more expensive too do may just pass.

Steve

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[aquapiranha]

i had a set of the super compacts at one time. interesting speakers.Interesting in what way? [emoji848] I thought they were ok though may have required a crossover refurb to be honest.

Steve

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[Macca]

I've heard the treble may not be refined either.

Better with valves but for some reason the UK distributor was demoing then with high power MF amps at the last Windsor show. Maybe they don't distribute valve amps but I'd be choosing my distributors more carefully if that was the case...

The original was intended to be a centre 'fill-in' channel between two of the larger Klipsch models. Probably does that quite well although the idea of having a centre channel in a stereo set-up never caught on in the mainstream, probably because it's entirely unnecessary*. I don't think any type of amp will help to overcome their basic issues.

*edit - Paul Klipsch was into his corner horns, so one of them in each corner of a 30' plus room, there might be a bit of a 'gap in the middle' in that sort of set-up.

[struth]

Interesting in what way? [emoji848] I thought they were ok though may have required a crossover refurb to be honest.

Steve

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get amp right and stands right and they can sound pretty decent. like a good power source tho.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/Q333jY.jpg

[walpurgis]

I have had a pair of Super Compacts in the past, and I did have to replace the mids in them

The mids on those were EMI if I recall. The TLS 80 uses KEF B110 mids.

Bass drivers were KEF B139. Tweeters Celestion HF1300 and super tweeters Celestion HF2000, both rear mounted types. Make sure the perforated diffuser/phase corrector covers over the HF2000 domes are present. They can be sourced though or made.

Replacements of all drivers can be found, bit costly for the B110 and HF2000 these days though.


Some might say the TLS80 is still a World Class speaker, it certainly was originally. Nobody would say that of the Heresy.

[aquapiranha]

The mids on those were EMI if I recall. The TLS 80 uses KEF B110 mids.

Bass drivers were KEF B139. Tweeters Celestion HF1300 and super tweeters Celestion HF2000, both rear mounted types. Make sure the perforated diffuser/phase corrector covers over the HF2000 domes are present. They can be sourced though or made.

Replacements of all drivers can be found, bit costly for the B110 and HF2000 these days though.


Some might say the TLS80 is still a World Class speaker, it certainly was originally. Nobody would say that of the Heresy.This is them

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[aquapiranha]

Okhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220419/d4cdf443c03b2a0a27e4154c30d8c7a1.jpg

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[struth]

The mids on those were EMI if I recall. The TLS 80 uses KEF B110 mids.

Bass drivers were KEF B139. Tweeters Celestion HF1300 and super tweeters Celestion HF2000, both rear mounted types. Make sure the perforated diffuser/phase corrector covers over the HF2000 domes are present. They can be sourced though or made.

Replacements of all drivers can be found, bit costly for the B110 and HF2000 these days though.


Some might say the TLS80 is still a World Class speaker, it certainly was originally. Nobody would say that of the Heresy.

yup:)

[Lawrence001]

Hard to see but looks like the left B139 has lost its metallic sheet covering. Not a big deal but may affect its pistonic behaviour. You can get them cheap in fact I think I saw a pair FS on a forum recently, may have been the earlier rounded type without the pointy corners though.

[aquapiranha]

Hard to see but looks like the left B139 has lost its metallic sheet covering. Not a big deal but may affect its pistonic behaviour. You can get them cheap in fact I think I saw a pair FS on a forum recently, may have been the earlier rounded type without the pointy corners though.Yes Lawrence I was thinking the same. I just hope I get to them before anybody else!

Steve

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[aquapiranha]

Ah well, my plans have been scuppered! The guy selling them has just told me they have sold despite being in the middle of arranging to pick them up from him [emoji2959] looks like I will have to keep saving for some 15" Tannoy drivers...

Steve

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[Macca]

You can't win 'em all.

[aquapiranha]

You can't win 'em all.Indeed! I am a little peeved and disappointed but there will be other temptations around the corner!

Steve

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[Lawrence001]

Where did you see them?

[aquapiranha]

Where did you see them?Here in Northern Ireland, on gumtree

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[Lawrence001]

Gumtree IMFs go quick I've missed a few. Bagged my old pair on there a few years ago not sure how!