Happiness is a pair of IBLs!

Posted by: Afzal on 01 April 2002

Guys,

Am elated to report that I've finally got my 2nd system up and running:

32.5/Hicap/135s/IBLs

All the equipment has been recently serviced and the IBLs have new drive units. Right now am 'borrowing' a CDS1 from the 'main' system. Eventually thinking of getting a CD5 to complete the picture.

My bedroom is small (13x10) and the IBLs are performing absolutely brilliantly. Bass is sufficient and overall, the IBLs completely massacre a pair of Epos ES14s that I have lying around.The 14's lower end is slow and lazy in comparison, although it definitely extends lower. (but without texture and in a 'thumpy' manner)

IBLs just sound so *Sweet*. They are extremely fast, vividly coherent and have wonderful tonal character at the end of 135s.
It's amazing how they 'open' up if driven with at least a 250. Never thought a pair. of 135s would be that much better though.

Anyone looking for speakers in a small(ish) room should certainly give them a go. IMHO, they make Kans sound dark and almost lifeless.

A good used pair will set you back £350 or so -- An absolute bargain in my books.

Afzal.

Posted on: 01 April 2002 by airness

Congrats.

What's the main system then?

Posted on: 01 April 2002 by bob atherton

Congratulations! I've actually known this for quite a while with my active pair.

Bob.

Posted on: 01 April 2002 by Bob Edwards

Afzad--

I have a pair of Mk 1s driven by a Nait 1 and they sound just as you describe. Having acclimated to them they really do leave my Kans for dead.

Cheers,

Bob

Posted on: 02 April 2002 by johno

quote:
Originally posted by bob atherton:
Congratulations! I've actually known this for quite a while with my active pair.
Bob.

I had active ibls for a short period before I sold them to a guy in Sweden... Now have passive Beech SBL's the bass is better but not much else is in my opion in a smaller room... Have kans currently in my bedroom system... would love some more ibls's... Maybe I could E-bay my Kan's...

Unfortunately I wouldn't have Naims to drive them... Ion Obelisk 3X -X-Pac1 which is equiv to Nait1/2 so should sound good... should have it playing tonight through the Kan's...

John
Shore

Posted on: 03 April 2002 by Arye_Gur

I was worrying about the very lows of the IBLs. I went to listen to systems that had Subwoofer combined with the main speakers – and
There is much more lows there.

I was told that especially with a Church Organ I would not be able to hear all the low sounds.

Although I don’t like Church Organ music, I went 2 days ago to listen to such an instrument at the University of Haifa where they have a hall with such an instrument that was built especially for the university.

I didn’t fall of my chair. A great and a very impressive sound, a deep and a very low bass, but still, not something that gives me the feeling that I have to add a sub.
I guess that most of the Sub adds are giving something that is not natural.

For those who own a CD player with IBL, at my home, (a CDI, 102,140,IBL) the LP12 gives a deeper and a better bass compare to the CDI, - so the IBLs are not the problem.

I was told by Paul Stephenson to try the CDI on a Fraim – and as the Fraim costs as a good Sub, I’ll try this option when I’ll be able to – and I hope it will bring the lows of the CDI to the same level of the LP12.

Another very important point, as I used the IBLs both in a great and in a small room – these speakers are not recommended for large rooms!

Arye