jackthecat1553552720 Posted September 13, 2010 Posted September 13, 2010 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Speakers-and-stands/Floor-speakers/auction-317497782.htm
little blue penguin Posted September 13, 2010 Posted September 13, 2010 The jumper cables look like a perfect fit.
kaka Posted September 13, 2010 Posted September 13, 2010 What vintage are those ? The last time I heard the big image speakers was the mid90s at Smiths Sound, but I can't remember what model they were.
ilikecrumpets Posted September 13, 2010 Posted September 13, 2010 Yep, Radar and Phil had a pair of these at Smiths circa 1996 from memory. Can't remember exactly how they sounded (sonic signature wise), but I do remember being impressed. These look in fine shape - JTC obviously loves his equipment...
jackthecat1553552720 Posted September 14, 2010 Author Posted September 14, 2010 Your'e quick off the mark Cloth Ears ! Thanks for your hard work. Yes they look good and work perfectly. From what I have read , the speakers are around 10 years old. This pair looks to have had some experimentation before the final product so it might be an early prototype. I have a diagram of the crossover layout which helped me remake the crossovers and upgrade them. With my valve gear I would call them natural and restrained. Very very easy to listen to. They have got some knocks if you look too close , but look beautiful in the room. A bit retro even
IEASTI Posted September 14, 2010 Posted September 14, 2010 jackthecat;116789 wrote: I picked up a pair of these from a guy in Whangarei. They had been changed a bit so I have cleaned them up and will take them back to Chris to see what he thinks about them. I love the retro look and the sound is a bit laid back yes , so am hoping for a bit more Did you ever get it back to Chris to have a look at them?
jackthecat1553552720 Posted September 14, 2010 Author Posted September 14, 2010 No I did the work myself. It was an excellent project. If I was to keep them I would look for his advice on what to do next.
Tony Davey Posted September 15, 2010 Posted September 15, 2010 I have these, purchased from Phil / Pete at Smiths in 1998 if I remember correctly. Soundwise I would describe them as laid back. There are a few differences with mine, rubber feet on the bottom of the top section rather than spikes (small dots) and some sort of connector at the back of the top section connecting internally to the bottom. Mine is finished in Jarrah (as these are looking at the photo?), the covers have been on 99% of the time, so there is quite a bit of sun fading on the speaker cabinets now (below the grills is still a rich red / brown finish). Gold plated terminals and big chunky binding posts rather than the metal / alloy look from the back. I remember auditioning them against a pair of speakers that looked similar only smaller, and these had far superior bass performance than the other pair. IIRC I paid about $5k for them in 98, ahh the joys of being D.I.N.K.S, have absolutely no desire (or the financial resources) to "upgrade them" now. Not sure what the reserve is, but anything less than about $2 - 2.5k and they would be a bargain (I think a pair sold on TM in the last few months) Sen
IEASTI Posted September 15, 2010 Posted September 15, 2010 Senator;133068 wrote: IIRC I paid about $5k for them in 98, ahh the joys of being D.I.N.K.S, have absolutely no desire (or the financial resources) to "upgrade them" now. Not sure what the reserve is, but anything less than about $2 - 2.5k and they would be a bargain (I think a pair sold on TM in the last few months) Sen I remember a pair selling at 1.6k buy now?? how would you rate these speakers against other mainstream speaker offerings? e.g. say B&W, KEFs
Owen Y Posted September 15, 2010 Posted September 15, 2010 Looks like Jack is selling Image spkrs 'en masse'.
Tony Davey Posted September 15, 2010 Posted September 15, 2010 It has honestly been too long since I spent any length of time listening to other speakers. If I remember correctly, the only ones I tested when I was doing reviews for audioenz that compared favourabely was some Polk LSi speakers. As I said above, I have no urge to upgrade them, my gear is far more HT oriented than 2 channel (no dedicated CDP and a mid level av amp for example) so can't imagine anything better to be honest (although I am sure that there are). Sen
rumblefish1553552747 Posted September 15, 2010 Posted September 15, 2010 IEASTI;133071 wrote: I remember a pair selling at 1.6k buy now?? how would you rate these speakers against other mainstream speaker offerings? e.g. say B&W, KEFs Hi Ieasti i also have a pair,mine are going on 16 years,while i cant say how they compare to current speakers ,at the time i auditioned almost every speaker in town up to 8/9k if memory serves,seems every time the Mother in Law visited i was wrestling with heavy speakers ,kef,b&w castle,linn ,Shahinian ,Rega etc .I chose them because chalk and cheese superiority This all the while my Wife was expecting-yes the jokes have endured about the expectant father. They benefit hugely being spiked and mine rest on 2 plinths of black granite(sonically the densest stone acoustically- source trethewy). They need to be well driven Average 40 watt s/s wont do it ,best i had was a ARC classic 60 and also a Accuphase 303(tests at 175 watts). the pair that sold on trade me a while ago were in my view a steal
jackthecat1553552720 Posted September 16, 2010 Author Posted September 16, 2010 I agree they need some power . The mono blocks I have are rated at 78 watts but probably do more . Been listening tonight to some jazz trio and wondering what I am doing selling ... but there are too many sets of speakers in the house as noted above so one has to finally make a call. From the bass all the way up through midrange to treble , all the drivers seem to speak as one.
Declannz Posted September 23, 2010 Posted September 23, 2010 nice work. Hope you don't regret the sale. i really need to try some Image gear some time to see what all the fuss is about.
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