Who makes a "true" Transmission Line speaker?...

Off the top of my head(in alphabetical order), Bugtussel, Fried, Meadowlark, and PMC.

The Bugtussels look attractive, though I wonder about the cheap looking tweeters. I need to give them a listen. Yesterday was a good opportunity, as I was around a bunch of them, but we only listened to the Von Schweikerts and Ushers. Fried, which I am a part of, is releasing a real TL right about now. I have heard it, and it is a very open, clear sounding speaker. While I have not heard the big Meadowlarks(would like to), the weak kneed bass of the smaller ones make me wonder why they even bother. PMC speakers seem interesting, and probably offer the real deal.

Kehut, I think they were the X-929. They were a tall, slim, high gloss black and maple (REALLLLLLLLLLY beautiful) speaker, using a D'Appolito arrangement. Not the deepest, punchiest, most resolving, or fastest speaker I have ever heard, but extremely easy to listen to. I would say that as my first encounter with the company, I was more than impressed. In my opinion, they were much superior to the Von Schweikert VR4Jr speakers that were next to them. Most in our group also strongly agreed.

Peter_s, if you liked the Frieds at CES2004, you will really love the current speakers. They are at least two steps up on the scale. The new ones are better in each and every way - more attractive proportions and incredible veneer, much better drivers (Vifa - low Qts, instead of Peerless), correct line damping, better crossovers (with correct values). Let's just say that what you heard was an early prototype, the current product getting released as we speak is just a speaker that one can take to market. How this translates sonically is night and day better imaging (you will be amazed that a big three way can do this), a lot more speed, clarity, resolution, deeper bass, more easy to listen to (the others were harsh), and the superior attack and decay of the notes from the low Q drivers and good line damping is something of note.

Alxg, all I can say is that if the VR4Jrs impressed you this much, I heartily suggest you buy them! It is rare we fall in love with a component to this degree, and when we do, it is an obvious buy. I wish you well with them,
Joe

Domo, apart from the Transmission Line, PMC bears little relations to IMF.

The other facets of Bud's speaker design philosophy are not implemented in the PMC speakers: series crossovers using slow slopes, low Qts drivers, accuracy of phase and time.

Fried is now back in business. Watch for things at CES 2005.

Alxg, although this will sound kind of like a copout, what was wrong with the VR4Jr speakers is very difficult for me to put my finger on. Most of our group of 15 or more felt the same way. One person even owns an older pair of Von Schweikert 4SE(?), which he seems to enjoy, and also felt these speakers to be horrendous. All through the day (and it was about a half day), people were talking about being shocked at how poor, "hi fi", and Best Buyish the speakers sounded.

I think that the overwhelming thing I can say was that they were all wrong. Particularly, in the tonal characteristics. But, also in the bass alignment, which stood out like a sore thumb. The treble, which I find to be a strong point of the VR1 was also weird.

In short, while most feel that the VR2 and VR4Jr are among the best speakers out there, I must say that I feel the hype surrounding them is far in excess with their performance. And, while some may think I am bashing the company, I would like to say that the VR DB99 we also heard during this listen were very, very good. And, the VR1 and VR2 are nice enough speakers at their price points. Maybe even among the best in their field, just not really for me.