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TDL RTL2 speakers?

O

Oneandtwo

pfm Member
Setting up my dads system after many years in storage, (classic mid 90's "what hifi? system!) it consists of Arcam Alpha 8 amp and Alpha 8 CD player, rega planer 3 and Mission 731 speakers on matching Mission Micrometers

A friend has some TDL RTL2 floorstanders he wants rid of from his garage, but they are 400 miles away. I am visiting him this weekend and could probably cram them in the car if they were worth trying; What is the general consensus on the TDLs? Would they be an improvement on the Missions or a downgrade?

Thanks
 
They are transmission line I think, and were well regarded in the 90s. I think they will be better than your 731's
 
I had some for a very short while: I thought they were v mediocre and got rid asap. I wouldn't waste the fuel personally - certainly not on a 400 mile trip. Seriously; let someone closer 'play' with them. They'd have to be something like the Rega Ela to travel that far & v cheap at that!
 
I wasn't going to drive 400 miles specially to get them! I'm up his way for work and wondered if they were worth taking home with me as I'm visiting anyway
 
They were pretty decent. Cheaper versions of the well respected Studio range.
I'd expect them to better Mission 731s so if you're travelling anyway....grab them.
 
They cost about UKP300 15 years ago, so this was a fairly expensive speaker.
RTL2s do need a reasonable room size to breathe
 
They're a good sounding speaker and I've no doubt they will better the Missions in that system.

I would agree that it is not worth making a 400 mile trip for them but if you're going there anyway then it makes sense.

The TDL2's also respond well to modding. There's a whole thread on them in either the Classic or DIY section (can't remember which).
 
I bought TDL2's in 1995 as part of my first separates system. Loved them, and I'm not sure I enjoy my current system much more than I did that one. Nostalgia maybe?
 
Well if your're going there anyway there's no loss and you can make your own mind up.
The mods may be worth doing - I found then slightly shut in and boomy but probably they needed better setting up as well. I have heard 'boom & tizz' to describe them but you could mod the crossover slightly to knock down the treble output for the tizz and maybe place some semi open foam (pond pump filter - the coarse grade - seems good for this) in the port to attenuate the bass slightly.
So, yes u should try them of course and do look at mods as I think they may just push them that bit further.
Hope this helps - wasn't trying to be negative earlier - I was prob reflecting my thoughts at that time.
 
TDL RTL2 were excellent speakers in their day, not able to keep up with modern units, but miles better than the Missions (te missions can be made much better with a rebuilt crossover)

The TDL's are full transmission line & as such need a big room to work at their best.
They will really be better for a toon-up -----
1st thing is to check the drivers surrounds for degradation, they can be repaired easily by the few specialist driver repair peeps around UK.
I would replace all the electrolytic caps as these are now old & will be drifting out of spec and/or drying out. I would change them all to Polypropylene & the same uF values printed on the old ones. The only thing to watch for is the physical size as big might not fit, so don't be too tempted to go for the 400 & 600 volt fat boys, 160 & 250 volt are just as good & are heaps better than the old electrolytic ones.
The resisters & chokes will be as good as new, so leave well alone
If I remember the internal cable is a bit thin so if you do go for a recap & would also fit some better cable like Chord Rumour "Install", don't use the old push-on connectors, solder all the joints.
 
Actually they are a sort of TL - bass reflex hybrid, compare their size with the true TL Studio.
Cones surrounds may be unglued. The foam in the ports will certainly be gone and the tweeters may have sticky ferro-fluid. Crossover parts are likely to be still OK
 
davidsrsb said:
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Cones surrounds may be unglued. The foam in the ports will certainly be gone and the tweeters may have sticky ferro-fluid. Crossover parts are likely to be still OK
Click to expand...

I'm glad to say that mine haven't suffered from this (although I can't say about the sticky ferro-fluid as how would you know without taking it apart?)

The only thing that has happened is the cloth covers coming away from the frame. An easy fix if I could be bothered.

IMO what stands out about these speakers is the sheer value for money s/h. I paid £45 for mine about 4 years ago and you still see examples of them at that sort of price now (and some for a fair bit more admittedly).

I think you would struggle to find something comparable for that sort of money. I don't know why they don't fetch more TBH. A bargain.
 
Definitely worth a play. They have a pretty nasty top end as they come, but it can be tamed quite easily.
 
Measure the tweeters before you blame the designer (easy to do with a PC, Holmimpulse and a cheap PC electret microphone) The effect of sticky ferro-fluid is to strongly tilt the tweeter response from flat to way down at 2kHz, way up at 8 kHz. I find this is common on many makes more than a few years old.
Often the tweeter can be dismantled and the dried fluid scraped out with blotting paper, getting close to original performance.
Another way to test is to remove the tweeter and connect across a single AA battery, watching the dome movement. Try both ways
 
Can't remember whether I dismantled the tweeters or not.

In any case, upgrading the very basic crossover and internal wiring sorted it, and as usual internally bridging the inputs to eliminate the external links.

Sometimes the designer absolutely does cock it up, viz: Mission 753.
 
I had them in the late 90s when they were upgraded slightly. In a furnished 5x4m room they were superficially enjoyable as the floor vibrated with the bass, but I wouldn't confuse that with a quality sound for a variety of music. They might be just what you're looking for though, but think about the silk purse/sow's ear saying before spending a lot on diy.
 
UberSnooz said:
I had some for a very short while: I thought they were v mediocre and got rid asap. I wouldn't waste the fuel personally - certainly not on a 400 mile trip. Seriously; let someone closer 'play' with them. They'd have to be something like the Rega Ela to travel that far & v cheap at that!
Click to expand...
I had pair in rosewood and I have to say they were the best speakers I ever owned, paired with arcam alpha 6 cd player and 6 plus amp. The mid range was so detailed and accurate, the highs were sweet and the bass so tuneful and deep the 3d Soundstage was excellent.
I've got a Naim based system now with nac 102 preamp nap180 power amp and a teddy Pardo dual teddycap power supply running Linn Keilidh floorstanders on ku-stone plinths with 3 bar upgraded speakers. The sound is great but I don't think they're as detailed as the tdl's I had, I'm still striving to match its midrange and tuneful bass. Buy the tdl's, I promise you'll love them.
Regards
Mike h
 
This range is fun. Great bounce and groove to their sound. I have been very happy with my TDL RTL 3's which is the next in the range - just with a bigger cabinet and an extra driver. I recommend the crossover mods and putting some wadding in the ports. I had to tame the bass for a smaller room. I see the RTL 2's are amp friendly so, like the 3's they will be good with valve amps if you are into that. Try them and do the (very cheap) modifications. After that if you decide to move them on I'm looking for a pair of 2's for my office!
 
The RTL2s were great value as were the 731s.
The RTLs will dig deeper into the bass but have an excited treble.
The 731s have a better behaved mid range and slightly rolled off treble.
Basically the RTL2s are a fun speaker and the 731s a snadge more refined. Room size and personal preference will play the main role here.
 
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