Fostex Full Range Driver Review

The larger Fostex full range drivers tend to have a forward mid-range and excellent imaging. They will require bass support from a horn or TL type cabinet. The FE167E is very popular. The 206/207 drivers will provide more bass but you may want to add a super tweeter. Here are some excellent designs for those two drivers. Fostex FE206En 8' Full Range. Login or Register to write a review. I would put them in the right horn box by fostex. Again killer fullrange driver and I will be buying a pair when I get some time to build the right box. Mr.Jeff Reviewed by jefope4 - 03:40:43 PM Really fast and detailed driver. Fostex Speaker; Also shop in. Also shop in. Consumer Electronics; 1pc. NOS 1975 vintage Philips AlNiCO fullrange speaker 8Ohm 10 Watt Pout. Here we have a nice pair german made fullrange drivers. Made in the 1955 by Loewe Opta the units are: 20 cm = 8 ' with their ortiginal speaker cloth!! DUAL CONE FULL RANGE ALNICO SPEAKER. Horn Shoppe Horn loudspeaker The Review. The Horn uses a Fostex full-range driver, a Japanese product with its own sort of cult following, not unlike Meredith Monk or Pimm's No.1 (or Lowther horns, I suppose). The model used in the Horn is Fostex's FE108EZ, a chunky, well-made little thing with a cast-alloy frame, rare-earth magnet, and a 3.

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post #1 of 21Old04-02-2017, 09:19 AM - Thread Starter
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Hi,
I have always had a thing for full-range drivers (as in, not a coaxial two-way, no crossover, etc.). I finally scratched the itch with the purchase of a small Fostex back-loaded horn bookshelf with a 4' driver. I absolutely love them. They are just FUN.
Here is what I bought, and the review is mine if you care to see my ramblings: https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.co...horn-kit-pair/
My main system is a McIntosh MA7900 driving a pair of Sonus Faber Liuto Towers. I love these, and neither is going anywhere.
However, I am interested in getting a floor-standing full-range drive speaker to play with, when I am in the mood. I would drive them with the McIntosh. What brands are out there (I know most are small or tiny companies outside the mainstream) that make complete towers with a single full-range driver?
Something like this is in the running: http://omegaloudspeakers.com/super3xrs.html
Thanks!
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TAD and KEF are two quick ones that come to mind.
Along with Pioneer Elite and Elac, but they use bass drivers for the low end - as most do.
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-...river--295-346
when using a single driver to cover the entire bandwidth of sound, there are going to be compromises.
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post #3 of 21Old04-02-2017, 10:09 AM - Thread Starter
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What KEF uses a FR driver? They do a lot of coaxial 2-way. Same with TAD.
Yes, I am aware of the limitations, hence my comments about not giving up the other stuff! This is for FUN.
Thanks!
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Not a floorstander, but it's driver is a little bigger than the fostex and might provide more bass due to the more traditional rear port tube (compared to the higher tuned folded horn):
http://www.audiolab.com/alta-audio-s...peaker-single/
Sidenote: I may end up picking up that fostex kit just for fun. I've had my eye on it and I'm pleased to see someone recommending it. Your review might be the only english one in existence lol. (Quick question, what did the assembly process consist of? Any soldering, etc? Sorry, not meaning to derail your thread. You can PM me your reply if you'd rather.)
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Moth Audio Cicada. No longer made but maybe you can find one on the used market.
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post #6 of 21Old04-02-2017, 12:38 PM - Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by l0nestar8
Not a floorstander, but it's driver is a little bigger than the fostex and might provide more bass due to the more traditional rear port tube (compared to the higher tuned folded horn):
http://www.audiolab.com/alta-audio-s...peaker-single/
Sidenote: I may end up picking up that fostex kit just for fun. I've had my eye on it and I'm pleased to see someone recommending it. Your review might be the only english one in existence lol. (Quick question, what did the assembly process consist of? Any soldering, etc? Sorry, not meaning to derail your thread. You can PM me your reply if you'd rather.)
Ha ha! I am proud to be famous! Most of the included documentation was in Japanese.
Assembly is EASY. You just need to connect the drivers to the speaker wire (which is already run inside the cabinet and terminated, no soldering), and screw them into the cabinets. The hardware is included.
You will need to drill pilot holes (place the drivers in the hole, center them, dot with a Sharpie, remove drivers, drill holes). Make sure to spend time making sure the drivers are centered, the hole is slightly bigger than the driver, and you don't want it shoved to one edge of the hole.
Tools needed:
--~1/8' drill bit
--Drill (for the drill bit...)
--Philips head screw driver (#1 or 2, make sure it is a good one, be very careful at this step, no room for error if it slips)
You will receive 4 boxes. The assembled cabinets and the raw drivers.
NOTE: if you want to one-up me, I would scrap the included mounting hardware and get hex/Torx screws of the same general size, and larger washers. The included ones work fine, but in retrospect, I would have upgraded these.
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Epique CBT24 Line Array Speaker
Using Don Keele's CBT Technology
http://www.parts-express.com/epique-...-pair--301-982
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Originally Posted by kenratboy
Ha ha! I am proud to be famous! Most of the included documentation was in Japanese.
Assembly is EASY. You just need to connect the drivers to the speaker wire (which is already run inside the cabinet and terminated, no soldering), and screw them into the cabinets. The hardware is included.
Wow! Thanks for the detailed write-up! That sounds like a fun way to dip my toes in DIY. Thanks again!
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Originally Posted by bgtighe23
TAD and KEF are two quick ones that come to mind.
Along with Pioneer Elite and Elac, but they use bass drivers for the low end - as most do.
http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-...river--295-346
when using a single driver to cover the entire bandwidth of sound, there are going to be compromises.

Totally agree on 'when using a single driver to cover the entire bandwidth of sound, there are going to be compromises'.
No driver can cover all the frequencies, a single driver can do good mostly for midrange.
But to ask this same driver, to do good highs and bass, is too much to ask.
Law of physics do apply
And those Laws, cannot not change or be broken, simple physics.
Ray
The Chimaera theater
Guide to Subwoofer Calibration and Bass Preferences
VIII-A: Sealed Versus Ported Subwoofers:
VIII-C: Selecting Single Versus Multiple Subwoofers:
post #10 of 21Old04-02-2017, 06:46 PM - Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by l0nestar8
Wow! Thanks for the detailed write-up! That sounds like a fun way to dip my toes in DIY. Thanks again!
Sure! And these will also be awesome for a den, bedroom, etc. if you are not already planning on putting them there. I am using them as my computer speakers now, and actually looking to get a nice integrated amp to drive them. They sound sublime on the McIntosh, but you can tell they lose something with a weaker amp. You are literally hooking the voice coil directly to the amplifier, so absolutely nothing is lost (which also means any flaw your amp has will be front and center).
post #11 of 21Old04-02-2017, 06:48 PM - Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by darthray
Totally agree on 'when using a single driver to cover the entire bandwidth of sound, there are going to be compromises'.
No driver can cover all the frequencies, a single driver can do good mostly for midrange.
But to ask this same driver, to do good highs and bass, is too much to ask.
Law of physics do apply
And those Laws, cannot not change or be broken, simple physics.
Ray
I never said there was not a compromise. I asked about buying a 2-seat sports car, and you are telling me trucks are better because they are more practical and carry more stuff. I have a great pair of towers, and want these for fun. Why bring this up, I know what I am getting myself into.
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Agree, there's something magical about full range drivers, a fluidity through the bass, mid-range and lower treble that's bard to beat with a traditional design. A large driver that can be run 'full range', i.e. connected directly to the amp is the Eminence B102. Take a look at it's frequency response curve. The compromise is that a super-tweeter needs to be blended in, but the only a high pass element for the tweeter is required, the woofer can be run without a low pass crossover, preserving the full range magic.
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Fostex Full Range Driver Review
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some time ago, landed on this video. Perhaps, these will work for you. The good news too, they will fit into any decor.
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I'm confused... The 'Eminence B102' is a US-made 10' 200 Watt rated guitar amp replacement speaker (Only!). A guitar amp & speaker are not designed with high fidelity in mind. Also, your 4' drivers, FE103EN, are rated at 5W max (15W max 'music power') - and have an SPL of 89 dB - don't expect much sound! Then there are the Omega mini-towers you referenced @ North of a kilobuck/pair - with what looks curiously like the old Motorola 5.25' auto speaker that fit the old VW bugs - and many door speakers. I think Burstein Applebee (?), a once bigtime mail-order electronics jobber, had them ~$1 a piece for the sixteen of them required for the sixties Popular Electronics 'Sweet Sixteen' speaker construction article. There was also the 'Drain Pipe Eight', that offered a unique resolution to cabinet resonance. Ahhh, the good old days!
I have a $100 (List!) solution. Of course, to get the flat response you must get them close to your ears... the Koss Pro-4aa headphones have a flat as a pancake and wide-range response - from a single transducer, too. . Still made like they were initially when first produced nearly a half century ago - and still made in the USA, too. Still heavy noggin crushers, as always - and a great warranty..
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Originally Posted by kenratboy
Hi,
I have always had a thing for full-range drivers (as in, not a coaxial two-way, no crossover, etc.). I finally scratched the itch with the purchase of a small Fostex back-loaded horn bookshelf with a 4' driver. I absolutely love them. They are just FUN.
Here is what I bought, and the review is mine if you care to see my ramblings: https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.co...horn-kit-pair/
My main system is a McIntosh MA7900 driving a pair of Sonus Faber Liuto Towers. I love these, and neither is going anywhere.
However, I am interested in getting a floor-standing full-range drive speaker to play with, when I am in the mood. I would drive them with the McIntosh. What brands are out there (I know most are small or tiny companies outside the mainstream) that make complete towers with a single full-range driver?
Something like this is in the running: http://omegaloudspeakers.com/super3xrs.html
Thanks!

Since you had mention 'McIntosh MA7900 driving a pair of Sonus Faber Liuto Towers', serious pieces of equipment's.
Originally Posted by kenratboy
I never said there was not a compromise. I asked about buying a 2-seat sports car, and you are telling me trucks are better because they are more practical and carry more stuff. I have a great pair of towers, and want these for fun. Why bring this up, I know what I am getting myself into.

Just thought to warn you, and also agree with a previous member, that no one driver can do it all, and there limitations
And by the way, I might drive trucks for a living, but Love my sedan
Best regards
Ray
The Chimaera theater
Guide to Subwoofer Calibration and Bass Preferences
VIII-A: Sealed Versus Ported Subwoofers:
VIII-C: Selecting Single Versus Multiple Subwoofers:
Last edited by darthray; 04-04-2017 at 12:10 AM.
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Have you seen these?
http://markaudio-sota.us/cesti-mb/
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post #17 of 21Old04-04-2017, 04:44 AM - Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by darthray
Since you had mention 'McIntosh MA7900 driving a pair of Sonus Faber Liuto Towers', serious pieces of equipment's.
Just thought to warn you, and also agree with a previous member, that no one driver can do it all, and there limitations
And by the way, I might drive trucks for a living, but Love my sedan
Best regards
Ray
No problem, and sorry if that came off harsh. I tried to word my original post to call out this was a fun little side project, not as a replacement for my current gear! Thanks!
post #18 of 21Old04-04-2017, 04:47 AM - Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by Russ69
Have you seen these?
http://markaudio-sota.us/cesti-mb/
Those look nice. Heard good things about the drivers. Would love to see a single one in a low-profile tower!


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No mention of Zu Audio yet?
Definitely give them a look. I'm eyeing some Soul Supremes myself.
http://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers/soul-supreme
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Originally Posted by emcdade
No mention of Zu Audio yet?
Definitely give them a look. I'm eyeing some Soul Supremes myself.
http://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers/soul-supreme
I originally thought some of the models were single full range speakers but turns out they are coaxial.
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I think the Soul is a full range driver? http://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers/soul
I heard some ZuAudio speakers at the Newport show. They really didn't do it for me.
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