Fostex F200A, the real story.

OzMikeH · 6th December 2007, 11:28 PM

Are they actually worth it?
They are talked about as a good fullrange driver, yet when I search the forum they are usually just mentioned in passing and I find many advertisements for people selling theirs.

Apparently the Fostex plots are all lies, how good are these drivers in the midrange and treble?

The poor efficiency means you need proper power to drive these, whatever might be saved on tweeters and crossovers is quickly burnt up in the larger amplifier.

ttan98 · 7th December 2007, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OzMikeH
Are they actually worth it?

Apparently the Fostex plots are all lies, .......

Is this yr conclusion? Did you check their plot?

.

At AUD$600 each it is in the same price range as Feastex or Supravox full range, does it sound good? I don't know. To those who can afford them best of luck.

I have the cheaper model FE167E, they are not bad for the price.

BHD · 7th December 2007, 03:29 AM

I've only heard them once, in a very poorly desiged TL being used with a ribbon tweeter. The F200 was being run full range, and the ribbon tweeter was used with only a cap if I recall correctly.

If you look at the freq response in the F200 data sheet, there's a sizable peak around 6k. It's gotta be worse than shown, because these things SCREAM at you. Either that, or the pair that I heard had the ribbon crossed over way too low (this is completely possible from what I heard). I read that Derek Walton built a pair of BR speakers with them with no tweeter and they were quickly sold because of the nasty treble. Details are on his site if it's still around.

The sad thing is that these drivers sounded awesome below that peak. The midrange and bass were nothing short of spectacular. In a better design with the F200's treble steeply rolled off just before that peak coupled to a ribbon tweeter (with the right size cap) that combination could sound amazingly good. But that peak's gotta go, or forget it.

OzMikeH · 7th December 2007, 04:01 AM

Ttan 98, you haven't looked at the price of the feastrex have you? the 9 incher is around $3000. I can't remember exactly, I was in shock at the time.

So it needs a ribbon capable of XO at 5k then. That means we're looking at around $2k in drivers for a stereo pair plus crossovers. (probably active)

There are probably better options for that money with greater efficiency too.

Thanks for the tips guys. I don't think these will suit me. For such a big Buck I expected more Bang.
I'm looking for something with better upper midrange to replace my FE207E, these looked like a drop-in replacement.

planet10 · 7th December 2007, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OzMikeH
'm looking for something with better upper midrange to replace my FE207E

Gave you done all the tweaks to the 207s yet?

dave

ttan98 · 7th December 2007, 04:46 AM

OzMikeH

if you want high efficiency, look at Audax, not full range, spl=100dB, PR170MO, only US$83 each from madisound. X at around 2-4khz for a tweeter, you need a woofer anyway.

I am looking at this, those who have used it gave good response.

ttan98 · 7th December 2007, 04:50 AM

OzMikeH,

if you want stay with Foster, I heard, FE168EZ gives good result.

I think Nelson Pass likes this model if I am not mistaken.

OzMikeH · 7th December 2007, 07:29 AM

I haven't been near my FE207E for 3 months apart from a 3 hour listen.

mods will come soon. I bought an almost microscopic paintbrush to practice with.

planet10 · 7th December 2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OzMikeH
I haven't been near my FE207E for 3 months apart from a 3 hour listen.

mods will come soon. I bought an almost microscopic paintbrush to practice with.

If you have any trouble getting material, i can make up a care package...

dave

OzMikeH · 8th December 2007, 07:46 AM

I was thinking little EnABL kits would be a good seller. A couple of little bottles of paint rolled up in some printouts.

The annoying thing is I gave away a set of 6 rotring rapidograph pens about 12 months ago.

6th December 2007, 11:28 PM	#1
OzMikeH diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	Fostex F200A, the real story. Are they actually worth it? They are talked about as a good fullrange driver, yet when I search the forum they are usually just mentioned in passing and I find many advertisements for people selling theirs. Apparently the Fostex plots are all lies, how good are these drivers in the midrange and treble? The poor efficiency means you need proper power to drive these, whatever might be saved on tweeters and crossovers is quickly burnt up in the larger amplifier.

7th December 2007, 03:29 AM	#3
BHD diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Brooklyn Park, MN	I've only heard them once, in a very poorly desiged TL being used with a ribbon tweeter. The F200 was being run full range, and the ribbon tweeter was used with only a cap if I recall correctly. If you look at the freq response in the F200 data sheet, there's a sizable peak around 6k. It's gotta be worse than shown, because these things SCREAM at you. Either that, or the pair that I heard had the ribbon crossed over way too low (this is completely possible from what I heard). I read that Derek Walton built a pair of BR speakers with them with no tweeter and they were quickly sold because of the nasty treble. Details are on his site if it's still around. The sad thing is that these drivers sounded awesome below that peak. The midrange and bass were nothing short of spectacular. In a better design with the F200's treble steeply rolled off just before that peak coupled to a ribbon tweeter (with the right size cap) that combination could sound amazingly good. But that peak's gotta go, or forget it. __________________ My religion is the golden rule. The only time it's forsaken me is when I've forsaken it first.

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7th December 2007, 04:01 AM	#4
OzMikeH diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	Ttan 98, you haven't looked at the price of the feastrex have you? the 9 incher is around $3000. I can't remember exactly, I was in shock at the time. So it needs a ribbon capable of XO at 5k then. That means we're looking at around $2k in drivers for a stereo pair plus crossovers. (probably active) There are probably better options for that money with greater efficiency too. Thanks for the tips guys. I don't think these will suit me. For such a big Buck I expected more Bang. I'm looking for something with better upper midrange to replace my FE207E, these looked like a drop-in replacement.

7th December 2007, 04:46 AM	#6
ttan98 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Melb	OzMikeH if you want high efficiency, look at Audax, not full range, spl=100dB, PR170MO, only US$83 each from madisound. X at around 2-4khz for a tweeter, you need a woofer anyway. I am looking at this, those who have used it gave good response.

7th December 2007, 04:50 AM	#7
ttan98 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Melb	OzMikeH, if you want stay with Foster, I heard, FE168EZ gives good result. I think Nelson Pass likes this model if I am not mistaken.

7th December 2007, 07:29 AM	#8
OzMikeH diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	I haven't been near my FE207E for 3 months apart from a 3 hour listen. mods will come soon. I bought an almost microscopic paintbrush to practice with.

8th December 2007, 07:46 AM	#10
OzMikeH diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	I was thinking little EnABL kits would be a good seller. A couple of little bottles of paint rolled up in some printouts. The annoying thing is I gave away a set of 6 rotring rapidograph pens about 12 months ago.