Which Fostex is this?

[oceancity]

I've been given a pair of 4 inch drivers. Fostex 10F02C is written on the magnet. I haven't found those numbers on the Fostex site although they do look like the discontinued FE103.... Anyone know this code?

 

[BHTX]

Sorry, I know nothing about them. However, I found these photos on a Google cached page of a previous eBay auction..

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

 

[oceancity]

Thanks for those photos BHTX, They' re just like the ones I've got. I mounted them in a 6 litre vented enclosure that was lying around from a previous experiment and the result is promising. The bottom end is quite pronounced and a bit woofy, They might work better in a sealed box. the mids are fine. The top end is nothing to write home about, and would benefit from a tweeter maybe?but they're OK. Now if someone knows exactly what they are I will be able to make the right box for them and then I think they are a proposition.

 

[planet10]

An early ceramic magnet FE103

dave

 

[Cal Weldon]

Interesting how they reverted to the numbering system from the Foster days.

 

[oceancity]

Thanks Dave. Is there a spawn family box that would work? If not it looks like a 3.6 L BR box might be the go.

 

[planet10]

Is there a spawn family box that would work?

Until you measure it, one would guess boxes designed for FE103... Suzy Chang or Solo 103 would be my call.

Those benefit from phase plugs.

dave

 

[Brisso57]

An early ceramic magnet FE103

dave

Is this another ceramic "103"?
(It's from a Sony R2R)

cheers

Doug

 

[planet10]

Is this another ceramic "103"?

It is from the same niche, you can see the inverted cloth surround, but has a smaller magnet than most.

dave

 

[Brisso57]

It is from the same niche, you can see the inverted cloth surround, but has a smaller magnet than most.

dave

I've not heard this one. Are the ceramic 103's comparable sonically to the alnico series?
ie Should I bother buying and trying? or stick to alnico?

Doug

 

[planet10]

I've not heard this one. Are the ceramic 103's comparable sonically to the alnico series?
ie Should I bother buying and trying? or stick to alnico?

The big magnet ceramics are comparable to the alnico & the modern equivalents. The smaller magnet drivers are good, but not to the same level.

Compared to the FE103c above, the entire magnet on yours is a bit less in diameter than the top-plate and yours will have a thinner chunk of ceramic.

I probably have 30-some of this class (many with stiff surround syndrome (SSS)), and haven't figured anything to do with them.

If they are cheap ($20/pr) then might be worthwhile if you are in need of a decent "utility" speaker

The sony RTR speakers that are real standouts are alnico Foster FE127A and the 8 ohm holey basket Coral 103A variant.

dave