Why Has Fostex Dropped So Many Drivers?

[tightwad]

Fostex has dropped all the shielded FE drivers. While it is true that the CRT is dead and shielding is mostly unnecessary, the shielded drivers tended to have smoother frequency responses.

[planet10]

This is true. They also dropped the FFxx5K line.

I would guess that it was part of Foster Corporate reorganization due to the current economic slump.

For instance the Fostex driver manufacturing facility was closed/merged into another line.

The ex-head of this manufacturing facility now has his own and is subcontracting. For example this gentleman personally hand made the production prototype Alpair10.2 (generation 2) that Mark sent us for last month's diyFEST.

At least 3 other top Fostex engineers are also now private, and have been involved in the developmet of the recent Alpair 6 & 10. Matsubara-san to name one has been involved even longer, having designed all the rear suspensions since Alpair7/12. Mark Audio will only be one of the vendors benefitting from these gentleman's expertise.

dave