Smokehouse Bob said:
Just came across a pair at the thrift shop just down the road from my job. In better shape visually that the ones pictured, too. $3.99 for the pair. Didn't want to wait in line, so didn't get them, just Googled and found this thread. May have to go back tomorrow...
Grab 'em, Chicks!
They are gems. I've been hunting, buying and selling them and their cream-coned Coral sisters for few years. Got maybe a dozen in my basement right now. They fetch $45-$100+ per pair for those who know what they are (and not all that many know about them). At those prices, I'd still call them highly undervalued in terms of price vs. performance. And, in just the few years since Planet10 made me aware of them, I've noticed they have gotten more and more rare.
My favorite alignment for them is assisted wideband OB, in a baffle on top of a nice big prosound woofer. IMO, they really benefit from a high-pass if they're going to do any loudness. Martin King has a great how-to.
They are gems. I've been hunting, buying and selling them and their cream-coned Coral sisters for few years. Got maybe a dozen in my basement right now. They fetch $45-$100+ per pair for those who know what they are (and not all that many know about them). At those prices, I'd still call them highly undervalued in terms of price vs. performance. And, in just the few years since Planet10 made me aware of them, I've noticed they have gotten more and more rare.
My favorite alignment for them is assisted wideband OB, in a baffle on top of a nice big prosound woofer. IMO, they really benefit from a high-pass if they're going to do any loudness. Martin King has a great how-to.
Bill F. said:
Stopped by the thrift store after work to "Grab 'em", was greeted by an empty shelf. Someone else had snatched them in the four hours from lunchtime. Ah well. My impatience and ignorance resulted in a missed opportunity
Hey Dave, Everyone,
I just found an interesting twig on the FE103A family tree. It appears to be a black-cone version of the holey-basket Coral. Same magnet and holey, round-flange basket, but the cone and dustcap are smooth black paper (no ribs), and the surround is black textile--less tacky, more like the feel of the Foster units.
The cream-cone holey-basket units I'm familiar with are stamped 082-12 or 082-13 on the magnet. These black-cone units are stamped 082-11. Earlier production, maybe? These are the first of their kind I've ever seen.
I'll post pics ASAP.
Bill
I just found an interesting twig on the FE103A family tree. It appears to be a black-cone version of the holey-basket Coral. Same magnet and holey, round-flange basket, but the cone and dustcap are smooth black paper (no ribs), and the surround is black textile--less tacky, more like the feel of the Foster units.
The cream-cone holey-basket units I'm familiar with are stamped 082-12 or 082-13 on the magnet. These black-cone units are stamped 082-11. Earlier production, maybe? These are the first of their kind I've ever seen.
I'll post pics ASAP.
Bill
Bill F. said:
"082-11" correct. 8 ohms.
The 500A RtR decks were fitted with either with black or cream HB's, but I don't know the chronology.
Doug
Another Fe103a variant?
This afternoon I got for AUS$10 a pair of Sony RtR speakerboxes. There was no marking to indicate which model.
Upon opening them I found a pair of SONY branded single drivers. Alnico magnet. 4". A 4-slot pressed steel basket.
The lettering is:
213-12
8 ohm 3W
JAPAN
87212
The have a black paper cone with 2 concentric embossed bands at about 1/2 the radius. A see-through black gauze dust cover.
What is known of this variant?
cheers
Doug
This afternoon I got for AUS$10 a pair of Sony RtR speakerboxes. There was no marking to indicate which model.
Upon opening them I found a pair of SONY branded single drivers. Alnico magnet. 4". A 4-slot pressed steel basket.
The lettering is:
213-12
8 ohm 3W
JAPAN
87212
The have a black paper cone with 2 concentric embossed bands at about 1/2 the radius. A see-through black gauze dust cover.
What is known of this variant?
cheers
Doug
It may be the perspective of the picture, but to me the motor assemblies appear smaller than the FE103a family. Have you compared them side-by-side with another FE103a? Another family trait that seems to be missing is the treated gauze surround.
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Bill is right, the magnet on these is significantly smaller, so these would fit into a class below the FE103A variants.
I have had these National OEMs in hand.
dave
I have had these National OEMs in hand.
dave
I had a pair of National OEM drivers (also from a Sony R2R) that was quite similar to those, same cone and dustcap, but with ceramic motors. Though the Fs (which Dave initially advised me about) was too high for any sort of "fullrange" use, I thought the treble sounded especially smooth and nice. They seem like superb candidates for OB's with helper woofers.
Paul
Wild Burro Audio Labs - DIY Full Range Speakers
affordable, US-made, fullrange loudspeaker drivers
Paul
Wild Burro Audio Labs - DIY Full Range Speakers
affordable, US-made, fullrange loudspeaker drivers
Correct, by golly!
Attached is a lineup (L to R):
black holey basket 082-11
beige holey basket 082-13
Sanyo Fe103A variant R-S6857
Sony 213-12
cheers
Doug
Attachments
Ping Dave at Planet 10
Hi Dave,
I've just seen these apparent Sanyo branded "holey baskets" on fleaBay in Oz.
Have you sighted these before?
full range Sanyo speaker drivers - eBay, Speakers, Subwoofers, Audio, Electronics. (end time 23-Aug-10 20:50:51 AEST)
Doug
Hi Dave,
I've just seen these apparent Sanyo branded "holey baskets" on fleaBay in Oz.
Have you sighted these before?
full range Sanyo speaker drivers - eBay, Speakers, Subwoofers, Audio, Electronics. (end time 23-Aug-10 20:50:51 AEST)
Doug
Relabed Corals. Grab em, they'll probably go cheap. But you might want to ask if they have SSS (stiff surround syndrome)
dave
dave
Hi Dave
Well the Sanyo holey baskets should arrive tomorrow. (I couldn't resist!)
How about these 4" Akai's from an M8 RtR on fleaBay? (see picture) Are they FE103A's?
Attachments
I took these out of Minimus 2.5 extension speakers.
While they are not an FE103 clone, they do seem to suffer from the SSS you describe on their inverted treated cloth surrounds. I measured their Fs~175Hz and Qts~1.75. Is there a cure for SSS? Thanks!
Best regards,
az
No. I don't think so. I parted an M8, those magnets aren't as large, and the cone is not as well developed.
dave
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