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The Frieds move uptown !!

Ohighway

Ohighway

Wannabe Minimalist
Ok, more accurately.... upstairs.

A couple weeks back I acquired a Fried sub/sat system (models O/2 and C/2 respectively) The norm around here with new equipment is to take it downstairs and check it out on my 'test' system in the basement. And that's what happened with these guys.

Listening revealed that they were nice speakers. Nice enough that curiosity got the best of me and I wanted to hear them upstairs in the big family room on my main equipment. So with the help of my wife I got them up and into the family room, wired them up, and gave them a go.

They sounded interesting. Actually a little too interesting as instruments seemed to end up in the oddest locations, and bass was somewhat weak (these are transmission line subs) I did the quick math in my head.
Quirky imaging + weak bass = "phase problem" and sure enough, I had one of them connected backwards. A quick correction and..... ahhhhh...... better!

Sitting and enjoying them now!! These guys sound --NICE-- !! The clarity is startling.... bass is deep, smooth and effortless. They wipe up the floor with any of my other speakers....



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Wow! Sounds like you've found a keeper there. I'd wait until you fully restore all the speakers before making final comparisons but regardless, it's good to hear that the trouble you've gone through with the Frieds is paying off.

Can't wait to hear what you think when they are fully restored!
 
Nice speakers and nice listening space.

Are they left and right speakers specifically, or can they be used on either side, like with the mids and tweeters on either the inside or outside?
 
89grand said:
Nice speakers and nice listening space.

Are they left and right speakers specifically, or can they be used on either side, like with the mids and tweeters on either the inside or outside?
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Good question and I really don't know the answer. I don't think they're right/left specifically, but the few pictures I found always show the satellite above the woofer on the sub. The satellites are completely separate and I suppose could be located anywhere on top of the subs. For that matter I suspect they could be put on stands and the subs located nearby.....I guess. Having NOT tried yet I'm not sure how that would affect the sound.
 
I guess I worded my question wrong, as I didn't realize at first the satellites were separate. I guess I should say can the whole speaker assembly including the woofers be swapped around making the woofer and satellites on the inside, opposite of how yours are, basically just moving the left speaker to the right side, and the right to the left? Maybe it wouldn't even matter and would just amount to changing the spacing between the left and right drivers.
 
I think they could be used either way. Put differently, I'm not sure why they couldn't/shouldn't.

Heck, I'm even tempted to put the subs sideways but keeping the sats facing me just to see what happens. The subs are on wheels.... easy enough to experiment.
 
The satellites have to be placed directly on top of the subs for a flat frequency response.
This is due to the crossover design used with this model to insure a correct time alignment between the mid bass and subwoofer.
 
I see you still have the felt on the tweeters. I thought maybe the room would take care of that issue. Looks like a trip down is in order. Looking Good, I bet they sound great with the Fisher's pushing them! I would like to know how they sound with the sub cabs turned sideways as well. Have you determined the upper crossover point on the subs at this point?
Regards,
Jim
 
SimplySound said:
Including the TLS-80's? WOW! That's saying something! :yes:
Click to expand...

:dunno: :yes: Who knew?!

canuckaudiog said:
Wow! Sounds like you've found a keeper there. I'd wait until you fully restore all the speakers before making final comparisons but regardless, it's good to hear that the trouble you've gone through with the Frieds is paying off.
Click to expand...

TLS-80 will probably stay as I've become a TL junkie.

kfa888 said:
Must be amazing.
Click to expand...

I did a speaker comparison between the TLS-80, Kef 104/2 and my Allison 2 speakers a few days back. While there's no denying there are distinct differences between them, none of those three stood out significantly compared to the others. The Frieds are a different story. They're on a different level entirely.

ehoove said:
I see you still have the felt on the tweeters. I thought maybe the room would take care of that issue. ...... Have you determined the upper crossover point on the subs at this point?
Click to expand...

Not sure if it's the different amplification or maybe (more likely) the big difference in the rooms. But there isn't as much mid/high taming that needs to be done in the big room. I may or may not keep the felt rings. Now the bass on the other hand.... that might need some taming. In the bigger room it seems to develop more fully.
 
Very nice speakers and living space!

I'd suggest swapping whole speakers to other side (all on inside) and see if the imaging improves. Placement and room nodes will dictate a lot of how this sounds.
 
SimplySound said:
Bass Taming? Isn't that an oxymoron? :scratch2:
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Lol.... I know.... right !!??

mech986 said:
Very nice speakers and living space!

I'd suggest swapping whole speakers to other side (all on inside) and see if the imaging improves. Placement and room nodes will dictate a lot of how this sounds.
Click to expand...

Thanks. It's a nice room. 25' x 25' with a 15' peak down the center of the ceiling. I've always wanted to add a large family room with a view to the woods/creek in back, and in 2007 my dream came true. It's a family room in every sense of the word. It has french doors at the entry, and is at the opposite side of the house from the bedrooms. I can listen to music at night at moderate levels, and when everyone else is asleep without bothering them. I do need to move out some speakers in order restore the view out to the back.

I can certainly swap the speakers from side to side. Wheels are a good thing! :D

sm19422 said:
I am glad you are enjoying them.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Your help has been invaluable.
 
sm19422 said:
The satellites have to be placed directly on top of the subs for a flat frequency response.
This is due to the crossover design used with this model to insure a correct time alignment between the mid bass and subwoofer.
Click to expand...

Rick - remember when we tried elevating the satellites? The soundstage collapsed & all the magic disappeared! I suspect they need to be exactly where they are...
 
I can't help but wonder how they would work with the sub's drivers faced sideways. With the distance you have from the side walls, I think both subs facing to the side walls should balance the bass better, and FWIW, I think they would look better too.
 
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