mccarty350
Super Member
I am reasonably confident that the foam is intrinsic to the resistive line design but am not an expert by any means.
Any Fried model R fans??
- Thread starter hunter00
- Start date
Gravelyguy
Active Member
Thanks for all the great info Jim. I love my R's!
Dave
Dave
JimPA
Distinguished Member
Another AK member Luvmusik sent me the attachments.
I thought it would be appropriate to post them on this thread.
luvmusik
HOORAY !...ELECTRICITY !
Much gratitude to AK member laminarflow for originally providing all attachments, many I had not seen. In particular is the elusive and much sought after attachment #213. I have no idea who's serial # was penned in, but it describes the most important series mod of crossover change from R series I to advanced, improved R series II crossover, which in turn led to the phenomenal series II reviews specifically. Inductor values are needed to complete a brand new crossover of this type, which Falcon has said they are willing to construct at this time.
If we could get inductor measurements from R series II owners, it would solve years of mystery, for which the current Fried factory says they have lost archives for; even Fried engineers from the late-period have no records of these needed values. Also, the tweeter mod is part of attachment 213. Much Thanks to laminarflow -AK'er who not only was present for many of Bud's lectures, but also was chosen to be an in-home demo location for many of Fried's models with Bud's selection, and also owning nearly the entire Fried line through out Irving's time there.
Thank You kindly M.N.
Frank
If we could get inductor measurements from R series II owners, it would solve years of mystery, for which the current Fried factory says they have lost archives for; even Fried engineers from the late-period have no records of these needed values. Also, the tweeter mod is part of attachment 213. Much Thanks to laminarflow -AK'er who not only was present for many of Bud's lectures, but also was chosen to be an in-home demo location for many of Fried's models with Bud's selection, and also owning nearly the entire Fried line through out Irving's time there.
Thank You kindly M.N.
Frank
luvmusik
HOORAY !...ELECTRICITY !
Had just stumbled upon this thread today, so was happy to share previous post and very happy for attachments finding their rightful home.
Mortsnets, you are very fortunate ! You have the prize-winning series II specific model, if they are indeed series IIi ! I have heard that model fresh when issued new. The serial number may indicate that. Don't sell those ! If you want a real treat and your front lower foam is missing at the vent - please get the proper replacemement foam to put in and give that a whirl ! This will really change the sound, but control it so much better in bass presentation. The open-vent, with some removing the foam, if so, is done a lot with R's and some like that -it gives an entirely different aspect of the speaker.
But, try it -some AKer's here or on the IMF owners thread can direct you to the exact foam replacement - very important the replica foam is chosen -it's cheap. I used to know, but age has me forgotten it & even where I filed that info ! Be open to the fact that the bass will really be different & very clean, and astoundingly more articulate due to the resistive line-loading engineered for the cabinet design, but possibly difficult to change from accustomed sound -you just pop the foam in or out at will, per preference. Bud describes this effect for R's in his letters. Those letters are around, and one database recently lost them all unfortunately. If experimenting, please let us know your impressions, if choosing this easy experiment.
I like my R series I with the foam intact, and only had one opportunity to speak with Bud while he was with us about the design. One misconception he clarified was the "bass bump" he intentionally incorporated into the R design in the mid-bass region. As an aside, but related to topic, very many speakers possess this bump to some extent because folks like it & it makes music appealing. Bud was aware of this & was totally into linear bandwidth sound across the full frequency spectrum. For R series, he told me that he just applied a very tiny, little tad bit of bump in the mid-bass region due to popular appeal, without subtracting from the linearity he desired. It was walking a tightrope, with precise application, so as not to over compensate and not result in audible coloration. Many speak of this R bump like it is slightly colored, only based on fact that Bud designed a "slight" mid-bass bump in the R's. It is actually hardly audible & seen on measurement. It is ever so "slight" to reiterate Bud's words. People just loved the speaker for so many reasons & R's sold like crazy, a top seller. In Bud's words..."people really loved that speaker". Great guy, very warm, understanding, appreciative and genuine. He was firm in belief and helped tailor much for audio.
Hunter00, if you think it helps, I believe the mods (thru your PM) can slightly adjust the thread title to leaving out the "Ant", it may get more views as "Fried Model R fans??" Only a suggestion, no disrespect intended, I hit wrong keys all the time. Just a thought.
Mortsnets, you are very fortunate ! You have the prize-winning series II specific model, if they are indeed series IIi ! I have heard that model fresh when issued new. The serial number may indicate that. Don't sell those ! If you want a real treat and your front lower foam is missing at the vent - please get the proper replacemement foam to put in and give that a whirl ! This will really change the sound, but control it so much better in bass presentation. The open-vent, with some removing the foam, if so, is done a lot with R's and some like that -it gives an entirely different aspect of the speaker.
But, try it -some AKer's here or on the IMF owners thread can direct you to the exact foam replacement - very important the replica foam is chosen -it's cheap. I used to know, but age has me forgotten it & even where I filed that info ! Be open to the fact that the bass will really be different & very clean, and astoundingly more articulate due to the resistive line-loading engineered for the cabinet design, but possibly difficult to change from accustomed sound -you just pop the foam in or out at will, per preference. Bud describes this effect for R's in his letters. Those letters are around, and one database recently lost them all unfortunately. If experimenting, please let us know your impressions, if choosing this easy experiment.
I like my R series I with the foam intact, and only had one opportunity to speak with Bud while he was with us about the design. One misconception he clarified was the "bass bump" he intentionally incorporated into the R design in the mid-bass region. As an aside, but related to topic, very many speakers possess this bump to some extent because folks like it & it makes music appealing. Bud was aware of this & was totally into linear bandwidth sound across the full frequency spectrum. For R series, he told me that he just applied a very tiny, little tad bit of bump in the mid-bass region due to popular appeal, without subtracting from the linearity he desired. It was walking a tightrope, with precise application, so as not to over compensate and not result in audible coloration. Many speak of this R bump like it is slightly colored, only based on fact that Bud designed a "slight" mid-bass bump in the R's. It is actually hardly audible & seen on measurement. It is ever so "slight" to reiterate Bud's words. People just loved the speaker for so many reasons & R's sold like crazy, a top seller. In Bud's words..."people really loved that speaker". Great guy, very warm, understanding, appreciative and genuine. He was firm in belief and helped tailor much for audio.
Hunter00, if you think it helps, I believe the mods (thru your PM) can slightly adjust the thread title to leaving out the "Ant", it may get more views as "Fried Model R fans??" Only a suggestion, no disrespect intended, I hit wrong keys all the time. Just a thought.
Last edited:
JimPA
Distinguished Member
Once in awhile laminarflow and I do contact each other.
I am hoping he has some of the lost files saved to his hard drive.
If he sends them to I want to place them on a thread for safe keeping.
Laminarflow has sent me a review of the Fried Studio 7 model designed by the previous ownership of the company.
The review received a follow up after some changes were made with the foam damping used in the mid bass and woofer T-lines.
After this the measured response was ruler flat.
mccarty350
Super Member
Resurrecting an ancient thread. Does anyone know the type of foam to use in the slot in the model R?
JimPA
Distinguished Member
The same kind of foam that is used in the enclosure, low density polyurethane foam.
mccarty350
Super Member
I was looking at a pair that was missing the foam in one slot (I sold mine years ago...and regret it) and was hoping to find out specifically where to buy it. Low density polyurethane foam might be specific enough for me to figure that out, thank you Jim!
JimPA
Distinguished Member
Most any fabric store sells this type of foam.
If the type below isn't wide enough you will have to get a wider piece cut from a roll sold in one foot increments.
15681406.html
mccarty350
Super Member
THANK YOU JIM!!! That's exactly what I was looking for!
Robint
Super Member
Recently bought a pair of R/2's on Ebay in April, local pick-up, Planned to visit wife's relations and pick up speakers on the way. Didn't work out as wife's home town covid hotspot. Finally able to travel and in the beginning of June made the round trip in one day. Cabinets beat up, melinex domes pushed in, one B110 surround split, grill cloth ripped. Used liquid vinyl on surround, fired speakers up, all speakers work. Used Howard's Restore & Finish on the cabinets followed by Feed and Wax, ordered surrounds from Europe. Replaced the grill cloth and using tape managed to pull out the melinex domes. Finally the surrounds arrived and I refoamed the B110's. Pulled the crossover and discovered they were R2 Serial # R07225. Ordered capacitors and will upgrade to the new tweeter circuit. So from the research R 1 went to serial # R07184 R 2 continued on from R07185 and R 3 made the change to Dalesford drivers in the same cabinets. The only way to find out what model 1 or 2 is to pull the crossover. Have been immersing myself in music, so I a fan of Fried Model R's
luvmusik
HOORAY !...ELECTRICITY !
@Robint
Great find ! Series 2 especially.
Might you have a list of the crossover part numbers, markings or zoom foto ?
Glad you can find the tweeter mod useful that we posted.
Please post the sound difference before & after tweet circuit mod. Maybe do 1 side and compare it to other side mono before doing the 2nd side.
Are you able to measure inductor values ? Others here can explain how.
Great find ! Series 2 especially.
Might you have a list of the crossover part numbers, markings or zoom foto ?
Glad you can find the tweeter mod useful that we posted.
Please post the sound difference before & after tweet circuit mod. Maybe do 1 side and compare it to other side mono before doing the 2nd side.
Are you able to measure inductor values ? Others here can explain how.
luvmusik
HOORAY !...ELECTRICITY !
@hifitommy
@Robint
Placing the series II crossover into the original Model R creates a true series II Model R. That newer crossover was a modified KEF Concerto xover which crossed the woofer over at a lower 200 Hz; whereas the series I crossed at 375Hz. The mid & woof drivers are able to handle that lower 200 Hz cross from the new series II crossover. Falcon always said they could make the newer crossover if schematics were provided to them.
The tweet circuit mod then was the final update for series I and II models.
The factory Fried Model R series II had the word "Signature" on the back, either on the backplate or badged on the backwood, being the first speaker creating the "Signature" line. Do your pairs have the signature badging, just curious ? There are variants, I will try to post 2 fotos.
@Robint
Placing the series II crossover into the original Model R creates a true series II Model R. That newer crossover was a modified KEF Concerto xover which crossed the woofer over at a lower 200 Hz; whereas the series I crossed at 375Hz. The mid & woof drivers are able to handle that lower 200 Hz cross from the new series II crossover. Falcon always said they could make the newer crossover if schematics were provided to them.
The tweet circuit mod then was the final update for series I and II models.
The factory Fried Model R series II had the word "Signature" on the back, either on the backplate or badged on the backwood, being the first speaker creating the "Signature" line. Do your pairs have the signature badging, just curious ? There are variants, I will try to post 2 fotos.
luvmusik
HOORAY !...ELECTRICITY !
This is the ultra-rare Fried Model R series 2 variant backplate badging "Made in England". It occurred when IMF and Fried became separate companies and parts were shared. I wrote extensively about this somewhere on AK, it may have been in the IMF owners thread, I forget where, but a search may find it. Fried models of course were assembled & ultimately made in USA. There are british IMF model R badged IMF on the front grill and backplate, which was part of that writing mentioned. These 2 variants were during that company transition period; I may have posted fotos of that IMF model R in that other thread long ago.