• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Foster vs. Fostex

speakerlust

speakerlust

Super Member
Banned
I picked up some Realistic Solo 103's with Alnico Fosters in them. Should I remove the Fosters and install the Fostex? Should I Not waste the fostex
on the Solo cabinet, Will these make good rear channel speakers for use with my Fulton Model 80's up front in my future music studio for rehearsal?
 
Register to hide this ad
I take it from the lack of responses that both of my speaker ideas really aren't the best ones? I was going to pass up the Realistic Solo's when I saw them at first but I am a speaker junky, what can I say? Would I do best to toss them instead of possibly mis-apply them in a music studio?
 
I always thought that Foster and Fostex were actually the same company/brand? Just a change or variation in the name. I think that may be why people are confused a bit by your question. Also most aren't familiar with the particular model you are speaking of ....the Solo 103's ( also They may not be familiar with the Fultons you're referring to ..I'm not). I was a RS Dealer in the 80's and I don't remember the Solo's specifically. Also what Fostex driver are you talking about replacing the Foster with? Other than that the questions are as clear as mud (no offense!)

My immediate thoughts would suggest that the Solo may not be the best monitor type speaker. Most of that series had smaller cabinets and as a result a somewhat boxy sound. A monitor is usually a mid/large bookshelf size, fairly efficient, and an accurate sounding system. I know nothing about the Fultons so it may be that they are perfect monitors and the Solo's would be good fill in for rear ambience and detail. I would do a switch on the drivers and decide which you like best if you don't have to modify the cabinets too much you can always put the originals back in.

The cabinets on the RS speakers were usually quite nice so I wouldn't scrap them. They could be used as is or for another project later. There are a lot of the old RS speakers that were really nice and are very underated. Then there are some that are nice enough but could use a tweak or two. The Foster drivers are well known and high quality. The old Optimus one would make a great monitor in my opnion as would the Optimus Fives. Good luck with your speakers and the studio! Best! Franksta
 
Same everything. Foster still exists as an OEM manufacturer. Fostex is their retail to the public division. Their business cards are printed on both sides, one Foster, one Fostex. The old F103 / 10 RG 11 alnico drivers can sound great, but are bettered with a zobel network to flatten their response. The later FE-103's (ferrite) have different T/S parameters and usually work well in ported boxes without zobel. The Sigma versions (also ferrite) FE-108Z have a very low Q and are intended for horn loaded enclosures, although many have used the 103's in them (Fostex and Radio Shack varieties) with good results.
 
The Foster 10F3 versions of the early style FE-103 in the Solo's are sought by collectors on ebay and an alnico magnet pair recently sold for about $ 50. I like the sound of my ceramic magnet 10F3's in their unmodified state better than older FE-103's with the vented dust caps. I mounted the drivers in some good quality bass reflex cabinets designed for the current Fostex FE-103 and it sounds good.

The Realistic Solo 103 cabinets are light duty and far from optimal. I don't like the sound of recessed drivers, and particularly on small full range units as it increases beaminess. I've mounted a pair of more recent Radio Shack 4 inch full rangers (from something like an XTS-25? model) to the front of the Solo 103 cabinets. By cutting the grillcloth for the speaker opening the threaded mounting studs can be removed from the front and their holes used as screw holes to mount the driver. The drivers are now exposed and vunerable, but they look cool and sound decent.

As for the Foster/Fostex name thing, the Foster company used to brand all their speakers with the Foster name up to a certain point in time at which point they switched to Fostex,. So Foster branded drivers are just more vintage.....
 
Thanks Celt, That looks like what I've got including the alnicos. Although I do not have the vent on my duct caps. I've got to get that camera hooked up.....
 
for awhile Fostex professional had a virtual mirror of many high end JBL offerings...

i have some of their tweeters...

they are in the same league as JBL 075s/077s IMO

:)
 
Those are nice drivers in AlNiCo.
Here's the original "Electonics Illustrated" article, as provided for years by R/S with the 1197 when you bought one.
http://au.geocities.com/footstony/sub_mini.pdf

http://fullrangedriver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1622

An older, not-so-AlNiCo 40-1197 :-)
40-1197insitu.jpg
 
Thanks Mark. I used to have that Electronics Illustrated, but like many things, it's long gone. :( I have the alnico drivers and intend to build them up as the article illustrates. :)
 
Ditto ....... I read the PDF and It looks like the Solo 103 from Radio Shack.
Pretty cool.... Well, I'd best just put these cabinets back together I guess?
Unless?.................... There is a better cabinet design ???
 
Guess I should not be by-passing all those small RS speakers I see kicking around at the thrift.
 
A TQWT, TL, or "back horn" is (EDIT: probably!) a better design for them.
See, for example:
http://www.t-linespeakers.org/
http://www.t-linespeakers.org/drivers/tunnelreflex/index.html

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue19/hornshoppe.htm
http://www.thehornshoppe.com/
(unless my mind is playing tricks on me, Ed originally sold an 'entry level' version of this with the FE-103E driver.

BTW, the Fostex FE-103E is still very much available.
http://www.madisound.com/catalog/pr...d=266&osCsid=43600872db71171051add2f0db04b89e
http://www.madisound.com/catalog/PDF/fostexdrivers/fe103erev.pdf

FWIW, I find (at least) the later, black coned, ceramic magnet 40-1197 drivers a bit too tizzy for my taste; a couple of coats of Dammar varnish does help, IME.


FE103E.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom