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Fried Model 'Q' Loudspeakers - I think

OldIsNewAgain

OldIsNewAgain

New Member
Hello,
This is my first post ever, so please forgive any inadvertent toe stepping.

I just bought a pair of speakers that appear to be Fried Model Q's, however I am not entirely sure. They did not come with covers, but "Fried Products" is printed on the back where the wires connect. I'm skeptical because I haven't been able to find a photo to compare them with and the presence of Velcro strips to (presumably) secure the fronts seems out of place based on what little I've read online.

I'm not sure if they work and hesitate to fire 'em up for fear of damage. I am out of my depth technically; I'm no audiophile or speaker builder. These things just remind me of (and smell like) the massive audio console from my childhood and I don't want to ruin them by doing something harmful.

Any information about these speakers is appreciated. Are they real or curious doorstops? Should I just connect them and see what happens? Or should they be taken to someone more capable that can assess them? Is there some wealth of Fried information available that I've missed?

Thank you very much.

And yes, I know...
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I had Fried Model Q's in college in 1978. They were the opposite of the popular Advent Speakers which had the West Coast sound. Fried Model Q was the ultimate east coast sound, very accurate and detailed, super clean to listen to. Jazz, brass and drums were fantastic on these speakers. Saxophone sounds dynamic and real.

This was a genuine audiophile speaker. I think they were $250 or $300 when I purchased them new from an audio shop, about a thousand bucks in today's money.

They sound best if pointed directly at the listener's ears. I had them on the floor with some plexiglass stands that laid them back so they pointed up slightly to the listening position.

Thank you for posting the pics, that brings back many fond memories of those days.
 
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Yes, they are Fried speakers and very good ones at that. I have a pair of Q2's and really like them. The crossovers are quite elaborate things for a two way. The vents should be completely filled by the foam. I had to refoam the surrounds and find replacements for the vent foams. The consistency of the vent foam is not critical, in fact Bud Fried encouraged experimentation with that to tailor the response. There is little info on early Fried speakers, most of the sites are dead ends. I've made comparisons to Dyna A-25's because of the venting and find them to be quite similar sounding. Mine are covered in vinyl and as such, I doubt they were very expensive. There are photos of Q3's to be found and most of those are finished in black. All this is just my observation since I have yet to find any real data on early Frieds. I'm not parting with mine any time soon. Why not run them at a low level for a bit and see if you can determine any problem areas ? After replacing the surrounds on mine I had a bit of grief with the breakers. Yours are fused so that should not be a problem. Well worth any effort you put in. Enjoy.
 
wvu80 said:
I had Fried Model Q's in college in 1978. They were the opposite of the popular Advent Speakers which had the West Coast sound. Fried Model Q was the ultimate east coast sound, very accurate and detailed, super clean to listen to. Jazz, brass and drums were fantastic on these speakers. Saxophone sounds dynamic and real.

This was a genuine audiophile speaker. I think they were $250 or $300 when I purchased them new from an audio shop, about a thousand bucks in today's money.

They sound best if pointed directly at the listener's ears. I had them on the floor with some plexiglass stands that laid them back so they pointed up slightly to the listening position.

Thank you for posting the pics, that brings back many fond memories of those days.
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Thank you for your response and feedback. This is my first foray into this arena and I can't wait to start experimenting with them.

About 25 years ago, I met someone that must have had the coffin-satellite setup and a startling vinyl library (almost no furniture, food or heat but he had so many records the floors sagged under their weight). I was literally blown away (it was also my introduction to Tom Waits' music). I had no idea how that impromptu experience would resonate (see what I did there?) throughout my life. Lucky kid.
 
sinewaver said:
Yes, they are Fried speakers and very good ones at that. I have a pair of Q2's and really like them. The crossovers are quite elaborate things for a two way. The vents should be completely filled by the foam. I had to refoam the surrounds and find replacements for the vent foams. The consistency of the vent foam is not critical, in fact Bud Fried encouraged experimentation with that to tailor the response. There is little info on early Fried speakers, most of the sites are dead ends. I've made comparisons to Dyna A-25's because of the venting and find them to be quite similar sounding. Mine are covered in vinyl and as such, I doubt they were very expensive. There are photos of Q3's to be found and most of those are finished in black. All this is just my observation since I have yet to find any real data on early Frieds. I'm not parting with mine any time soon. Why not run them at a low level for a bit and see if you can determine any problem areas ? After replacing the surrounds on mine I had a bit of grief with the breakers. Yours are fused so that should not be a problem. Well worth any effort you put in. Enjoy.
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Thank you! I'd love to see photos of your Frieds.

I haven't checked the depth of foam in the vents yet. The foam around the perimeter of the woofers appears to be complete and supple (can I say that?). Almost like butyl but softer.

Mechanically, they look sound to me, so I'm inclined to play them unless there's some feedback that suggests otherwise.

I've heard of people using specific pieces of music for this purpose. Any suggestions?
 
As others have wrote those are the first Fried model Q speaker.
Those were a little before my time of being a Fried kit customer.

Later versions of the model Q use a series crossover.

Here is a photo of my Fried 3 way T-lines.
These use T-line loading for the 6.5" and 10" drivers.

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I too have a set of the model Q's. Just using one I am impressed with the sound quality. However, one of the pair has the magnet separated from both drivers which renders it non-functional. I don't know if this is a recognized problem with this speaker or not but there are some brands and models that are known for it. You may need to apply some JB Weld around the magnet structure for insurance. Hopefully, someone else may be able to confirm or deny this observation.

Otherwise, they remain in my "project" pile as I could tell the sound quality in an instant.
 
As by your request, pictures of my Q2's. Do a search to find pix of Q3's. A bit more common I think. I wonder how many were made, I've not seen any others in this part of the world. Shame there is so little info. The sites exist but most of the links on them are dead ends. It's almost as though a purge took place.
 

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Good luck on the repair.
jhtstone said:
I too have a set of the model Q's. Just using one I am impressed with the sound quality. However, one of the pair has the magnet separated from both drivers which renders it non-functional. I don't know if this is a recognized problem with this speaker or not but there are some brands and models that are known for it. You may need to apply some JB Weld around the magnet structure for insurance. Hopefully, someone else may be able to confirm or deny this observation.

Otherwise, they remain in my "project" pile as I could tell the sound quality in an instant.
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Let me know if it works!
 
sinewaver said:
As by your request, pictures of my Q2's. Do a search to find pix of Q3's. A bit more common I think. I wonder how many were made, I've not seen any others in this part of the world. Shame there is so little info. The sites exist but most of the links on them are dead ends. It's almost as though a purge took place.
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Beautiful speakers! If no trouble, could you post a picture of the rear terminal plate?
 
I met Bud Fried a couple of times. He had a retail store near where I grew up for a while, and later a workshop where he sold off some stuff when he was moving out. Very nice man and quite down to earth.
 
Ignore or comment on this as you see fit but I like to add this to any of the Fried threads concerning models using this tweeter.

This is the same tweeter as used in the Yamaha NS-5, a simple FYI if anyone is searching for a replacement. They also have a very similar serial number tag and crossover plate to the Q, even down to the circular single digit number sticker between the binding posts.
 
Welcome aboard! Those speakers are Model Q (the first version), not a Q/2 or Q/3. The later versions would clearly state "Q/2" or "Q/3" on the terminal plate. You have a fantastic little speaker on your hands. One that will definitely surprise you. I recently came into a pair of A/3 from a dear friend and they are stunning. Bud Fried knew what he was doing.

A close up pic of the woofer will confirm this, but I believe the Q used a rubber woofer surround, which should not need replacement. The later models used a foam surround which needs to be replaced over time.

Since this is your first foray into vintage audio, I have to ask obvious questions like, "How are you going to power them?" Hooking these speakers up to a run of the mill received from Best Buy will make noise, but will likely not give you the experience you are seeking and will also not bring out the best these speakers have to offer.
 
I had a very early pair of Qs, and loved them. Replaced them with IMF TLS 50s which were definitely better (as they should have been at 4 or 5 time the volume and complexity, and probably even greater price multiple), but the Qs were more dynamic.
I'd go ahead and play them but I'd pull out and reinsert the foam block in the vent so that it fully fills it and is flush with the baffle.
 
By your request, rear view of Q2. As can be seen, the Q2 uses a circuit breaker instead of a fuse. The circuit breaker is for the whole system and not just the tweeter. Is the fuse the same ? The contacts in the breakers can be iffy. Q3's are fused as I recall.
 

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I have a pair of Q/3 that I'd like to refoam. Which vendor sells the foam kit for this speaker? I haven't seen any foam kits specific to this model.
 
HyKlas said:
Ignore or comment on this as you see fit but I like to add this to any of the Fried threads concerning models using this tweeter.

This is the same tweeter as used in the Yamaha NS-5, a simple FYI if anyone is searching for a replacement. They also have a very similar serial number tag and crossover plate to the Q, even down to the circular single digit number sticker between the binding posts.
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Thank you!
 
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