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Fried speakers

A

asmudeus

Member
Got a pair of Fried Beta 4 speakers for 40$.

I hear they are designed from the same person who did the IMF and are highly regarded.

My betas need new surrounds on the woofers. I saw the site and it said you could get replacement woofers for 70$, but the copyright on their site is still 2004. Called the number and just got an answering machine, also emailed with no response so far.

I was wondering if anyone has gotten replacement woofers from them recently and if anyone can me some opinions on these speakers.
 
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Hi, can you post some pics of the speaker itself, and then of the two drivers in question? IIRC, the speaker is a small truncated pyramid with two drivers, one 6.5 inch woofer and then a dome tweeter.

If you can get some pics of the front and back of the woofer, it may help to identify them. Otherwise, if the woofer are still ok (measure about 4-8 ohms with a DMM and make some music without scraping), then a refoam is what you might be able to get away with.

To determine the foam dimensions, you'll need to measure the diameter of the cone edge to edge, the inner diameter of the frame and the outer diameter of where the foam sits on the frame. Also, you'll need to determine if the surround is originally attached to the cone front or back, and whether the surround is angled to match te cone or not.

Look up Looneytune2001 (IIRC) for a well known supplier of surrounds who has extensive knowledge about pretty much any speakers. Also, member ReEdger may also be able to help you here.

Regards,

bart
 
I had a pair of the original Betas, which were a standard rectangular box. I bought them needing foam but refoaming was part of the deal (this was before I knew how to do it myself), and was disappointed in their sound, but noticed that the foam had been cut down to size (a larger circumference made smaller by cutting and overlapping) and was really quite stiff. I removed it and replaced it with a pair of foams from Mat electronics, and the sound was transformed. Quite a good speaker -- didn't sound like a small speaker -- though system dependent so needed some trying to find an amp that worked well with it.
 
The is 6inches(outer) to 4.25inches(inner).

Both ends are glued to the front, I've never reformed before, but I'm guessing if both are on the front it shouldn't be too hard.

The number on the back of the magnet reads: 175-1004

I don't know squat about ohms or wattage on them, and I don't know how to check either.

I attached some pictures as well.

Any insight would be helpful

jimbofish said:
It's a very small operation. Try calling early am or around 5-6pm. What they'll tell you is to mail in a check for the amount on the webpage below. No CC, no online, no phone orders.

http://www.friedproducts.com/beta.html
Click to expand...

I've tired as early as 9am California time, up till about 5pm my time every other hour.

Should I try earlier my time, I wouldn't know when they close shop for the day.

No email response as well and I sent it two days ago.

Don't really want to send 70$ unless I have a surefire OK that their business is still kicking.
 

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That looks like a nice woofer -- vented pole piece. But you can refoam for vastly less. I believe there is an AK advertiser/member, reedger, who could make sure you have exactly the correct size and shape surround, if you aren't interested in the crap shoot involved in buying standard sizes and hoping they fit.
 
Nat said:
That looks like a nice woofer -- vented pole piece. But you can refoam for vastly less. I believe there is an AK advertiser/member, reedger, who could make sure you have exactly the correct size and shape surround, if you aren't interested in the crap shoot involved in buying standard sizes and hoping they fit.
Click to expand...

If a refoam is much less then a replacement I'll give it a shoot.
I figured these speakers weren't trash and are defiantly much better sounding then my Sansui speakers, paired with a sub they should be perfect for my room.

I'm gonna message this ReEdger person, thanks for all the help everyone.

If possible I'd like more info on the woofer incase one day a replacement is needed.




Edit:

How would I get a hold of reEdger, I still don't know my way around this site.
 
asmudeus said:
If a refoam is much less then a replacement I'll give it a shoot.
I figured these speakers weren't trash and are defiantly much better sounding then my Sansui speakers, paired with a sub they should be perfect for my room.

I'm gonna message this ReEdger person, thanks for all the help everyone.

If possible I'd like more info on the woofer incase one day a replacement is needed.




Edit:

How would I get a hold of reEdger, I still don't know my way around this site.
Click to expand...

Do a member search for ReEdger's name and then click on his name. It will send you to his AK information and you can send him a PM (Private message) from there.

What area of California are you in? If you wanted to have someone do the job for you, Orange County Speaker Repair may be able to for probably around $60/pair plus shipping. check out their site at www.speakerrepair.com.

Bart
 
mech986 said:
Do a member search for ReEdger's name and then click on his name. It will send you to his AK information and you can send him a PM (Private message) from there.

What area of California are you in? If you wanted to have someone do the job for you, Orange County Speaker Repair may be able to for probably around $60/pair plus shipping. check out their site at www.speakerrepair.com.

Bart
Click to expand...

Tried that, seems reEdger is no longer here.

I gave them a call, they said the cost was 28$ a speaker and since I'm really close shipping should be dirt cheap.

Rather pay 80$ for a professional job instead of 40$ for a DIY kit.

I can barely even solder, I'd imagination I would suck at refoaming.

Thanks, this seems like the best path unless Fried Products reply to my email or calls.
 
asmudeus said:
I've tired as early as 9am California time, up till about 5pm my time every other hour.

Should I try earlier my time, I wouldn't know when they close shop for the day.

No email response as well and I sent it two days ago.

Don't really want to send 70$ unless I have a surefire OK that their business is still kicking.
Click to expand...

You'll need to adjust for EST. They don't have anyone answering the phone. You have to catch them on breaks or when they first come in or leave.

They were still in business in Dec. See this thread... http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=188319

Try sending an email to this guy... Chris Thomas. He's the Fried distributor in MI and may be able to find out for you. All you really need to know is whether they have the woofers you need in stock. If not, you'll be on the waiting list till the next production run.

cbthomas@wildblue.net
 
jimbofish said:
You'll need to adjust for EST. They don't have anyone answering the phone. You have to catch them on breaks or when they first come in or leave.

They were still in business in Dec. See this thread... http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=188319

Try sending an email to this guy... Chris Thomas. He's the Fried distributor in MI and may be able to find out for you. All you really need to know is whether they have the woofers you need in stock. If not, you'll be on the waiting list till the next production run.

cbthomas@wildblue.net
Click to expand...

Sent an email, waiting for a reply now.

Getting the new woofers would be the easiest method, if they still have some maybe later I can refoam the old ones and compare them.

Still a steal at 40$ with the woofer hunting, my chances of seeing another pair of Fried Beta 4 speakers in the condition I got them in for sale is probably zero.

They are definitely well build and sound great for bookshelf speakers.

Thanks again.
 
Chris should respond within 24hrs or so. He's likely not able to actually get the parts for you, but he may be able to tell you how to get to someone at the factory.

With the current economic state, it's possible they're working irregular hours.
 
jimbofish said:
Chris should respond within 24hrs or so. He's likely not able to actually get the parts for you, but he may be able to tell you how to get to someone at the factory.

With the current economic state, it's possible they're working irregular hours.
Click to expand...

Ill keep calling Fried products. All I need is the OK that the part is in stock and I'll ship the check.

Yea, it's getting pretty bad in my town as well. Are local community college has to cancel summer school this year due to lack of funds.
 
Dear asmudeus.
They are still in business- There is a two week waitng list for the woofers and well worth it. They will not cash your check unitl they send your woofers. Very small operation. I love Fried.

Christopher
 
What Happend ?

asmudeus said:
Ill keep calling Fried products. All I need is the OK that the part is in stock and I'll ship the check.

Yea, it's getting pretty bad in my town as well. Are local community college has to cancel summer school this year due to lack of funds.
Click to expand...

So ?

Here it's a month later, did you ever hear from Fried ? Did you get their replacements ? If so how are they ?

I have two pair of Beta's I pulled out of mothballs in the course of "musicateing" every room in my new abode, only to find the foam rot on two of my speakers. I then did an Internet search on speaker repair and eventually stumbled on to the Fried Beta Woofer Replacement site and THIS THREAD. I just sent Fried an email, but I was hoping this thread had some closure to it.

What did you do, how did you make out, did you hear ever from Fried ???

Inquiring minds want to know :scratch2:
 
geee said:
So ?

Here it's a month later, did you ever hear from Fried ? Did you get their replacements ? If so how are they ?

I have two pair of Beta's I pulled out of mothballs in the course of "musicateing" every room in my new abode, only to find the foam rot on two of my speakers. I then did an Internet search on speaker repair and eventually stumbled on to the Fried Beta Woofer Replacement site and THIS THREAD. I just sent Fried an email, but I was hoping this thread had some closure to it.

What did you do, how did you make out, did you hear ever from Fried ???

Inquiring minds want to know :scratch2:
Click to expand...

After about 10 days I got response from Fried.
Sure enough they were on backorder, I don't remember but I think the wait was 2-6weeks depending what place in line you had.
They told me a sent check would hold your place and they wouldn't cash it until they had the drivers on hand.

I didn't really have 70$ to use so I went for a refoam.
Well to say the least it was a mistake I regretted.
Finding perfect foam surrounds for these speakers is like a freaking treasure hunt.
I finally decided on some generic surrounds, they worked but looked rather tacky and the inner lip was a bit big.

Imho the replacement drivers are a much better deal if what Fried claims about them is true.

The refoams work, but I still intend to get the replacement drivers in the future

For their size they make a very big sound and sound great, it is defiantly worth $50 more and a 3 week wait to get woofers that are exactly as the creator intended them to be.

Fried speakers are defiantly worth fixing, they don't come around often, and when they do they are far from cheap.
 
Hey guys! 9AM CA time is lunch time here in Phila. Gladwyne is a close in suburb of Phil. I have heard a lot of Fried speakers and they have never failed to impress me. Fried floorstanders have fantastic bass. Transmission line loading for woofers works!
 
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