krazywaffle
New Member
Interesting. Thanks for the insights.
”Best results, with optimum imaging, specificity, and listening area spread, are with the speakers slightly above or below ear height.”
Was experimenting with crossover frequency and found it to sound best at 58Hz across a variety of music genres including studio vs live recordings (could clearly tell the differences between each source). The tracks that had been EQed with more pronounced bass (e.g., hip-hop) clearly came through and I was immediately impressed with the clarity of the lower frequencies when my desk and floor started vibrating in a very precise/clear/controlled manner (despite FMI-80 being known as “lacking bass”). Of note is that the subwoofer is a small circa 1970 dxb unit with 2x 6“ downward firing drivers powered via solid state amp so, while it surely contributed to the low frequency reproduction, the majority of it seemed to be driven by the FMI-80 woofers (compared to the previously used Celestion DL-6 speakers). The Stereophile review mentions that some later FMI-80 might have had modifications to improve low frequency reproduction so maybe mine are of this variety but not sure how to know for sure? I don’t see a serial number anywhere on them (as cited by Stereophile review).
Curious if anyone here has any experience with the rare yet undoubtedly amazing Symphony speakers? Or ever used Fulton head shell lead wires in their turntable setup?
Good to know. As per the Stereophile review from September 1976, they suggested that parallel stereo (as opposed to angled-in stereo) provided the best soundstage. Planning to experiment with the FMI-80 orientation on my desk. Currently have them slightly angled in (pointing directly at my seating position) but kinda get the impression this might be narrowing the soundstage. Also, the Stereophile review suggested that the best performance was when speakers are oriented either above or below ear level (quote below), which I found surprising but might experiment with too (current position on desk has lower tweeter at ear level and upper tweeter just above and woofer below):
”Best results, with optimum imaging, specificity, and listening area spread, are with the speakers slightly above or below ear height.”
Was experimenting with crossover frequency and found it to sound best at 58Hz across a variety of music genres including studio vs live recordings (could clearly tell the differences between each source). The tracks that had been EQed with more pronounced bass (e.g., hip-hop) clearly came through and I was immediately impressed with the clarity of the lower frequencies when my desk and floor started vibrating in a very precise/clear/controlled manner (despite FMI-80 being known as “lacking bass”). Of note is that the subwoofer is a small circa 1970 dxb unit with 2x 6“ downward firing drivers powered via solid state amp so, while it surely contributed to the low frequency reproduction, the majority of it seemed to be driven by the FMI-80 woofers (compared to the previously used Celestion DL-6 speakers). The Stereophile review mentions that some later FMI-80 might have had modifications to improve low frequency reproduction so maybe mine are of this variety but not sure how to know for sure? I don’t see a serial number anywhere on them (as cited by Stereophile review).
Curious if anyone here has any experience with the rare yet undoubtedly amazing Symphony speakers? Or ever used Fulton head shell lead wires in their turntable setup?
