• 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

Sonic and (later?) Fisher speakers

mswer

mswer

Needs some space to think
I'm wondering if anyone has ever heard of the model Sonic AS331 or Fisher ST-810. Fisher I know as a brand, of course, but the Sonics I've never even heard of. I know the Sonics are 3-way and I've attached a picture, but that's all I know. The Sonics have an interesting looking grill that reminds me of something that's more well-known, but I can't think of what. I don't even have that much for the Fisher speakers.

I'm asking about these speakers because both are on Craigslist. I am considering buying them, I guess, but since I'm not asking for evaluation of cost, I went for the speaker forum. If this isn't not the right place, obviously it can be moved.
 
Register to hide this ad
Never heard any glowing reviews of any Sonics speakers and the only Fisher speakers that seem to get any respect are the XP-series ones, for what all that's worth. Unless they're dirt cheap, you might wanna keep looking.
 
MarkAnderson said:
Um. No. You haven't.
Click to expand...

Huh. I have now. I don't know how that happened before. :drool:

In any case, I wasn't necessarily going to/wanting to get them, I was mostly curious about a curious-looking speaker I'd never heard of. Thanks for your thoughts.
 

Attachments

  • sonic.jpg
    sonic.jpg
    7.4 KB · Views: 239
I think the Sonic brand is the budget basement line of Pioneer. I have a set someone gave me and they have cheap pioneer drivers in them. Crap if you ask me.
 
kfa888 said:
I think the Sonic brand is the budget basement line of Pioneer. I have a set someone gave me and they have cheap pioneer drivers in them. Crap if you ask me.
Click to expand...

Drag. I like the covers for $20/pair. Oh well. :dunno:
 
They have the same "kabuki" look of all the other Pioneer, Sansui, Realistic, etc, etc, etc, speakers of that era. Have you seen the speaker drivers themselves? Check and see if the grills have those very small phillips screws in the corners. If so, you might get a front view of the drivers. What about the back of the cabinets? Removable?

Speaking of older Fisher XP-x series speakers. I have a pair of MINT (and I mean not a scratch) XP-7's with functioning original soft dome tweeters. I haven't heard them in a real set up yet but who knows.
 
MarkAnderson said:
Never heard any glowing reviews of any Sonics speakers and the only Fisher speakers that seem to get any respect are the XP-series ones, for what all that's worth. Unless they're dirt cheap, you might wanna keep looking.
Click to expand...

I concur!
The only Fishers worth hearing are the early XP series. When Avery Fisher still ran the show. The later ST series in my experience, are ALL 100% pure garbage!!
 
Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised in how these XP-7's sound. There is next to NO information on the net about them that I have found...or not found. They sure do look nice, though.
 
avguytx said:
Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised in how these XP-7's sound. There is next to NO information on the net about them that I have found...or not found. They sure do look nice, though.
Click to expand...

They're aren't the same speaker at all. But try googling XP7S, those are keepers! Well, at least for me they are. :D
 
Where are pics of the XP-7S? I've googled and can barely come up with threads that mention them. Pics are non-existent it seems.
 
Search here on XP-7 or XP-7b - 'XP-7S' is probably throwing your searches off (there was no 'XP-7S' model - EDIT: there was one, but in smaller numbers than the XP-7/7b versions). Ed in SoDak has an amazing thread on some heavy lifting type work on the drivers!
 
Wow. There's a big pair of XP-15B's on Ebay that use a 15" woofer. Pretty cool. They don't show the drivers other than pulling back the grill cloth material to show the original "soft dome".
 
All of the Fisher speakers that start with ST or STV are later in the company's life, and essentially have no value to a vintage collector. While they may not have any significant value, they're fine for a garage speaker, etc.

The XP series had two lifetimes, as well. Any model with only one number, i.e. XP-7, XP-9, and the numbers starting with 1, such as XP-10 through XP-18, are all pretty solid speakers.

The later ones such as XP-55, etc., are a little higher risk. Some good, some not so.

While not always foolproof, heavy and real walnut veneer is always a good sign.
 
CUlater said:
Search here on XP-7 or XP-7b - 'XP-7S' is probably throwing your searches off (there was no 'XP-7S' model - EDIT: there was one, but in smaller numbers than the XP-7/7b versions). Ed in SoDak has an amazing thread on some heavy lifting type work on the drivers!
Click to expand...

I've owned a pair of XP7S for over 30 years, So yes they do exist, and they sound wonderful!!!! And I've read quite a few positive things from owners of this model on this and other speaker forums. Although, I will admit, there is not a ton of info out on the web about this particular model. But there is a little, here and there. If one looks hard enough.
And from what I've seen through the years. The full list of XP7 model variations are as follows. Just for informational purposes.

XP7 1968 -72 List $280./pr
XP7A ?-? -?? List $320./pr
XP7B 1971-75 List $340./pr
XP7C 1973-75 List $360./pr
XP7K 1973-75 List $360./pr
XP7S 1973-75 List $360./pr

Ive also personally seen a pair of XP7 KK, XP7 KC, and finally XP7 KS.
Just my .02 cents.
HTH
 
Mine are a cloth material. I'll try to get some pictures posted tomorrow if time allows. They do look pretty good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom