After reading several very positive reports about the performance of the Fostex FE108-Sol full-range drivers in Hobby HiFi magazine, I knew I had to give them a try.
The performance of this special-edition driver was thoroughly tested in Hobby HiFi issue 6/2016. By comparing the measurements of these special-edition drivers with the standard FE108 Sigma model published in Hobby HiFi issue 3/2016, several things became apparent: the frequency response of the FE108-Sol at 30 degrees off-axis is remarkably linear, the waterfall graph shows fast and uniform decay, the impulse response is characterised by a sharp and clean spike, and the high-frequency response extends up to 35 kHz.
It was also reported that the FE108-Sol in the BK108 enclosure outperforms the standard Fostex FE108 Sigma by a significant margin. The conclusion was:
FE108-SOL is the best Fostex wideband driver for a long time. In a horn enclosure, it grows beyond itself.
The first impressions are very positive. The drivers are running without any notch-filter correction, meaning they are directly coupled to the amplifier through Belden 9497 speaker cable. Of course, they need some break-in time to fully develop, and currently the upper midrange is a little more pronounced, but I expect they will settle down.
There is definitely more detail, a wider and deeper soundstage, and the bass is fast and very well articulated. The most amazing thing is how effortlessly these speakers reproduce space and sonic details, which I believe is largely due to the extended high-frequency response.
That’s it for now, fellows. Thank you for stopping by!
Hi Dimitar,
first off all a big congratulation to your homepage, and especially to your report of the loudspeakers with Fostex Fe 108 SOL.
I think we both have had the same idea. I am the proud owner of a pair of this speakers. Right now I am building the enclosure by my self with help from a frind who is carpenter. I can use his knowledge and gear. So many pieces of wood. It seems it will not ending.
At the moment I am searching for the Belden 9497 cable. I can’t find it!
Where can I buy it? I just need 5 meters.
I will let you know when the speakers are finished.
Best
Gerhard from southernGermany
Hi Gerhard, thank you for the kind words and sorry for the delay!
Yes Belden 9497 is hard to find here so I ordered it from Japan. It took some time until it reached the old Europe but hey, it was worth waiting. I ordered it back in the days from amazon but now I see that on ebay there are also few offers. Some people claim that there is a difference between Belden produced in Japan and in USA, but I think soundwise could not be so different. I would also advise you to use threaded inserts for mounting the drivers and to tighten the screws moderately and even loose. If you have screwdriver with torque control, set it to the lowest torque, screw the bolts and listen before applying more force. The sound characteristics of these drivers depends a lot on the screwing force you apply and they don’t like being tightly screwed. That’s why they come with 4 instead of 8 holes as by Sigma model. Good luck with the speakers project!
Hi Dimitar, thank you for answering!
I ordered the Belden 9497 today. Off corse from Japan 😉
Thank you also for your advise abaut the srews.
I let you know when the Speakers are finnished.
Best
Gerhard