Description
REVIEW
“I”ve had my F502s for a couple of weeks now. I was close to posting a glowing report after my first evening of listening to them. However, I thought it better to give it some time, rather than just end up saying that they were better than the Tannoys (very respectable speakers too) they were replacing. New speaker syndrome and all that. Now I have got used to them, I am more confident in saying that Fyne have produced something quite exceptional. I could go on about image and detail and end up sounding like a Hi-Fi journalist, so let’s just settle for “damn good” and leave it at that. Fyne Audio, you guys should be very proud of what you have achieved”
MEET THE F500 SERIES
The F500 series is based around an IsoFlareTM point source drive unit; technology which our Technical Director, Dr. Paul Mills, is reknown for. Our technical team, responsible for the audio performance and mechanical build of this type of driver, have many decades of experience between them. Combining Fyne Audio’s IsoFlareTM driver into a rigid cabinet, with a cleverly designed porting system, ensures optimal in-room performance.
Floor standing models in the F500 series use a rigid MDF plinth with large floor coupling spikes giving stability to ensure well-controlled bass performance and further enhancing stereo imaging. Additionally, the spikes can be adjusted from above the plinth allowing easier levelling of the speaker. The cabinets are crafted using real wood veneers and are available in choice of Dark Oak, Black Oak, Piano Gloss Black and Piano Gloss White.
F502 FLOORSTAND SPEAKER
Flagship of the F500 range, the F502 floorstanding loudspeaker delivers the series’ signature clarity and articulation along with visceral bass. The system will suit larger listening environments but is capable of revealing a huge dynamic range even when played at low volumes in smaller rooms. Isotropic energy radiation, with point source constant directivity, is provided by a 200mm (8″) proprietary IsoFlareTM driver for outstanding stereo imaging, even off axis. A matched 200mm (8″) bass driver is also fitted to the 64-litre cabinet ensuring a breath-taking musical or home theatre experience.
Ideal for medium to large-sized rooms, the F502 is supplied with a dedicated plinth incorporating our BassTraxTM Tractrix diffuser system, which integrates bass energy uniformly into the room. The luxuriously finished, contemporary styled cabinet is available in a choice of dark oak or black oak real wood veneer and piano gloss black or white. Enhancing its aesthetic appeal, it has a gently curved front and rear baffle which additionally benefits the acoustic performance by reducing colouration effects.
Available on special order: Piano Gloss Black / Piano Gloss White – (extra cost)
HIFI HUNT.COM – Initial thoughts:
“What was supposed to be a quick listening session turned out to last for over two hours which indicates that the F502’s have the knack of reeling one in hook line & sinker with their abilities. I Would not like to straight away compare the F502’s with the Revolution XT8F’s, but what immediately comes to the fore is a balance – sound wise which is better than the XT8F’s and the overall build quality of the Fyne Audio F Series is 100% superior than that of the Revolution XT Series. I will cover those aspects in detail when I have a pair of the F series for a detailed review, in future. Do I like the F502’s, hell yes and am very keen to listen to them again, once they have had a decent amount of hours of break in, post which would be better positioned to arrive at a comprehensive conclusion BUT based on what I heard, I believe that the F502’s have that magic to ensure that they will be popular with the music enthusiasts & also the movie enthusiasts who love to listen to music in their home theatre environment as well.”
FEATURES – FLARE FOR DESIGN
Designed and developed in-house at the company’s Glasgow R&D facility, the IsoFlare driver is Fyne Audio’s ideal type of coaxial drive unit. Designer Dr. Paul Mills explains that it is a true point-source where the mid/bass driver shares a common centre with the high-frequency unit, noting: “The complete audio spectrum radiates isotropically from the driver, giving a spherical wavefront, and the phase response is more linear (constant group delay) than a discrete driver configuration. Also, it better preserves the harmonic structure of complex sounds.” Having previously worked with countless drive units at Tannoy, he is highly experienced in optimising it. Fyne Audio’s IsoFlare uses a rigid cast aluminium chassis that’s light so doesn’t store energy. This marries to a bespoke multi-fibre cone with a FyneFlute surround, and the light and stiff magnesium dome. There’s a vented rear chamber in the neodymium tweeter magnet, which is designed to place low-frequency resonance well below the crossover region. The unique geometry of the tweeter’s waveguide is said to provide a flat frequency response while avoiding internal reflections. The end result is a drive unit that generates exceptional stereo imaging, with less dependency on room placement in order to give of its very best.
SPECIFICATIONS
System Type: 2 ½ way, downwards firing port, with BassTraxTM Tractrix diffuser. Twin cavity coupled reflex
Recommended amplifier power (Watt RMS): 40w – 180w
Continuous power handling (Watt RMS): 90w
Sensitivity (2.83 Volt @ 1m): 91dB
Nominal impedance: 8 Ohm
Frequency response (-6dB typical in room): 30Hz – 34kHz
Drive unit complement:
1 x 200mm IsoFlareTM, multi-fibre bass/ mid, with 25mm titanium, dome compression tweeter.
1 x 200mm multi-fibre bass
Crossover frequency: 250Hz & 1.7kHz
Crossover type: 2nd order low pass, 1st order high pass
Dimensions – HxWxD: 1114 x 250 x 380mm
Weight – Each: 25.5kg
Finishes:
Standrd stock finishes: Dark Oak / Black Oak
