Looking for some feedback about FR30s, and the 30s vs 20s, from owners. I’m in the Raleigh NC area if anyone happens to own either, would really love to hear them in person.
I am researching the FR30 vs FR20 and which would be a better fit for my room. The room is 13.5’ W x 22’ L, 8’ flat ceiling. It’s not a completely dedicated room, kind of a combo office/library and music room. The front wall has cabinets 20" D x 30" H, with 12" deep bookshelves above them. The side walls have freestanding bookshelves with CDs, LPs, Blu-rays and other stuff. So there is some diffusion to help acoustics, but there is no specific acoustic treatment.
I currently have Martin Logan Summit Xs which I’ve owned for 11 years. They are wonderful but I’ve grown a bit weary of the tiny sweet spot. My musical tastes are very broad, from small group jazz, rock, funk, classical/orchestral to extreme metal. (Rarely played at full volume, lol.) Recently, I sold a pair of Mirage OMD-28s (had been in my HT setup), an omnipolar design, and in doing so demoed them in my 2 channel room and was reminded of how much I loved their big soundstage. Polar opposite of the Summits, and it got my brain gears turning about finding something that might give some of the “best of both worlds”. The Aspen series has shown up on my target list along with some open baffle and other designs, but I haven’t been able to find FR30/20 to audition.
Some specific other questions:
The FR30 has a rear tweeter where the FR20 has none. I’ve been a fan of various speakers which have rear radiation. (Both the mentioned Martin Logan & Mirage speakers do this in different ways.)
Trying to find the owner’s manual to read - I looked in the manuals section and found FR20/10/5 manuals but not the 30.
I’ve seen a reference in the forum I think to some updates to the FR30. I may be be able to purchase a pair made in 2022, would those updates be available to retrofit?
Thanks for any input!
(Note - I have a couple of other PSA products, original DirectStream DAC and the Stellar Phono Preamp. Good experiences.)
This is a loaded question. LOL. The FR20’s and a subwoofer (or 2) can be a wonderful combination. The FR30’s command a bigger physical presence in the room over the FR20, though the FR20’s also have a presence. I chose the 20 over the 30 because of lesser cost and the 20 has the same flat panel ribbon midrange and tweeter as the 30. Both speakers benefit from better electronics and cables, and keep sounding better and better with each upgrade. They both have a special imaging magic when set up properly. Tonal balance, with proper components, is just right, and the midrange and tweeters are quick. A nearby forum member has the FR30 and they sound wonderful. There is an extra stability and consistency with the ultra power cables, speaker cables and interconnect in his system. I cannot comment on the extra rear-firing tweeter.
I personally think the FR30’s are way too much speaker for a room of that width but if truly intersted anyway there is a mint used pair for sale in Virginia for about half price compared to new. Looks like the son selling off his fathers gear.
Your comment about the size & physical presence difference between the 20 & 30 is definitely on my mind. The massive difference in weight could obviously pose an issue just in tweaking setup. I don’t have a lot of room to play with, especially in width dimension. But I also don’t have much room for the footprint of a pair of subs, either.
I have a pair of FE20 in a same size room, although I have the speakers along the long wall. As more, the mid/high of the fr20 and fr30 are the same and I am very happy with the sound stage including instrument localization. I also had a pair of fr10 (at the same time as fr20 in a different location with the same electronics and preferred the presence of the fr20 enough that I trade the fr10 up). I have not heard the fr30 so can not really comment other than that the fr20 in my room (also multi purpose living dining office) but the fr20 are big enough. In a now old YouTube Chris explained that the rear tweater is for if the speakers need to be near the front wall. Didn’t really understand it then as I thought too near the wall placement added unwanted reflections. Maybe the rear speaker is phased so its reflections cancel those from the front array. Bottom line I am very pleased with the fr20 and the sound is great all over the room.
Looks like the speakers are about 2 1/2 hours from you if they are still set up so that you can get at least a look at them and maybe a listen. I would reach out and see what the son has to say. If you go too big and overpower the room there isn’t anything you can do to fix it whereas if the smaller speaker is bass shy to you then you can do something about that. I had a friend that did that last year with a pair of big Acora’s and now he is likely going to take a big loss to unload them and move to a speaker more appropriate in size. Also a multi-use room with limited placement options. My new dedicated room addtion is 9’x17’x26’ and when I was looking at the Aspen line I determined the FR30 was more speaker than I wanted to put in the room so the FR20 became my option before I went in another direction. Based on every review I’ve seen of the FR20 a shortage of bass or soundstage is not going to be an issue.
Have been in contact, they aren’t set up but I might have an option there. It’s a good deal and very tempting. These don’t come up that often. Per HifiShark, only 3 pairs came up for sale in the US in 2025. FR20s do seem to come up more often though.
If you have access to a vehicle to haul them home yourself they become an even better deal and if they are too much you could just relist them. Should take very little loss at that price. I was tempted a few months back by a pair Reynaud Grand Orfeo’s at half price about 145 miles from me in Charlotte. I could have just driven them home myself and taken the shipping discount but I have too many pairs currently so decided against adding another. Was a tempting experiment though. If the owner of those still has them listed on USAM they would be another good option for you as the are front ported transmission line speakers making placement easier in a crowded room. Also an AMT tweeter.
As mentioned, I think the acid test for acidtest is to hear them for himself, and the local seller might be the ticket. I have used the FR30’s in both small and larger rooms. No complaints. I do hear the advantage of the extra woofers (easier on the eyes too), the rear firing tweeter, and a more direct bi-wire option.
Yep… so I’m working it out to where I will put a deposit payment on them, pick them up and check them for a couple of months before sending final payment. Pretty great deal, assuming it all works out.
I did finally get to talk to Chris H at PSA (didn’t quite catch his last name) and he mentioned the FR30 has more adjustments so may actually be more able to work well in a narrower than ideal space. Also, the missing FR30 manual should show up soon in the support section after a website update.
I am 100% certain that you will keep them. After all, imagine going through all of this analysis and then having the FR30’s in home after basically an all day trip to get them. THEN you think, well maybe I would be happier with the FR20’s BUT what if I am wrong? It would be another all day trip to return them and then, the gut wrenching first listen to the FR20’s. Seriously, I am sure you will be happy and regardless they will become the signature of your room and listening experience. Part of the real joy of having achieved our ultimate system is being able to sit and just listen without that nagging feeling that maybe we could have done better (and of course that “maybe” must take $ into account).
A tip you all FR10, 20, and 30 owners: get one of these to make changing out footers a piece of cake:
@JKWAustin Thanks for the tip - Google lens tells me that’s a Dewalt DWHT83550 TOUGHSERIES Construction Jack. Correct? Could definitely come in handy with a 230 lb speaker! Even if it’s only 170 or so without the top section of the FR30 attached that’s a good bit more than a full FR20.
Based on reading / research, I have a hard time imagining I won’t love the FR30s, and if for some reason I don’t the next move would likely be something else completely different, not an FR20.
I love mine!