I currently have an SGCD with M700 monoblocks and Cabasse IO2 satellite speakers, paired with a Dynaudio Sub 6 subwoofer. I am considering upgrading my Cabasse speakers to either the FR5 or FR10. The main reason I am leaning toward the FR10 is the dedicated midrange driver.
I know this topic has been discussed extensively, and Paul has also addressed it in a video, but I am still concerned about how the FR10 would perform in my relatively small room. The room dimensions are approximately 13 × 10 × 7.3 feet. I can position the speakers about 20 inches from the front wall (measured from the back of the speaker). For room treatment, I have bass traps in the corners behind the speakers and diffusers behind the speakers, as well as on the back wall behind the listening position.
Will the FR10 work well in my room, or would the FR5 be a better choice?
This should be the guiding factor in making your decision. There will be other theories, but other theories are just that, theories. Theories cannot compensate for just how magical the flat panel midranges and tweeters are. I have had a pair of FR20’s for almost 3 years, and was one of the best audio decisions I have made, though it ended up costing me a lot more to upgrade the rest of my system in order to give the FR20’s the system they deserve.
I have the FR10s in a small room and they perform very well. They were a little “boomy” until I positioned them further apart and placed my sub behind my listening chair. I know that it may seem unconventional but many here have noted that one sub placed at or behind the listening position can help with bass / room modes and standing waves etc. I LOVE the FR10s now and have zero regrets! Good luck on your quest.
Is your room only 6.5 ft high? I had a pair of FR10’s and a pair of FR20’s at another location. The advantage of the larger midrange driver in the FR20 made a big and positive difference (driven by M700). Not sure exactly why, maybe better vertical off-axis performance. So I am thinking that there may be a similar difference between the FR5 and FR10. Will soon have a pair of FR5 that I will compare with the FR20’s.
Yes, despite the smaller room size, I think the FR10s will be a good choice. According to my experience, speaker and sub placement along with time for speaker break in will be very influential in getting great results.
You’d think not, but a well placed sub can help with small room problems like booming and standing waves. I speak from personal experience but do not understand the science.
As I have gleaned from Paul’s videos/posts on subs it’s all about location. Typically, the ideal location for your main speakers to deliver the “guts” of the music will rarely be ideal for the low frequencies. If you’re unlucky, your prime spot for soundstage/imaging might be at a node point for some bass frequencies. And because low notes have long wave lengths (11.3 ft for 100 Hz), you can’t fill in the nodes of all low frequencies at your prime location with just one sub.
Now have FR5 in addition to FR20 so am starting what might be a silly comparison, but wait.
First listen (keep in mind no break in on FR5), system: Rega P6 with Ortofon LVB Black, PS Audio phono stage and transport, PMG pre and DAC, M700 amps, F12, Sibelius 5th, Decca 2026 reissue, Jennifer Warnes, “Another Time, Another Place” SACD. The FR5’s are just inside the FR20’s and 3” in front.
To say the least, I am amazed at how well the little guys stand up to their big brothers. I am not a fan of all the audiophile adjectives as they can mean different things to each of us. So suffice it to say if I was advising someone seeking a new system, I would have trouble justifying the price difference.
This is the first comparison I’ve read between the FR5 and one of its big brothers. Wow, that quite a statement. Those FR5s must be pretty special. Thanks for posting.
Love PS Audio, but if you absolutely want to try a smaller room speaker with a midrange (they might not measure up to the FR10s) and get a great price, the BMR Monitors hold their own, especially if you have sub(s). Almost gave up my dynaudios after hearing these:
A challenging room, but with treatment and finicky setup could be a great near field listening room I would think.