Wait. You need a PST for a full deck. 
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Nice choice. I have the FR20 with a BHK Pre feeding the M1200’s. It did take some time to get them set up just right, and really like what I am hearing.
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Congratulations @Joe_Saluzzi !!
Did you upgrade from BHK300s to the 600s? I’ve got P20, Directstream Mk2, BHK Pre, BHK300s and PST going to Amphion Krypton 3’s via Fidelium cables. Magic!
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Seems like a great system! I’m still waiting to hear the FR30 or 20’s! Anyone in the NYC tri-state area have the speakers and willing to let me listen?
I did trade in my BHK 300’s for the 600’s. I just got my FR-30’s today and I’m breaking them in. The tweeter does sit high and I have two choices. I could use a higher seat or make a platform for my comfortable lower chair. What do you guys recommend?
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I would suggest toeing the speakers downward so the tweeters are angled at your listening position.
You may want to consider after market isolation footers (which also have capability to toe downwards). A number of Aspen owners have noted improvements in tightened bass and more focused soundstage with them but as always in audio, ymmv…
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Congrats on the FR30.
While the speakers can be custom angled by you adjusting the height of the supplied feet, i would work on a higher listening position, if that is reasonably possible (for me it isn’t)
I purchased floor mats that seem ok at absorbing vibrations and for now removed the feet from the FR20 so my ears are aligned at almost mid-height of the tweeters, with the speakers firing level. The listening position can easily be adjusted forward and backward without the need to adjust angled height.
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Hello Folks. I temporarily borrowed an adjustable office chair from my home office and adjusted its height so that my ears were at the same level as the tweeters of the FR 30. It made a significant difference in tonal balance and SQ. I will probably build some kind small platform so I can raise and use my comfortable listening chair.
I am also playing track 20 of Paul’s reference music CD on repeat. The speakers have been burning in for about 50 hours so far. I check the progress from time to time. I have noticed changes in tonal balance. For this reason I only approximately positioned the speakers. When broken in, I’ll be more fussy. It took two days for the bass response to bloom. These speakers are very transparent and have a lot of potential. So far I’m very happy with the FR30’s.
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What is the thread size of FR30 footers?
I am thinking of using Mapleshade Megafeet with my FR30s - not sure they offer screw option needed. Other option might be Herbies for low cost solution. I am looking for good wood floor solution, still have a small bit of movement/wobble on FR30 footers with spike removed. But not going with IsoAcoustics Gaia-Titans, too much $$, etc. I have heard great things about Mapleshade. Thanks,
It’s an M8 thread. This is available form a number of aftermarket footer companies.
For an inexpensive option, we had a customer use the SVS subwoofer feet along with an M8 machine screw (and out brass top cap).
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I went with a non-audiophile solution, a $10 floor mat from The Home Depot, and removed all 4 feet so the metal base of the speaker rests flat on the mat.
I wanted to lower the height of the tweeters as much as possible and keep the speakers as level as possible also, so I purchased these: (my speakers are the FR20)
thanks Chris,
sorry, but dont I need a couple of other #s if i want their screw to screw into the FR30 top cap?
I will look at those SVS footers too.
let me double-check the thread pitch. I believe that it is 1.5 mm
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I’m a long time Mapleshade cone and Mega-Foot user…Mapleshade seems less willing to do special orders since Pierre’s passing but worth a try…I’m happy with the standard cones on my FR20, but with the spikes…Pierre always said the spikes make a significant difference…
Just got a call from the driver that my FR30 will be delivered sometime in the morning. The “white glove” delivery includes installation too. Sweet!
I do not have any aftermarket feet yet. My order of Herbies should be here is a few weeks. So, that will give me time to break in the speakers. I have two sets of Fidelium speaker cables in six feet length. I am not sure they are long enough to reach the top box connectors. This may give me an excuse to try some of the new Iconoclasts cables. Sweet!
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My, you are having a fun day!
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I set up the new FR30 by myself a couple of days ago. In my room, I found these speakers required very little toe-in, and I kept a slight toe-in (1”) because I’m used to the look. However, they do require ample spaces behind to sound good. There was a little issue with the fitting. One of the middle baffle covers did not fit since it protruded too high. As a result, I had to remove it to slide in the top piece. Talking to PSA and it seems that a few units had the same issue. At this price point this issue needs to be taken seriously. Especially since they are selling at higher prices overseas, and a problem like this could be a deal breaker. In my case PSA will send me a replacement shortly. So, I have been playing without the left middle baffle cover. The good news is it does not affect the treble and midrange at all.
Speaking of treble and midrange, I was amazed to hear such a rich and pure high and mid on the first day. I always thought my previous speakers were excellent in these areas ($50k Silverline Monte Cristos are not pushovers), however, the old metal super-tweeters and silk tweeters were no match to Chris’ genius innovative design. Now I realize that there was obvious distortion in high/mid from my old pair. FR30’s high and mid sounded faster, cleaner, warmer, and came with astonishing detail too. I was listening to so many older CDs that sound incredible, as though they’re remastered SACDs! The difference is that FR30 not only showcases music with an analog warmth, but also projects an extraordinary tonal accuracy on the instruments. The sonic mass is perfectly placed too. Simply put, I have never heard better treble, and midrange from any pair of speakers in the past 40 years.
At this early break-in stage, the bass is still a bit recessed. Also, without one of the stiff baffle covers the bass seems to sound a bit uneven. It could also be that I have not found the optimal location yet. In addition, the plastic furniture slides have made the bass somewhat muffed and muted. Then, I remembered I had enough spare XSSH Aluminum column footers with steel balls available. With these under the improvement on bass was drastic. Not only that, but the soundstage also improved. These footers are without thread, so this is obviously a temporary solution. Once Herbies titanium footers arrive, I will put the stock cone on top of them to see if there will be further improvement. But there is no question that many aftermarket footers would make more improvement.
I also want to talk about the two knobs from the back of the top two pieces. One is for “near” and “far” positions. The other is for treble adjustment (0 to 4) for the back super-tweeter. “Near” is used in smaller rooms or if the speakers are placed within 2’ of sidewall. In my room I first listened to Near (preset position), and later I switched to Far (preferred in my room). The difference I heard is the “Far” injects more ambience and fullness while “Near” gives a more intimate and closer midrange. The treble adjustment is dependent on system, room, and personal preference. I am settling on 2, but with more break-in time I may prefer 3. These two knobs made noticeable and meaningful adjustments in sound which makes FR30 versatile in different environments.
If this sounds like an advertisement, it was not my intention. I am an end user just like everyone here (most?), and I simply want to share my experience with members here. I have done plenty of reviews on other brands here too, but FR30 is indeed special because I am only the 2nd happiest person in the house.
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Nice descriptive review and yes for $30k (or even $3k) all of the pieces should fit together without having to call for replacement parts or service.
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Outstanding review Donald! It signifies how much speakers and their drivers technology has avanced over the years. Your higher end (price wise) old speakers drivers and hardware is outdated and really cannot compete with the FR30s.
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Excellent review Donald! Your thoughts on the midrange and tweeter performance matches mine. My experience with bass was a little different, very good but a little prominent and wooly initially. Much better now! My FR20 took a couple of months to fully settle in after playing essentially every day for 14+ hours a day. You have even better sound coming soon! I can’t wait to see how you tweek them …
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