Many of you will be unfamiliar with Fostex speakers. You may be surprised to learn that Fostex is one of the largest speaker manufacturers in the world. But most of their sales are for the OEM market. In other words, other speaker companies use Fostex 'drivers' in their products. Although Fostex speakers are well known in Japan and Europe, they were never mass marketed in America.

You may also be surprised to discover that Fostex speakers are among the world's best speakers. We've heard most of the world's so-called greatest speakers--Wilson Grand Slamm, JM Labs Grande Utopia, Genesis 1, Dynaudio Evidence, etc. (all over $50,000/pr). Incredibly, none of these speakers sound any better than our Fostex designs. That sounds ridiculous, but it's true. These expensive speakers will play louder and have more dynamics, but don't sound as 'natural' or 'musical.' And isn't that what you want from your speakers?

We're not just a business. We love music as much as you do. Our goal is to make great sound affordable for everyone. We honestly feel that the Lowther, Audio Nirvana, PAudio, and Fostex speakers we sell are the finest in the world at any price. And if we find a better speaker somewhere, you can count on us adding it to our inventory.

Because of our experience with pointsource speakers.

We have been building speakers using full-range, coaxial, and triaxial speakers for more than 15 years.

Fostex FE206E 8 inch full-range speakers with free cabinet plans, parts list, and setup tips--$175/pr

Custom design work so you can build cabinets to your own specifications or modify your existing cabinets--free with any purchase.

Fostex speakers work in identical cabinets to our other systems, so you can upgrade to Lowthers, Audio Nirvana or PAudio with no change to your cabinets.

Guaranteed lowest prices

1. Because Fostex speakers are FULL-RANGE. NO separate woofer, NO tweeter, and NO crossover.

2. Frequency Response: 40-20,000 Hz.

3. Clarity, detail, accuracy, and realism are unmatched because the sound comes from a single voicecoil.

4. Imaging and soundstage are incredible because the sound comes from a single point in space.

5. Fostex speakers are precision made with very light paper cones and incredibly strong magnets for precise control.

6. Fostex 8 inch speakers are very efficient--at least 96 dB.

Fostex makes seven different 8 inch full-range speakers. We have evaluated all of them over a period of many months, side by side, in identical enclosures. We choose to sell only the best, even though that model happens to be the least expensive. We can't recommend a more expensive speaker to our customers if it doesn't sound better--even if we would make more money by doing so. If you want better sound than these, you will have to move up to Lowther , Audio Nirvana , or PAudio speakers.

The FE206E is the most detailed, the most extended, the most efficient, the most natural sounding, and has the best bass of all Fostex speakers.

The FE207E is similar but has 'cancellation magnets' so it can be used in close proximity to a direct view television set. It gives up some detail, extension, and efficiency to do this.

The FE206E and FE207E both use a 'whizzer cone.' What's a whizzer cone? It is an inner paper cone that acts as a midrange driver. It is mechanically linked to the main cone and shares the same voice coil. In our experience, only full-range speakers with this design are truly capable of satisfying full-range performance.

The FE206ES-R Full Range Special also uses a whizzer cone. But it has less than half the excursion of the FE206E or FE207E. So, it is only suitable for bass horn enclosures. It's also not quite as clear and natural sounding as the FE206E or FE207E.

The four other Fostex 8 inch full-range speakers do not use a whizzer cone. Instead, three of them use an aluminum dustcap in the center of the main cone. The other uses a paper dust cap. These extend the mid and high frequencies somewhat but not nearly as well as a whizzer cone

Two of these speakers have huge magnets and cast frames. They are very expensive. These are the FX200 and F200A. They do not go high enough in the treble to be truly satisfying. And the midrange is somewhat veiled, soft, and lacking in detail compared to the FE206E.

The FF225K is much cheaper and also uses an aluminum dust cap. It has a rather nasal sounding midrange and lacks high frequency response.

Finally, we have the new FE208EZ Sigma. It's not really a 'full-range' speaker at all but would be more properly termed an 'extended range' speaker. It lacks high frequencies and lacks detail in the midrange.

All of these speakers are very good. However, in side by side comparisons with the FE206E they lacked the same level of extension, detail, realism, clarity, and accuracy. They're not even close.....

Unless you are going to place your speakers on top of--or within approximately 18 inches of--a direct view TV, you should purchase the FE206E. You can use a single FE207E for a center channel speaker that must sit on top of a direct view TV.

We might add that if you can afford to pay more than $175 for a pair of speakers, you should 'move up' to Lowther, Audio Nirvana, or PAudio speakers--simply the best speakers on the planet. Lowther prices begin at $695/pr with free shipping. Audio Nirvana makes a Cast Frame 8 inch with a phase plug for only $178/pr. And they also offer the world's only true 10 inch and 12 inch fullrange speakers (starting at only $178/pr). PAudio speakers are 'coaxials' and sound almost as good as Lowthers but cost less and have more bass and dynamics. PAudio prices begin at only $275/pr. You can visit the Lowther page by clicking here: Lowther Speakers USA , the Audio Nirvana page by clicking here: Audio Nirvana , or the PAudio page by clicking here: PAudio Speakers

We offer 10 different cabinet designs for Fostex 8 inch fullrange speakers. When you purchase the Fostex speakers from us, you will receive the plan of your choice for free. We will also include a parts list (and where to get them), and setup tips.

'2.8 Mk II' (39T x 12W x 15D)

'2.8 Series I' (39T x 15W x 12D)

'1.3' (32T x 10W x 11D)

'Minimonitor' (19T x 10.5W x 12D)

'Micromonitor' (16T x 10W x 8D)

'2.8 Mk II Ambience' (40T x 12W x 15D)

'2.8 Series I Dynamic' (39T x 15W x 12D)

--Also Available in 'slimline' Mk II style

'Center Channel One' (11T x 25W x 13D) in black lacquer

Generally speaking, size does matter! If you have the space and can afford it, we recommend going with a larger design.

The 2.8 enclosures are our largest and best sounding single speaker designs to date. We have two versions. The original Series I has a wide front baffle but is not as deep. The Mk II has a thin front baffle and is deeper. The difference is mainly in the styling. We also offer a Big Port version of the 2.8. This offers more mid bass at the expense of some low bass output.

If you do have size limitations but still want a floorstanding system, we would recommend the 1.3. It has maybe 10% less bass and dynamics than the 2.8 models but--for most people--this is more than enough.

The Minimonitor is really our smallest standalone system. It has full bass and dynamics and a satisfying overall balance. It has about 10% less bass and dynamics than our 1.3. It also makes a wonderful center channel or surround speaker.

The Micromonitor was designed primarily as a surround speaker for home theater. It still makes a nice 'extension' speaker for small rooms. And it is the best computer speaker you ever heard! It can be supplemented with a subwoofer for more bass output. Many people choose it as a center channel as well.

We also offer two different dual speaker designs, the 2.8 Dynamic and the 2.8 Ambience. The Dynamic gives a big, powerful sound while maintaining the same overall tonal balance as the normal 2.8. The Ambience puts a lot more weight on the bottom end and adds a sense of 'air' to the music.

If you purchase Fostex FE206E speakers from us, keep your shipping boxes. If you wish to upgrade to Lowther speakers at any time in the future (the finest loudspeakers in the world), we will take your Fostex FE206E or FE207E speakers back AT THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE in exchange for a pair of Lowther speakers. They fit in the exact same cabinets with no modifications.

Shipping is approximately $25 within the US. Overseas customers please email for the shipping prices.

We're happy to share our experience with other enthusiasts. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.

All speakers are covered by the full factory warranty against original manufacturing defects.

If you already have speakers, you can purchase cabinet construction plans for only $25. We will also include a parts list and setup tips. If you later buy any speakers from us, we will refund the $25.

We guarantee your satisfaction. If you are unhappy with your speakers--for any reason--you can return them (in new condition) for a restocking fee of 10%. However, in 15 years of doing business, we can recall no one who has ever returned their speakers.

"I am delighted with the stunning performance of the Fostex Ambience 2.5 Speakers. They look good and they sound great. They produce a very open and highly detailed image. It's the next best thing to being there!"--PJ Wagner

"I was very impressed with the professional packing, the quality of the cabinet construction, and of course the sound. The Fostex make my formerly favorite speakers sound lifeless, and I no longer constantly twiddle the amp controls looking for a balance between boom and shrill. My tube amps seem to run cooler, and in fact now seem almost overpowered because of the speaker sensitivity. And the ultimate compliment- when friends and family simply say "wow."-----Joe Strouse

"I just completed construction of the MKII twin port, with Fostex drivers. The clarity of your design is amazing, even before completing the break-in. My main system consists of an Audible Illusions preamp, Sonic Frontiers power and Proac Response 1sc`s. The MKII`s with a modest receiver allow me to hear details that I can`t with the expensive stuff. I`ve been a hobbist for over 30 years and these have changed everything. These have put fun back into the hobby. I was getting burnt out on over priced, under performing components and an industry built on reviewer's hype. I will be singing your praise (and demonstrating it also) to my friends who share our passion."--Ray Kobald.

"The 1.3/FE206E combo has been a great performer in my room. Actually, the best there is. When I can afford, I will consider the 1.3/PM6A or 2.5 II/PM6A."-----Paul Bui

"First of all, thanks for an amazing loudspeaker. A friend of mine ordered a pair of Fostex 206E for himself and for me. We have been speaking of doing this for the past 10 years or so and finally we decided to go for it. Luckily I finished the woodworking first......My friend came down to my house for the first listening session......We were just sitting there and laughing, the sound is amazing, just AMAZING. The clarity and detail is out of this world. And the sound is getting better and better every day. My former loudspeakers were ProAc Response 2.5. They are placed down in the basement for the moment, probably one of my kids will get them in their room, or I will put them on the fire in my garden this summer.!"--Sigurd Krekling (from Norway)

"I have just finished the short run in period of about 30-40 hours. The FE206E are indeed full range drive units. They are mounted in 2.77 cubic foot enclosure with your recommended porting. I am very impressed, there appears to be no frequency peak/ dip that intrudes into the music. Both male and female vocals are beautiful, no hard edge. I am amazed at the sweet high frequencies, no need for a super tweeter. I cannot find anything to complain about, even the low end is correct, not booming or under weight, just there when needed. The FE206E drive units must be the bargain of the century, I have built one of the best loudspeakers systems I have heard for about $300.00. Thank you."-----Laurence Platt

"First of all, I wish you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year spent spreading the cheer of awesome musical reproduction!! I am enjoying your Fostex Micromonitors so much I can't tell you. They are the best speakers, by far, I have ever had or heard, and I have had and heard megabuck speakers from most of the 'big names' in audio. I would endorse them above anything else I know. My space is simply too small for the Minimonitors, and I am happy. Now I read on your site about the Nirvanas. If they are so much better than the Fostex, I am interested."--Jan Middeldorf

"The speakers continue to break in and are awesome, much more detailed and open than the Vandersteens!"--Robert Cavanaugh

"I installed the Fostex FE206E speakers in the cabinet built on your plans last night. I lack words to describe how ecstatic I am with the sound. Thanks!"--Richard Meyer

"I received them today, Tuesday, in fine shape. I'm very pleased. Thanks."-----Doug Criner