Hey guys,

I'm a 25 year old college student who spends all his time in his design studio working into the night most every night during the week. I'm starting to build a vintage system and I remember the wonderful speakers my father had when I was young. He sold them at one point and for some reason I've missed them ever since. I'm trying to pick up a pair of CS-99A's on ebay because I'm sure that is what he had. There is a pair right now with a low shipping rate, but there is an "FB" on all the speakers. What the hell does that mean and would you buy these yourself? Thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5711003335&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

I wouldn't buy them as I DON'T need them but I suggest that if you can get them cheap and they have an emotional resonance attached......Go for it dude!

as far as I can recall the FB was the type of cone material used in the drivers, I just cant remember what it stands for. As far as the 99a's sound-I like mine:)

That is a very low shipping charge make sure that is for both not just one speaker. I have a pair and I like them quite well. The FB stands for fiber beaten which is how the cone is made I guess it is supposed to make it more rigid kinda like a weave to improve strength. but I could be wrong

My father-in-law has a dead mint set that he bought in the early 70's when he was stationed in Korea. His has the gold "FB" on all the drivers also.

He only listens to jazz and clasical and they really sound good for that. Super sweet and warm with his low power Marantz 2226 reciever. I tested them with some Weezer, electronica, and Radio Head.... they didn't like the modern/electric stuff. The problem was with the bass response. There was plenty of volume, but they didn't go very low. Also, the highs seemed slightly "sqwawky" (sp?). I went back to the acoustic instruments and they sounded wonderful again. I would surely like a set for myself, but not as my main speakers. BTW, I have seem them go for as much as $400 for a pair on epay. I would only buy them from this seller ONLY after I asked, and recieved satisfactory answers too, specific questions about shipping, packing, and wether or not EVERY driver functions exactly as they should. Good luck!

Thank you guys so much. I hadn't seen the FB markings on any previous model and I was hoping that it was just some random thing they did to some of them and not replacement drivers. I'm by no way an expert or into the vintage audio scene. I'd like to learn a lot more though. The receiver I've been debating on trying to get is a Pioneer SX-1250. I'm on a budge though, so that won't be for a while. I currently have a MCS (Modular Component Systems) 3847 Stereo Integrated Amp, 3560 Cassette Deck, 3700 Tuner, and a 6601 Direct Drive turntable. Anyone know anything about any of this equipment? Thanks again for all the speaker knowledge, it really helped.

hey, AG! welcome to AK...

the FB on your pioneer speakers stands for Free Beaten (really!) which is the process that pioneer said was used to process the paper mulch while in the manufacturing stage-- it was supposed to create a random ordering of the paper fibers (i think) which would theoretically mean that the cones would be extra capable of accurate sound reproduction...or some such.

i own and have used a pair of cs-99a's i found at a thrift in superb condition last fall...if you search here on AK for them, you'll find many posts. pro and con. i like mine, but i have no particular attachment to a speaker design, if i like what i hear, then i like 'em. i hope you find some you like

shrinkboy

Hey Geek,

Do you like the MCS gear? I read online that the 3700 tuner was the sister to the NEC. There is a tuner 3700 and amp like your on ebay for $75 plus $55 shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5793404908&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Bo

Hey Bo,

Way to go on picking up a thread on a forum that is completly antiquated. No, I'm not a "fan" of MCS gear. I'm pretty much just a college student who busts his ass through thick and thin to get my bills paid. The original price of the entire unit I purchased was ten dollars. Seventy five? There is no way in hadies I'd pay that much for anything from the MCS line. Still, if you want to pick some more items up and sell them for incredibly high prices on ebay let me know, I have a few vintage pieces to unload. If not, then don't post to ancient threads of yesteryear to try and get people to buy things. The whole buy it now issue is way lame, just auction the units off. It's for the love and profit, and soemtimes they even out.

Do the CS-801's sound decent?

AG,

Those aren't mine, I just post links to interesting things in here for people who showed interest in items. It could be a website or an auction. Don't get too in fuss over this as I am only in here to help and haven't sold anything through here.

Bo

Hey guys,

I'm a 25 year old college student who spends all his time in his design studio working into the night most every night during the week. I'm starting to build a vintage system and I remember the wonderful speakers my father had when I was young. He sold them at one point and for some reason I've missed them ever since. I'm trying to pick up a pair of CS-99A's on ebay because I'm sure that is what he had. There is a pair right now with a low shipping rate, but there is an "FB" on all the speakers. What the hell does that mean and would you buy these yourself? Thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5711003335&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

well, i purchased a pair of these speakers new in 1973 with the FB on them, it does not mean "free beaten" and has nothing to do with speaker materials...rather it means "FREE BEATING"...which has to do with how the speaker operates....I sold my pair in 1980 but purchased another pair a couple of years ago because they are great sounding and powerful speakers

A little too much anxiety on this thread don't ya think? I thought the world of audio was much more exciting and fun when I was just getting started.

This thread is from 2005. The OP is probably out of college by now.:yes: