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Fried Signature Series Q/3?

U

Urizen

Lunatic Member
I found these great sounding speakers at a pawn shop. They are very similar in size to an EPI 100. I have found lots of info about Bud Fried (who passed away this year) and some newer Fried speakers but nothing about this model. They seem to be very efficient because my little NAD 310 (20 watts per channel) sounds great pushing them at about half the volume I used with the EPI 100s. This combo makes a great little bedroom system, sounding better with the NAD than either my EPIs or my B&W DM602s2. Does anyone know any history, have any specs or know anything about these speakers? The BR system pic shows them after I replaced the bottom vent foam, which had come unglued and started to rot.

Thanks in advance!

Ken

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FRIED SPK, Q/3 2-WAY
Description: 8" WOOFER, DOME TWEETER, EDGE-ON-FREE-FLOW FILTERS
Manufacture Years: 1984 - 1990
Additional Information:
Retail
MSRP: $230.00
USED: $70.00
 
I had a pair of the original model Qs. They were the first product of Fried's after his association with IMF came to an end. They were designed with a resistive tunnel, which was a simplification of the transmission line he had always advocated (and continued to do so for his top models which were sometimes sold as kits). Resistive lines were in some ways more like aperiodic loading than transmission lines, but had the advantage over t lines of being simple to build and much cheaper to ship.
Generally the Frieds had good reputations -- the resistive line didn't price Frieds out of competition with regular box speakers but Fried was a much more sophisticated designer than his mass market competitors, and it showed. He used unusual driver suppliers, and he even used series crossovers, I believe. He was very early in moving to vented pole piece drivers, and in going back to paper cones for their efficiency and dynamism.
If I remember correctly, the Qs used HiQphon tweeters from france and Charbonneau woofers. I do not believe either are still in production, so it would be worth doing your best to avoid blowing them.
Obviously an 8 inch woofer in a small box can't produce the lowest bass, but I thought they were a very satisfying speaker.
 
Those are very similar to my newly aquired Fried A/2 but from the sounds of it my cabs are a bit bigger, by my eye they measure 20"x12"x10". These are the best speakers I have for the room size they are in, matched up with a canton sub I am very pleased. Even my SO said " the singer is right there" pointing to the center of the room as she took my seat. After I read Nat's response to my thread I did notice the similarity to the dynaco A25 speakers with the aperiodic venting, I know this is a bit different but close enough for me and the girls I date.
Enjoy them
 
Urizen said:
I found these great sounding speakers at a pawn shop. They are very similar in size to an EPI 100. I have found lots of info about Bud Fried (who passed away this year) and some newer Fried speakers but nothing about this model. They seem to be very efficient because my little NAD 310 (20 watts per channel) sounds great pushing them at about half the volume I used with the EPI 100s. This combo makes a great little bedroom system, sounding better with the NAD than either my EPIs or my B&W DM602s2. Does anyone know any history, have any specs or know anything about these speakers? The BR system pic shows them after I replaced the bottom vent foam, which had come unglued and started to rot.

Thanks in advance!

Ken

Fried1.jpg


Fried2.jpg


Fried4.jpg


Fried5.jpg
Click to expand...
Can you tell me what kind of foam material you used to replace the original?
 
Did adding the vent foam to the opening change the sound? I have a pair of the R/4s that are missing the foam.:scratch2:

Thanks!
 
I have a pair of Q2's that I quasi restored a few years back. I love them, they are an example of the sum being greater than the total of the parts. I understand that was part of the design philosophy of Fried. Mine needed refoaming and the vent stuffing was crumbled. From what I recall about them at the time, changing the stuffing density was encouraged to tune them to taste. I did find a suitable foam and listened to them with and without. The stuffing does make a difference. What I'm saying is that there is no absolute in this, but what I've found myself is they sound smoother with it. All in all, a very listenable speaker. Among my favorites.
 
I bought and installed some vent foam today from Ace Hardware. The bass is more attenuated, not sure if I like it or not. I may try trimming the foam down more for a looser fit. Thanks for the feedback. :thmbsp:
 
Urizen said:
I found these great sounding speakers at a pawn shop. They are very similar in size to an EPI 100. I have found lots of info about Bud Fried (who passed away this year) and some newer Fried speakers but nothing about this model. They seem to be very efficient because my little NAD 310 (20 watts per channel) sounds great pushing them at about half the volume I used with the EPI 100s. This combo makes a great little bedroom system, sounding better with the NAD than either my EPIs or my B&W DM602s2. Does anyone know any history, have any specs or know anything about these speakers? The BR system pic shows them after I replaced the bottom vent foam, which had come unglued and started to rot.

Thanks in advance!

Ken

Fried1.jpg


Fried2.jpg


Fried4.jpg


Fried5.jpg
Click to expand...
-If you still have the info on the vent plug foam, could you re-post it? The link below no longer works. I'm trying to help a friend get his Q 3s up to spec, and the foam has changed to dust!
 
I'd like to be of help but the foam I used in my Q2's was a "found" material. Some parts were shipped and it was a packing cushion. Right color, right consistency. Can't be that hard to find. Mine had crumbled as well. Getting the stuff to fit the port was easy enough but I have no idea of how deep the plug was. I just made it the same as the vertical dimension. Most open cell craft foam should do. It's a damper. It was Bud Fried who said it could be changed to tailor the sound, so It isn't a critical mass. I'm not downplaying it's importance, certainly made a huge difference in mine. I still have them, lots of others have come and gone. So nice to listen to. A whole lot like Dyna A-25's ( no surprise) but with better detail.
 
In the original Qs (and the later models, as far a I know), the damping foam extended the depth of the vent/slot. As has been noticed, Bud Fried suggested trying different insertion depths to get the best damping in your system, so there is a fair amount of wiggle room for alternative densities of foam and depths.
 
Thanks for all replies, they confirmed what I've read elsewhere on the web, that it may not be too critical and experimenting is the way to go.
 
Capitol C said:
Thanks for all replies, they confirmed what I've read elsewhere on the web, that it may not be too critical and experimenting is the way to go.
Click to expand...
What I believe is critical is that you actually use an open pore foam. A closed foam will not allow air to pass through it, an open foam will. Where the experimentation comes in relates to the density of the foam. There are many different densities available. Mainly used as cushion stuffing or filter material.
I have also found evidence on the web that open foam was also used as a stuffing inside the speaker cabinet. Most of the foam used in Fried speakers of the 80's lasts about as long as the foam used for driver surrounds. Most untouched (drivers never removed) Fried speakers from then will just have this pile of crumbs inside. If the speakers have been serviced there is no guarantee that foam was used to dampen the box. Worst case scenario would have the box tightly filled with stuffing(fiberglass,polyester pillow stuffing) which would block any sound from getting to the vent. If they just had padding on the inside walls things might not be so bad. DISCLAIMER: Most of this is my opinion from searching the web and looking into my Fried A/3a's
 
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