Fischer & Fischer SN170

Description

A loudspeaker cabinet performs a number of vital functions. Aside from housing the drive units, the cabinet needs to vibrate as little as possible because vibration interacts with the frequencies produced by the drivers, often depleting the loudspeaker of energy. The vibrations caused by cabinets often add colourations and distortions to the sound. This is why many high-end loudspeaker manufacturers go to great effort to engineer internal bracing technologies or experiment with different materials to reduce the effect of cabinet resonances. Building loudspeakers with natural slate cabinets is a very logical solution. Due to its flaky, layered structure, its negligible re-sounding or re-echoing qualities and its extremely high mass, the material boasts extraordinary acoustic properties. In slate cabinets, the entire energy of the loudspeaker is available to incite the surrounding air.

The improvements that this approach makes to the sound quality is significant. In particular, the dynamics and coherency of the sonic picture is enhanced and the bass response is cleaner, more articulate and tuneful. The energy balance of natural slate is not only superior in the bass range. In the high frequency range, the extreme mass reactance of the material ensures that the membranes vibrating as a result of sound amplitudes are not offset by resonating baffles. This feature generates a music fidelity essentially richer in nuances and with greater detail than usual.

There are aesthetic benefits too. Using slate makes it possible to make the cabinets smaller so that the loudspeakers can fit into moderately sized living spaces and the slate has an elegant, luxurious, high quality, timeless aesthetic which gives it a real high-end speaker presence.

The Fischer & Fischer SN170 is an elegant compact floor standing loudspeaker which defies expectations. The slate cabinet and advanced driver technology produce a sound quality well beyond what is considered normal for speakers at this level. It is ideal for smaller to medium sized rooms, for spaces where a larger speaker is not suitable or for music enthusiasts who are simply downsizing their systems but still want to maintain high levels of quality.

When looking for a floor standing speaker at this level, we are often presented with choices which consist mostly of heavily marketed brand names offering cheap generic drive units in MDF boxes, made in low-cost labour locations, presented in attractive finishes with glossy catalogues and special price offers. This speaker is a very different proposition. It is made in Germany from a pure slate cabinet by expert craftmanship techniques, using perfectly matched high quality drivers and is designed to be the best representation of this type of speaker. Class leading speed combined with a beautiful, rich tonal quality elevates the SN170 from the all too common overhyped, but ultimately unsatisfying designs.

The SN170 can be described as having a full-bodied sound with realism, dynamics and a natural presence. It is an articulate, sophisticated sonic presentation but the biggest difference between it and other speakers in this price range is that it has a sense of energy and fun. The lack of cabinet resonance results in a clean, energized sound that is very refreshing. In an age of obsessive consumerism and product hype, Fischer & Fischer represent pride of ownership and longevity. While the SN70 embodies this philosophy, it is inspired by the passion and love for music.

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