Fried A-3 speakers


I would appreciate any thoughts on the sound of Fried A-3 speakers. I am considering a pair for a vintage office setup.

I would also appreciate any thoughts on value. I think they listed new for $688. I checked and they are not listed in the Audiogon Bluebook.
jperry
Sorry about that character in NC, Bojack. It sounds like you no longer have the A/6? If that's not the case, and you need the crossover schematic, I could provide you with it.

We would consider the parts quality of Bud Fried's crossovers low for today, though not for their time. Supposedly, the higher crossover point was an accident; the person who bought the operation after Bud retired used the crossovers from the Beta minimonitor with its 6.5" midwoofer. Still, despite its mystery to most, you can't go far wrong with the series crossover. I've seen far more egregious errors, such as a company who claimed their crossover sat at 3000Hz for their two way with 6.5" midwoofer, when it actually was 300Hz. Yes, the person they paid to design the crossover messed up the position of the decimal point. The parts looked quite strange to me, and when I let the owner of the company know, his blank stare at the calculation I did for him showed me why his speakers sounded as odd as they did. Crossover knowledge separates the wheat from the chaff. One considers today's loudspeaker designers at the pinnacle of the craft, when most are really just putting expensive drivers in overpriced (due to the exotic/bookmatched veneers, finish, etc.) cabinets. As Bud liked to say, he was born 25 years too early.

As you intimated, the A/6 were notable speakers. You're right, with the full sized cabinets, the A/6 did pretty well in the low frequencies. You wonder why others don't emulate the Fried Line Tunnel, which gives you a taste of true transmission line on a shoestring budget. Von Schweikert has implemented it, though falsely claims it a TL. I try to listen to a lot of audio components, and cannot think of a speaker in today's market under $5000 I would rather own. Still, if you really want to hear truthfully fantastic bass, please give a listen to a Fried with true TL.
Trelja,
I appreciate the schematic offer but no longer have the A6s. I actually have the schematic, and I sold them to a friend who made his own. In retrospect, I should have kept them but had lost my job and moving to an appt that had no room for them...ahh, such is life! I
Thanks RW and Bojack,

Based on your comments I think I will go ahead and buy them. I was going to run them with a solid state integrated. I think it will be more than adequate in a small office, do you agree?

Any suggestion on stand height?

Should the tweeters be above, below or even with my ears?
I bought them today based on the comments from all above. I responded earlier, but that response has not posted so sorry if this comment is a repost.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310715343776?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

The seller said the marks on top cleaned up and sent updated pictures.

Any suggestions on stand height? Should the tweeters be above, below, or at level with my ears?

Thanks again for all of the input. I will be using this in my office with a Roksan integrated amp.