Fyne Audio Loudspeakers, Audia Flyte Electronics, Melco server, Lindemann DAC, Swiss Cables, Quadraspire Racks

I wasn't paying a lot of attention to Scottish audio in 2016, but here's what I know: The new owners of Scottish loudspeaker company Tannoy at first threatened to move production to China, but ended up opening a new factory in Scotland instead.

That would seem to be a positive outcome, but along the way, a group of employees separated from the company, including Paul Mills, Tannoy's longtime product development head, some other engineers, and key production staff. Those former Tannoy employees soon formed a new company: Fyne Audio.

Just 20 months later, Scotland's Fyne Audio already has a large lineup of loudspeakers, from small budget standmounts to some serious high-end contenders, like the nominally 96dB/2.83V/m, 8 ohm flagship F1-12, with its 12" concentric driver. I counted 23 models in 5 series, including four subwoofers but not counting their in-wall and in-ceiling lineup, in the Gramophone Distribution Company room here at the Toronto Audiofest. Here in Canada, inventory is reportedly still low, but a major shipment is expected next week; then the new speakers should really start to flow.

In the States, Fyne distribution has also commenced just recently; the US distributor is the Sound Organization, which also imports such venerable brands as Rega, ProAc, and Bryston. Stereophile will be reviewing a pair of their inexpensive speakers soon.

Here in Toronto, some eight models were on display; the further up the size-and-price scale you go, the more these speakers resemble classic Tannoys, some with dual 8", 10", and 12" drivers, one of them with a concentric compression tweeter.

When I entered the room, two were in position to play music: the F703 ($15,950 CAD/pair) and the F702 ($11,295 CAD/pair). I heard from very fine sounds from the F702s (which were already connected) driven by an Audia Flyte FLS 10 Super integrated amplifier ($11,990 CAD). Digital music was provided by a Melco N1Zh server ($6995 Can) and a Lindemann Music Book Source DAC/Streamer/Preamp ($4695).

I also listened to vinyl via this very handsome Acoustic Signature Double X turntable with TA-2000 tonearm ($8600), Acoustic Signature Tango Mk3 phono preamp ($1450.00 CAD), and a Hana ML MC cartridge.

COMMENTS
PAR's picture

" I heard from very find(sic.) sounds from the F702s"

Please tell us in what way the sounds were "find". This whole piece reads like a rehash of a press release/exhibition show guide blurb on Fyne - which I suspect it is.

Jim Austin's picture

As for the rest, I'm going to suppress my emotions and say, politely: No, sir, there is no press release or show guide blurb on Fyne. These are my words, copied from nowhere. Now be nice.

Jim Austin, Editor
Stereophile

PAR's picture

OK. I hope that you find this constructive.

What made me write is that a show report, or more precisely, a show exhibitor report, needs to be more than the equivalent of a news item ( which you or other print magazine's web pages and webzines carry every day). There needs to be something that gives a sense of why you went to the show to actually listen rather than ,say, just phoning the exhibitor to ask what they would be showing.

What amounts to a list of equipment and prices ( whilst useful) does not achieve that objective. I, and I expect others, want a brief subjective report on what the equipment actually sounded like to you, especially with new and unfamiliar brands. Simply saying that it sounded "fine" ( how did you manage to resist the pun of "Fyne" there?)doesn't give me very much information.

On the matter of how a show report is different from a news item I recommend as examples many of J.V.S's reports from other shows. Your predecessor, of course, took it to an even more informative level by recording what he heard in the room and posting the result here. I am not necessarily seeking anything similar but would hope that your talents for descriptive prose could be better exercised.

JRT's picture

I expect that there has to be some balance in time and effort expended among exhibitor setups. Add background distractions and noise, some listener fatigue, perhaps suboptimal listening position, listening material chosen by vendor to show strengths and mask weaknesses. Then factor in possibilty of some suboptimal setups that might not extract best performance, showing faults in setup rather than faults in system component designs. Perhaps one might appreciate that the show reports do not draw too many hastily drawn conclusions about performance.

Jim Austin's picture

"[List of reasons not to draw conclusions from show sound, then:] Perhaps one might appreciate that the show reports do not draw too many hastily drawn conclusions about performance."

Well said. Stereophile evaluates components--subjectively--after long exposure under controlled conditions in well-known systems. We do not do so based on a few minutes in an unfamiliar system and room.

Jim Austin, Editor
Stereophile

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Hi-Fi News reviewed one of the Fyne Audio bookshelf/stand-mount models F-301 ......... The reviewer said, one of the "Scotland's Fynest" ....... (Obviously he was not referring to the 'fine' Scotch, they produce over there) :-) ..........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Of course our 'Tennessee Honey' can compete with their 'Freya' :-) .........

tonykaz's picture

There is something special in the Headphone World, since three years ago, approximately:

Feliks Audio out of Poland.

The headphone tube rolling lads discovered the Feliks Amps ( connieflyer and pals ). These guys have been ordering and importing all by themselves.

Now, I notice in Stereophile, Keven Deal is Importing and distributing Feliks.

This might make a wonderful Review insomuch as these Feliks Amps are tube roller's favorite even though Keven Deal suggests that they don't need to be rolled to get outstanding performance.

Any way, Feliks seems like a Pagani kind of Audio Product that aspires to the highest levels of headphone and preamp performances.

Wish you well,

Tony in Venice

Jim Austin's picture

Covered in our December issue, I believe. It should be out in a week or so.

Jim Austin, Editor
Stereophile

tonykaz's picture

Geez, you lads are out front of the curve.

Nice Work,

Tony in Venice

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