TEST: Fostex PX-5

 With the Fostex PX-5, the company, which was founded in 1949, is bringing a product onto the market alongside its sister model PX-6, which, with a street price of just under €500 for a pair of speakers, should be particularly interesting for narrow budgets. You can't complain about a lack of competition in this price range, which also has years of know-how and a corresponding reputation.

However, the product manufactured in China comes with a number of interesting detailed solutions, which are not the norm in this price range. In particular, the rules on the back of the case arouse the curiosity of the ambitious user.



construction

A single Fostex PX-5 box weighs a manageable 5 kilograms and has dimensions of 280 (H) x 180 (W) x 210 (D) mm, which can be easily handled in regular operation. In the case of wall mounting, commercially available support structures are sufficient; more robust solutions, such as those required by 8-inch bass loudspeaker structures, are not required here.

When it comes to housing shape, Fostex also follows the general current trend, which eschews rigid, cubic shapes and focuses more on rounded corners and edges. In the case of the Fostex PX-5, the housing has a front panel made of solid, yet non-slip plastic, which accommodates the tweeter and woofer and forms the slot for the two bass reflex openings. The side edges were also designed to flow; the classic edge guidance was only used on the back of the case.

The fact that this is not just a stylish trend in the area of near-field monitors can be seen from the fact that so-called edge reflections, which increasingly occur in the high-frequency range, are minimized by this housing guide. However, in the case of the Fostex PX-5, additional support for general phase fidelity in the form of an asymmetrical housing shape was omitted.

Due to its comparatively small dimensions, the Fostex PX-5 is of course ideal for sound reinforcement at a computer workstation, at a desk or a comparable work surface. In addition, due to the forward-emitting bass reflex openings, the speakers can be placed much closer to a rear wall than is the case with a rear-emitting variant. However, care should also be taken here to ensure that the bass frequencies are not exaggerated due to unfavorable room acoustics or placement in a corner. The system also comes with an intelligent protection circuit for the speakers by slowly increasing the volume level to protect the speakers from peak overload.

Regarding the speakers, Fostex uses the 2-way system that is common in this performance class, which takes the form of a 5.2 inch aramid woofer and a 1 inch urethane film tweeter. According to the factory information, the tweeter has a load of 18 watts and the woofer has a load of 35 watts, all with a frequency response of 50 - 20 kHz, although the frequency diagram only shows a consistent frequency response from 80 hertz upwards. In order to protect the woofer from excessive sub-bass loading, a subsonic filter pushes everything below 50 Hertz through a high pass. The inputs available are XLR symmetrical together with TSR symmetrical in a combination socket and RCA as a separate input.

Fostex has come up with a special feature when it comes to tuning the individual speakers. While most competitors use sliders to switch between 2 to 3 lowering or raising presets, the PX-5 has a total of 44 levels in the volume/trim area plus +/- 3 dB in 0 using an endless control and a 3-stage slider. 3 dB steps in the high frequency range and +/- 20 steps in the low frequency range. This ensures extremely fine adjustment in the frequency range.

By pressing the endless control you can also put the system into standby mode, which only requires a power consumption of 0.5 watts or less. The power consumption in regular mode is 50 watts.


Practice

Most readers will know the Fostex company, which belongs to the Japanese Foster Group, from the field of multitrack recording. In the mid-eighties, the consumer sector in particular was conquered almost single-handedly by Tascam together with its competitors and, with the compact cassette as a carrier medium, opened up possibilities for the first time that were otherwise only available in professional recording studios. The fact that the company has had a mainstay in the nearfield monitor sector for many years may be new to some people, especially since the competition in this price range is immense and many recording studios opt for a different brand for cost or reputation reasons. Therefore, Fostex has to carve out a niche in order to assert itself on the market, which they succeed in doing with their sophisticated tone control.

When you first use it, the Fostex PX-5 pair stands out with its balanced but unspectacular basic sound. The spatial imaging is good and allows the listener to enjoy the stereo triangle relatively generously without falling out of the depth range. The midrange is pleasantly unpretentious and successfully avoids the infamous crossover hole that often occurs in a 2-way system. The high frequency range is reproduced softly via the dome tweeter with appropriate fine detail.

In the bass range, the system scores well above 80 Hertz, but below this frequency you have to accept slight compromises for a speaker of this size for structural reasons. However, the real highlight comes when you look at the rear sound control, or input sensitivity and volume control. Thanks to the very finely tuned gradations, not only can all input sources for the catch-up amplifier be optimally adjusted using the trim function, but also the personal sound tuning can be adjusted as best as possible.

You have to listen to the matter with a keen ear, as the individual steps of the endless controls sometimes work very discreetly with the sound material supplied. It is advisable to keep the green LEDs in focus so as not to color the sound image one-sidedly in the heat of battle. However, the work is worth it, especially since the system doesn't drift into the infamous loudness trough even when the sound sections are fully boosted. You can therefore enjoy experimenting externally without being punished by the sound source with piercing highs and booming bass.



Conclusion

With the Fostex PX-5, the Japanese manufacturer makes an impressive statement in the highly competitive 5 inch range. Through good workmanship, neutral sound, tasteful appearance and, in particular, sophisticated sound control, the manufacturer sets a fragrance brand that stands out from its competitors.

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Additional Informations:

In the rich tapestry of audio technology, Fostex stands as a testament to innovation, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of sonic excellence. The journey of Fostex traces back to its humble beginnings, woven into the fabric of post-war Japan's industrial renaissance. From crafting quality tape recorders to revolutionizing the world of headphones and speakers, Fostex's evolution is a story of ingenuity and dedication.

**Founding Years:**
Fostex's roots dig deep into the year 1973, when a visionary named Foster Electric Company, Ltd. laid the cornerstone in Tokyo, Japan. Founded by Foster Electric's chairman, Fujio Foster, Fostex emerged as a subsidiary with a distinct focus on high-fidelity audio equipment. The company's name, a fusion of "Foster" and "Technology," encapsulated its mission to marry cutting-edge innovation with precision craftsmanship.

**Tape Recorders and Beyond:**
In its nascent years, Fostex carved a niche for itself in the realm of reel-to-reel tape recorders. With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to quality, Fostex quickly garnered acclaim for its reliable and high-performance recording devices. These tape recorders became staples in professional studios and broadcasting stations, laying the groundwork for Fostex's ascent in the audio industry.

**Innovations and Breakthroughs:**
The 1980s marked a pivotal period for Fostex, characterized by a flurry of groundbreaking innovations. One of the company's crowning achievements during this era was the introduction of the world's first multitrack cassette recorder, the Fostex Model 80. This revolutionary device democratized music production, empowering musicians and producers with affordable yet powerful recording capabilities.

Moreover, Fostex's foray into the realm of headphones and loudspeakers further solidified its reputation as a trailblazer in audio technology. The company's commitment to research and development bore fruit in the form of proprietary driver technologies and acoustic designs that set new benchmarks for fidelity and performance.

**Global Expansion and Recognition:**
As Fostex continued to push the boundaries of audio engineering, its influence transcended national borders, cementing its status as a global player in the industry. The company's products found resonance among audio enthusiasts, professionals, and discerning consumers worldwide, earning accolades for their sonic purity and craftsmanship.

**Diversification and Adaptation:**
In response to evolving market dynamics and technological advancements, Fostex diversified its product portfolio to encompass a broader spectrum of audio solutions. From compact studio monitors to portable digital recorders, the company demonstrated its versatility and adaptability, staying ahead of the curve in an ever-changing landscape.

**Partnerships and Collaborations:**
Fostex's journey of innovation was further catalyzed by strategic partnerships and collaborations with industry leaders and visionaries. By pooling expertise and resources, Fostex forged alliances that propelled it to new heights of excellence, while also fostering knowledge exchange and technological synergies.

**Legacy and Future Prospects:**
As Fostex celebrates over four decades of pioneering excellence, its legacy endures as a beacon of inspiration for future generations of audio enthusiasts and professionals. With a steadfast commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, Fostex remains poised to continue shaping the future of audio technology, one breakthrough at a time.

In conclusion, the genesis of Fostex is a saga of passion, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of sonic perfection. From its humble origins in post-war Japan to its stature as a global leader in audio innovation, Fostex's journey exemplifies the transformative power of vision and dedication in shaping the world of sound. As the company continues to push the boundaries of possibility, its legacy will echo through the annals of audio history, inspiring generations to come.