Fostex NF-1 Passive Studio Monitor

The process of choosing nearfield monitors should be easy. – After all, they only have one job to do.
The job of monitoring. Not enhancing, not diminishing, not in any way altering the source material.
Enter the Fostex NF-Series. A range of nearfield monitors which deliver a sound completely lacking in those ‘enhancements’ and ‘characteristics’ often found in other studio speakers.

A natural sound, uncolored and accurately defined, even at high sound pressure levels, allowing you to accurately pinpoint and analyse all aspects of your creative output whilst minimize listening fatigue.

Unique Technologies

So what makes the NF-1 series so different? For a start, Fostex started with a blank sheet of paper when designing the three crucial components of the NF-1/NF-1A and new NF-01A; the LF woofer unit, the HF tweeter unit and the enclosure.
Nothing was taken for granted. Nothing was assumed.

HP Diaphragm

The NF-Series employ a low frequency unit featuring an HP (Hyperbolic paraboloid) diaphragm. The 3rd-order curved surface structure of this technology results in the ability to reproduce faster-rising sounds more responsively, the minimization of self-resonating frequencies and the total lack of sound colorization characteristics.

In addition, Fostex turned their attention to the UDR (Up/Down Roll) tangential edge structure of the low frequency unit. This edge is created by joining up-roll and down-roll at their tangential surfaces while utilizing FEM model analysis to determined the optimum bonding points. It’s this edge which plays a key part in the overall performance of the units.

Soft Dome HF Unit

Fostex also felt the need to develop a new type of soft dome unit, one which features UFLC in its construction. Conventional soft dome units exhibit minute ‘pinholes’ in the damping materials resulting in dips in the frequency response.
In using UFLC materials, Fostex have eliminated these, made a 30% weight reduction and widened the frequency response across the range.

Drive Assemblies

Unlike other manufacturers, Fostex decided against the use of plastic or pressed metal driver frame assemblies. This is because these types of construction do not, unlike the die-cast aluminum frame used for the woofer and tweeter units in the NF-Series, offer optimum vibration suppression.

Acoustic Enclosures

A monitor enclosure is much more than just the box in which to house the driver units. It too must be acoustically designed to minimize the vibrations which can color and degrade the sound.

The NF Series utilize bass-reflex enclosures featuring a number of construction and acoustic treatment techniques which combine to offer an ideal chamber for suppressing vibration and unwanted reflections.
These include:

• A unique internal baffle configuration (patent applied for), using HP sound reflectors to naturally extinguish standing waves.
• Time-align damping techniques (NF-1 and NF-1A only)
• 21mm thick super-rigid MDF particle board for the main enclosure construction widening to 33mm where the drivers are mounted. (NF-01A maximum thickness 18mm).
• Rounded edges on the front baffle for reduced reflection of mid-frequency sounds.
• Two precisely tuned cylindrical ports for increased bass response whilst maintaining a compact enclosure.

The Truth

Now the choice can be made. monitors which may make you sound good, or monitors which tell you how good you sound. Hooking up a pair of Fostex’s NF-Series for the first time is somewhat of a revelation. – You may be surprised at what you hear. But at least it will be a true representation, free from any sonic coloration and distortion.
Which is where we came in.

Dedicated & Acoustically Isolated Bi-Amplifiers

The active NF-1A and NF-01A both feature a fully independent bi-amplifier power (60W NF-1A, 50W NF-01A), available for both the Low and High frequencies. This ensures that each unit is driven in perfect electrical isolation. The amplifiers are also cleverly installed ensuring that unwanted vibrations are kept to an absolute minimum.

R-Core Transformer

The large sized R-core transformer supplies more than enough power to ensure that the Low frequencies maintain their integrity – even at high sound pressure levels.

NF-1 Crossover Design

The extremely natural and ultra-smooth transition between woofer and tweeter units is due to another breakthrough in monitor design.
While the high frequency UFLC tweeter unit uses a low loss 6dB crossover, the smooth roll off of the low frequency woofer, (afforded by the unique HP diaphragm technology), renders the use of a crossover for this unit obsolete.

Uniquely Designed Bass Reflex System

Although the NF-Series use a bass reflex enclosure, Fostex have, again, re-worked the technology to provide real gains in terms of bass response characteristics. This has involved the active utilization of the reverberant sound caused by the internal HP reflectors which exits the enclosure through the two bass-reflex ports. (Something which is just not possible with enclosures which only use conventional glass fibre for internal damping). The placement of the exit ports was also critical in allowing a smooth and natural blending of the sound coming from the woofer and tweeter units.