Fostex NF1A

NF-Series Nearfield Studio Monitors
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, uncoloured and accurately defined, even at high sound pressure levels, allowing you to accurately pinpoint and analyse all aspects of your creative output whilst minimise 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 minimisation of self-resonating frequencies and the total lack of sound colourisation 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 utilising 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 aluminium 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 minimise the vibrations which can colour and degrade the sound.
The NF Series utilise 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 colouration 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-1A FILTERING
Adjusting filters include LO FREQ (+3, 0, -3dB @ 60Hz), HI-MID ATT (0, -3dB) and HI FREQ (+3, 0, -3dB). An independent tweeter control (-3dB to +3dB variable) is also present. Crossover point is set at 5kHz).

NF-01A FILTERING
LO FREQ filter (+2, 0, -2dB @ 55Hz) plus an independent tweeter control are present (-3dB to +3dB variable. Crossover points are 5kHz / -6dB / Oct & 3.5kHz / -12dB / Oct.

HP SOUND REFLECTORS
The inclusion of HP sound reflectors prevents the generation of standing waves in the enclosure.
Like the HP drivers, the constantly varying 3rd-order curved surface of the HP reflectors, along with their carbon fibre/PBO construction minimises self resonance.

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 utilisation of the reverberent 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.
In Detail
Double spidered woofer featuring unique HP diaphragm which delivers a highly transient sound, wide directivity and exact sound imaging with extraordinary low distortion
A UDR tangential diaphragm edge eliminates unwanted anti-resonance. This, combined with the use of a push-pull damper in the woofer assembly results in a super-accurate response at even the most subtlest of audio signals
Wide-range UFLC soft dome tweeter reproduces signals up to 40kHz
Highly rigid cast aluminium frames for both woofer and tweeter units keep unwanted vibrations and resonances to a minimum
Magnetically shielded - can be used in close proximity to a video monitor
Unique time-aligned enclosure (NF-1 & NF-1A) features a baffle configuration and two HP sound reflectors resulting in a near-perfect internal enclosure environment
Careful placement of drivers and innovative enclosure design allows for a wide optimum listening area
ACTIVE NF-1A, NF-01A FEATURES
Dedicated bi-amplifiers (NF-1A: 60W LF + 60W HF, NF-01A: 50W LF + 50W HF) eliminates electric interference between the drivers
A large sized R-core power transformer ensures stability of low frequencies - even at high pressure levels
Balanced XLR and unbalanced phone input connectors
NF-1A: 3-point (H/H-M/L) audio adjusting filters & independent tweeter control
NF-01A: Low frequency filter (+2/0/-2dB at 55Hz) and HF LEVEL (-3dB to +3dB) controls