Reference

About the Reference

The Fried Reference Speaker, identified as the Model Q, is part of Fried Products' Signature Series loudspeakers. It features a two-way design with an 8-inch woofer and a 1-inch dome tweeter, covering a frequency range from 45 Hz to 18 kHz with ±3 dB variation. The speaker has a sensitivity of 86 dB at one watt input measured at one meter and a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. It uses a crossover frequency of 2.5 kHz and is recommended for amplifiers with a minimum power of 35 watts. The enclosure is compact, measuring 19 3/4 inches high, 11 1/2 inches wide, and 9 1/2 inches deep, finished in walnut vinyl with a removable black foam grille. The design includes a damped transmission line loading for the woofer's rear wave to ensure smooth low-frequency response. The rear panel features well-marked binding posts recessed to allow placement close to walls, a three-step equalizer control for midrange adjustment, and a replaceable 2-amp fuse for protection. The speaker weighs 23 pounds and was It is noted for its quality construction and ability to handle program dynamics well, although it may exhibit some acoustic migration of midrange voices at high low-frequency levels due to woofer excursion.