It’s surprising how much difference a few letters make. In this case, we refer to the SP pasted on the name of the F502 floorstander. They stand for Special Production, which is Fyne Audio’s way of saying these speakers have been upgraded from the base product. We’re not talking small tweaks either, as the price difference between the standard F502 floorstanders (£2499 / $3750 / AU$549) and our review pair of the Fyne Audio F502SP shows.
Essentially, the engineers at Fyne Audio have taken the standard model and upgraded pretty much everything while keeping the same basic design and dimensions. Think of it as hot-rodding taken to the extreme. All SP models are hand built in the UK, which also accounts for some of the price difference.
To build
The standard drive units F502 drivers are replaced with new designs derived from those used in the company’s high-end F700 range. Consider that the equivalent floorstander in the F700 range, the F702, costs about double the F502SP and you’ll understand why sharing similar drive units is so important for the cheaper product.
At the heart of these speakers is the IsoFlare drive array. This consists of a 25mm horn-loaded magnesium tweeter that sits in the throat of a 20cm multi-fiber (paper) conical mid/bass unit. The idea is to create a point source, where all frequencies of sound appear to be coming from the same place. Compare this to the conventional way of placing driver units on a loudspeaker, where they are arranged in a row on a faceplate. Consider the spacing between the drive units and the uneven spread that causes, and the appeal of Fyne’s IsoFlare (and KEF’s Uni-Q) is clear. In the F502SP, an additional 20 cm woofer increases bass reproduction.
Fyne Audio F502SP technical specifications
Type 2½ way standing floorstander
Drive Units 25mm horn-loaded magnesium dome / 20cm multi-fibre mid/bass IsoFlare array with additional 20cm bass driver
Ported Shoot down
Sensitivity 92dB/W/m
Nominal impedance 8 ohms
Biwire? Yes
Dimensions (hwd) 111x34x38cm
The three drivers are connected in an all-new, hand-crafted crossover network created using high-quality inductors and ClarityCap capacitors. All internal cabling is silver plated OFC from Den Hul rather than the nameless wires most rivals use. The crossover points are fairly standard at 1.7kHz between the mid/bass and tweeter, with the lower bass driver rolling below 250Hz.
Low frequencies are tuned by the company’s favored down-firing port system, but in the SP version the port shoots down into a substantial dual aluminum plinth structure – rather than the standard model’s wooden plinth – which has a built-in diffuser to keep the distribute bass energy evenly. The claim is not only that of a deep and powerful bass, but also of a less difficult integration in the listening room.
The generous cabinet dimensions of the F502SP are the same as the standard model, but the cabinet is made of high-density fiberboard and more rigidly reinforced. Great care has been taken with the internal damping in the design, using no less than three complementary materials to control resonances. The result should be a firmer and more stable foundation on which the drive units can operate. There are three smart piano gloss finish options: white, black and the premium priced walnut.
Compatibility
Don’t be tempted to shortchange the F502SP when it comes to interoperable electronics. They’re not the most refined speakers, so any harshness or edge in the signal at higher frequencies will come through. Likewise, despite a relatively high claimed sensitivity of 92dB/W/m and a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, try pairing these speakers with an amplifier with some poke if you want to get the most out of their dynamic capabilities. Something like SuperNait 3 from Naim is a good starting point.
We use our usual reference system of Naim ND555/555 PS DR music streamer, Technics SL-1000R/Kiseki Purpleheart turntable and Burmester 088/911 Mk III amplifier for most of the testing, although the aforementioned Naim Integrated is also in use is taken on occasion.
There’s no getting around it, you’ll need a pretty big room to get the most out of the F502SP. They work well in our 7m x 5m test room, with plenty of room to breathe, but previous experience has shown that they can easily sound overwhelming in anything much smaller.
It’s worth taking some time to optimize their positioning. We got the best results with the Fynes placed about a meter from the back wall and far from the sides. Once the positioning is optimised, you get a wonderfully expansive soundstage that is tightly focused and beautifully layered. Make sure you angle the main listening position perfectly; we had the speakers crossed just slightly behind our heads when seated.
Sound
While listening to Beethoven Symphony No.9 in full swing, it’s hard not to be impressed by the F502SP. These are great speakers for the money and the benefits of their generous portions are obvious. First, these floorstanders sound so much more authoritative than most rivals. They deliver Beethoven’s symphony with breathtaking scale and solidity. Large-scale dynamic sweeps are rendered with ease, even at high volumes where smaller alternatives struggle.
These Fynes reveal an impressive amount of detail and arrange all that information in a cohesive and controlled way. There’s a crisp click on the leading edge of notes and the ability to properly paint the rest of the sound envelope. This is a colorful presentation that is bold and confident.
If you’re looking for absolute tonal neutrality or class-leading refinement then we’d point you elsewhere, as these aren’t the most refined or balanced speakers at this level. But the rivals that gain ground in sonic refinement lose out when it comes to the more visceral aspects of music replay. These Fynes are great for pulling us into the music. They deliver sound with enormous verve, even if they ultimately deliver less downright finesse.
This contrast between the F502SP and the rest is just as obvious when we play Michael Jackson’s Dangerous set. Here the Fynes like to go full throttle. They dig deep into the bass and produce thunderous results when we play Who is it at high volumes.
Pleasantly, those lows are nimble as well as rich and powerful. Don’t think the rest of the presentation falls short. There’s enough attack at all frequencies and a determined ability to convey rhythmic drive that makes most alternatives sound imprecise and a little half-hearted. Analyze the mid-range and you’ll find it’s impressively crisp and clear. We have no problem following Jackson’s impassioned vocals, hearing every signature vocal tap with ease.
With the F502SP, we’ve been playing a wide range of music over the course of our time, ranging from the quiet contemplation of Olafur Arnalds’ found songs to the energy party that belongs to Nirvana Never mind, and these floorstanders never disappoint. They reproduce music with an enthusiasm that makes most rivals seem stubborn in the way they conduct their business.
Statement
Of course you can get a sound with more refinement, a sweeter treble and even more delicacy for the same money, but you’d be hard pressed to find something as entertaining as these Fynes. If you have the space and can spoil them a bit, these Fyne Audio F502SP are worth every penny.
TO SCORE
- Sound 5
- To build 5
- Compatibility 3
LAKE:
Read our review of the Spender A7
Also consider the ATC SCM40
Read our Wharfedale Elysian 4 review
Best Floorstanding Speakers: Budget to Premium
Read the Fyne Audio F8SP AV surround sound package review