To mark its 10th anniversary, Fyne Audio has unveiled the F1-10 Anniversary, a flagship loudspeaker limited to just 30 individually numbered pairs worldwide.
This flagship loudspeaker brings the original F1-10 design up to date with a decade of acoustic innovation and Fyne Audio technologies. These include an extensively re-engineered 250 mm IsoFlare point source driver featuring an ultra-thin 75 mm aluminosilicate glass compression dome, the first fully integrated implementation of Fyne’s SuperTrax ultra-high-frequency system and a bespoke, hand-built, cryogenically treated crossover.
“The original F1-10 established the engineering principles upon which Fyne Audio was built,” comments Andrzej Sosna, Managing Director of Fyne Audio. “The F1-10 Anniversary honours that heritage, but it is very much a loudspeaker looking forward. It brings together everything we have learned over our first decade while introducing important new technologies that will influence the future development of the Fyne Audio range.”
At the heart of the F1-10 Anniversary is the most advanced version yet of Fyne Audio’s IsoFlare point source driver. Its 250 mm multi-fibre bass/midrange cone incorporates FyneFlute surround technology, engineered to terminate unwanted cone energy and reduce time-smearing and colouration.
Mounted at its acoustic centre is an entirely new 75 mm high-frequency compression driver employing a precision-engineered, ultra-thin aluminosilicate glass diaphragm. Using an advanced glass formulation enriched with aluminium oxide, the diaphragm is chemically strengthened through an ion-toughening process.
This dramatically reduces break-up modes and their associated colouration on the reproduced sound. The glass diaphragm is terminated by a specially developed polyethene naphthalate polyester film surround, while an edge-wound copper-clad aluminium voice coil, neodymium magnet and vented rear chamber deliver transient response, low distortion and high power handling without thermal compression.
Like the metal dome in the original F1-10, the Anniversary’s large 75 mm diaphragm allows the compression driver to operate down to a 750 Hz crossover point. This enables it to reproduce much of the critical vocal range, contributing to the loudspeaker’s natural tonality, coherence and precise reproduction of musical detail.
The F1-10 Anniversary is the first Fyne Audio loudspeaker to incorporate SuperTrax technology as an integral part of its cabinet. Mounted horizontally in the enclosure’s top panel, its 25 mm Thin Ply Carbon Diaphragm super tweeter fires upward toward a precision machined Tractrix profile diffuser.
The diffuser transforms the driver’s output into a uniform 360 degree wavefront, distributing ultra high frequency energy evenly throughout the listening environment rather than projecting it narrowly towards the listener. Extending the system’s response beyond 60 kHz, SuperTrax preserves the harmonic structure of instruments and voices while reducing phase error at the upper limit of the IsoFlare driver’s operating range.
Precisely time-aligned with the IsoFlare driver, the integrated SuperTrax ensures that reflected energy arriving from around the room retains the same harmonic structure as the direct sound. The effect is greater openness, more convincing dimensionality and a heightened sense of air and space.
A dedicated ±3 dB SuperTrax gain adjustment allows its energy between 16 kHz and 60 kHz to be tailored to the room, system and listener preference.
Specifically developed for the Anniversary, the new IsoFlare unit uses ultra-premium components selected for their measurable properties and their perceived effect on the sound on critical listening. These include low-loss laminated-core inductors, thermally stable non-inductive thick film resistors and ClarityCap PUR-grade polypropylene capacitors selected for their low microphonics and a vanishingly low noise floor.
Rather than using conventional printed circuit boards, the crossover is hard-wired onto rigid fibreboard panels. This not only provides the mechanical integrity to fit some of the audio industry’s largest components, but also helps minimise vibration and allows the shortest, cleanest possible signal paths.
Each completed crossover undergoes Fyne Audio’s in-house Deep Cryogenic Treatment process over several days. The super-deep freezing and controlled thawing process relieves residual stresses within components, conductors and solder joints to optimise electrical conductivity and signal transparency.
The Anniversary’s electrical path further features Neotech PC-OCC internal wiring and gold-plated WBT Nextgen bi-wire terminals. Fyne Audio’s fifth grounding terminal is also included, allowing the driver chassis to be grounded to source and amplifier equipment to reduce the influence of radio frequency interference on low-level detail. Like the original F1-10, the new Anniversary provides further room and system optimisation through ±3 dB controls for high frequency energy above 750 Hz and presence between 2.5 kHz and 5 kHz.
With Fyne Audio’s patented BassTrax Tractrix Diffuser System, a key feature of the original F1-10 and all premium Fyne Audio loudspeakers since, the Anniversary model gets the flagship BassTrax implementation. Built into a substantial twin-layer aluminium plinth, the BassTrax diffuser transforms the port’s downward firing plane wave into a spherical 360 degree wavefront. This distributes low frequency energy uniformly into the room, reduces port turbulence and minimises the positional sensitivity commonly associated with forward or rear ported loudspeakers.
Further enhancing performance is an internal twin-cavity tuning system, a technology evolved from Fyne’s flagship F1 Series floorstanding loudspeakers. Designed to reduce internal standing waves and optimise cone behaviour around the port tuning frequency, it brings greater composure and control to the enclosure. The effect is to increase power handling while maintaining tight, articulate and naturally integrated bass.
The heavyweight aluminium sandwich plinth itself provides a stable foundation for the loudspeaker and forms an integral part of the BassTrax system, giving the loudspeaker extensive room for LF output to propagate into the room.
The curved F1-10 Anniversary enclosure celebrates the unique original F1-10 design, noted for its curved cabinet , luxury gloss veneer finish and integrated driver with leather flat grain finish.
The cabinet itself is constructed from high density birch plywood and extensively braced to provide a rigid and acoustically inert platform for the drivers.
The IsoFlare assembly is mechanically coupled to the internal bracing through a carefully selected adhesive/damping compound, controlling unwanted energy transfer between the driver and cabinet.
Each cabinet is finished in rich American walnut veneer with contrasting high-gloss burr walnut, solid walnut trim and, unique to the new Anniversary edition, champagne gold accents, trim and finishing parts. A UV resistant piano gloss lacquer protects the natural veneers and highlights the cabinet’s intricate craftsmanship.
Every pair of F1-10 Anniversary loudspeakers is individually built, assembled, finished and tested at Fyne Audio’s Glasgow manufacturing facility, with 100 hours of run-in applied to ensure each loudspeaker sounds at its very best from first set-up. (An extra 100 hours is recommended for the full run-in procedure).
Production is strictly limited to 30 individually numbered pairs worldwide. Each pair is supplied with machined floor protection cups, a precision adjustment tool, Neotech single-wire jumper leads, an individually signed anniversary booklet and certificates of approval.
Limited edition etched Glencairn whisky glasses and an optional black driver trim kit complete the ownership package.
Andrzej adds, “The F1-10 Anniversary is a truly landmark product for the brand. Each pair is not only a celebration of Fyne Audio’s first decade, but a lasting demonstration of the knowledge, skill and passion of the people who have shaped that journey. While the Anniversary is a limited edition loudspeaker, the design philosophy, technologies and engineering behind it form the foundation of the next decade of Fyne Audio loudspeaker ranges.”
The Fyne Audio F1-10 Anniversary is priced at £36,999.99 / $49,999.99 / €42,999.99 per pair, available to order now through authorised Fyne Audio retailers and distributors.