Well,
I did it... purchased a pair of the Feastrex D5nf drivers and got in under the wire for the wholesale pricing. I decided to set the D5nf next to a Fostex F120A (packaging first) to show the differences... took lotsa pics... need to weed thru them, but here's a basic feel for what I found as I opened them up.
1- They both start with F, end with X and have STE in the middle.
2- Boxes are from the same cardboard stock with the D5nf being larger and double thick... it weighs twice as much too.
3- They are both made in Japan, hmmm, how odd is that? (ie, not China or Eastern Europe).
4- Fostex includes a sealing gasket, mounting hardware and some nice spec sheets with full data and recommended enclosures.
5- Feastrex includes a driver, wrapped in saran by the Egyptians like a Mummy, which is about right, they did cost the Mother-load!
6- Unwrapping the F120A is simple, lift from the box, pull from the bag... the D5nf, almost a sin to unwrap the Mummy. It's heavy too!
7- The Fostex unit is very well made, very well finished and very solid. It's current price around $230 and I really like these, truly a bargain.
8- The Feastrex build quality, fit/finish and materials are superb if not over the top, literally built like a tank! Attention to detail is obvious. Is it in tune to the $1995 price? That has to be a personal matter IMHO.
So... I'll get some pictures cropped and uploaded soon and post a link here. The obvious test of the D5nf drivers will be listening once I get an enclosure built. That will be quite a while yet sad to say. So I have to re-wrap Mum and put her back in her box for the time being.... guess I should check her twin to make sure she's alright.
Time is going to define the company's history and I have to believe they have some serious faith in their product to literally offer pairs of driver (with virtually zero information) to the DIY community in the hope of gaining credibility in the marketplace and eventual success. If their sound quality comes close to their build quality and attention to detail, it will be nothing short of amazing. We'll see!
Regards, KM