[Sarchi]

See the listing below.  Located in Toronto, can ship at buyer's cost.

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/648989525-fullrange_driver_3_and_4_bookshelf_monitors_new_pics_added/

[Sarchi]

Bump

[planet10]

Are the 4" the RS 40-1197? One looks like it has a bit of crease in the surround.

Lovely cabinets

dave

[Æ]

Are the 4" the RS 40-1197? One looks like it has a bit of crease in the surround.

If you take the time to read his ad, you'll see that it says:
4" pair with Fostex FE103 original Made in Japan Foster drivers,

[chrisby]

If you take the time to read his ad, you'll see that it says:
4" pair with Fostex FE103 original Made in Japan Foster drivers,

Over the past 12yrs or so we've seen hundreds of variants of this model, and those labeled Foster / Fostex  generally had tan or beige colored cones, even the earlier FE103 ( not E or En) with wider /lower profile dust caps;  and in the case of the Fostex FE series, a rolled profile on the rim of flange - while the older Foster (103F etc) and RS 40 1197 had flat stamped flanges, regardless of color of cone - hence the question.

Many of the early 40-1197 were stamped with the Foster name and /or FE103.  Regardless of the provenance of the particular drivers pictured in the auction, the price is not at all unreasonable for a well made pair of veneered enclosures fitted with drivers in good condition, and the 1197 is still a remarkable little performer.

Let's keep in mind that in numerous variants this model designation has been in production since well before the Fostex name brand debuted in 1973, and folklore / rumor /confusion will abound.   

[planet10]

If you take the time to read his ad, you'll see that it says:
4" pair with Fostex FE103 original Made in Japan Foster drivers,

Althou most of the RS40-1197 (also labeled FE103) were made in Korea & Taiwan, i have had some that were made in Japan. It is a valid question. For the ultimate provenance of an FE103 a picture of the back-side is required.

dave

[Sarchi]

The original ad with the driver pics can be found here.  (Tubebias sold these to me)

Note:  The cabinets shown in that ad are actually the 3"ers.  The seller was too lazy to photograph the bigger cabs. (his words)

Also, Dave is correct that one of the 4" drivers has some cosmetic damage.  This is reflected in the price.

[Æ]

Over the past 12yrs or so we've seen hundreds of variants of this model, and those labeled Foster / Fostex  generally had tan or beige colored cones, even the earlier FE103 ( not E or En) with wider /lower profile dust caps;  and in the case of the Fostex FE series, a rolled profile on the rim of flange - while the older Foster (103F etc) and RS 40 1197 had flat stamped flanges, regardless of color of cone - hence the question.

Many of the early 40-1197 were stamped with the Foster name and /or FE103.  Regardless of the provenance of the particular drivers pictured in the auction, the price is not at all unreasonable for a well made pair of veneered enclosures fitted with drivers in good condition, and the 1197 is still a remarkable little performer.

Let's keep in mind that in numerous variants this model designation has been in production since well before the Fostex name brand debuted in 1973, and folklore / rumor /confusion will abound.

Much later versions of the 40-1197 were not made in Japan, the last of which were probably made in Korea or Taiwan or some other such place. I bought, used a pair back in the 80s, stamped with the name "Realistic."

[Æ]

Also, Dave is correct that one of the 4" drivers has some cosmetic damage.  This is reflected in the price.

I bet that wrinkle in the surround could be massaged, worked carefully and brought back to almost original shape. I stupidly stored some similar sized Pioneer drivers on their faces and left them that way for an extended period of time. The surrounds deformed, but I managed to push the surrounds back out carefully. It wasn't perfect because the surround exhibited some memory and you could still see the wrinkles, but the shape was restored.

[planet10]

I bet that wrinkle in the surround could be massaged, worked carefully and brought back to almost original shape.

I haven't had much luck. Once they go weird, these cloth surrounds tend to stay that way. I have 5 or 6 that i've not had the heart to toss that suffer from similar to bove(but worse). The one's in the ad are probably not an issue sonically.

dave