New Fritz Carbon 7 bookshelf speakers review!

@decooney 

Fritz’s speakers have an impedance curve with a minimum of around 6 ohms with mild phase angles across the spectrum – a genuinely easy load. I’ve not heard them with the A12 but I have tried them with the  Atoll IN200, a very similar amp in terms of power, headroom, etc. My guess is that the A12’s hybrid tube pre-stage will likely add a somewhat warmer, slightly rounder character but I didn’t find the Atoll solid-state design to be bright or harsh at all with Carbons. Both have quite enough power — the Carbon’s 88dB efficiency would not need more than a few watts.

That's a good comparable idea @hilde45 with reference to the Atoll IN200. Good to know, and was not aware you tested that combination. Got it, Thanks.  

My buddy was thinking larger horn speakers at first, and I was suggesting the idea of the smaller size Fritz speakers on stands in his room size, and using a bit more power/current with the Fritz. I've used those same woofers before, and like them. 

Something I use to do with Totem Model 1 Signature 4ohm 87db speakers, and those only had 4" DynAudio woofers and small aluminum tweeters. Plenty of drive and grunt to pressurize a slightly larger room. Amazing results driving them with a 320wpc dual mono amplifier. I ran that as a secondary reference system for several years. I really liked that compact mini-monitor footprint. Quite musical with the right amp. Somehow I'd hedge to bet the Fritz Carbon 7s would be more musical too.  :) 

I've had my Carbon 7 SE's for about 4 years now and, in my space, they could never be classified as too bright.  If anything, they are just a smidge soft.

I am always very happy listening to music on them ...really have no reason to want to upgrade.  I also love the Van Alstine amp I'm using with them but have been curious about a more powerful option ...to see if they increase the best aspects of the Fritz's.  I've been curious about the new EVO versions of the Atoll IN200 or IN300.

I own a pair of the REV7 SE with the Illuminator textile (soft dome) tweeter. The one thing I would say about the Fritz to anyone that has never listened to a pair is that they present the music in a slightly different way than your average box bookshelf speaker. You will get a sound that is a little unique. Which I feel that no matter your budget if you can afford them they are wholeheartedly at least worthy of a demo. 

It is the midband or vocal area that has an ease & non-analytical clarity to it. At first listen it can almost be a little odd or startling. I had a dedicated room but now being home during the day & doing a lot of work in the living area I needed speakers for streaming in my functioning living room. Needing to be wife friendly I had gone thru the Lintons, R3 Metas, the newer Martin Logans & the Elac Vela's over maybe a 2 year period.

All decent mainstream speakers for a functioning living room set up but didn't give me what I wanted. The Fritz are on another level in the clarity & ease of sound that emits from them. Those others couldn't match the Fritz in bass detail & nuance either. The bass & all that is good but I think the lower half takes the back seat while the vocals are driving & on display. Rim shots, horns, cymbals just slightly will stand out. The drivers in these speakers are top shelf quality & are going to perform well. But it is that upper half of the frequency response that grabs your attention. It's open & wide. Notes & instruments can easily be perceived in layers & in space. You just want to grab it sometimes. Seriously. 

I don't find  them to be bright by definition. Doesn't sound tilted upward in its response. With certain equipment that midband area can appear very forward. If you are in a lively or very reflective room it could be too much depending on your tastes. Like with all speakers the set up & room matters. I did not first listen to them & think Oh that's bright..I have never thought that. The Fritz  are almost soft in some ways. But that vocal area is on heavy display & if you don't dig it I suppose it could become fatiguing in a way. I don't have that issue in my current set up & the center image is not overly forward at all. But I have experienced this with these speakers in the same room with different gear. 

They are extremely amp friendly. You can get away with lower powered class A or tube amps that can sweeten those mids & highs even more. Your upstream components matter more than the amp you choose. They are Fantastic at lower volume listening. One of the better I've heard at lower volumes..& mine are like 87db sensitive. 

They won't be everyone's cup of tea. You will either like the effect that Fritz's Series Crossover has on the driver's or probably hate it lol. I think it's that simple. If anyone is looking for a bookshelf I think they should try a pair. To at least experience them. They might not be to your preferences or liking but you will probably still be thinking to yourself,...Those were different. My opinion anyway of the REV7 SE.