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Fosi Audio V3 Mono Amplifier Review

Rate this amplifier:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 13 1.8%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 23 3.2%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 139 19.4%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 540 75.5%

  • Total voters
    715
@Down South, without trying to be condescending, I get definite Dunning-Kruger vibes here.

Please allow me to fill in some basics:

Read about the Nyquist-Shannon-theorem and its ramifications. A good starting point is https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyquist–Shannon_sampling_theorem. But beware, from reading it to really grokking it is quite a bit of a distance, you have to understand a lot of physical basics (and again, I don‘t mean simply having read about it once). In my eyes, Nyquist-Shannon is one of the most misinterpreted and misunderstood theorems.

Then, please read one of the classics, „The Art of Electronics“ by Horowitz and Hill. Please start with Section 1, Foundations, then Section 6, Filters, followed by Section 8, Low-Noise Techniques. Read other sections as required.

The next book I would suggest is another of the classics, „Microelectronic Cirquits“ by Sedra & Smith. Part II especially focuses on amplifier design (including feedback circuits, which is important for the V3).

For class D amplifiers you have to additionally understand how pulse-width-modulation works (we ignore the input stage) and the crucial role of the output filter and thus the Nyquist-Shannon-theorem. For a first overview, Wikipedia is actually ok, but follow the literature recommendations: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-width_modulation

As soon as you have really understood this basic literature you will see that e.g. @antcollinet and others are simply trying to help, and are pretty much spot on in what they are saying.

If you need more pointers to relevant literature, please ask. Many more here will be able to provide many more books and papers.
 
How will it compare in sound to Fosi v3 twin monoblocks?
It will be indistinguishable - or so close to indistinguishable as not to matter IF you are playing within the power window of the Fosi - which is a bit less than your proposed monoblocks. With your 89dB sensitivity speakers though, this seems pretty likely.

If you already have the Fosi - then I'd not go with the class AB amps. When you compare you are likely to be disappointed. If you don't, and then won't be comparing, go with what the heart wants. :)
 
I have a pair of Irving M Bud Fried SIgnature A 6 transmission line speakers, 2 way, 89 dB sensitivity. I like their sound with my Harman Kardon AVR 3550 - 28 Amperes high current capacity. 65 Watts RMS in 8 Ohms, which is likely 100 Watts out the door.

I'm getting a class AB dual monoblock - 195 Watts * 8 Ohms Stereo amplifier.

How will it compare in sound to Fosi v3 twin monoblocks?
Should I go in for it? will it sound much better? Thank you for your opinions!
There are good, and not so good class AB monoblocks. I'm not sure how it is possible to answer your question objectively!
Someone would need to know the AB dual monoblock you are buying - have used it. I'm not sure that the fact that it is a particular class is the key criteria for how it will perform.
It will be indistinguishable - or so close to indistinguishable as not to matter IF you are playing within the power window of the Fosi - which is a bit less than your proposed monoblocks. With your 89dB sensitivity speakers though, this seems pretty likely.

If you already have the Fosi - then I'd not go with the class AB amps. When you compare you are likely to be disappointed. If you don't, and then won't be comparing, go with what the heart wants. :)
I'm wondering if this is assuming a particular Harmon model, or I've missed something? Mind you I am just picking up on this thread and reading back ... methinks a bit of a "stirring" might be going on ! :D
 
There are good, and not so good class AB monoblocks. I'm not sure how it is possible to answer your question objectively!
Someone would need to know the AB dual monoblock you are buying - have used it. I'm not sure that the fact that it is a particular class is the key criteria for how it will perform.

I'm wondering if this is assuming a particular Harmon model, or I've missed something? Mind you I am just picking up on this thread and reading back ... methinks a bit of a "stirring" might be going on ! :D
The question was about comparison of unnamed AB mono-blocks with FOSI V3 mono. At least that is what I was answering. I was assuming competently designed ABs :D
 
The question was about comparison of unnamed AB mono-blocks with FOSI V3 mono. At least that is what I was answering. I was assuming competently designed ABs :D
I'll let you stir that pot! :) Personally I was drawn to these 3255's because they sounded more powerful and transparent vs my old classAB ... but too sunny here today. :D
 
I'll let you stir that pot! :) Personally I was drawn to these 3255's because they sounded more powerful and transparent vs my old classAB ... but too sunny here today. :D
What's your old AB like? Please describe in details
 
So no actual experience in the audio field - exactly what I thought.

I still don't understand why this has any relevance to the discussion.

Being involved with something at high risk of messing with your head, doesn't make you immune to that risk.

If a geologist says healing crystals is BS, would he/she be checkmate by the person who goes: "So no actual experience in the healing crystal field - exactly what I thought"?
 
What's your old AB like? Please describe in details
oh heavens - it was an old inca-tech claymore!
I used active speakers for a while with ab amps inside - professional wing / spin off from Spendor - but I can't remember the model name. Epos ES14 speakers for a while with Naim ... but the reason I mention is just that I went for higher efficiency speakers (and yours are pretty good ) - and I liked the sound of higher efficient (now Triangle) with the 3255 - just pleasantly surprised - discovered Amirm's review of one of them and progressed from there (Aiyima A70s)

It occurs to me that you will get a flavour (more than) with the stereo Fosi V3s - so for less than 100 $£ euros etc - compare with your ABs

Lots prefer what they call an "AB" sound! But ... I'm not able to properly communicate here right now so just sharing that last thought.
 
These are available for 800 USD near me in India
A pair - or per monoblock?

The specs look fine - though we don't have independent measurements to verify.
 
Back in 2000 I bought speakers for my wife - Mission 73. The manufacturer specifically stated that adding (dry) sand to the base would aid performance. This was tested by a prominent hi-fi mag in the UK and found to be correct.
I used the sand in the speaker stand example because it struck me as the engaging sort of activity that hifi enthusiasts embark on which is rarely measured or tested objectively. I imagine having done it most speaker owners are inclined to enjoy the results.

I admit I haven’t looked into it and if there are comparison results to read then I’m keen to do so. Without being facetious, what was the difference that the test found? Did it make the speakers louder? More balanced? Changed the resonance of the box? Were the results measured or was it unsighted A/B testing?
 
a pair - dual mono inside a single chassis.
your feedback?
Nice.

To be honest - in your shoes, and assuming I didn't have the FOSI already, and If I knew and liked the brand, and I was able to validate the specs - I'd be leaning in that direction.
 
Just received 2 V3 Monos. Hooked them up in place of Emotiva PA-1s. Played a couple of Jack White's No Name album tracks, which had noticeable higher frequency harshness through the PA-1s. Harshness gone. Quite impressed. Signal path in this comparison is WiiM Pro > Emotiva XDA-3 DAC > Yamaha CX-A5100 (in pure direct mode) > V3 (XLR) > Revel Performa3 F206. It's also better balanced across the spectrum, so less to be gained by the trade-off of going to room correction on the Yamaha instead of pure direct, where the PA-1s were a bit better off with room correction on.

Those PA-1s, in turn, were better sounding than the Emotiva BasX A-300 I had in that position before them. So this is definitely going in the right direction.
 
Just received 2 V3 Monos. Hooked them up in place of Emotiva PA-1s. Played a couple of Jack White's No Name album tracks, which had noticeable higher frequency harshness through the PA-1s. Harshness gone. Quite impressed. Signal path in this comparison is WiiM Pro > Emotiva XDA-3 DAC > Yamaha CX-A5100 (in pure direct mode) > V3 (XLR) > Revel Performa3 F206. It's also better balanced across the spectrum, so less to be gained by the trade-off of going to room correction on the Yamaha instead of pure direct, where the PA-1s were a bit better off with room correction on.

Those PA-1s, in turn, were better sounding than the Emotiva BasX A-300 I had in that position before them. So this is definitely going in the right direction.
I've also been moving from one amp to another, each time getting better sound than the last. These V3Ms are really amazing for the price. I've got 2 more coming.
 
I've also been moving from one amp to another, each time getting better sound than the last. These V3Ms are really amazing for the price. I've got 2 more coming.
Do share your experiences with other amplifiers
 
Do share your experiences with other amplifiers
Most recently, I compared the V3M to my Carver A-753x (class AB 400W into 4 ohm: carversound.com/carver-amplifiers/A-753x) and the internal amps on my Pioneer Elite SC-LX901 receiver (class D3 ~200W into 4 ohm: https://www.pioneerhomeaudio.com/av-receivers/sc-lx901/). The Carver was not as revealing and the Pioneer was too "digital" sounding and harsh. The V3M has much lower background noise than both and is much smoother than the Pioneer.
 
I have a Topping E70 would this be a suitable pairing for the Fosi Audio V3 Mono.
 
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