This week’s audio news features notable new products from veteran speaker driver manufacturer FOSTEX. The FE83A-VB and FE103A-VB mark the first alnico magnet full-range drivers in the 60-year history of the FE series, alongside the limited-edition T925A-ST horn super tweeter. Additionally, BLUESOUND announces a new POWERNODE with 3-channel amplification.
1. New Product Releases (Official Announcements)
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FE83A-VB / FE103A-VB — FOSTEX (Full-Range Speaker Drivers)
- Key specs: 8cm (FE83A-VB) and 10cm (FE103A-VB) full-range drivers. First alnico magnets in the regular FE series lineup since the original FE103 in 1964. Features proprietary 2-layer ES Cone, copper caps on pole piece for current distortion suppression, grommet-less structure and pocket-neck damper design.
- Price: FE83A-VB JPY 29,700 / FE103A-VB JPY 36,300 (incl. tax)
- Availability: Shipping late December 2025
- Highlight: First alnico magnets in 60 years of FE series history. Combines alnico’s expressive, pleasing tonal character with the bright, open sound the FE series is known for. Launch listening events in Japan (Osaka 12/13, Tokyo 12/20).
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T925A-ST — FOSTEX (Horn Super Tweeter)
- Key specs: Limited-edition variant of the long-selling alnico T925A. New ring-shaped titanium diaphragm. Large low-distortion alnico internal-magnet circuit with copper-plated pole piece. Precision-machined thick-walled aluminum alloy horn with equalizer. Frequency response 6kHz–20kHz, sensitivity 100dB/W/m, 8Ω impedance.
- Price: JPY 93,500 (incl. tax, per unit)
- Availability: Late January 2026, limited quantity
- Highlight: Ring-shaped titanium diaphragm delivers excellent transient response with clear, penetrating highs. Extended high frequencies and transparent soundstage.
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POWERNODE (N331) — BLUESOUND (Network Player/Amplifier)
- Key specs: 3-channel network player. GaN transistors with proprietary Direct Digital amplifier technology. 100W×2 stereo, 80W×3 in 3ch mode. HDMI eARC for TV integration. THX headphone amplifier (6.3mm jack), USB Type-C for USB DAC capability. BluOS with Qobuz/Amazon Music/AirPlay 2/Roon Ready support. Dirac Live coming via update.
- Price: Open (expected ~JPY 220,000 incl. tax) / White, Black
- Availability: January 2026
- Highlight: Novel stereo-plus-center 3ch configuration. BLUESOUND product grouping enables 5.1ch surround. “Stereo Surround” mode upmixes stereo sources for surround playback.