TEST OF FM ACOUSTICS FM 300A POWER AMPLIFIER (CLONE)

[♔Chello]

FM ACOUSTICS FM 300A POWER AMPLIFIER (CLONE)

Manufactured by Breeze Audio, China
Price including TAX and shipping: $499
Norwegian import tax: $50
Norwegian VAT: 25% of $549 = $137
Total cost: $687
The price of the original amplifier was about $60.000
Delivery time: 27 days


Original version:
   


Breeze Audio version:
   
As the pictures show, the two amplifiers are very similar in construction; both inside and outside.

Technical data:

Frequency range: 10hz-30khz (+/-3db)
Signal-to-noise ratio (snr): 103db
Rated power: 80W x 2 (8 ohms) 150W x 2 (2-4 ohms)
Impedance range: 2-8ohm
Harmonic distortion: less than 0.005%1. 1 watt
Input port: rca lotus piece
Operating Voltage: AC 220V 50-60Hz
Accessories: 220v 3c power cord x 1
Size: 430 x 88 x 268mm
Net weight: 10.3kg
Weight after packing: 11.6kg


The FM Acoustics FM 300A is known for being one of the world's best power amps ever, and delivers 2x80W into 8 Ohm and 2x150W into 4 Ohm.
Note that it thus almost follows Ohm's law, which states that the effect maximum can double by halving the resistance.
2x160W is therefore the maximum, while the amplifier delivers as much as 2x150W.

Brilliant, because precisely the ability to follow Ohm's law tells something about the amplifier's actual power reserves - study this performance more than any other data to judge how powerful an amplifier is in real life.

At the same time, it can run without problems at a 2 Ohm load, which theoretically pushes the amplifier to produce a maximum of 2x320W.

Breeze's version is said to be able to drive all kinds of speakers, regardless of how much power they require.
Moreover, it has a rare quality grade - even very poor and difficult speakers sound much better than with other amplifiers.
In short, it has received fantastic reviews.

FM Acoustics is particularly known for spending a lot of time on complex measurements of all components, and has very strict requirements to achieve the same values for series of identical components.
Precisely on this point, clones typically stand out negatively from the original, because small companies have neither the time nor the necessary equipment for such complex measurements.

There are a few exceptions, however, and Breeze Audio is one of them.
They have tried to the best of their ability to measure all components to achieve the same values, and have also replaced several components with better types.

I've rarely been as excited as I am now, when I was going to test something - how will my verdict compare to others' ?


This test will take place in 4 stages:

* TEST 1: AUNE DAC connected directly to the amplifier's PRE IN
* TEST 2: OASYS connected directly to the amplifier's PRE IN
* TEST 3: Pa5X connected directly to the amplifier's PRE IN
* TEST 4: MBL 6010 Pre amp connected to the amplifier's PRE IN

All can be connected directly to PRE IN, because the amplifier has its own volume controls.


The tests start as soon as I have received the amplifier.

[♔Chello]

TEST 1: AUNE DAC connected directly to the amplifier's PRE IN
Note:
Only the horns are connected, not the subwoofer.

The first track was Marie Bergman's "Someone To Watch Over Me" in Wave format.
This recording has the ability to mercilessly expose problems, especially where the vocals are concerned.

Immediately, the vocals appear a bit metallic, but never shrill - exactly as they should be with a very good amplifier.
Highly detailed; more than I've heard before.
The next thing that surprises is the drums' brush, which is absolutely sickly clear and natural.
The piano also appears very clear and natural, with far more detail than before.
The last thing is the double bass, which is also clearly present throughout, and the interlude is absolutely convincingly good.

The next track was Claire Martin's "Black Coffee", also in Wave format.
This recording has a very rare intro with high frequency drums, which were now more present than before, but something new also happened: It was there ALL the time throughout the song..?
The organ is given an unknown dimension of clarity; the same happens with all instruments.
The bass is tighter than ever, and very detailed and resolved.

Third recording was Basily's "Gipsy Treasure" in Wave format.
Acoustic guitars appeared here more lifelike than ever, as did the violin.
At least as important - the perspective is bigger and more open than before.

The fourth recording was Safri Duo's "Crazy Benny" in Flac format, which has an extreme dynamic and complex composition with many drum instruments.
This one was reproduced with more detail I've never heard before and the dynamics were insane.

The last recording was Deadmau5's "Right This Second" in Flac format.
This has absolutely insane sub-bass content, and is capable of killing any amplifier (and speakers).
Immediately - this amplifier has steel control on the sub-bass; I can boost the volume all the way, without any problems, and the detail remains - better than ever, and more detail is heard than before.



TEST PASSED
Very convincing - this amplifier is really good.

WOW!

I discovered something sensational:
There is absolutely NO background noise from the amplifier - it is COMPLETELY quiet, even if I turn the volume to max.

This has never been like this on any equipment I've owned.

One more thing:
The amplifier does not get hot at all; not even at prolonged high volume.
This is Solid State at its best.

[♔Chello]

* TEST 2: OASYS connected directly to the amplifier's PRE IN
Note:
Only the horns are connected, not the subwoofer.

Immediately:
The sound is far more open and detailed than before in the entire frequency range, and the dynamics are much more powerful.

In short, everything sounds better than before.
At the same time, a fairly strong background noise from OASYS is revealed, which is downright troublesome when it is not being played.


TEST PASSED

[♔Chello]

* TEST 3: Pa5X connected directly to the amplifier's PRE IN
Note:
Only the horns are connected, not the subwoofer.

Surprise:
Pa5X is better than OASYS.

Everything appears more detailed, and the really big difference is heard in the lower and upper frequency range.
Especially my drum editor edited styles now have details high up in the frequency range that I didn't know existed.
All special effects are experienced with an intensity that did not exist before.
It's more fun to play than ever, which proves it.

And as I said, there is a HUGE difference between OASYS and Pa5X, where Pa5X is the definitive winner.
Who would have thought that ?

The last and final test will be done after I have tested the preamplifier.



TEST PASSED

[♔Chello]

* TEST 4: MBL 6010 Pre amp connected to the amplifier's PRE IN

Read about the test of both amplifiers connected together here:
https://chellos-keyboard-players-club.co...?tid=13684

Final conclusion:
This amplifier set impresses in a way never before experienced:
The louder I play, the more detailed everything becomes; even the perspective becomes clearer as the power is increased - distortion due to too little power capacity is unknown in this case.


Pros:
*Fantastically good sound and extreme dynamics
*Extreme power capacity
*No audible distortion even at extreme sound pressures
*Absolutely zero intrinsic noise; even at maximum volume
*Zero heat generation; even at extreme volume
*Separate volume controls, allowing direct connection of devices
*Very good connections
*Looks like State of the Art equipment


Cons:
*NONE - This is a State of the Art amplifier
(*No accompanying specifications/manual)

[⚅Mogwai77]

interesting: - I also run an FM300a (the potentially upgrades version with two shielded toroids) from Brzhifi on a 6010D clone: I enjoy it very much

I also run a Pass F5 in my system (DIY ... based on JBL 4320) which is gives another flavor and I change the setup from time to time.

[♔Chello]

interesting: - I also run an FM300a (the potentially upgrades version with two shielded toroids) from Brzhifi on a 6010D clone: I enjoy it very much

I also run a Pass F5 in my system (DIY ... based on JBL 4320) which is gives another flavor and I change the setup from time to time.

@Mogwai77

Very interesting to get reactions from someone who uses roughly the same amps as me - I thought I was the only one combining these, lol.

It says something about the quality of the FM300a clone when you run a Pass F5 amp, where you switch between amps according to flavor needs.
And your JBL has a horn-loaded bullet tweeter, which is something in itself.

Many thanks for your comment.