Floorstanding loudspeakers — Gato Audio FM-50

The FM-50 is a three-way passive floor-standing model in the FM loudspeaker series made by Gato Audio in Herlev, Denmark. Each cabinet carries four drivers - a ring radiator tweeter, a midrange cone and two bass units - and stands on a separate metal plinth. The two shipping cartons contain the speakers, two grille sets, eight spike sets, two metal plinths, ten screws for fixing them, a hex screwdriver and the manual.

Key specs that matter

Gato lists a response of 32 Hz to 35 kHz and a sensitivity of 88 dB with a 2.83 V signal. Impedance is 4 ohm nominal, and suitable amplifiers deliver 50 to 300 W according to the maker. The 38 mm ring radiator tweeter uses a ferrite motor and an optimised rear chamber. A 150 mm mineral cone takes the midrange, with a low-loss surround, a shorting-ring motor and a purpose-designed voice coil. Bass comes from two 170 mm mineral cones whose motors are built for long linear excursion. Height is 1,075 mm, while the cabinet measures 235 mm across and 405 mm front to back.

Engineering and use context

The FusedMass enclosure used throughout the FM range pairs high-density fibreboard with a damping layer, builds some sections from up to six layers of different materials and relies on heavy internal bracing to control resonance. Inside sits a PurePhase crossover on a fibreglass board, fitted with heavy-gauge coils, low-resonance capacitor types and non-inductive resistors, and Gato states that driver phase, resonance and impulse behaviour guided the design of the network. Before use, the plinth is fixed to the underside of the cabinet with five cylinder screws, after which four adjustable spikes thread into the plinth and lock in place with fasteners, and protective feet can sit under the spike tips. Magnetic grilles on thin fabric-covered frames locate on the driver screws. On the back, Bass, Focus and Detail switches each offer three levels. Veneer and paint finishes are offered, and the warranty lasts at least two years.

Pairing

Gold-plated copper binding posts are doubled, separating the woofers from the mid and treble drivers, and accept 4 mm plugs for bi-wiring or bi-amping once the copper bridges are removed. Without bi-wiring, the manual shows the shorting plates entering from opposite ends of the terminal strip so the amplifier is not short-circuited, and warns that spade connectors should not be combined with those plates.

Alternatives

Gato Audio's FM-30 is the more compact FM floorstander, with two 150 mm woofers, a 970 mm tall cabinet and a 37 Hz lower limit.