Fisher President III 3000-2
A floor-standing console speaker from the peak of American hi-fi, priced like fine furniture
Overview
The Fisher President III 3000-2 is a console that doubles as a floor-standing loudspeaker system. It was built to dominate a mid-century living room, by sound and by looks. It cost $1,295.00 at launch, which was a staggering sum then. It was suitable for tube amplifiers, a natural pairing given Fisher's history in vacuum-tube electronics, though the exact performance limits are hazy.
For all the branding and the price, the technical details are thin. The speaker has a 12-inch woofer and an 8-ohm impedance rating, so it works with most vintage receivers of the period. Frequency response, sensitivity, crossover design and cabinet construction are not documented in available sources. Nothing is said about the tweeter or midrange configuration, or about dimensions, weight or materials. The context is clear enough: Avery Fisher's founding philosophy was to reproduce sound with fidelity to the original performance, even if this model drew mixed reactions. One owner noted having acquired multiple pairs of 1960s Fisher speakers, none of which delivered a satisfying listen. Another publicly wondered why "old Fisher speakers are worthless."
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Fisher Radio Corporation |
| Product type | floor-standing loudspeaker |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Woofer | 12-inch |
| Power Handling | Unknown (suitable for tube amplifiers) |
Historical Context
Fisher Radio Corporation was founded in New York City in 1937 by Avery Fisher, with a goal of building audio equipment that accurately reproduced the original performance. The company helped define high-fidelity audio in America, starting with the Model 100 tuner-amplifier in 1941. The 1950s and 1960s were Fisher's most innovative and respected period, with gear that set benchmarks for performance and build quality. This model's release preceded Emerson Radio's acquisition of the brand in 1969,
Collectibility & Value
Original pricing for the Fisher President III 3000-2 was $1,295.00, which put it firmly in luxury territory in the late 1950s. No current market values or auction records are documented. There is also no information on common failures, restoration challenges or parts availability. Collector sentiment appears divided. The Fisher name carries prestige, but anecdotal reports question the sonic value of these speakers, and one forum user bluntly asked why they're considered "worthless." Whether that comes from specific model flaws, age-related degradation or mismatched expectations remains unverified.
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