Fisher XP-56S (1970s)
At 8 inches and 50 watts, these bookshelf speakers are a Fisher product, and owners are split on whether they deliver.
Overview
The Fisher XP-56S showed up in the 1970s as part of Fisher's XP series, a line that had already built momentum in the 1960s. It was sold as a bookshelf speaker system, and it carried the brand's reputation for American-built audio gear while hi-fi was becoming a household pursuit. The XP series was known for solid engineering. The XP-56S sits in a murky spot among collectors - it turns up in catalogs and classifieds, but enthusiasts rarely talk it up.
Sources call it both a 2-way and a 3-way speaker system, so its configuration is ambiguous. The Vintage Technology Archive classifies it as a 3-way system. The Olson 1974 Catalog lists it as a "2-Way 8" Speaker System," and nobody has officially reconciled the two. What is consistent is an 8-inch woofer, reportedly paired with a 3-inch tweeter, in an acoustic suspension cabinet. That design was common for the era. It aimed for tighter bass without the need for porting, though it likely limited low-end extension under real-world conditions.
The XP-56S was built in the USA and has a wood veneer finish, commonly walnut on surviving examples. The bookshelf form factor suited smaller rooms or desktop setups, which fit the domestic audio trends of the decade. Owners report mixed experiences. One noted they “were ok for a while, but they were not what I'd call quality speakers,” while another on Audio Asylum simply stated, “I liked the sound.” Performance may vary significantly based on condition, room, and associated electronics.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Fisher |
| Product type | 3-way speaker system |
| Design | acoustic suspension design |
| Cabinet Design | Bookshelf design |
| Finish | wood veneer finish |
| Woofer size | 8 inch woofers |
| Tweeter | 3" tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 50W RMS (per channel) |
| Frequency Response | 22-48,000 Hz |
| Crossover Frequencies | 40, 150, 1600 & 5000 Hz |
| Country of Origin | Made In The USA |
Collectibility & Value
The Fisher XP-56S trades quietly in the vintage audio market, often in larger lots or paired with other Fisher components. A recent listing on USAudioMart priced a pair at $100.00, which points to modest demand. Condition matters. Grills are frequently described as “a bit rough and need cleaning,” so cosmetic wear is common. One owner on Audio Asylum tried upgrading the tweeter with a unit from 1980s-era speakers, which suggests replacements may be improvised when originals degrade. No common electronic failures are documented, though aging capacitors in the crossover, typical for speakers of this age, are likely candidates for eventual service. Original pricing and production dates remain undocumented.
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