Fern and Roby Raven III Speakers

Full-range floorstanding speakers built to anchor a system with scale and coherence.

Overview

The Raven III is a full-range, floorstanding loudspeaker designed and built by Fern & Roby in Richmond, Virginia. It builds on the single-driver approach of the Raven II bookshelf speaker, extending it into a larger format with greater low-frequency extension and overall scale.

We designed the Raven III is serve as a complete, full-range foundation within a system, delivering a cohesive and physically present presentation in a single pair of main speakers. 

It maintains a relatively modest footprint and integrates comfortably into a range of listening environments, from dedicated listening rooms to more integrated living spaces. 

Because room, placement, and system context all play a role, we’re always happy to talk through your setup to help determine the best approach. 

Design & Construction

The Raven III uses a single-driver, full-range approach. This avoids crossover complexity and preserves a more direct, cohesive presentation. The drivers are built to our specifications by SEAS in Norway and are designed to deliver strong low-frequency performance for the size along with smooth, detailed response across the full range. The front-ported enclosure extends performance below 40 Hz while maintaining control and balance. 

We make the primary structure of the sealed enclosure from solid hardwood, with an emphasis on mass, joinery, and material behavior to control resonance. This supports clarity, imaging, and tonal consistency under load. 

The front baffle is made from Richlite, a dense composite material made from resin-infused paper. We chose Richlite for its stability and damping characteristics, which help reduce unwanted resonance while supporting a more grounded presentation. 

The choice of hardwood and Richlite also aligns with how we think about materials more broadly—prioritizing long-term durability and performance, while making use of responsibly sourced and recycled materials whenever we can.  

Why We Built the Raven III

We developed the Raven III to be a full-range, floorstanding speaker that delivers scale and low-frequency presence within a manageable footprint and a straightforward system approach. 

The goal was a speaker that feels complete on its own—balancing weight, coherence, and ease of listening—while integrating naturally into modern spaces. 

System Context

We designed the Raven III to provide a full-range solution while remaining flexible in system integration. 

In many setups, it functions as a complete, self-contained speaker, delivering a full-range presentation on its own. It can also be incorporated into broader system approaches depending on room, placement, and listening preferences. 

Its efficiency (94 dB) and 8-ohm impedance allow it to pair easily with a wide range of amplifiers, including low-powered 300B tube designs and higher-output solid-state systems. We’ve had excellent results with Linear Tube Audio amplifiers and our integrated F&R Amp No. 2 as well as a wide range of low power tube amps like the ATM-300 by Air Tight. 

It is relatively easy to place and works well across a range of room sizes and layouts.  

As with the Raven II, the final result is shaped by the system as a whole, and we often talk clients through room, placement, and component matching to help refine the setup.

Who This Is For

The Raven III is designed for systems where a full-range, floorstanding speaker serves as the foundation. 

It works well in spaces where a single, integrated speaker can anchor the system while maintaining a manageable footprint, and where a sense of scale and low-frequency presence is desired as a complete, integrated solution within the system. 

It’s often chosen by listeners who want a complete, self-contained presentation that remains balanced and engaging across a wide range of music. 

Like the Raven II, it can work across a variety of rooms, with the final setup shaped by placement, amplification, and system context.  

Choosing Between the Raven II and the Raven III

The Raven III and Raven II reflect different approaches to system design, built on the same underlying philosophy. 

The Raven III offers an enjoyable full-range, floorstanding solution that delivers a complete presentation in a single pair of speakers in rooms where a sub just won’t fit. They are compact and stylish, meshing seamlessly with the interior decor of your living and listening spaces. We feel that you deserve great sound in an uncompromising visual package. 

The Raven II takes a more modular approach, allowing for flexible placement and system building, including pairing with a subwoofer for extended range. The Raven II delivers excellent and satisfying bass, especially with rear wall reinforcement. While many of our clientele choose to use them without subs, for people who want a true full-range presentation with a deep well of bass extension, the Raven II speakers seamlessly integrate with any high-quality sub-woofer easily. The sealed box delivers a gentle 3 dB roll-off that tapers naturally into the managed upward roll-off of a powered sub, and since the roll-off of the Raven II speakers naturally end in the low 50s, this makes integrating a sub a snap. 

Both can work across a wide range of rooms. In some systems, the Raven II with a subwoofer offers a more refined and complete approach, while in others the Raven III provides a simpler, more direct, integrated path to full-range performance. 

We’re always happy to talk through your room and system to help guide the decision. 

Listening & Reviews

“The Fern and Roby Raven III had a more direct approach to my heart. It makes an extraordinary argument for single driver speakers. It’s nicely proportioned and looks fantastic in my listening room. [The Ravens] made friends with every amp it met, which isn’t always the case with high-efficiency transducers. Best of all, it did what the other two Ravens did—I connected with them so deeply that I started thinking about all the things they would add to my life if I went in this direction rather than a more conventional high-end audio path. Because I can imagine that life so easily, with these friends always nearby, the Fern and Roby Raven III is highly recommended." — Mark Phillips, Part-time AudiophileRead the full review

Additional reviews

• “There is something so classic about a walnut-encased full-range driver loudspeaker. The Fern & Roby Raven III tap into a look and sound that will appeal to many. It does forgo some of the typical audiophile exterior for a more mid century vibe, but sonically it is so much more than a simple talking piece. It does a fair amount of talking all itself. Midband resolution and a relaxed yet refined delivery produce a good vibe, along with an easy-to-like tonality that harkens back to hifi days of yore. The 94 dB efficiency will allow it to tap into even more old school tech like low-wattage tube amplification. It’s a stellar package that highlights a nice evolution for the brand. Well done.”—Brian Hunter, AudioHead. Read the full review

  
  

Client Listening Notes

• “Hi Christopher, Brought some fellow audio enthusiasts over last couple weeks. The comments are always same, ‘sounds amazing!’ and ‘easy to live with.’ No matter the format or recording particulars it just always sounds good with the Raven III. Two of these friends are kind of stuck like I was with these theoretically ‘ultra-resolving’ modern speakers that went from ‘sounds great’ to ‘turn that bright song down’ in a second….Nothing on these speakers sounds unlistenable. Better recordings are rewarded, they tell the truth and are dynamic as hell at times (even with 8 watt 300Bs). They just don't shout at you on poorer modern recordings I think all were jealous a bit:) One of my buddies actually patted the top of the right speaker after a 5 hour vinyl session on his way out the door, like he was saying bye.” —Alan B.

  
  

Specifications

Drivers

• Custom full-range driver built to our specifications by SEAS 

  
  

• Frequency response: 30 Hz – 20,000 Hz 

  
  

• Efficiency: 94 dB 

  
  

• Impedance: 8 ohms 

  
  

Enclosure

• Front-ported design tuned for full-range extension and control, supporting a cohesive and physically grounded presentation.

  
  

Performance Notes

• Delivers full-range performance into the sub-40 Hz range with a sense of weight and scale.

  
  

• Maintains coherence across a wide range of music and listening levels, with a balanced and integrated presentation.

  
  

Materials

• Solid walnut or ash  

  
  

• SEAS drivers

  
  

• Richlite front baffle

  
  

• Walnut veneer plywood rear panel  

  
  

• Black Cat internal wiring  

  
  

Dimensions & Weight

• Dimensions:

  
  

  • 12.5" W × 11.75" D × 33.25" H 

    
    

• Weight: 48 lbs each 

  
  

• Shipping details (per speaker): 

  
  

  • 16.5" × 16" × 38" 

    
    

  • 55 lbs per box 

    
    

Lead Time & Shipping

We burn in every single pair of Raven II speakers before we ship them to our clients.

• Flat shipping fee of $150 within the continental United States. 

  
  

• For international orders, please contact us directly.

  
  

Additional shipping, return, and warranty information can be found on our FAQ page

Audition & Returns

We offer a 14-day in-home audition period for select Fern & Roby products. 

If you decide the Raven III is not the right fit, you may return it within that period, subject to the following: 

• Payment must be made in full at time of purchase  

  
  

• A 3.5% processing fee applies to the original transaction as well as any refund  

  
  

• Equipment must be returned in as-new condition  

  
  

• Return authorization must be requested within 14 days of delivery  

  
  

• Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer  

  
  

For full details about our 14-day in-home audition period, please contact us directly.