Fostex X Massdrop TH-X00

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by Rotijon, Nov 24, 2015.

  1. Koloth

    Koloth Klingon SBAF Ambassador - Friend

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    If they dont have to be closed you should perhaps look into the Audioquest Nighthawks. Judging from the graphs: http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/AudioQuestNightHawk2015.pdf
    Low distortion, very strong bass performance and a little treble peak. Not the most neutral headphone, but they might sound very 'big' and fun when watching movies.

    And if you need a closed set you can get a Focal Spirit Classic for even less nowadays: http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FocalSpiritOneClassic.pdf
    Very good bass extension, nice distortion values, and they're even portable.
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    BTW, on the topic of sound changes from the TH600/900, it's not just the pads, but I also know a slightly different driver, and finally, the foam ring:
    20151124_153044.jpg
     
  3. kapanak

    kapanak Canucklehead - Friend

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    When you have the spare time, could you do a foam-less measurement also? Thank you :3
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I would disagree on the Nighthawk being a good movie headphone. The mids are too sucked out, and dialogue is the most crucial part of movie sound. The Nighthawks are clearer sounding, but don't quite have the low bass rumble and sustain like the X00s.
     
  5. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    Looks like there's nil modding potential besides pad rolling... GJ Fostex.
     
  6. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    What is the price point? $400? I'd go for that. All my headphones are more serious and I could use some fun cans.
     
  7. Mshenay

    Mshenay Barred from loaner program. DON'T SEND ME GEAR.

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    I'm Curious how it'll compare to my Lawton DX 5000, really I just like to collect wood closed backs, an I don't have a fostex so I'll enjoy ownership either way imo!

    Still, I did see the DO NOT LAWTON mod on these, which is really a nice feature as that's kinda expensive. Though I might slap a 4pin XLR on them when I get the chance, an I'm not sure how I feel with Regards to hearing that the Technicalities of these fall short of the HD 650, but I think really I can live with that. My D5k is really my Metal an DubStep headphone, I don't really need this to be a BE ALL END ALL for closed backs, I like having a ton of different mid Fi Flavors

    Either way I'll be honored to own it :3 an review it, an listen to it :D
     
  8. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    What makes you say that? I'm sure you can remove the cups and monkey about behind the driver just like with all the other Foster-made cans.
     
  9. Mshenay

    Mshenay Barred from loaner program. DON'T SEND ME GEAR.

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    Hmm I think Purrin discouraged the Lawton Mods on these, in his measurement post. An honestly, after the magic his ATH W1000X mod did for my... W1000x I'm inclined to take his word for it, though I'd imagine he may be referring to main stream modding, as with anything the more hard core modders with the time to tinker with this, will most likley find a way to improve these!
     
  10. JewBear

    JewBear Almost "Made"

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    How is the comfort relative to the TH-900 and TH-600. I know that the ear pads are smaller but is this make them much more uncomfortable for extended listens?

    Also, you seem to think this is an upgrade over the TH-600?
     
  11. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    The more interesting stuff is achieved with ear-side mods IME, so, besides pad rolling, there's little to do here.
     
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The pads suck. The TH-600 are unlistenable to me. Imagine TH-900 and TH-600 as two sisters with very similar looking features except TH-600 has a few features just slightly off, making her the ugly one.


    There is serious mod potential here.
    Not just with the pads, but with the foam disc, and this is not mentioning possible internal mods. The foam disc is high density foam that covers a leak baffle perforated with holes. Taking the disc out kills all bass.

    On the Lawton thing, just don't replace these cups with Lawton cups. That's what I meant. I don't know if the Lawton cups are better than they used to be, but seeing a TH-900 with inferior Lawton cup replacements made me very upset. But people do stupid shit like put carbon fiber dash kits in their cars, so I guess to each his own.
     
  13. JewBear

    JewBear Almost "Made"

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    I guess the pertinent question is how much of the sound improvement over the TH-600 and TH-900 are attributable to the pads alone?
     
  14. Rotijon

    Rotijon Friend

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    A ton. My last TH900 had Alpha Dog pads, No such treble issues whatsoever. When i went back to the stock pads, i could barely keep them on the head for 30 seconds.
     
  15. rayfalkner

    rayfalkner Not to be confused with Roy Fokker - Friend

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    Oh it's not started yet? Silly me, thanks for the correction!
    I've doubt about that freight forwarding, not to mention import fees for a $399 product, and the hassle of warranty claim if needed... :confused:
     
  16. Will

    Will Massdrop

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    It's about 25% the pads. If you swap them back to the stock pads, treble will get ugly.

    Pro tip on modding these, or any fostex/denon headphone for that matter, the density of that foam ring under the earpads is hugely important.
     
  17. kapanak

    kapanak Canucklehead - Friend

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    Is the back of the drivers like that of Denon and Fostex headphones or is the tuning sealed and glued onto the baffle?
     
  18. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Dangit to all heck! I was just about out of this hobby, happy with my HD650s and Kenwood KHK1000s and GOV2 infinity and now these show up at a nearly irresistible price. I really want to compare these to my Kenwoods with alpha pads. Bassy and inoffensive with decent soundstage and kind of closed. Definitely like the Denon/Fostex headbands better than the weird wings that the Kenwoods have. Plus mahogany cups are prettier than gold plastic
     
  19. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    For those of you interested in ordering:

    Big news, audiophiles! Today we announce our first collaboration with Fostex, the TH-X00 headphones. Featuring mahogany earcups, a magnesium alloy frame, Fostex’s biodynamic drivers, and a highly reviewed sound signature, these headphones redefine price-to-performance expectations at $399 shipped.

    The TH-X00 headphones will be available for purchase on this Friday at 9:00 a.m. EST / 6:00 a.m. PST. Guaranteed to arrive by Christmas.
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I do like the X00, but honestly with the gear you already have, the X00 is just a sidetrack. I will get them because they are closed (with a decent but not great seal) headphones that I can use at work, and also because I like the sound of traditional dynamics, and there ain't much choice with closed+traditional dynamics.
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2015

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