Fostex T60RP RP Stereo Headphones

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by omegaorgun, Jul 7, 2018.

  1. omegaorgun

    omegaorgun Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2018
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    CA
    Fostex's Model T60RP Stereo Headphones is the latest in a long line of RP diaphragm headphones, a line that stretches back to the 1970's.
    Featuring Fostex proprietary Regular Phase (RP) technology diaphragms for supreme accuracy in monitoring, the new T60RP introduces beautiful, stylish mahogany housings and comfortable low-repulsion ear pads, as well as an optional balanced headphone connection to deliver even more brilliant and crisp audio reproduction

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    • Offering Fostex proprietary RP diaphragm made of polyimide film with copper foil etching. The neodymium magnet realizes wide frequency reproduction and superior transient char-acteristics and high input tolerance up to 3000mW.
    • Beautiful wooden housing made of African mahogany even helps give depth to the fine sound of RP diaphragm.
    • New straight type detachable connector offers not only the standard unbalanced connection but also various types of balanced connection for recent balanced-connection-ready DAPs and headphone amplifiers to realize clear audio reproduction with noise-free and high sepa-ration.
    • The standard and optional cables made of OFC material delivers high resolution and speedy sound over the whole frequency range.
    • Genuine leather head pad and new around-the-ear type ear pads offers great fitting and fatigue-free long time use.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2018
  2. omegaorgun

    omegaorgun Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2018
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    CA
    Just got mine and put ZMF protein leather pads on and it is impressive, here pictured with an Argon.
    To my ears it has a gentle U shape nothing is left out or overcooked and very detailed, it's a clean sound.
    It has more sub bass focus than the Argon which has more of a mid bass hump. The Argon also has more width but the T60 has more detail, I really like both.

    I ordered the Mayflower baffle ring but with the oval ZMF's it has a nice low end kick almost rivaling my Fostex TH-610 with a bump in EQ.

    Edit: I think it might have more bass than my TH610 with these pads.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2018
  3. Jerry

    Jerry Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,042
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Asia
    Which one do you prefer against the argon?

    I'm thinking of getting a planar complementary to the LCD-2C. A lot of choices nowadays. Even dekoni makes their T50rp version.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2018
  4. omegaorgun

    omegaorgun Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2018
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    CA
    Tough question, Would have to A-B with the same pads but it's close. I sold my ZMF oval lambskins but have another set on the way along with Alpha pads. The T60RP was so good to me I wanted all the pads again and I prefer lambskin to protein for how it feels but the protein sounds good on the T60. Some users have reported it being hot on the treble but I never used the stock pads as i went straight to ZMF's.

    The T60 is a little more engaging on top than the Argon, it is relaxed and effortless yet has detail if that makes sense. When I put on my TH-610 everything is being shouted directly into my ear but with the T60 it all takes a step back and is easier on the ears. It being wider it allows my ears to relax and listen with that extra width, the Argon is even wider. If the T60RP was a room then the Argon would be a hall.
    The Argon also has a little more oomph in the mid bass so sounds a bit fuller but I do think the T60RP's sub bass is a bit punchier and quicker, I really like it's bass and the ZMF pads prob help add that punch. The T60RP is probably a more well rounded sound where the Argon excels at certain things like the more full low end and wider soundstage. The T60 is also more efficient than my MK2 Argon about 10-15%.

    Let me get back to you on for a proper answer. I need more time and have not A-B'd as I am enjoying the T60 this week.

    EDIT: Modhouse Audio deerskin strap is a must for any T50 from standard to a ZMF, Mrspeakers version etc.
     
  5. omegaorgun

    omegaorgun Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2018
    Likes Received:
    47
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    CA
    It's hard to pick one, they are more similar than different but the T60 is a little brighter with some more details and the Argon is slightly more relaxed with more width. Using either lambskin or proteins changes the sound a little too. I might get a seconds set of lambskins for the t60rp. The MK2 is tuned for the lambskins. I am not sure what the MK3 Argon is like.

    Bottom line both are good.
     
  6. Ad-astra

    Ad-astra New

    Contributor
    Joined:
    May 11, 2018
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Greater Philadelphia Area
    they look like t50 with wood cups
     
  7. trl

    trl Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2017
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Iasi, Romania
    Just got mine, it rattles on both drivers if bass goes beyond 90dB SPL. :( Head-Fi has several people with same story, one of them even replaced under warranty twice and the 3rd can had same issue.

    I strongly advise you to do an audiocheck.net 30-60Hz sine test, and if not perfect, just return them to the store.
     
  8. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    12,238
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Home Page:
    Old thread but anyone know more about these? I feel certain they’re just t50rpmk3’s with wooden cups (must be thin wood too because the phones look identical). If that’s the case the regular t50rp would be superior. Wood is not a good material to use with headphones despite it’s popularity, especially thin wood. It resonates. There’s a reason so many instruments are made of wood. It resonates to create that sound!
     
  9. trl

    trl Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2017
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Iasi, Romania
    Same drivers as the T50RP mk3 indeed, but the thin wooden cups sound is better that thin plastic cups sound. I did liked the sound more on T60, but too bad about their rattling drivers. FOSTEX will really need to improve their manufacturing process and also their Q&A. Also, metallic screws on the plastic baffle is not something that can help the owners to reseat the diaphragms properly (to minimise the rattling), because after couple of screwing/unscrewing the screws will damage the plastic.

    I suggest you to test it prior to your purchase and use 40...60Hz sines to an SPL of 80-85dB. Of course, regular music is a must too, but the drivers rattling is the main defect of these cans.
     
  10. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Likes Received:
    7,976
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Vancouver BC
    Marketing. At https://www.fostexinternational.com/index.shtml , the 60 is listed under 'Consumer Equipment' whereas the 20, 40 & 50 are under 'Recording Equipment'.

    Apart from the cups, they're reportedly the same driver and everything else but for a vertically-positioned cable jack.

    There's a summary of the series from the old wiki, updated to include the T60, Dekoni Blue and MD models, here (scroll down to Fostex RP Series Generations):

    https://www.headphonesty.com/2019/07/how-to-mod-the-fostex-t50rp-mk3/

    Also summaries of the historic amateur and commercial mods.
     
  11. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    12,238
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Home Page:
    Well just changing the cups to wood would not improve the sound. So if they indeed sound better there is some other change. Are the cups empty like the t50rp?
     
  12. trl

    trl Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2017
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Iasi, Romania
    False assertion. Take of the drivers from your wood speakers and see if the sound gets modified. The T60 RP has a bigger and faster bass, although other frequencies are a bit different, but in the end the sound flavour is not identical with the sound coming from T50.

    https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/fostex-t60rp.php vs. https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/fostex-t50rp-mk3.php

    T50 drivers (source: changstar.com):

    [​IMG]

    T60 drivers
    are identical in look, size and the marking "FOSTEX dp29 sx1d" (source: my former T60RP):

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I don't remember seeing any damping material inside the cups, but you can add some damping stuff in there, but there's not much space. Just google foo a little bit and you'll see enough pics to make a point on how's the inside.
     
  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2020
    Likes Received:
    12,238
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Home Page:
    I don’t have the energy to argue about all the lack of knowledge or understanding in your post even though quoting me and saying “false assertion” to something that is true pisses me off.

    But I will say that the look and even markings on the driver don’t mean it’s the same. The T20rp also has an identical looking driver with the same markings, but Smeggy whose handled more of these than anyone reported the drivers not sounding the same. He couldn’t get the same results in his thunder pants.

    That’s just one misunderstanding in your post. You best humble yourself.

    I’ll chalk it up to different enclosure size and pads. Either way with no damping it’ll sound like shit. Even if you glued diamonds to the outside. It’s just the physics of orthos particularly closed back orthos.

    I was just curious anyways because I’ve spent so much time with the T50rp. Driver rattle and the rest makes me loose what little interest I had in it being a platform for modding.
     
  14. Raimei Templar

    Raimei Templar Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2019
    Likes Received:
    775
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Osaka
    i cant add much on the technical side, but I can say the T60 rp does not sound the same as the normal T50RP. The only physical differences I noticed where the earpads of course and that the baffle foam was just a small foam ring. Obviously earpads had a lot to do with the sound signature change, but I suspect the wood did something as well. The T60 based mod house Argons dont sound the same as the regular ones either as I understand it.

    I liked the T60rp but the QA teams for it need to be fired or giving a stern talking to because the driver rattle is way too common. I went through 3 of them that all had it before I gave up. Really a shame because it was a cool product.
     
  15. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,882
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    I concur, picked some up yesterday and they do not sound like any stock T50. They're actually perfect without mods for me.
     
  16. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    May 6, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,000
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Washington
    @rhythmdevils The wood housing is surprisingly more substantial than you would think. Significantly more than the flimsy plastic housing. The housing design obviously had to be modified to support the wood (alot less emtpy space in the housing compared to the original). Also as was mentioned earlier, the baffle design is slightly different. Between those changes and having more mass and simply a more rigid housing, I think it improves the sound of the stock driver. It naturally incorporates alot of the basic mods people do such as adding clay to mass load and add rigidity, and cotton to fill and damping the housing.

    Resonance issues of using wood for headphones is pretty unsubstantial in the long run and to simply calling it not a good material is somewhat ridiculous. Wood housings are way more rigid than a violin that is designed for maximum resonance. Wood housings are somewhat boutique so tend to be higher quality than most plastic housings especially in the case of the t50rp. it simply effects the attack and decay of the sound. Which can add flavor to the headphone.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2020
  17. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,904
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Europe
    So what is the problem that causes the rattle? Bad inserts? Bad support? Weight?! Now i became curious and maybe someone else would want to know.
     
  18. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    May 6, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,000
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Washington
    I think the main cause is poor quality control on the driver.
     
  19. Ishcabible

    Ishcabible Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    327
    Trophy Points:
    63
    My only experience with them was a brief demo at RMAF a couple years ago but I remember trying to keep myself from laughing because I thought they sounded worse than what I remember a stock T50RP sounding like. The cups did seem somewhat substantial but I remember hearing a weird reverb effect concentrated in the midrange.
     
  20. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

    Pyrate Contributor Banned
    Joined:
    May 6, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,092
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Which retailer? Or were you dealing with Fostex for warranty type issue? How was the return/exchange process?
     

Share This Page