Fostex TH7B measurements & impressions

• Fostex TH-7B Stereo Headphones

• semi-open dynamic
• 70 Ohms impedance,
• rated input 23mW
• frequency response: 20Hz-22kHz,
• High grade synthetic leather ear pads
• weight 267g with cable
• 255g without cable
• Cable length: 1,2m (with 3.5mm stereo mini-jack) included extension chord 1,5 m with 6,3mm stereo plug

US price : TH7B ( Japan Import) ~90$ .. TH7BB is ~50$ ( Dunno what's the difference)
EU Price : 66€

• Subjective Impressions :

Light semi open semi on ear headphone. for my ears, it's close to over-ear. More comfortable that I thought. Clamp is spot on . not too strong. Overally the build quality is OK and accorded to the price.

Sonically speaking, it's surprisingly good. Overally very engaging yet somewhat clean. Punchy but extended lows . Mids are not sacrified but I hear some hardness/shoutiness I'm sensitive to. Good sense of detail and clarity is there , openness is more than OK . I heard the Treble as harsh but not as harsh the measured 8khz treble peak suggests (and I'm allergic to 8 khz). Not a formula one of headphones but highly recommended for those who're after a cheap good headphone for themselves , family or friends.

the TH7B is soemwhat not that easy to drive though. For people who like it loud and amp will be mandatory. the volume is cranked up close to the max on my laptop while I'm writing and I' usually don't listen that loud.

Not much isolation from outside noises but leakage are almost inexistant. that's really an interesting point especially at work when you can hear the phone ringing without let know to everybody that you're watching pr0n. uh uh uh

Will probably try some mods to see If I can smoothen the treble.

 

FR Left :

FR Right :


Distorsion Left:


Distorsion Right:


CSD Left:


CSD Right:


Spectrogram Left:


Spectrogram Right:

 

Looks like FR was tuned to be similar to X00, but the distortion!

 

Honestly I'm not sure. REW uses the custom calibration given for my Mini DSP UMIK mic so logically , the 90db should be accurate. take it with a grain of salt though. I can try lower volumes to see what happens.

This Semi closed Cheap headphone distorts less than a bunch of uber-expensive so called "Hi End" headphones though... See Pioneer Master 1

 

I'm not familiar with the Mini DSP UMIK, but there is mic calibration (using the file supplied), and there is SPL calibration (see REW manual about details on that one). To calibrate SPL one might need an SPL meter and calibrate REW with speakers. That's what I did. Though one should take my calibration also with a grain a salt.

I dunno if this is of any help, but hopefully it is.

BTW, Awesome job. These seem to behave like classic closed cans. Reminds me of my HD202s.

 

@ultrabike : I bought a tool to calibrate my mic. I'll bring it with me for my us trip

 

Cool! What did you get?

 

This :

https://www.amazon.com/Landtek-Sound-Pressure-Calibrator-Accuracy/dp/B00WM7XWX6

I haven't tried it yet though .