Fostex RP KIT50

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by JK47, Jan 4, 2023.

  1. JK47

    JK47 Friend

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    Not sure if these deserve their own thread or should be piggybacked elsewhere... https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/fostex-t-x0-ii-headphones.7972/

    They're basically a kit with MKII headband, MKIII drivers, various dampening materials, two sets of ear pads, and two cables. One of the fellas here posted an ebay link of these open box kits from the UK ,and they accepted my offer of $100 shipped. Everything in the pic below was included, the sticker packs as well, and they appeared to be brand new. The instructions have an English explanation of the various dampeners and mods. Since these are the MKIII drivers with the little window on the back side dampening material, I was surprised to see a tiny piece of foam that can be plugged into that spot that "dampens lower frequency". I haven't tried that option yet though.

    A_RPKIT50_top_image-942x480.jpg
    RPKIT50_kumitate6-480x305.jpg

    All in all a fun mini project for dirt cheap that took me back to the roots of my addiction to this hobby. Here are a few quick raw measurements I took. The drivers are matched quite well, with a slight leak probably being the culprit of the different low end between channels. Also during a frequency sweep I could hear the Right driver slightly flutter down low and it shows up in the distortion plot as significantly higher down there than the Left.
    RPK50.JPG Dist R.JPG Dist L.JPG

    By the way this kit retails for $250-300ish USD, so $100 was an absolute steal.

    EDIT: I forgot to add I took measurements with the denser under ear pad foam, slim angled pleather pads, and all dampening material installed as per instruction.
     
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    Last edited: Jan 4, 2023
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Wow, so this is a real kit from Fostex. The measurements look like something that could be fixable into an LFF Paradox kind of sound. Is this available in the USA?
     
  3. JK47

    JK47 Friend

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    Doesn't look like they're available here, just Europe and Japan at the moment I think. I only see them on the Fostex Japan site and their online store https://store.fostex.jp/shopdetail/000000000378/
     
  4. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I sort of wonder what the point of the kit is since it cost more than assembled t50rp headphones.

    Does it use better materials than the stock headphones?
     
  5. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    I can vouch for this kit...I believe we developed it for the TX-0 II that almost made it into production:
    https://drop.com/buy/drop-fostex-t-x0-v2-planar-magnetic-headphones

    Hint: stuff the extra pair of foam rings BEHIND the driver and use all the lasercut foam bits inside the cups to fill the volume. The shallower pads that are non-hybrid sound better.

    This is an awesome kit if you can find it. Are they still available anywhere?
     
  6. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    I love this idea! I'd love it even more if they sold just the drivers on their own...
     
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  7. Biodegraded

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  8. Philimon

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    Fostex collaborated with Massdrop and Dekoni. What does it take to get Fostex to partner up @CEE TEE ? Fostex seems to price towards mass market affordability so dont know if thatd be a barrier... The Massdrop T-X0 was limited because it was produced from the last of Fostex’s mk2 stock (correct me if im wrong). The Dekoni Blue is based on mk3 and always in supply but the Blue sounds worse than regular T50RP and costs more. Quality control on the T50RP has been iffy lately ime so maybe not Dekoni’s fault. Would drive cost up to maintain standards. Can it be done Nitsch?! Or anybody?
     
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  9. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    Fostex makes great drivers but they don't make normal sounding stuff. The TP50 v3 and the 6301 are their most normal sounding products.
     
  10. joch

    joch Friend

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    I'd buy one from Nitsch
     
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  11. Raimei Templar

    Raimei Templar Friend

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    100 bucks for that is a crazy deal. Cheapest I could find it here in Japan was 29,700 yen. This is actually better than a standard T50RP as it is wired for balanced connections. According to the website it even includes a 2.5mm balanced cable. if I understand it correctly it also includes the foam used in the T40 and T50 allowing you to build the one you want open, closed or semi open. It also includes the T60RP earpads and baffle, so you can effectively build a T60 RP minus the wood cups. Really cool stuff. Considering the T60 Rp sells for about this same price this is quite a good deal all things considered.

    I was sad that the T-xo II drop failed, it was a really great deal. It would have been cool to have a solid cheap planar that isnt made by Hifiman. The Fostex RP drivers are really great, they are very fun to listen to. Might have to give this kit a shot.
     
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    Last edited: Jan 7, 2023

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