Fostex X Massdrop TH-X00

@RiflemanFirst I saw you asking about Jotunheim in that thread. FWIW,
TH-X00 seems to do best out of solid state, high powered amps like Jot. I have Mahogany version that I recently reterminated to balanced and I love this combo. In fact this setup is getting all my time lately. If you are considering TH-X00, I would say go for a Jotunheim because it is fantastic for HD650KM as well. I would also strongly consider getting in the PH drop going now, most people here seem happy with Mahogany or PH.

 

Thanks for the input. I plan on getting a higher powered solid state amp eventually, whether that be a Jot or something else. Probably won't be until later on this year. For now, I'll be sticking with the Vali 2 and trying out different headphones I think. I'm currently working on getting some very lightly used TH-X00 EBs for $450 shipped with all original packaging & accessories, just waiting for the seller to give me his payment info.

Edit: I was able to send the payment so hopefully I'll get to try out the TH-X00 EBs some time this week.

 

I have the PH's, and they sound really great from the Jot with Modi Multibit, just for future reference. But I also think they sound great from the Project Starlight / Dragonfly Red combo I sometimes switch between. Given that many in this forum would probably argue the Vali 2 is superior to the Starlight, it makes some sense, to me at least, that the Vali 2 would pair well with the TH-X00's. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts once you receive the 'phones.

 

I have the mahogany variant and a Vali 2, and I think they sound great together, though in my experience the TH-X00 isn't very picky and doesn't scale up much with better amps.

 

Good to know. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing the TH-X00s. Should be a nice upgrade from my HD 280 PROs in terms of sound, maybe not isolation.

 

Isolation is very bad don't expect much of it.

 

+1 on SS amp. I was using Magni 2U and just got Jot (amp only) and run it with Modi Multibit - very good combination. I run them with th600 and PH. Actually "used to" tun with thx00 PH as I recently sold them and decided to keep th600 instead.

Next step will be to re-terminate th600 to XLR and run it balanced.

 

I agree again, TH-X00 was pretty sloppy down low with any tube amps that I tried it with. Had a TH-X00 when I ownded the Lyr2, LISST tightened the bass up and they sounded 40x better.

 

Lyr 2 with LISST is very good but I also enjoyed the Lyr 2 with the 1975 Reflektor tubes even better than the LISST with the TH-X00's. It still had the proper tone and control that you would want but also a little bit of that euphonic tube magic with an improved sense of air and staging. In terms of overall synergy it is one of the best combos that I have yet heard at a somewhat reasonable price.

 

Got my TH-X00 EBs in today and I'm very happy. If there is any sloppiness in the low end, I can't tell. For me, these are a great balance of bass and treble. Good stuff! I'm sure that eventually a new SS amp will change my mind and make them sound "mo' betta," but for now, ignorance is bliss with my Vali 2.

Something else interesting: the seller bought these during the first drop and it has a low S/N - 00049. Judging by the condition, it looks like they hardly spent any time out of the box. The finish is well done and wood grain looks identically matched on both cups. Thankfully no bubble wrap marks like were seen on one of the PH drops.

 

I received the Dekoni Lambskin pads with the attenuator rings a couple of days ago. I thought the stock pads were nice until I tried these. The Dekonis are immensely comfortable and fit well even with glasses. The depth for ears is improved over stock. On initial listening the bass is mildly accentuated and the treble is more detailed. Easily recommended especially for those that find the stock pads not the most comfortable.

 

That is extremely good to know. My only real complaint with the TH-X00 was those stock pads. They started to hurt my ears after about an hour of listening. I ended up selling the TH-X00's to help finance the ZMF Eikon but if I ever purchase another pair I will immediately try to hunt down the Dekoni pads with the rings (or watch for the next Massdrop on them).

 

I was trying different things today with the TH-X00 EBs and found that they are actually sensitive enough to hear the noise floor in high gain on the Vali 2. Not that the TH-X00s need high gain, but something worth noting since previously I was only able to hear the high gain noise floor with earbuds/IEMs.

 

After using the th-x00 PH extensively, I've found them to be sometimes disxomfortable to wear for longer listening sessions. The added weight of the purpleheart cups, the heavy non detachable cable, short headband padding and stiff earpads that can push down on the back and bottom of your ears combine for bad ergonomics.

 

I think that's why I like the E-Mu Teak so much. Very light cups. The whole headphone is so light the thin padding doesn't really matter as clamp can support the whole headphone. With Eikon pads it's plenty comfortable.

 

I've never found the stock TH-X00 to be uncomfortable, even with glasses. I've had them on for 8 hours a day on a fairly regular basis.

The overbearing low-end can be a little much though.

 

The weight was fine for me and I loved the sound but the ear cups hurt my ears after an hour or so of use. They sat on my ear moreso than over my ear and where it made contact it got hot and uncomfortable. One day I may have to try out the Emu Teak with the Eikon pads.

 

I have a query. Since I've grown a bit sick of the wight the PH exerts on the back and bottom of my ears, I've completely removed the purpleheart cups and am running them completely open in the back. Is it safe to use them like this? Will the biocellulose driver die if I leave the back open (dust, etc)?

 

No, I'm pretty sure it has some fine material over it if I remember correctly when messing around with them. Don't go poking back there though.

 

Just to echo what some folks have already been saying about the comfort. I've had the D2000 for years and they are super comfortable, but I can't handle the X00 for more than an hour or so. I would love to try the Dekoni pads, but they only sell the pads for the X00 through Massdrop. I'm going to try the Alpha Pads instead. It seems like some folks have had decent results with those.