Massdrop / Fostex TH-X00 Ebony Measurements

would there be any type of tutorial to do this correctly and without damage?

 

I think there is some pics in the Thx00 thread on HF. Supposedly pretty easy.

 

Thank you for your measurements Marvey! I've been in head-fi purgatory the last week or so trying to read up on the differences between the TH-X00 variants. In other words, I've read hundreds of posts consisting mostly of self-aggrandizement, shit-talking, and wild speculation. I think I've learned more this morning from this nice 40 post thread, so cheers!

 

Looking at the FR graph makes me think the Ebony's are neutral. Next to being considered the most neutral X00 variant can they also be considered neutral in general? I ordered the PH variant but am a listener who appreciates deep Sub-bass rumble including good midrange. Should I sell my PH to get the Ebony instead?

 

I'm getting the THX00 Ebony soon (can't wait!) and am curious about the same. I get the feeling they're on the darker side of neutral, what with the scary-looking bass response and all, but it seems to be they could be close enough to neutral that they'd be genre-agnostic. Can't remember where I first came across that term, but I rather like it.

By the by, I got to try the TH-610 recently out of my Micro iDSD, and found it to be quite expansive-sounding. Anyone who's had the opportunity to A/B them: how's the imaging on the Ebony compare to the Walnut? Unless I'm very much mistaken they should be the same cans save for the one having a detachable cable (which I envy) and different cup material.

 

The detailed measurements and the original THx00 impressions threads definitely helped inform my purchase of these - so thanks to SBAF!

Got a pair of the THX00 Ebony about a month ago. I had my sights set on the EBs over the PH or Mahogany. I was hoping for a bit more neutrality. But ...honestly, I probably would have bought whichever version dropped first. It happened to be the EB.

These really shine for me on certain genres. I had on some Niacin on earlier (funk/fusion trio of keyboard of drums, bass, keyboard), and these absolutely hit it out of the park. Then I put on some 24/96 Phil Collins - really really good stuff. They fall apart for my tastes on certain more challenging genres like thrash/death/black metal (yes, I have no issue with Phil Collins and Bloodbath in a single sitting). I'm used to experiencing those genres on HD600s / HD650s - both of which handle metal with exceptional clarity and detail. The mercilessly detailed presentation is what I'm looking for when I listen to metal.

Next step for my Ebonies will probably be a cable modification so that it can be detachable and used w/ a 4 pin XLR. And a ZMF pad swap for better comfort (stock pads are just a tiny bit stiff and cramped for longer sessions at work. This is my first pair of headphones in the Foster/Fostex style - i.e. with the biocellulose driver. There is definitely a certain quality to the sound that is different from any other headphone that I've tried. I like it so much that I'm considering the ZMF Eikons as a future 'end-game' purchase.

 

With my apologies for only being able to offer the perspective of someone firmly rooted in mid-fi (though I have had the chance to listen to higher-end on friends' rigs), here are some unsolicited impressions of the X00 EB. I've had them for about two weeks now, and am just running them out of my iFi Micro iDSD (not the newer Black Label ver). Yep, don't worry, I'm saving up for better gear... after a new pen

The dips in measured frequency response are hardly noticeable, and that while these cans do have that "distant" sound you seem to get with recessed mids, I feel they're definitely balanced enough to play nice with any genre. Extension is likewise better than expected; lower registers on Oleg the Wise (fromBasso Profondo from Old Russia ) was well-defined, and the sub-bass on Crack Baby (off Mitski's Puberty 2 album) made my eyes feel like they vibrating out of sync with the rest of my head at what I'd say are moderate volumes. Definitely more bass than neutral, but manages to not be obnoxious.

I just got my iDSD back from repairs and was worried the shop'd somehow botched things because I was hearing really high-frequency fuckery on Taylor Swift's (a guilty pleasure) "Welcome to New York". Nope, turns out there really were a few isolated 14-17kHz peals in the track. Lucky me, my hearing tops out at about 17.5kHz at 24 years old. the 11kHz spike seen in Mr. Marv's measurements is more concerning to me since it translates to painful sibilance on some tracks. Listened to Eminem/Nate Ruess's Headlights on these and had to take em off because it felt like someone was jamming rusty wire into my ear. Unfortunately, same goes for several tracks on the Persona 4 soundtrack, which I love.

Some days, more than others, I want to believe in burn-in.

Sinatra's Ill Wind and Ebb Tide are amazing with these. Daft Punk's Contact makes me cry (because of the slightly whack treble), but Fragments of Time on the same album gets my foot tapping. Imaging isn't as great as on, say, the Elear, but the Fostexes manage to get me through Vivaldi's Four Seasons without complaint. Headstage is weirdly large for a closed can, but then I remember these are technically only semi-closed. Isolation/leakage is within acceptable parameters for a dude who risks offending sleeping people at 4AM in the morning with In Utero on repeat, but then again, I seldom crank the volume up past 10 o'clock on the iFi.


Tl;dr: I have pretty crap taste in music. Also, these are definitely nicely balanced, though the 11kHz spike might be a serious problem for some people, especially on newer/poorly mastered music.

 

Sorry for bumping this, but does anyone have measurements of TH-X00 Ebony with ZMF Ori pads vs stock?

 

@9suns This isn't apples to apples but it should at least give you an idea.

 

Thank you!!!

 

Would anyone be able to identify the species of ebony wood used here? Suspect it might be something like Macassar given the look of the striations, but can't be sure; product shots on Massdrop plus some others on the web look like Gabon.

 

Purchased one as parts (for vintage ortho transplant mod). It was just missing a headband screw/shaft and the pads were a little rough. I can order OEM replacements, but I don't mind using some rando bolts, nuts, and washers. Right now its held well by zip tie. Installed Accessory House lambskin pads. These pads I used also with EMU to bring down highs in the 8-10kHz area. Even so, these do sound a bit grainy compared to the vintage ortho Fostex T30 I've been using lately. Can't compare to EMU because its with @E_Schaaf currently.

 

*EMU using lawton cups, not lawton mods though there is a damping disc adhesived to back of Lawton cups from factory.

 

Parts reference diagram and list. Order through Full Compass is what I was told by Fostex USA distributor (American Sound and Music). Massdrop said they do not stock parts.

 

Just a quick thread necro showing the effects of swapping the Geekria Sheepskin pads for TH-X00s in (not sure but I THINK it's these ones; the local listing I used was taken down)

GREEN: Stock TH-X00 Ebony pads (flaking)
RED: Geekria Sheepskin pads with mounting rings and plastic attenuation ring cut out from the original pads and re-used here




Subjectively it seems a bit more open-sounding than before with a headstage pushed deeper forward overall, though the spacing between sonic images remains unchanged. Contrary to measurements these pads sound less bassy, subjectively, maybe because the 40Hz peak was dirty enough to bleed upwards. The greater sense of openness makes for good macrodetail retrieval, and the ebony cups are as (relatively) free of resonance as they've always been. They're significantly less cuppy-sounding and reverby than the stock TH-900 cups at the least.

Disclaimer though, it'd been years since I last had a proper listen to these and my upstream has changed completely in the time since; I gave these away to a local friend and they lent them back for a spell since they were laying around unused and he knew I was missing the HP-3s a bit haha.

 

Addendum: I forgot to note that the foam rings surrounding the driver are getting Thanos-ed into aether. Seems far more likely that that might be the cause of the abrupt bass roll-off.

 

What happened? That THX00 has lived a hard life. Its seen some things. It could tell a story.

Looks like the pad ring was crudely painted in black and maybe the foam ring got some too which led to a quick expiration. And maybe its just the picture but the driver grill looks strange too.

 

Hah, this was an early one purchased in Q1 2017. I got the Klipsch HP-3s in mid-2018 and these were laying around unused for a good while cuz I ended up preferring the Klipsches. I eventually just gave them to a friend, and while they were far from mint when they left my place I would swear under oath they were in better shape when he got them, lmao.

The foam disintegrating and the paint bubbling is just due to my living in a tropical climate I guess; that's all the original material, no aftermarket paints or coats. I think a lot of people underestimate how much of a big deal this much heat and humidity can be with regard to maintenance and longevity of things.

Oh and yeah the grilles have skin gunk on them from the guy I gave these to-- his ears stick out a bit compared to mine (I have tiny pinnae). I'm still trying to figure out how to completely remove them and am just trying not to think about the grodiness too much

 

The grills over the drivers are glued on. Some gentle pulling using a metal pick or hook through the holes/perforations near the outside edge should get the grills to pop off. The glue will likely remain sticky, so to reinstall, just press firmly around the edges of the grill. I'd think if the glue isn't still any good after removing the grills, a small roll of Blutak or similar would be enough to keep the grills in place. Oh, and you'll need to remove the foam rings before you can remove the grills.

 

With how much random tinkering these have endured over the years, I'm only now finding out those grilles are glued on. Gonna be giving them a thorough cleaning now, thanks C!

EDIT: yeah no a stiff sneeze from across a football field might be enough to vaporise the foam ring. Might try sourcing a replacement one before popping the grilles off so they remain somewhat viable for listening in the interim. But also eww.