Fostex X Massdrop TH-X00

Hah! That's definitely debatable. The TH-900 cup YouTube video really puts it in perspective...

 

Huge (?) mark up on TH900 and the expectation of a quantity effect on THX00, a fairly elastic good.

 

Also there's less R&D markup on Foster's part, as they're utilizing components and design that they're already familiar with.

 

I know I have asked this before on yhe thread, but I am intrigued by your final comment because despite that I already own headphones I enjoy, I am still debating whether the uniqueness of the Fostex relative to my open-headphones, combined with the excellent deal, warrants joining.

I know that I ideally should be saving to upgrade components for my current collection, all of which are fairly picky with upstream gear (HD650, HD800, and HE-6), but the evil nagging part of my mind wants to say these new Fostex would fill a different purpose.

My current setup is Gungnir Multibit-->La Figaro 339-->Senns or Gungnir Multibit--->Xindak Integrated Amp-->HE-6.

I know the amps in both chains could use upgrading, thus rendering the Fostex as a mere sidegrade/distraction from what I should be prioritizing with my current gear. Still, I am torn by the several positive comments on the Fostex I see here that quite literally amount to "Buy these now."

 

Honestly I don't understand the difference between Urushi lacquer and a gloss finish -- the two finishes look the same -- or why Japanese Cherry Birch should cost more than mahogany. Mahogany is a good wood.

Edit: wait, an obvious fact just occurred to me: no wood is as red as the TX900 cups, so they must be painted, no? The mahogany is real wood grain, which sort of makes it a better looking cup, more natural?

 

^^ Stunning...

 

Yes they are, love my TH900. A +4 dB at 550 Hz in JRiver and they sound perfect to my ears. I have no trouble with the treble, couldn't stand the HE-560 treble but I have no problem with HD800 or TH900.

 

Comparison with the HE-500 in terms of vocals and bass? I was going keep them to complement my new HD650 as my lush vocal/fun bass cans.

I've been on the fence, but need to decide soon. They're almost sold out.

 

Last Call for the drop...

 

I'm not familiar with the Xindak but that La Figaro 339 is an OTL with high output impedance (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong). Coupling this with the TH-X00, given it's 25ohm impedance, wouldn't be the best.

 

Yeah, thank you. I expect I would need a solid state amp for the Fostex. The 339 is just my amp for the Senns that I use.

 

Sounds like the Valhalla 2 may be great after all.

 

Can the TX-X00 be fatiguing like the Denon DX000 lineup?

 

Wow - didn't make it on the forums for a short while, and I apparently missed the boat. I definitely would have jumped on this if I had known about it - as would the 125 others and counting who have already requested another drop. Shame that it was such a short window to order.

 

And now the wait for the tracking begins.

 

I hesitated because I have bad luck on audio gambles. In other words, whenever I buy a product that everyone universally says is good -- it's good. But any time I take a risk I get burned. So maybe this headphone will sound like a not-so-well-tuned $200 can, with Fostex saying "well what did you expect for a $400 headhpone with super nice mahogany cups and nice leather?"

 

To be fair, Purrin rambled about how good this can is for the money, and he loves to get nitpicky with even the best of headphones (save the HD650)
Plus, everyone who's heard it has had minimal negative feelings other than the earpads.