Fostex X Massdrop TH-X00

I've sold my TH-X00 today. Overall a great closed-back headphones, perhaps the best I've heard of its kind, but as stated in my previous posts, outclassed by modded HD650.

 

No but I will try that tonight, thanks for the tip

 

I'm really curious about the latest 'black box' version of the HD650 but I'm not sure if that would be a good move since I'm only listening to Rock and Metal music ? (The TH-X00 are quite good with those genres.)

 

@YtseJammer I found the 650s really enjoyable with metal, though I must say that was partially thanks to a good tube amp. I didn't quite like their presentation on solid state, I've compared Matrix Hpa-3u with WA22/WA6 and the Woo Audios won in everything by far. The only real drawback to me was the bass indeed, I keep hovering around the HD650s, but I would've really wanted some deep bass impact (for an immersive experience). And maybe, if you love lots of treble and aggression, these might not cut it, in fact I really liked how the HD650s handled it because it wasn't fatiguing, I could listen through and still pick up lots of details. Compared to the HD700 which were a bit bright, I couldn't handle that huge treble leap with metal, it was just sudden and strident. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the feedback sir.

My amp is the Vali 2 so I should be OK.

I just hope that the new revision of the HD650 are not as boring as the LCD-2 Fazor with my music

 

You're welcome ! I've been asking about these new driver HD650s a lot as well, and most of the people say if you get a really resolving DAC, Gungnir is a good example, purrin mentioned it gives them great bite, pace etc. Basically it's what these cans need, something with good bite to go with their warm signature. I think the vali2 will do fine as a lot of people here are happy with it, plus schiit stuff has great resell value, so whenever you can, just know people found valhalla2 one of the best amps for them (it gives the treble just the right sparkle and faster pace), so you could consider picking a sh one up later on, for not a lot of money.
@Psalmanazar has a lot of experience and he recommended the m2 stack as great value and ideal for HD650s, so maybe he could chip in with some tips.

And lastly if you got time you should check out this thread, it's really insightful as to what the best price to performance ratio you can get (I know the title name might sound a bit misleading heh), and there are a lot of opinions about different pairings in there as well.
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...erbaf-best-of-2015-golden-schlong-awards.760/

 

I have hardly any experience with top flight gear but the HD 600/650 are some of the only headphones I like as much as decent speakers. I haven't heard the Vali 2 or Valhalla 2 but I didn't like the gooey tube amps I did hear with them. The M2U stack is slightly steely but I wouldn't say they have bite. Anything with actual "bite," throw out the window and don't buy anything rolled off/warmed over either as the 650s are already warm. I just prefer my bite to be on the recordings. You want chainsaw guitars? Listen to Entombed's Left Hand Path, don't put Deep Purple's Machine Head through a Grado.

 

Thanks a lot guys, much appreciated

 

I guess it depends, purrin mentioned Gungnir Multibit is a very good contender for the HD650s. I also gave them a listen through a WA22 with sylvanias and a matrix s-sabre DAC, so that's surely a bright combination, but the hd650s didn't seem overboard in the highs though. Then again, that happened while I was A/B'ing with HD700s, so that might have influenced my perception. Anyhow, I wish I knew what combo could give them some low bass potential, and generally tightness, if there is such a thing an amp can do to them, because that would make them everything I could possibly want from some cans. I should stop here though as this is a TH-X00 thread.

 

Thanks it's working, I can now tolerate the TH-X00 on my head for more than 15 minutes

 

Yea my LA D5k is like that too, with Alpha an Lawton Pads, angles pads have always had a different placement on my head than standard over ears ^^ I should have my newly recabled TH X00 back Soon

 

I'm still very happy with my TH-X00.

Thank god I didn't sell them to go with the HD650...

 

I love mine, but was not feeling it with the stock pads. Not that they were (too) uncomfortable, but compared to the MDR-Z7, they just didn't have the fit I was looking for. Doing some research, I found that Alpha Pads seemed to be the best alternative. Reviews I read said the Alpha Pads were either (1) great with enhanced sub bass OR (2) they sucked out the mids and had overly boosted highs.

Rolled the dice and got a new pair of Alpha Pads and installed them....and, yep, option 2 seemed to be the winner. Comfort was great and the sub bass did seem better. But, everything else seemed off. Especially in the treble. Way more sibilance than before and harsher. After taking a longer look at the stock pads, I noticed the hard plastic base with the ear-shaped opening stitched into them and decided to cut them out and install them in the Alpha Pads.

Well, guess what? The sound is much closer to stock and the treble roughness and sibilance is pretty much gone. Mids are also pushed further forward than with the Alpha Pads by themselves. And the new pads are far more comfortable.

Curious to know if anyone else has done this.

 

^oh, Bigferret...BillP was able to get the pads off of the plastic white mounting discs and put AT pads on the discs without cutting the stock pads.

Glad you found another alternative pad. If you can post how much those are, I think the AT ones are about $30.

 

BillP has way more patience than me! Good job! I went with Mr. Speakers' Alpha Pads because I wanted leather. They were 60 bucks.

 

Yeah- it looked like a twisting/wrestling match when he showed me and so I did not roll pads.

 

Would you mind elaborating a bit how you did it ? Maybe it's my english comprehension at fault; so you modded the alpha pads in other words or the plastic rings which came with the headphones ? Sorry, it's hard to get a perspective because I don't own a pair (although it's currently under a lot of pondering ). Appreciate it and sorry for the bother !

 

It's not your fault - My explanation wasn't the best. The TH-X00s come with stock ear pads that have hard plastic pieces which are stitched into the bases of the pads. They are the same diameter as the ear pads and solid except for an ear-shaped cutout that matches the space for your ear within the ear pads themselves. I removed these pieces from the stock pads and inserted them into the Alpha Pads before attaching the Alpha Pads onto the mounting rings that attach the pads onto the TH-X00s.

 

Oh alright I've got an idea now, so the improvements you've mentioned were due to parts from the stock pads. Thank you for the clarification !
Also, do you have any idea if there are any velour pads that could fit ? And if so, do you think they would make them sibilant/bright ?