Fostex X Massdrop TH-X00

@Blixy how do they change the sound signature?

 

I'd be interested to know as well, as I really like the PH's but find the comfort to be lacking. I feel like I am constantly adjusting them to get a good fit.

 

They do change the sound signature slightly because the leather material is different, and the foam is different. It is a real memory foam that conforms wheras the original foam just kind of squishes down and up and doesn't stick. Also they're a little bigger. However they are machined to the exact same dimensions, more or less, than the original pads, including the "half way open" design that makes them sit kind of awkwardly on the ears like the original pads (if you have large ears). I believe this is part of the design for the TH-X00 and how they were intended tho. So to me, the sound change is actually not negative and they're so much more comfortable (better foam too) than the originals. There's no way I'd consider going back. I also feel like they upgrade the headphones quality wise. For me real leather is more breathable and comfortable over long periods than protein leather is. This leather is also a little nicer quality wise than the leather on say the Audeze LCD2, which is a little drier. Maybe it's just because it's new.

I have quite a few headphones to compare atm and I do like the TH-X00 quite a bit. It is slightly on the bright side for me at times and I find it can be a bit fatiguing. The Z7 by comparison is a little more relaxed. But I do really like the TH-X00 for many things, including electronic and if I ocassionally listen to hip-hop type music. They certainly aren't my go to for rock, metal, ambient, vocals, jazz, or classical.

At the same time I would have a hard time selling them, although my wallet is telling me I should consolidate down and pick up some of the newer higher end headphones in particular the Z1R is a candidate.

It is really hard to get rid of a pair of purple heart wood fostexes tho They're just pretty and I love the fostex design.

 

Glad you like 'em.
Impressions of stock ph: For me the guitar crunches are less crisper than with the he-400i, vocals are definitely pushed back. Female vocals don't have the same air they did, even compared to the Ori's which were more emphasized on male vocals. To be honest the hifiman he-400i's bass was even more aggressive and harder hitting when eq'd for it. But needed to be driven quite loud to reach levels like that.

I tried playing with the foam disk and I like the 3/ #2 configuration most as according to @Whitigir 's mod thread. You basically align the semi-circle holes on the edge of the foam to the screw where the pad mounting ring attaches.
The mids seem a little forward than before and the bass is actually better to my ears. The mid-bass felt a bit too tactile before. And subbass wasn't as strong.
And the treble surprisingly never bothered me, very nicely tuned. To get to moderately deep subbass levels I don't have to turn it up a lot.
Could use a bit more grunt in the mids, more air and emphasis around the vocals.
@Blixy I still haven't got a clue on how it sounds compared to stock from your post. How does it soundd?! More sibilant?
Edit:fixed engrish

 

Well, they were not so significantly changed that I felt like the headphones were ruined. If anything the headphones sounded pretty similar to me. They still have an overpowering amount of bass, pretty good detail and on the bright side.

Do I want to go through the hassle of putting them on so I can write some words and impressions for a forum person ? In a word no.

Can you really take the word of someone with different equipment from you writing impressions on a forum anyway ? I think not. The only way to know for sure is to audition them yourself on your own equipment and form your own impressions.

I am just posting to say that I think they're worth it and they improve the comfort of the headphones. I mean just look at them.

 

I just purchased a pair of THX00 Mahoganys. I have both Ori pads and flat Brainwavz sheepskin pads. I've read that Alpha Pads are also great with them.

Has anyone done measurements with different pads? I'd be very interested to see.

 

Dekoni pads are back on Massdrop. They're also giving the option of including attenuator rings to place inside the pads for $8. Haven't read any opinions on if the rings are necessary to maintain stock sound but I might pick them up either way just to try them out.

 

I joined the drop for the lambskin pads, but what is the purpose of the attenuator rings?

EDIT: I found the answer from Dekoni Audio (see link in my post below).
The attenuator rings boot bass below 500 Hz by about 3dB

 

I only scanned the comments on MD quickly but I think it's supposed to help manage levels around 20Hz. Didn't see if it was attenuating 20Hz or everything except 20Hz, nor have I read any complaints about FR with just the lambskin pads from trusted ears on SBAF. Reading conversations on MD discussion threads is a bit painful, so I'm just going to get them and decide for myself.

 

I found these comments on Massdrop from the Dekoni folks very interesting. They finally show some measurements of the effects of the attenuator ring with the sheepskin pads versus stock versus sheepskin pads only.

 

Has anyone tried a Jot w/ DAC with their Fostexs? Still thinking about those ebony phones...So nice!

 

It's a very good pairing with my E-MU Teak

 

Good to hear that, I've been considering that route, and eventually upgrading the dac portion with whatever cheaper balanced dac schiit comes out with (ahem Jason)

 

Can anybody comment on the build quality of these, especially relative to the old Denon D2000? The tiny screws that old together my D2000 are always falling out. I'm thinking about a pair of PH, but this makes me hesitate.

 

Mine have had zero issue.

Locktite is your friend?

 

Yeah, Locktite helps, but it happened pretty early on. Shouldn't be the case for $300 headphones, and even less for $450 ones. It seems like these issues might be in the past.

 

My TH-X00 mahogany has not had an issue with screws. I haven't read any posts where others have had screw problems with TH-X00s.

 

NO issues either with PH

 

No problem with either my thx00 Purple Hearts or th600.

 

Thinking about getting the Ebony TH-X00s soon. Has anyone tried the TH-X00s on a Vali 2 amp?