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Fostex TH-X00 Purpleheart Measurements and Quick Impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Mar 24, 2016.

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  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Probably best to keep out of the sun then and covered up when not in use. We can ask Will if there is a UV resistant coat over it.
     
    purr1n, Mar 24, 2016
    #21
  2. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Regarding FR comparisons between original and PH, could be as simple as driver variance (see variance just between two channels, even noticed on my pair) or how tricky it can be to get consistent seal on some headphones. Hell, maybe even the pads have slight production variances. Or planet alignment. I wouldn't worry about it unless Fostex or Massdrop explicitly states there are some sort of mechanical or tuning differences other than wood.
     
    Hands, Mar 24, 2016
    #22
  3. Yeskey

    Yeskey Friend

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    Is there a significant weight difference between the original and this new one? I'm curious about fit issues.
     
    Yeskey, Mar 24, 2016
    #23
  4. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    The ONLY reason that headphone is attracting me is that wood cup! Damn it...what the hell will I do with YET another headphone? Damn it.
     
    shaizada, Mar 24, 2016
    #24
  5. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

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    It means you haven't spent enough on vinyl. You know what to do. |\/|
     
    insidious meme, Mar 24, 2016
    #25
  6. shaizada

    shaizada Friend

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    Yes, I'll drown myself in more vinyl :) The headphone will just end up looking pretty on a stand with minimal use.

    EDIT: I barely listen to headphones anymore and even I am attracted to these.....FARRKKKK!!!
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2016
    shaizada, Mar 24, 2016
    #26
  7. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    Beautiful cups, will pick these up for sure. Would be cool if massdrop starts having drops of mahogany and purple heart cups by themselves for those that would like to swap cups every so often.
     
    Mystic, Mar 24, 2016
    #27
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I can imagine end-users shoving precision screwdrivers through the drivers and stripping screws doing that.
     
    purr1n, Mar 24, 2016
    #28
  9. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    "Oh but you sold me the cup so it's your fault I shoved a rusty spoon in my eyeball while working on the headphone."
     
    zerodeefex, Mar 24, 2016
    #29
  10. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    [​IMG]
     
    bazelio, Mar 24, 2016
    #30
  11. bazelio

    bazelio Friend

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    BTW, I've built furniture in a previous life... I've yet to see any purple heart inlays turn brown. FWIW.
     
    bazelio, Mar 24, 2016
    #31
  12. Ravenato

    Ravenato Friend

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    I used to be a woodworker. Purpleheart turns brown over time. I saw it happen in a few projects I made.
     
    Ravenato, Mar 24, 2016
    #32
  13. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Well, looking at the cups, it appears we are already somewhere between 100 years and the end of time.
     
    purr1n, Mar 24, 2016
    #33
  14. a44100Hz

    a44100Hz Friend

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    Purple is one of my favorite colors so this may be a problem for me.

    Not really though. I didn't like the X00. They didn't grab me at all. Don't know why.

    Maybe a problem with the shape of my head. The bottom of the pads wasn't really in contact with my skin no matter what I did. And I thought the alpha pads sounded like a weird artificial echo chamber or badly implemented reverb.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2016
    a44100Hz, Mar 24, 2016
    #34
  15. SteelCannon

    SteelCannon Friend

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    So these are less neutral but have better extension? The measurements look worse to me. Bigger dips in mids and highs and more bass. But measurements never tell the whole story.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2016
    SteelCannon, Mar 24, 2016
    #35
  16. exime

    exime New

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    I have the TH-X00 and I love them. This is definitely tempting. Not sure I have enough time to mull over the decision though. I assume I will have to make one in 8 hours or so they will be gone and 7 of those hours will be spent sleeping.

    If the Purples had that much better Bass it would be worth it to me and I'd probably sell whichever one I liked less but if it's negligible then Id save myself the hassle and just stick with the Mahogany. The claim to slightly tamed treble would be a small bonus too.

    The second graph and your comments, purrin, make me think it's more negligible than not or at least reproducible through EQ. Correct me if I'm wrong.
     
    exime, Mar 24, 2016
    #36
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I wouldn't worry about the specific measurements. These headphones are very difficult to measure because of the pads. It's very tricky based on the seal which tends to change the bass to midrange measurements. My main goal was to make sure both the L and R earpads where put on the same way for each pair, but not between the pairs. The mahogany pair I measured was from several months ago. To me, they subjectively have a very similar tonal response, with the exception that this particular purpleheart pair was smoother in the treble and had a tighter more focused sound overall.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2016
    purr1n, Mar 24, 2016
    #37
  18. SteelCannon

    SteelCannon Friend

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    and they look sexy as f***. Nicest cups on any fostex.
     
    SteelCannon, Mar 24, 2016
    #38
  19. dllmsch

    dllmsch Friend

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    It is the tin foil fostex logo on these that attracts me lol.
     
    dllmsch, Mar 24, 2016
    #39
  20. Moshi

    Moshi New

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    Like many 'exotic' woods with interesting colours, purpleheart turns brown. Quickly if used outdoors, over a couple of years if indoors with a proper seal.

    Unfortunately, the only way to have a permanent purple would be using dye on a pale wood like box elder.
     
    Moshi, Mar 25, 2016
    #40
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