Fostex TE-02n "Final+1": Mod yourself a pair of killer IEMs!

I've switched the image links to imgur, does it work better now?

 

That could be "Box 1 of ...".

 

No it isn't, I have about 10 units in reserve.

That may sound like a lot, but so far everyone who's heard a "Final+1" wanted to keep it, so I'm not sure how long these will last...

 

I was just joking around, @james444 .

Thanks for making this excellent mod guide!

 

Does the mod work on the -01n's, as this listing does not look to be for the -02n's. Cheers

 

A thousand apologies!!! I hadn't had my coffee when I found that listing. I think the 01n is a completely different animal.

 

I think that was in error. Here are a couple of links for Fostex TE-02n:

http://www.amazon.de/Fostex-Dynamis...&qid=1488408480&sr=8-1&keywords=Fostex+TE-02n

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fostex-1511...&qid=1488408289&sr=8-1&keywords=Fostex+TE-02n

 

No. Steer clear of the 01n, it sounds significantly worse than the 02n.

 

Yup, thanks heaps! Proper legend. Also helped me realise I'm using a different type of micropore (yellowish-beige instead of brown). If I get around to trying both types out, I'll report on any changes I hear between the two.

 

Just received a pair from james444 to evaluate and upon a quick listen, I had to get another pair for a backup.

Woah this thing sounds very nice.. for a single DD, very good amount of details are coming through yet quite fatigue free to listen.
Price to performance ratio is definitely high here.
I actually feel that modded TE-02Ns may sound slightly better than the mdr-EX1000 due to less peaky highs and better timbre (i know.. what?).

Quick note:
Very good soundstage with good imaging for an IEM, especially very strong center imaging (would have been perfect if it had slight more forward projection),
excellent timbre especially stringed instrument, woodwinds and piano sound very good too. It's hard to go back to the Andromeda just for this reason alone.
Tonally this achieves my personal ideal, perfect balance between sub-bass to mid bass down sloping towards mids without bleeding, neither thick or thin, smooth highs with right amount of sparkle. No detectable sibilance.
Fit and comfort is excellent with stock tips.
Isolation is slight above average. Noticing some driver flex, but I just need to pull my ears more..

well done james444.

 

Wow, james, are you selling? I'd be interested.

 

Thanks for your detailed feedback! Based on our previous conversations on HF, I felt pretty confident that you would like these. Glad that I haven't been wrong!

I didn't plan on, but I'm terrible at saying no.

But seriously, if you're genuinely interested and don't trust yourself to mod a pair, PM me. Don't want to make a business out of this, so you'll be charged cost price. I won't ask anything for my work, however I'll be asking for your patience, because my spare time for modding is very limited.

Oh, and since I have only a few units left, no more requests for backup units please...

 

Current list price for these are 62€! @james444 have total control over the market for these now

 

LOL, stop it guys... I woke up to more PMs in one night than I got since joining SBAF!

So far, I'll be able to fulfill all requests, but I'm afraid I have to call a halt now. I'll let you know, in case there are still units left.

 

Take the following measurements with a grain of salt, but the attempt was to make changes in FR of unmodded and modded pairs 'visible'. Green is stock, yellow line is modded according to @james444's instructions.
The only thing I left out was the Micropore nozzle filter. I prefer some sparkle in the upper registers.
No compensation applied.

 

Looking at the distortion measurements ... Now that is interesting. Have a look at the 2nd and particularly the 3rd harmonics. Both sets (unmodded and modded pair) measured with the same SPL. Measurements were repeated several times.

Unmodded


Modded

 

Looks good. Your measurements show kind of a big bass roll-off compared to Merv's, can you hear this roll-off?

 

Hey, thanks for that! I'd love to send you a fully modded pair (including micropore filter) for comparison. Let me know if you're interested.

 

Measured both sets again, now trying my best to achieve perfect seal by removing the silicone tips and sealing the iems in the tube with modelling clay. Unmodded they do not show much of a bass rolloff, plus Marv's plot should be compensated, mine is not.

Modded they do have more energy in the bass and (lower) mids. They sound fuller and warmer, but this is not overwhelming and goes well with the now more even yet still detailed highs.
Personally I still like them unmodded too, these sound quite neutralish to me and I am using these when I am listening in a quiet surrounding. When I am outside, I prefer the modded version.

I will gladly take you up on your offer, will PM you shortly.

 

I too like them unmodded, they're great IEMs even in stock form. I'd say they're slightly on the thin / bright side of neutral, whereas the "Final+1" are slightly on the fuller / warmer side. As your measurements show, the difference isn't night and day, but imo the modded version works with a wider range of music, whereas treble on the stock TE-02n makes me cringe with some stuff, like cymbal sizzle in Matthew Sweet's "Girlfriend", or blaring brass in Celibidache's recording of Brahms symphony #2 with the Munich Philharmonic.

In other news, all requested units shipped today. Hope you'll get them soon, guys... and looking forward to your impressions!