Fostex TH-X00 Measurements and Subjective Impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Nov 23, 2015.

  1. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Yes I have to look for them at home.

    Haha, your thinking good.
    I realized long ago that over damping kills the "wooden cup" attributes, both good and bad.
    That's why I do not dampen cup with any dynamat or heavy stuff.
    The open cell foam used was ordered in different densities and width to choose from.
    They allow air-flow without dampening wood tonality, when not overdone.

    But the driver mods is what changes the FR more and controlls the resonance issues not relating to the cup.
    :)
     
  2. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    I'm not using any felt in cups.
    Just the open cell foam.
    The black color you see is not felt.
    It is another material which is part of the foam which is why it had to be made to order.
    :)
     
  3. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Late to the party but thought I'd share EARS + tweaked SBAF comp measurements for stock THX00 Mahogany.

    [​IMG]
    Not quite as W-shaped as Marv's Flat Plat measurements seemed to indicate, but it sounds more W-shaped than it looks here. Probably because I had to apply quite a bit of pressure to get them to fit well around the pinna while taking measurements, which flattens the graph a bit (not an issue w/ the 900 pads). Feels a bit 'simplified' in terms of the presentation - X00 stock sounds like itself on every recording. That coloration is very pleasant and fun, but this is not a chameleon headphone. Wouldn't want it as my only headphone, but cerainly complementary to most open cans. No complaints at what I paid used, and I wouldn't have any complaints at $400 either.

    Soon I will try to tweak the X00 to see what can be done to make things a little more cohesive and open - the tone doesn't really need much changing to be quite honest, but I simply hate the feeling and narrow cavity of the pads. Makes everything feel 'in the head' and a bit congested when things get complex. More open pads are a bit too hot up top and feel a bit more reflective in the mids, while worsening that lower mid scoop. So I'll try to generally tighten things up and make a few tweaks so a wider range of pads are listenable.

    Just for fun, here's my modded TH900 w/ the stock 900 pads, freshly tweaked last night.

    [​IMG]

    I did an irreversible mod that deepened that 3k scoop, but I might split the difference on the x00 mod to try to even out that area. I like a BBC dip though, but it sounds more 'right' at 3k than 4k. Huh.

    EDIT- Modded HD6xx measured just now for reference with the same parameters) +0dB @ 200Hz.
    [​IMG]

    The TH900 doesn't sound that dark in comparison honestly - less hot at 3k. If the 6xx has a touch too much here, the 900 has the same amount too little. Both are equally as deviant from where I'd like. 900 just has better reach down low, wider stage, a bit more color in the mids, a bit more slam. But with the tradeoff of losing a bit of plankton, and that last bit of treble smoothness, but the 6xx may always be king here.

    X00 coloration feels extra heavy-handed when comparing to the 6XX - slightly leaner with voices and snares (less low mid presence), slightly dryer (more ups and downs in the treble), but also much bassier. Even though the bass levels aren't all that much different from the 900 on the x00, it sticks out more because the scoop in the mids is deeper and the slope rises again instead of continuing downward perpetually. Again, oddly enough it sounds like a 3-way speaker with an imperfect crossover. Just not quite as cohesive... yet.
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2020
  4. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Sorry for the poke but the distortion figures for X00 seem to be missing now? Also @tommytakis there's a lot about the X00 pairing with gear on any of the three threads on the variants, haha.
     
  5. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I picked up some spare parts to finish refurbishing my TRX00. These are TH500RP cups. I was hoping they’d be all metal but no. The metal is just a cover over plastic. Grill under grill:

    [​IMG]

    I was going try swapping cups but not sure I want to anymore. Plastic makes me sad.

    [​IMG]

    *last two photos are borrowed
     
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  6. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
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    I had to take the cups off anyway to fit the new hanger screws/rods (because I dont have a low profile right angle screw driver) so I thought why not. TH500RP hanger and screws are the slightly updated versions like TH600 and TH900. After reassembling one of the gimbals spins freely, I may have mixed up some pieces. And cups fit not great, felt like everything was off 1mm and required extra effort to align. Would not recommend as I may have stripped some threading forcing a fit.

    Going to bed. Give a try tomorrow.
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2021
  7. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    Bass probably less clear and clean sounding because less damped but damn! Hard to get a good earpad seal with these Fosters and their loose clamp headbands, and left cup seal worse so because of that free swiveling cup but isn't a problem on actual head. Discrepancies in highs prob partly due to varying seal. No smoothing.

    THX00 w TH500RP left.jpg
    THX00 with TH500RP cups - Right.jpg

    Compare to my cupped measures. Both with AHl pads.

    late edit: Later realized that this particular set of AHl pads were a little mismatched in dimensions. Left side is a bit thicker than normal which usually results in less even trebles. I've 3-4 pairs of these around the house so just used one of the other Ls.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2021
  8. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    TH500RP cups don't sound bad. Less delineated bass (tad boomy in comparison actually but not too bad, could possibly be addressed with damping mods), upper mids less glare, highs a little less shimmer, and much bigger stage. A worthwhile trade as I didn't use TRX00 ebony much before that due to those perceived faults mentioned above. Should be an interesting comparison to ESx EMU with Lawton cups. I have a complete TH500RP arriving today that I can compare too.

    edit: Kinda awesome. Listening to The Kinks, sounds so full.

    edit2: Not just Kinks. Improved warmth and stage is pleasing on everything Ive tried. These are quickly turning into awesome headphones.

    FYI would consider TH500RP cups as semi-open. Might get good results using longer screws with washers to add a gap to stock cups. @E_Schaaf mentioned this possibly nice mod a while ago. Stock cups do have very lite venting, and he explained how more air means more bass and warmth. Makes sense based on my small experiences modding headphones. Less damped/clean but more. Finding a balance with other mods, pads, etc. is time consuming, difficult, costly trial and error, and annoying. Or just pay for ESx like I did with EMU. Unless there is a solid mod to follow, I recommended path of paying someone else to mod for Foster bio or stick to simple padrolling recommendations only and try to enjoy or try Lokius. Also, Foster bios are all around pretty fragile (aside from driver) so its nice to leave that stress for someone else too.
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2021
  9. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    Stay tuned for THX00 vs TH500RP.

    Semi-open THX00 is even more sensitive than closed THX00. Compressed music cannot be turned down enough with Vali2. Might need an Asgard3 for more balanced volume pot at low volumes.
     
  10. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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  11. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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  12. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    And the guy I bought the extra TH500RP hardware from took the original TH500RP drivers and dropped them in an old LCD2 enclosure.

    I loved HE-500 back in the day. Why is that not listed in your signature. Are they not as good as I remember? I guess that's for another thread. Did you put your D2000 drivers in your HE-500 enclosure then? Open THX00 drivers are very interesting. Just add damping to taste.
     
  13. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I don't have the HE-500's anymore. Sold them a couple of years ago. I could never tame the 8k peak and I think those really benefit from the Yerg pads and I was not about to get into that much modification and fabrication. I might not have had the source and amp components to really appreciate them as well.

    And no, my D2000 enclosures are still in the enclosures. One driver blew out, so they sat dormant for awhile until I could find some replacement drivers.
     
  14. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    TR500RP AHln mp.jpg

    Left-side only measurements.
    AHln = Accessory House lambskin new-style
    mp = micropore tape on grills for damping which improves technicalities, less warmth tonally

    Accessory House lambskin pads have been silently revised by seller and no longer are as described ("new-style"). The new version is thicker, flatter faced, less angled, no longer has a plastic lens. Not great like original.

    TH500RP open / semi-open cups still have better tone than ebony cups. TRX00 ebony sounds dry due to that 1-2kHz hill.
     
  15. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    The new-style AHl pads. Lame. Extra thickness increases highs…
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2021
  16. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Was switching cups and accidentally poked a hole in driver baffle paper with a screwdriver. Now need to mod to make balanced. So dumb

    Pics are of right-side which is without the aftermarket speed holes.
     

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