Fostex TH-X00 Measurements and Subjective Impressions

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

  1. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Did you try this mod that re-positions the foam disc
    http://www.head-fi.org/t/802704/th-...denon-more-bass-mid-soundstage-smooth-trebles

    I think this can be done of the X00 as well?
     
  2. zolkis

    zolkis Acquaintance

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    Yes, of course. I plan to post more measurements about the stock TH900, the Lawton basic mod, the EZ mods, and whatever is the best combination with my mods. Expect this in about 3 weeks time.
     
  3. Prydz

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    I'm wondering if I should buy these or wait for TH-610.
    None have heard TH-610 yet? Purrin? I asume they will be very similar to the TH-X00.
    My biggest concern with TH-X00 is earpad size, cause I have decent ear size, however, I do fit inside Denon AH-D2000 earpads decently.
    And the TH-610 happens to have bigger ear opening then TH-X00
     
  4. Roarke

    Roarke New

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    I'm currently wearing the tx-x00's and I don't think you'll have an issue with the earpad size. It looks like it would be an issue but then your ear just slides in perfectly.
     
  5. MattRG

    MattRG Facebook Friend

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    TH-X00 back up on Massdrop today. My only reservation would be the earcup measurements as compared to my Meze 99 Classics. The 99 Classics are just a touch too small for my ears even though I have the larger pads. (I need to take a measurement and see what the exact dimensions of the larger pads are) I found these measurements online for the earpads in the TH-X00 if anyone else is wondering: Length = 2 3/8 in, Width = 1 3/8, Depth = 7/16 in.
     
  6. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    TH-X00 pads are unique in that the back of the pad cups around the back of your ear and the front of the pad is more on ear, at least for me. It doesn't look like it will be comfortable but when you put them on it's a different story. I think they work do to the tilt of the pads when they are worn. For reference, my ears just fit inside HD650 pads.
     
  7. MattRG

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    Just wanted to update this to answer my own question and anyone else who might be interested. The larger earcups on the Meze 99 Classics are as follows: Length 2.5, Width 1.75, Depth .8. This is measuring around the inside opening of the earpad and seems to be fairly similar in size (but not shape) of the TH-X00. Based on the large amount of praise I decided to join the drop for the TH-X00 and will be interested in comparing them to the 99 Classics and will keep whichever one I like better.
     
  8. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    If you like a portable movie theater then TH-X00 is your guy. I almost sold mine but realized that there isn't another headphone like it for ridiculous but quality bass.
     
  9. TjH

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    Quick question guys, I'm still in the burn in phase, but hearing a lot of "noise". I'm not quite sure if it's my idsd micro DAC/Amp (which I'll shortly be RMAing anyway) or the headphones. I tried plugging it directly into my macbook, my phone and dx80 and still finding the noise. Depends on the song I think, some worse than others but if i turn the volume loud enough to hear even my hdtracks 192khz downloads have a staticy noise in the background (i.e. "background is not black"). Any ideas?

    Note:
    1. i *think* the idsd makes it worse, i'm not entirely sure though.
    2. The background is black when song is paused in all cases, there's no noise during paused song, only when song is playing.
     
  10. MattRG

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    Only the TH-X00's have the static noise? Or does it present itself when using another pair?
     
  11. TjH

    TjH New

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    BTW, you guys should listen to the wagakki style rendition of the classic beatles/clapton song "while my guitar gently weeps". (Used in the movie "kubo and the two strings", by "regina spektor") with these headphones. The twang of the three string on these headphones is just magic, especially with a good amp/dac (it sounds a LOT less amazing through my macbook HP port than through idsd micro).

    So far this is what i've tried.
    • TH-X00+idsd = lots of static especially at any volume past soft to mid level.
    • TH-X00+macbook direct=i wanna say less static, maybe slightly less if so
    • AKG+Macbook = ive been using this for months and have never noticed this.
    • I tried AKG+Idsd a couple of short listens and don't recall anything as bad as th-x00+idsd
      • Unfortunately it's gonna be a month before I can try a full set headphones since I'm currently travelling
    • th-x00+e18 = from what i recall this was clean. Or at least a *lot* better than with idsd. and using the idsd's Amp from e18 dac was still a BIT better than idsd amp+dac (again, as far as I can recall)
    There is a bit of subjectivity and wishful thinking/"i hear what i want to" type of thing going on I am sure, but yea. My thinking was either the idsd is busted or the combination of idsd + th-x00 is somehow increasing certain frequencies enough that it amplified the background static on the tracks that have always been there. (Even a few tracks that i got from hdtracks like jethro tull and pink floyd present with this a lot). The worst is my copy of hotel california from MTV unplugged album (you know the 7 minute version). which i LOVE with these HPs but since this issue started have not been able to stand the first little bit after the intro piece due to the static.

    Again, the wierdest thing is this started to happen only hours/days into playing.
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2017
  12. MattRG

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    Yeah, there's definitely something up with your signal chain. I would hate to think the TH-X00's have a bum cable or bum driver right out of the box but it is certainly possible. If you could get your hands on another pair of headphones, even for a few minutes, that would tell you if the TH-X00's are the culprit or not.
     
  13. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    X00 is fairly efficient and thus will expose noise issues more than other headphones. Do you have anything else you can try out? IPhone, something with a 1/4" jack? Another computer? A PC?

    For all we know it could software. You need to go through a process of elimination. To many variables right now.
     
  14. TjH

    TjH New

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    Well it's not the software, the noise is still there with my DAP (even with HP directly plugged in). For now though, i'll look for another pair of headphones to see if i cna try it out. HOWEVER, th-x00 with e18 presented with ZERO or almost zero noise, so likely not the headphones.
     
  15. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    They really are sensitive. Only amp that was dead silent was Jot for me. Tried Liquid Carbon, Project Ember, Vali 2, and Valhalla 2.
     
  16. MattRG

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    Since the drop just ended for the TH-X00's I will be interested to hear how they sound on my Fostex HP-A4BL. My guess is that there won't be any noise (I've plugged IEM's and earbud's into the HP-A4BL and had zero hiss even at max volume with no music playing) and that the Fostex headphone on the Fostex DAC/Amp will be a nice pairing.

    It's a topic for another thread but my opinion is that the HP-A4BL is a great combination DAC/amp for the price and is a little bit under the radar for most folks.
     
  17. zolkis

    zolkis Acquaintance

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    @Marvey

    Could you please check the impulse response on the X00? Both the TH900 and TX00 seem to be inverse polarity. I haven't noticed that with other headphones like HD650 and Stax.
     
  18. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Just checked mine and they have normal polarity unlike my Hifiman headphones.
     
  19. zolkis

    zolkis Acquaintance

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    Thanks, I checked again and it was my fault... next time I'll remember to double-check before asking :)
     
  20. loplop

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    @TjH For what it's worth, I get zero noise/static when using iDSD BL > TH-X00 PH. @Torq also has the same setup (I don't recall which version of TH-X00), he may have thoughts to add.

    I would say, actually, that the TH-X00 has an inimitable smoothness and refinement with the iDSD BL. Not polite, in any regard, but certainly not noisy, grainy, or rough. I can't detect a whit of noise generated by that combo, unless of course it's in the recording.

    HTH, at least a little.

    On the TH-X00 note... I'm not at all fond of these headphones at the moment. My head is likely oddly-shaped or something, because they just don't feel like they fit me well. Luckily my ears fit in the small cups; the issue for me is that the top of the cup feels tightly pressed against my head while the bottom is very loose. It's an odd feeling and makes it more difficult to get a good seal. I also find myself annoyed at the cable, which is ridiculously long and seems to get into weird twisted shapes regularly. All that would be forgivable if I loved the sound... But sonically, other than the fact that the bass can definitely be fun, I'm not finding myself ever choosing to listen to them. I did have a good time listening to some new recordings, but on recordings or pieces I know well the V-shape doesn't please me. Perhaps my current heavy rotation of classical & (always present for me) 50s and 60s jazz doesn't tend to play well with their sonic signature, to my ears. I am well aware that my preferences are likely influencing my perception here, but I can't seem to shake them long enough to really give these the listening time they are due.

    I bought them due to intense curiosity built over the yearlong hype train, and the fact that I have a perceived need for a pair of good closed back headphones. I'l add that from a vain perspective I really like the wood color, and really hope I can change my own mind here. Sadly, as of late when I find myself needing closed-back 'phones in my home, I simply move to another room & continue with open-back's. :/
     

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