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Massdrop x Fostex T-X0 Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Jun 12, 2017.

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  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Massdrop x Fostex T-X0 Measurements

    See here: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-fostex-t-x0-planar-magnetic-headphones/

    Hello Everyone,

    Wanted to share a few things about what makes the T-X0 special to me:
    -Only a small amount available, this is a very limited run for Fostex.
    -Discontinued Mk II is the modder-favorite version.
    -A major manufacturer has done this much work in tuning based on community feedback

    The drivers are so capable…
    I personally own a pair of these $900 custom-made headphones with Mk II drivers (and love them):
    https://enigmatic-audio.myshopify.com/products/enigma

    Here’s how much has been done with the T50RP by the audiophile community:
    https://www.head-fi.org/f/articles/fostex-t50rp-modification-summary-links-wiki.14100/

    Starting with a rebooted T50RP Mk. II as the base product, Fostex worked for more than a year with Massdrop and the community to modify the sound.

    This is the first modified production Fostex T50RP Mk. II.

    Lots of laser-cut Fostex foam damping is behind the driver in small sections of the housing, Fostex-made new hybrid perforated pads are based on community requests, there are changes in filters behind and in front of the driver as well as an added gasket to the driver housing.

    I’m very thankful to Fostex for all of the work and time they have put into making this headphone for us.
    A few of them are on their way out for review now…

    Overall quite nice. At $149, includes the suspension headband; and actually a lot of materials to give us a head start to tweaking! The sound isn't as neutral as LFF's Paradox, but I don't believe that was the target. These sound bassier with a touch of the stock T50RP mids. It would be accurate to state that the sound is somewhere in-between a stock T50RPII and the Paradox.

    Massdrop x Fostex T-X0 Frequency Response
    Massdrop Fostex T-X0 Frequency Response.png

    Massdrop x Fostex T-X0 CSDs
    Fostex T-X0 L.jpg
    Fostex T-X0 R.jpg

    Massdrop x Fostex T-X0 Distortion
    Fostex T-X0 R HD.jpg
    R channel only - L channel looks similar, but I didn't center the IR on the final measurement, so will post later.
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2017
    purr1n, Jun 12, 2017
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  2. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    Very cool @Marvey. Do you have LFF mods or even ZMF mods on the t50 to overlay on these?
     
    brencho, Jun 12, 2017
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  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Frequency Response Cmparison to Alpha Dog Prime:

    Yellow: T-X0
    Grey: ADP
    T-X0 vs Alpha Dog Prime FR.png
     
    purr1n, Jun 12, 2017
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  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LOL, I actually don't have any comprehensive data from the current measurement rig. Might have something on CS though. In all this time, I don't think I really bothered.
     
    purr1n, Jun 12, 2017
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  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LFF Paradox Frequency Response
    alt paradox6393.gif

    I believe Fostex might have changed the formulation slightly for the current T50RP. Not sure.
     
    purr1n, Jun 12, 2017
    #5
  6. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    @Marvey

    If you have a chance, could you post some internal pic's?

    I ordered one this morning. Fostex fanboy here.
     
    JK47, Jun 12, 2017
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  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    OK. Will take it apart. Haha. Maybe start a modding thread.
     
    purr1n, Jun 12, 2017
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  8. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    These look way better than the Mk3s I bought for almost twice as much that are now just sitting in the box.
     
    gixxerwimp, Jun 12, 2017
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  9. JewBear

    JewBear Almost "Made"

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    Hmm, your sub-bass measurements look significantly better than the ones Massdrop posted. Just a different compensation curve or do you think they actually measured differently?
     
    JewBear, Jun 12, 2017
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  10. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    Is that the same coupler?
     
    spoony, Jun 12, 2017
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  11. exime

    exime New

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    Would this compliment the TH-X00? I love the Fostex +Bass sound. I have the Project Polaris amp and I've been itching to push it a little :)
     
    exime, Jun 13, 2017
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  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Yes, I guess it would complement it since this is a ortho / planar which has a different kind of sound from the TH-X00. There's some similarity in tonal balance too, with the T-X0 sort of having exaggerted tendencies of the TH-X00's W curve.

    I think so, or extremely similar.
     
    purr1n, Jun 13, 2017
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  13. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The measurements on Massdrop are from Jude:
    1. He uses a different measurement rig, the G.R.A.S; I use the C.U.N.T. measurement rig that utilizes FUJUDE technology. So there will be some differences because of compensation curves / rigs.
    2. Jude's plots extend down to 10Hz. My only extend down to 20Hz. This contributes to my measurements looking less rolled-off in the bass.
    3. Headphone seal, which affects the bass measurement, is difficult to get right (and consistent). While I wouldn't say that mine are perfect, I've been doing this way longer than Jude. I've tweaked my methods and rig over time so that so I feel the bass measurements reflect what I hear.
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2017
    purr1n, Jun 13, 2017
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  14. Eudis Fernandes

    Eudis Fernandes Aurorus Audio - MoT

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    Post tx0 nudes pls
     
    Eudis Fernandes, Jun 13, 2017
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  15. Tachikoma

    Tachikoma Almost "Made"

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    Hmm, where's the 5K planar wall?
     
    Tachikoma, Jun 18, 2017
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  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I believe the T50RP diaphragm is un-tensioned. So no resonance.
     
    purr1n, Jun 18, 2017
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  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Here you go. This feels like work sometimes... Seriously, I am happy to help. It's a joyful burden. Don't be afraid to remind me because I have 1000 things on going in RL. Keeping reminding me if I forget. I don't get annoyed at informational requests like this.

    IMG_20170618_082604.jpg
    IMG_20170618_082230.jpg

    I as suspected, minimal stuff inside. It's just foam on the inside. I'd probably slap Dynamat type material or massload the cups. And then stuff with secret formula materials.
     
    purr1n, Jun 18, 2017
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  18. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    Talking about secret formula stuffs, wanna measure a T-X0 with only front damping? (yeah, I did promise something "easier" than what I've done in the past)

    I can throw it in the mail tomorrow. :) Maybe with a pair of modded Andromeda as well if you're up to it.

    I've also measured my pair, by the way. Not gonna post measurements because I think they'd look pretty similar to yours, at least FR-wise. It seems Fostex is being more consistent with this batch. I'm hoping the production units to come will also have this consistency because that'd mean this is "the" T50RP to get. Driver matching and everything else seems very good so far.
     
    Bill-P, Jun 18, 2017
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  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LOL, come to think of it, driver matching is excellent. Prior T50RPs (puchased in the store) were horrible in this regard.
     
    purr1n, Jun 18, 2017
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  20. MF_Kitten

    MF_Kitten Banned per own request

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    Very interesting! The measurement shows a very nice improvement from the srock form. Is there really nothing happening in front of the driver, aside from the black cloth on the baffle? The treble range looks very nice compared to the harder peak that the MK3 has for example. I've been pondering this, and I think the treble reflector action that the paper filter on the rear has is dependent on both reflectivity and distance. The closer to the driver it is, the higher the frequency of the reflected treble should be, and of course the paper itself matters a lot. The MK3 has a much thicker stiffer paper.

    In this case the distance is the same, and they've added whatever that black mesh is. Any idea what it is, based on looking at it and touching it?
     
    MF_Kitten, Jun 19, 2017
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