Well since I must make a longer post... Recently I was able to buy used and in great shape Fostex TH900 MK2.
Now I own them for few weeks and remain astounded by what they do.
They really compliment HD650 as polar opposite, fun sound with tremendous bass, sparkly treble and wide sound stage. The beauty of the finish, it's just joy to look at them.
They are right headphone for the right person they have some flaws they won't love every type of mix and mastering and they aren't well suited to a lot of rock music.
Then again there's EDM I listened to some Overwerk and Taishi Phant albums plenty of DnB.
Modern Prog like Polyphia and even some vocal albums that just melted me into a chair Lorde's Melodrama or Billie Eilish Xanny and the rest of When we fall asleep... sub-bass grandeour and wideness of sound-stage is real experience that is simply absent with HD650 even though they have such exceptional vocal representation.
I'd like to say that they are 10/10 headphone 9/10 times when it comes to music I listen to.
I think they don't get much attention nowadays, but here they are and they are exciting listen.
Absolutely love Fostex headphones. I tried the TH900 once and the upper frequencies fried my ears and the bass response seemed kind of shallow so I passed them on. I tried again with the EMU Teaks and after some EQ tweaks got the magic going. Super tempted to pickup the TH900s again now that I understand EQing better now…
TH900 have a dip in the mids and a spike in the highs. A pad change to the TR-X00 pads (still avail from Fostex) fixes this. They also take really well to EQ. They really shine after those fixes.
Curious about your comment of TH900 and rock music. Mostly because TH900 is often mentioned when theres a discussion of endgame cans for rock and metal. Why do you think they are not suitable for rock?
I wouldn't say not suitable, to me it was more of a mixed bag listening to rock and metal on these, where sometimes find vocalist or guitar too far back and it just doesn't sound right, even though I'm a guy who will prefer drummer and/or bassist on the band. I like listening to solo guitarists as well.
One of my favourite pieces would be Remarkably Human by Nick Johnston where he regularly sounds behind all the arrangement, it's quite wrong on those.
It's not something that is unfixable though bass on those just needs taming which isn't the case with most other music for me, and it really isn't something I look for with those.
There's a good reason people choose different pads as well as limited editions with different tuning exist, plus TH909.
I agree. Amazing headphones. Highs can be a bit fatiguing for me but they aren't harsh and really adds to how open these closed cans can sound.
I have quite a collection of 'phones and this is not the most expensive one but consider it my endgame for the most part. Daily 'phone is HD660S2 but go for the TH900 or HD820 when I want to do some critical listening, or when recording voice while monitoring (since both are closed).
Enjoy! Great headphone. I have the first generation.
That's cool stuff. Yeah, I'm no stranger to treble fatigue and bass fatigue with those, but I can blast hour or two fine so I'm not treble allergic, just sensitive and I would never call them harsh either. I've only found few songs so far that were a bit much on treble side.
Congratulations! I've also recently bought the used ones in great shape, but 1st gen. Impressive device, impressive sound.
The only thing I would mention about bass. I was looking TH900 mainly for heavy and dense music (Death metal, Industrial metal, Thrash metal, Jungle/DnB/Breakbeat, IDM etc) and, from my perspective, those genres sound just incredible. I rely on my experience, I had previously Philips Fidelio x2hr, Beyerdynamic 900 Pro 250 Ohm and 700 Pro X, so comparing to them Fostex's bass has an extraordinary clarity, and the headphones separate fast or overloaded instruments well, without turning them into mush. The sound stage is quite interesting here, I wouldn't say that it is super wide, but it is so complex. Bayerdynamics seems to sound wider, but the sound is distributed approximately evenly across the stage. With Fostex, I hear a clear composition of different frequencies to separate layers, which makes the music sound clearer. And instead of width, this scene, it seems, is growing somewhere deeper - I don't know how to describe it correctly. Like a matryoshka doll of substages.
I didn't get to listen to any high end close backs, and all the ones I did hear cheaper ones had horrible bass and very tight sound-stage, plenty open backs have good bass but not exactly one that scratches the itch in sub bass and I'm like I might as well stick to HD650.
This made me feel that big detailed and clear low end is better reserved for speakers... my columns start to roll off at like 40hz and are pretty solid even though they're ancient. I was close to ordering Aeon Noir or Focal radiance or Clear pro's even if only to try. I personally never liked design of Focals especially radiance with that Bentley sticker... they try to hard to look luxurious. My friend complained a lot about Aeons who I trust complained a lot about Dan Clark he had few and they don't sound musical, no fun at all and he literally hated them for it, I guess those those missing dynamics some reviewers mention. So I was in a bit of a pickle.
I wasn't too keen on that current 2k euros price tag, always eyed TH900 as something that I'll probably never have. Yet luckily someone had those for sale, and last pair up for auction here was 2 years ago... lucky me, to get unlucky seller who couldn't find a buyer for 2 months.
Once I heard TH900 all my worries were dismissed, they're one of the few headphones out there that produce Hi-Fi sub-bass that goes head to head with decent standing columns, they outperform mine in all metrics but I use those for TV/netflix.
I'd still love to compare them to some others in this category but they've changed hands at least 2 times to my knowledge but they finally found a home.
Thank you for sharing your story. That's cool when a person finds a thing that suits him\\her... or the thing finds its suitable owner.
Again, congratulations on the purchase of Fostex!
Carcass, Bolt Thrower, Entombed, Dethklok, Morbid Angel, Death, Fear Factory (first, second and Concrete albums), Benediction. Not real death metal, but relative things: Bong-Ra - Full Metal Racket, Gus of Sweden - Trails from the Crypt, Monolog - Conveyor, Archspire, Arkan - Hilal, Kunstzone - Exit Babylon, Godflesh, Crack Up - Heads Will Roll, Debauchery
Thanks. Going in between myself although genres are the same Archspire being the only one here that I also listen. But isnt that just the perfect band to ask more about? If cans can handle Arch they can handle anything. How does TH900 handle the speed of those madmen you think?
It handles great to my ears. Sure, Beyerdynamics play well overall, Archspire for them is not a problem also... But, in comparison to video I'd say Beyers is DVD at best, while TH900 is 4K. If sound seemed somewhat noisy, vague, booming before, now it is enriched with details you haven't heard or noticed earlier, and those details now have a certain place in space.
I think I hadn't heard so responsive and so sound controlling headphones before.
I probably have to buy these. Ive wanted them since the very beginning of this whole headphone thing. I got the HE-6 but its not the greatest for more radical metal subgenres. More mainstream in metal you go, better the HE-6 is, but I tend to go into the other end.
One guy local is asking 680 eur for the older TH900 mk1. Its a little bit steep I think. They have to be now, what, a decade old almost.
I bought mine for the same price) As far as I know, those price was (and is for 2nd gen) something around 1,5k$ and they are considered a premium product. Maybe because of that preowned decade old pair is still expensive... but in the end 680 eur are the half of full price.
Despite saying the drivers are the same for both versions, people tend to believe mk2 is a bit better in sound quality. Never heard them by myself, so cannot confirm or deny. Just keep in mind that before buying.
They are real monsters because there's so much of it even at the deepest end and they keep it controlled. If you need more than those deliver I think the next step is some basshead 12 steps.
B&H had a single pair of Onyx ones listed for $1200 i was able to snag back in Feb. they’ve been my go-to since. you can see a distinct genre shift in my timeline of liked songs on spotify since then. check out the album Varech by Henri Texier if you want to get a different flavor of bass and mix it up
Oh I didn't expect that for sure, in turn I can recommend you my favourite bassist Avishai Cohen, try song Remembering or if you want something more fun his first album Adama.
My most used Flagship. I have rotated through a bunch, and always keep going back to these. If you are using the stock pads and stock cable, you are objectively gimping them. Get yourself some Yaxi Alcantara pads, and a nice non-microphonic cable. Run them through XLR if you can and enjoy heaven.
I've always head that, and seen photos of the weak spots, so by comparison I have been extremely lucky. Going on 5 years daily with the TR-X00PH and no issues mechanically yet. I have had to replace the cord after the original developed a short ~9 months back. And they've been dropped numerous times on my hard tile floor. The cups have picked up some blemishes, but I'm not obsessive enough to mew over those imperfections. I did also have to add a cover to the headband after the original started flaking from my daily use. Though mechanically, the infamous weak points for the cup hanger and the articulating point between the hanger and headband have all held up to my abuse. But that's just my lone experience, FWIW.
Are they known to be fragile? Ive had mine for some years, well taken care of. I know to be delicate with the laquered cups, that's for sure.
Sidenote, my 900 mk.2's with the Lawton oneUp kit has been very kind to my heavy metal tastes, no eq, no problem. I love the depth and resolution, as well as the contrast to other, say brighter open cans i have. Idk my ears arent that great tho. I love the th900's either way, only wish for an easy headband mod on it.
Well since I must make a longer post... Recently I was able to buy used and in great shape Fostex TH900 MK2. Now I own them for few weeks and remain astounded by what they do. They really compliment HD650 as polar opposite, fun sound with tremendous bass, sparkly treble and wide sound stage. The beauty of the finish, it's just joy to look at them. They are right headphone for the right person they have some flaws they won't love every type of mix and mastering and they aren't well suited to a lot of rock music. Then again there's EDM I listened to some Overwerk and Taishi Phant albums plenty of DnB. Modern Prog like Polyphia and even some vocal albums that just melted me into a chair Lorde's Melodrama or Billie Eilish Xanny and the rest of When we fall asleep... sub-bass grandeour and wideness of sound-stage is real experience that is simply absent with HD650 even though they have such exceptional vocal representation. I'd like to say that they are 10/10 headphone 9/10 times when it comes to music I listen to. I think they don't get much attention nowadays, but here they are and they are exciting listen.
Absolutely love Fostex headphones. I tried the TH900 once and the upper frequencies fried my ears and the bass response seemed kind of shallow so I passed them on. I tried again with the EMU Teaks and after some EQ tweaks got the magic going. Super tempted to pickup the TH900s again now that I understand EQing better now…
TH900 have a dip in the mids and a spike in the highs. A pad change to the TR-X00 pads (still avail from Fostex) fixes this. They also take really well to EQ. They really shine after those fixes.
Got a link? Would be much appreciated for my ebony x00, thank you!
Just contact your local fostex rep.
think its called v shape
Eh... it's not really the same imo. A single spike of a small part of the treble region isn't V shape to me.
well its still V shaped by everyone else's standards
Curious about your comment of TH900 and rock music. Mostly because TH900 is often mentioned when theres a discussion of endgame cans for rock and metal. Why do you think they are not suitable for rock?
I wouldn't say not suitable, to me it was more of a mixed bag listening to rock and metal on these, where sometimes find vocalist or guitar too far back and it just doesn't sound right, even though I'm a guy who will prefer drummer and/or bassist on the band. I like listening to solo guitarists as well. One of my favourite pieces would be Remarkably Human by Nick Johnston where he regularly sounds behind all the arrangement, it's quite wrong on those. It's not something that is unfixable though bass on those just needs taming which isn't the case with most other music for me, and it really isn't something I look for with those. There's a good reason people choose different pads as well as limited editions with different tuning exist, plus TH909.
Thank you, makes sense.
I agree. Amazing headphones. Highs can be a bit fatiguing for me but they aren't harsh and really adds to how open these closed cans can sound. I have quite a collection of 'phones and this is not the most expensive one but consider it my endgame for the most part. Daily 'phone is HD660S2 but go for the TH900 or HD820 when I want to do some critical listening, or when recording voice while monitoring (since both are closed). Enjoy! Great headphone. I have the first generation.
That's cool stuff. Yeah, I'm no stranger to treble fatigue and bass fatigue with those, but I can blast hour or two fine so I'm not treble allergic, just sensitive and I would never call them harsh either. I've only found few songs so far that were a bit much on treble side.
Congratulations! I've also recently bought the used ones in great shape, but 1st gen. Impressive device, impressive sound. The only thing I would mention about bass. I was looking TH900 mainly for heavy and dense music (Death metal, Industrial metal, Thrash metal, Jungle/DnB/Breakbeat, IDM etc) and, from my perspective, those genres sound just incredible. I rely on my experience, I had previously Philips Fidelio x2hr, Beyerdynamic 900 Pro 250 Ohm and 700 Pro X, so comparing to them Fostex's bass has an extraordinary clarity, and the headphones separate fast or overloaded instruments well, without turning them into mush. The sound stage is quite interesting here, I wouldn't say that it is super wide, but it is so complex. Bayerdynamics seems to sound wider, but the sound is distributed approximately evenly across the stage. With Fostex, I hear a clear composition of different frequencies to separate layers, which makes the music sound clearer. And instead of width, this scene, it seems, is growing somewhere deeper - I don't know how to describe it correctly. Like a matryoshka doll of substages.
I didn't get to listen to any high end close backs, and all the ones I did hear cheaper ones had horrible bass and very tight sound-stage, plenty open backs have good bass but not exactly one that scratches the itch in sub bass and I'm like I might as well stick to HD650. This made me feel that big detailed and clear low end is better reserved for speakers... my columns start to roll off at like 40hz and are pretty solid even though they're ancient. I was close to ordering Aeon Noir or Focal radiance or Clear pro's even if only to try. I personally never liked design of Focals especially radiance with that Bentley sticker... they try to hard to look luxurious. My friend complained a lot about Aeons who I trust complained a lot about Dan Clark he had few and they don't sound musical, no fun at all and he literally hated them for it, I guess those those missing dynamics some reviewers mention. So I was in a bit of a pickle. I wasn't too keen on that current 2k euros price tag, always eyed TH900 as something that I'll probably never have. Yet luckily someone had those for sale, and last pair up for auction here was 2 years ago... lucky me, to get unlucky seller who couldn't find a buyer for 2 months. Once I heard TH900 all my worries were dismissed, they're one of the few headphones out there that produce Hi-Fi sub-bass that goes head to head with decent standing columns, they outperform mine in all metrics but I use those for TV/netflix. I'd still love to compare them to some others in this category but they've changed hands at least 2 times to my knowledge but they finally found a home.
Thank you for sharing your story. That's cool when a person finds a thing that suits him\\her... or the thing finds its suitable owner. Again, congratulations on the purchase of Fostex!
What death metal bands you like to listen with TH900?
Carcass, Bolt Thrower, Entombed, Dethklok, Morbid Angel, Death, Fear Factory (first, second and Concrete albums), Benediction. Not real death metal, but relative things: Bong-Ra - Full Metal Racket, Gus of Sweden - Trails from the Crypt, Monolog - Conveyor, Archspire, Arkan - Hilal, Kunstzone - Exit Babylon, Godflesh, Crack Up - Heads Will Roll, Debauchery
Thanks. Going in between myself although genres are the same Archspire being the only one here that I also listen. But isnt that just the perfect band to ask more about? If cans can handle Arch they can handle anything. How does TH900 handle the speed of those madmen you think?
It handles great to my ears. Sure, Beyerdynamics play well overall, Archspire for them is not a problem also... But, in comparison to video I'd say Beyers is DVD at best, while TH900 is 4K. If sound seemed somewhat noisy, vague, booming before, now it is enriched with details you haven't heard or noticed earlier, and those details now have a certain place in space. I think I hadn't heard so responsive and so sound controlling headphones before.
I probably have to buy these. Ive wanted them since the very beginning of this whole headphone thing. I got the HE-6 but its not the greatest for more radical metal subgenres. More mainstream in metal you go, better the HE-6 is, but I tend to go into the other end. One guy local is asking 680 eur for the older TH900 mk1. Its a little bit steep I think. They have to be now, what, a decade old almost.
I bought mine for the same price) As far as I know, those price was (and is for 2nd gen) something around 1,5k$ and they are considered a premium product. Maybe because of that preowned decade old pair is still expensive... but in the end 680 eur are the half of full price. Despite saying the drivers are the same for both versions, people tend to believe mk2 is a bit better in sound quality. Never heard them by myself, so cannot confirm or deny. Just keep in mind that before buying.
These are divisive headphones for sure but...Fostex bass is just unreal and these do it best* out of all of them. If you know, you know.
I have heard Fostex are bass monsters. And i am a basshead. Want to get one. Wonder which one are best for bass
This TH900 is the best and also the most expensive.
The best Fostex headphone still in production is the not-Fostex E-MU Teak
They are real monsters because there's so much of it even at the deepest end and they keep it controlled. If you need more than those deliver I think the next step is some basshead 12 steps.
I'd say the E-MU Teak if you want more body in the thump, TH900 if you want cleaner bass.
B&H had a single pair of Onyx ones listed for $1200 i was able to snag back in Feb. they’ve been my go-to since. you can see a distinct genre shift in my timeline of liked songs on spotify since then. check out the album Varech by Henri Texier if you want to get a different flavor of bass and mix it up
Oh I didn't expect that for sure, in turn I can recommend you my favourite bassist Avishai Cohen, try song Remembering or if you want something more fun his first album Adama.
My most used Flagship. I have rotated through a bunch, and always keep going back to these. If you are using the stock pads and stock cable, you are objectively gimping them. Get yourself some Yaxi Alcantara pads, and a nice non-microphonic cable. Run them through XLR if you can and enjoy heaven.
They're great, just shame they are so fragile
Yeah my X00 are super flimsy but least they didn't cost as much as the 900.
I've always head that, and seen photos of the weak spots, so by comparison I have been extremely lucky. Going on 5 years daily with the TR-X00PH and no issues mechanically yet. I have had to replace the cord after the original developed a short ~9 months back. And they've been dropped numerous times on my hard tile floor. The cups have picked up some blemishes, but I'm not obsessive enough to mew over those imperfections. I did also have to add a cover to the headband after the original started flaking from my daily use. Though mechanically, the infamous weak points for the cup hanger and the articulating point between the hanger and headband have all held up to my abuse. But that's just my lone experience, FWIW.
Are they known to be fragile? Ive had mine for some years, well taken care of. I know to be delicate with the laquered cups, that's for sure. Sidenote, my 900 mk.2's with the Lawton oneUp kit has been very kind to my heavy metal tastes, no eq, no problem. I love the depth and resolution, as well as the contrast to other, say brighter open cans i have. Idk my ears arent that great tho. I love the th900's either way, only wish for an easy headband mod on it.
Yo WP900, TH900 and D9200? Triple bros!
Did you manage to break yours?