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Fostex TH900 Impressions & Discussion Thread - Page 132

post #1966 of 4430
10/8/12 at 12:46am

I've the PS500's but after hearing the TH900's, I think I'll be getting shut of the Grado's and get the Fostex instead. When I receive the GS-X I'll try the PS500's with that amp first.

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post #1967 of 4430
10/8/12 at 2:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shahrose View Post

MF, after reading your lengthy impressions (thanks for sharing BTW), it seems to me you prefer the TH900 over the W3000ANV. But, do you feel they are technically superior headphones, or do you just happen to enjoy one's signature more because of preference?

 

 

I own both W3000ANV and TH900, and I enjoy both of them very much. IMO the TH900 has superior imaging, clarity, and very importantly bass texture, but only when you have a high end source like Weiss or Zodiac Gold.

With other souces that I had like the iBasso DX100 or W4S DAC2 etc.., I sometimes preferred the W3000ANV over TH900 as the treble of TH900 may sound harsh and the superiority I mentioned above isn't that obvious.

The two phones does have very different signature, the W3000anv has warmer and more forwarded mids.

 

BTW, this is my first time actually joined a headphone discussion, I spent on average one hour a day on headfi reading posts but never talk.

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post #1968 of 4430
10/8/12 at 4:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shahrose View Post

 

Very interesting. Thanks for the insight Peter. Where did you try these out? I'm wondering if there's a store where I can get my hands on the ATs as well. I can't decide between the two.

 

It might be the question of which to buy first. Their sound is so unlike the other that I find them complementary. When you get used to the sound of one after several hours, it's nice to switch to the other for something completely different.
Edited by lmswjm - 10/8/12 at 4:38am
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post #1969 of 4430
10/8/12 at 4:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by erikfreedom View Post

bay bloor audio in toronto has denon ah-d7000 brand new still in stock. i was there 3 weeks ago when i bought a pair of grado gs1000i wich are the worst cans at that price i have ever bought. they sells those d7000 699,99. first pair of grados and last pair of grados ever.

They may have sold out - I checked the website and only the new model Denon's were available (unless its a in-store-only deal)..

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post #1970 of 4430
10/8/12 at 5:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ahzari View Post

They may have sold out - I checked the website and only the new model Denon's were available (unless its a in-store-only deal)..

you are correct. i have checked the website too and they are nowhere to be found. 5 days ago they were listed at 699,99. and 3 weeks ago when i was in the store i saw them with my own eyes. well they are gone now.

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post #1971 of 4430
10/8/12 at 5:59am

ohdarn. I probably would have bought one at that price. I can only find some around $1k and even higher which is approaching TH-900 territory.


Edited by namaiki - 10/8/12 at 6:15am
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post #1972 of 4430
10/8/12 at 6:31am

i must have been living under a rock, hadn't seen these fostex phones til now

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post #1973 of 4430
10/8/12 at 8:39am

I have been going back and forth between HD800s and TH900s with a few amps and I definitely can hear that the TH900s have better vocals, which is all-important to me.

The vocals have no mechanical edge but also are just as detailed, which is always the have-it-both-ways Holy Grail goal of audio to me.

It's a fine liquid, organic, smooth (but not smoothed-over) quality that is very special, something that I really have heard best so far in my R10s,

but I have to say that the TH900s even do this better, and that is pretty amazing to me.

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post #1974 of 4430
10/8/12 at 8:44am

^^ what type of music are you mostly listening to?

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post #1975 of 4430
10/8/12 at 9:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by whitefang View Post

 

 

I own both W3000ANV and TH900, and I enjoy both of them very much. IMO the TH900 has superior imaging, clarity, and very importantly bass texture, but only when you have a high end source like Weiss or Zodiac Gold.

With other souces that I had like the iBasso DX100 or W4S DAC2 etc.., I sometimes preferred the W3000ANV over TH900 as the treble of TH900 may sound harsh and the superiority I mentioned above isn't that obvious.

The two phones does have very different signature, the W3000anv has warmer and more forwarded mids.

 

BTW, this is my first time actually joined a headphone discussion, I spent on average one hour a day on headfi reading posts but never talk.

 

I'm glad you posted then. I found this ^ very helpful. Thanks.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by lmswjm View Post

 

It might be the question of which to buy first. Their sound is so unlike the other that I find them complementary. When you get used to the sound of one after several hours, it's nice to switch to the other for something completely different.

 

I know what you're saying smile.gif, but I have a strong preference for open cans. I'd just like 1 closed headphone to switch to something different now and again.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by rgs9200m View Post

I have been going back and forth between HD800s and TH900s with a few amps and I definitely can hear that the TH900s have better vocals, which is all-important to me.

The vocals have no mechanical edge but also are just as detailed, which is always the have-it-both-ways Holy Grail goal of audio to me.

It's a fine liquid, organic, smooth (but not smoothed-over) quality that is very special, something that I really have heard best so far in my R10s,

but I have to say that the TH900s even do this better, and that is pretty amazing to me.

 

Thanks for sharing. The 800s are a reference I'm familiar with.

 

Curious, how's the bass compared to the 800s and LCD3 rgs?

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post #1976 of 4430
10/8/12 at 5:42pm

agree with the vocal. listen to some Japanese through this can is just pure magic

Quote:
Originally Posted by rgs9200m View Post

I have been going back and forth between HD800s and TH900s with a few amps and I definitely can hear that the TH900s have better vocals, which is all-important to me.

The vocals have no mechanical edge but also are just as detailed, which is always the have-it-both-ways Holy Grail goal of audio to me.

It's a fine liquid, organic, smooth (but not smoothed-over) quality that is very special, something that I really have heard best so far in my R10s,

but I have to say that the TH900s even do this better, and that is pretty amazing to me.

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post #1977 of 4430
10/8/12 at 6:14pm

I listen to lots of popular music (American, British), both modern remastered CDs ('love those Japanese K2 HD remasters), and SACDS and lots of my large CD collection most of which I bought in the 1986-1989 time frame.

@xzobinx -- I'm not sure if you meant Japanese music or Japanese pressings, which I do love.

Thank you.

Yes, the Th900 vocals (and many hard-to-get-right instruments, like woodwinds) are phenomenal. I can't even point out many speakers that get these so right.

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post #1978 of 4430
10/9/12 at 4:34am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shahrose View Post

MF, after reading your lengthy impressions (thanks for sharing BTW), it seems to me you prefer the TH900 over the W3000ANV. But, do you feel they are technically superior headphones, or do you just happen to enjoy one's signature more because of preference?

 

Honestly it's pretty hard to say, as both are so different as others have noted. I'd characterize it like this:

 

The TH900 excels over the W3000ANV in terms of spatial reproduction (imaging, separation, etc.). It has a definite U-shaped coloration, but it's been refined to the point where it sounds great with a wide variety of genres IMHO. Still, not everyone wants a U-shape all the time. Fortunately, those who feel the bass is too emphasized on some tracks can adjust it with EQ easily, as the bass is very clean. Unfortunately, the midrange suckout isn't as easily fixable to my ears, and if one is particularly sensitive to this, then it doesn't matter how refined the TH900 is in other areas. Still, I'd say overall the TH900 is fairly adaptable and more versatile in that it varies more on a track by track basis.

 

The W3000ANV on the other hand is going to impart more of its unique presence on one's music. Its most apparent coloration is timbrel, the [in]famous Audio-Technica mids. This isn't really something you can EQ away if you don't like. However those who do like it are treated to an experience quite unlike anything any other flagship headphone currently on the market can give. Compared to the TH900, the midrange presentation is better. Its bass has plenty of impact and is tight, textured, and well-controlled (sounds rather lewd... : \ ), but I feel the TH900 trumps it there hands down. I think the TH900 is more refined up top as well. Overall, I think the TH900 is more consistently ahead of the W3000ANV with respect to a wider array of criteria, but the W3000ANV does somethings better and in some respects provides an experience you can't find anywhere else. For better or worse.

 

So as much as it may sound like a copout, it's really something that depends on one's priorities. For me, the TH900 is the better headphone. I love both however.

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post #1979 of 4430
10/9/12 at 9:56am

I don't hear any midrange suckout.

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post #1980 of 4430
10/9/12 at 7:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MuppetFace View Post

 

Honestly it's pretty hard to say, as both are so different as others have noted. I'd characterize it like this:

 

The TH900 excels over the W3000ANV in terms of spatial reproduction (imaging, separation, etc.). It has a definite U-shaped coloration, but it's been refined to the point where it sounds great with a wide variety of genres IMHO. Still, not everyone wants a U-shape all the time. Fortunately, those who feel the bass is too emphasized on some tracks can adjust it with EQ easily, as the bass is very clean. Unfortunately, the midrange suckout isn't as easily fixable to my ears, and if one is particularly sensitive to this, then it doesn't matter how refined the TH900 is in other areas. Still, I'd say overall the TH900 is fairly adaptable and more versatile in that it varies more on a track by track basis.

 

The W3000ANV on the other hand is going to impart more of its unique presence on one's music. Its most apparent coloration is timbrel, the [in]famous Audio-Technica mids. This isn't really something you can EQ away if you don't like. However those who do like it are treated to an experience quite unlike anything any other flagship headphone currently on the market can give. Compared to the TH900, the midrange presentation is better. Its bass has plenty of impact and is tight, textured, and well-controlled (sounds rather lewd... : \ ), but I feel the TH900 trumps it there hands down. I think the TH900 is more refined up top as well. Overall, I think the TH900 is more consistently ahead of the W3000ANV with respect to a wider array of criteria, but the W3000ANV does somethings better and in some respects provides an experience you can't find anywhere else. For better or worse.

 

So as much as it may sound like a copout, it's really something that depends on one's priorities. For me, the TH900 is the better headphone. I love both however.

 

 

 

WOW - which one to pick..

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