Fostex TH900 Impressions & Discussion Thread - Page 202

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeskd 

In the end, it is what you like the most important thing in this hobby. Personally, the TH900 replaced the HD800 as my fave dynamic can and I am using them almost constantly. The difference between Daniel and myself is that I loved the sound right out of the box.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tokendog 

We all have different ears and to each their own.  The TH-900 replaced the HD-800 for me, along with the LCD-3.  It just fits the sound signature I prefer more, though I've held on to the LCD-2.2s and can't seem to motivate myself to part with them.

 

There have been a few headphones I've tried that within a few listening sessions, I knew they were not a match.  The nice thing is that we have so many wonderful options available to us.

Yep-purely subjective! I've really appreciated the comaraderie that exists here in the thread-and to a lesser degree in the HD800 threads as well. I wish I could fall in love with this headphone like (most) of you have, and as I (FINALLY) did with my HD800 journey. And what a trying journey it was lol...

-Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by En_R 


I had the same idea as you. These did not suit me at first, in fact since I have treble sensitive ears I didn't even want to put them on- as the sound they produced hurt. '

I gave them abit more head time over a week and a half, and now they are on my to keep list. I would give them a casual listen every now and then over the course of a week or two and see what you think then

I somehow missed this post. I will continue burning them in for a few days and see what happens. Unless they sell first lol. I'm definitely a burn-in 'believer' when I hear it, and not when I don't. :) I discovered HUGE changes with my K702, and pretty substantial changes as well with my Pro 900/2900, and AD2000s. In every instance I have heard noticeable changes within the first 24 hours with these cans-which leaves me a bit sceptical with the Fostex. But I will continue to listen with an open mind in the meantime-I don't have a horse in that particular race-like quite a few axe-grinding zealots on this site.

-Daniel

Side Bar: Did you audition anything else in the price range before deciding on the Eximus?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BournePerfect 

 

 

Yep-purely subjective! I've really appreciated the comaraderie that exists here in the thread-and to a lesser degree in the HD800 threads as well. I wish I could fall in love with this headphone like (most) of you have, and as I (FINALLY) did with my HD800 journey. And what a trying journey it was lol...

 

-Daniel

Your description of what the TH900 lacks are exactly what SR009 excels in, neutrality and imaging (I'm really sorry for your wallet mate). But the soundstage airiness/spaciousness you find in the HD800 will probably never be replicated by any other can, the only one that comes close in the horizontal axis is the JVC DX1000, believe it or not.

I used to own an AGD Reference 9, and the newish SA-1. I've used many mid priced dacs, but these were a cut above. As much as I loved the Ref 9 especially-I feel the DP1 is a clear cut above: more transparent (crystal-CLEAR), with great holographic imaging. Haven't tried newer stuff like Antelope, Invicta, or M51 though they were all options I was looking at. After much research and listening-I'm confindent I made the right choice, although I'd love to hear all of them-especially the Nad (with a decent USB converter that is).

-Daniel

What do you like about the Pro 2900s - are you keeping those?

Hmm. Have you heard a Master 7 by chance? I'd like to give AGD one more shot, and a flagship DAC might be the way to do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BournePerfect 

I used to own an AGD Reference 9, and the newish SA-1. I've used many mid priced dacs, but these were a cut above. As much as I loved the Ref 9 especially-I feel the DP1 is a clear cut above: more transparent (crystal-CLEAR), with great holographic imaging. Haven't tried newer stuff like Antelope, Invicta, or M51 though they were all options I was looking at. After much research and listening-I'm confindent I made the right choice, although I'd love to hear all of them-especially the Nad (with a decent USB converter that is).

 

-Daniel

I absolutely love the Pro 2900s for games and movies-the S-Logic+ really works for my ears. They are a great, cheaper option for movies and games imo, and cut above their pricepoint a great deal. They are definitely not on par with any of the flagships obviously, but are a great all-rounder, durable, bang for your buck that's for sure. Great mids-especially for the price.

-Daniel

edit: MorbidToaster- I haven't heard the Master 7, but I nearly bought one, and I am sure it's probably one of the best dacs currently available-if my older Ref 9 was any indication. The reason I went with the DP1 over that was that it has a headphone out put, so I wouldn't have to run my ZDSE all the time when breaking in components. I also know firsthand what a flagship Audio GD dac can do to your power bill if you leave it on 24/7 like I do-no joke it's like buying a 2nd plasma. :/ On the other hand, my old Ref 9/C-2 SA/AD2K combo still lingers in memory as the most musical rig I've ever owned, and a Master 7/ Master 8 rig tempts me daily honestly. But I do feel my Eximus DP1/ZDSE combo would be hard to beat with the Senn anyway-and factor in the price of adding a quality USB converter to the Master 7 for what would probably be negligible gains, if any, I'd probably be more inclined to looking into an 009 rig *wallet pukes* like dukeskid suggested. Not sure I ever wanna spend that kind of dough though-I'd rather buy another crotch rocket first.

If you haven't heard a flagship AGD dac though-I highly recommend it if at at possible. Keep in mind that myself and MANY others will suggest burning it in for several hundred hours first, as it WILL change quite dramatically.

-Daniel

I actually think the 009's staging is superior to the HD800. It felt more realistic to me. The HD800 were trying too hard to be speakers and lost some things in the process, IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeskd 

Your description of what the TH900 lacks are exactly what SR009 excels in, neutrality and imaging (I'm really sorry for your wallet mate). But the soundstage airiness/spaciousness you find in the HD800 will probably never be replicated by any other can, the only one that comes close in the horizontal axis is the JVC DX1000, believe it or not.

Yeah, the HD800's center image seems elusive to me sometimes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by driver 8 

It's boomy, but actually has a short decay time. It would be even boomier if the decay was long.

It's bass is heightened. No doubt, but still less so than the Denon's ever where. The decay is tight...the waterfall charts I've seen show as much as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustA 

 

Is it less or more boomy than D7000?

Less. The D7000's bass is wooly and flabby in comparison.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeskd 

In the end, it is what you like the most important thing in this hobby. Personally, the TH900 replaced the HD800 as my fave dynamic can and I am using them almost constantly. The difference between Daniel and myself is that I loved the sound right out of the box.

I really like them too. Not sure if I'd put them ahead of my HD-800s yet. But I'd still take my LCD-3s over them. As closed headphones go, they are the among best I've heard (along with the W3000ANVs).

Center image wasn't my issue, it was more the fringes and 'background' images that got lost for me. 

Overextended soundstage width and too much depth. The depth was the problem for me as it displaced drum tracks on some albums depending on the recording. 

They're still what I'd consider the best dynamic cans out there though. Though if I could pick one it'd probably be the TH900 just because it's fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxvla 


Really? I find it to be the best strength. No other headphone touches them in this regard. None. Planar phones like stats and orthos always have center imaging issues, but good synergy setups can minimize that effect. Bad synergy setups can literally make one of my favorite headphones into by far the worst.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BournePerfect 

Yep! The ZDSE has proved it's magic over time with every headphone I've thrown at it. The question now is whether to try the more neutral and dynamic Brimar, or go with the Black/round NOS Tung sol which is a little warmer and more laid back-which worked best with my HD800s.

 

-Daniel

Funny you should post that, i have had a Brimar tube in for the last three or four months, moved from a Volvo tube.  The NOS black glass Tung Sol is too muddy for my taste, i have three or four different versions of them.