Fostex TH600 Dynamic Headphones

xtianst · Dec 1, 2014 at 7:57 PM

for me too

Helmut80 · Dec 5, 2014 at 10:37 AM

Hi everyone!

I am new to (higher end) headphones, but find myself in the possession of a wonderful pair of TH600s all of a sudden. I know very little wen it comes to headphone amps and DACs.

I'm looking to get an amp/DAC combo for not much more than these headphones (about £600 here in the UK I think).

Are there any one-box solutions or will they always compromise one of the two so that I am better off getting two separate boxes?

Music is played from a Mac mini, all sorts of lossless stuff. DSD capability would be a welcome bonus, async USB would be good for the DAC.

So, what amps go really well with the TH600s?

Thanks for reading.

xtianst · Dec 5, 2014 at 11:00 AM

I am currently using this http://www.mav-audio.com/store/index.php/tube-magic-dac-d1-5670.html and am more than satisfied(happy) with its performance

moriez · Dec 6, 2014 at 12:49 PM

helmut80 said:
Hi everyone!

I am new to (higher end) headphones, but find myself in the possession of a wonderful pair of TH600s all of a sudden. I know very little wen it comes to headphone amps and DACs.

I'm looking to get an amp/DAC combo for not much more than these headphones (about £600 here in the UK I think).

Are there any one-box solutions or will they always compromise one of the two so that I am better off getting two separate boxes?

Music is played from a Mac mini, all sorts of lossless stuff. DSD capability would be a welcome bonus, async USB would be good for the DAC.

So, what amps go really well with the TH600s?

Thanks for reading.

Have a look at the Yulong D200 for an all-in-one. It also has a filter option that rolls off the high frequency which could come in handy for the TH600.

Maxx134 · Dec 7, 2014 at 4:04 PM

andrew_wot said:
Dampening is like applying car wax, more does not mean better.
I'll pass, thank you, but I am here and all ears for your impressions after the mod.

Ok... since you asked...

To have cleaner less thicker bass and more elevated mids, add more damping to rear. .
Most materials will have same effect of damping. ..

To have smoother trebles, add this.

This is similar liner material used in HD800 and he560 mods that specifically targets high frequency without losing detail or adding dullness..

3x0 said:
The 6KHz spike masks quite a bit of the treble above it.

The treble response from 8KHz-10KHz or so is recessed.

This material solves this issue.

There are slightly different shapes, colors amd thickness to match most users sibilant spots so you can easily try different to achieve your favored results without any special know how.

Just a simple circle mod by just twisting open your earpads and placing in...
Now you have an even more refined sound. .

the life said:
Having lurked on this thread for the past few months, I've come to the conclusion that I'm the only person in the world who finds the TH600 to be a much more enjoyable headphone than the TH900. I originally owned the TH600 for a few months and loved it to death. In every way that I could enjoy a headphone, I found the TH900 to be exemplary. Even the recessed midrange eventually grew on me. Having read everywhere that the 900 was a even more refined version of the 600, I decided to get that as well. I wanted to love the TH900, I really did, but the TH600 just would not let me. The little ways in which the TH900 "improved" on the TH600, the lushness, the increased bass, the smoother treble, etc. all served to make me yearn for TH600's "cleaner" sound. This is not to say that I did not enjoy the sound of the TH900. It's just that, as much as I would enjoy it, every time I would put on the TH600 after listening to the TH900, an involuntary smile would creep up on my face.

I returned the TH900 and got the LCD-XC (for several reasons, only closed headphones are viable options for me) and, again, as great as they sounded, they served only to highlight for me what I found so amazing about the TH600. I have returned the LCD-XC as well and, for the time being, I am content in my belief that the TH600, despite being relatively modestly priced, is the best closed-back headphone in the world (for me)...at least until I get my hands on a pair of W3000ANVs

This should bring the th600 trebles closer or even more refined then the th900..
You will not miss the w3000.

plakat said:
If you've never heard the W3000 you should not expect too much from them, their signature is rather special and quite opposite from the TH600.

As for preferring the TH600: I can somewhat understand that as I sometimes find the TH900 bass too overwhelming, but still enjoy its smoother treble presentation.

Smoother and better:

Also you are Correct.
The th600 is a more powerful larger presentation over the w3000 or any closed can because of th600 not fully closed design...
This can has high realism near Top can level quality sound which puts it on par with other top closed cans.
The th600 to me is more like a muscled up T1 on steroids.

I am going to reterminate them to balanced as they deserve

spurxiii · Dec 10, 2014 at 4:37 AM

maxx134 said:
Ok... since you asked...

To have cleaner less thicker bass and more elevated mids, add more damping to rear. .
Most materials will have same effect of damping. ..

To have smoother trebles, add this.

This is similar liner material used in HD800 and he560 mods that specifically targets high frequency without losing detail or adding dullness..
This material solves this issue.

There are slightly different shapes, colors amd thickness to match most users sibilant spots so you can easily try different to achieve your favored results without any special know how.

Just a simple circle mod by just twisting open your earpads and placing in...
Now you have an even more refined sound. .
This should bring the th600 trebles closer or even more refined then the th900..
You will not miss the w3000.

Smoother and better:

Also you are Correct.
The th600 is a more powerful larger presentation over the w3000 or any closed can because of th600 not fully closed design...
This can has high realism near Top can level quality sound which puts it on par with other top closed cans.
The th600 to me is more like a muscled up T1 on steroids.

I am going to reterminate them to balanced as they deserve

Thanks!

I'm really liking what that circle mod has done. Its made the can slightly darker, but there are times when they can be a bit jarring up. But that's now over and it hasn't impact the detail or clarity

Youth · Dec 10, 2014 at 9:21 AM

Can anybody compare the TH600 the the T5P? I like EDM but wondering what would be the best choice. Thanks.

plakat · Dec 11, 2014 at 8:03 AM

youth said:
Can anybody compare the TH600 the the T5P? I like EDM but wondering what would be the best choice. Thanks.

While the T5p reaches deep and has impressively clear bass, it lacks a bit of upper bass, resulting in less punch. I think for EDM the TH600 is a better fit.

Youth · Dec 11, 2014 at 1:12 PM

plakat said:
While the T5p reaches deep and has impressively clear bass, it lacks a bit of upper bass, resulting in less punch. I think for EDM the TH600 is a better fit.

Hmm, have you tried the DT770? Wonder how the t5p is compared to that.

plakat · Dec 12, 2014 at 5:55 AM

youth said:
Hmm, have you tried the DT770? Wonder how the t5p is compared to that.

I once had a DT770 (Limited Edition, i.e. 32Ohm and a bit more linear than the 80Ohm version as far as I know). I think the DT770 had a more interesting bass presentation for EDM, while not as clear as the T5p. That is only from memory though, I did not have them both at the same time. Maybe start out with the DT770... its also more similar to the TH600 than the T5p.

Youth · Dec 12, 2014 at 6:33 AM

plakat said:
I once had a DT770 (Limited Edition, i.e. 32Ohm and a bit more linear than the 80Ohm version as far as I know). I think the DT770 had a more interesting bass presentation for EDM, while not as clear as the T5p. That is only from memory though, I did not have them both at the same time. Maybe start out with the DT770... its also more similar to the TH600 than the T5p.

I currently have the DT770 ^_^ But I want to upgrade my gear. I'm pretty sure it's either gonna be the t5p or the TH600 - I'm just really unsure which to pick.

plakat · Dec 12, 2014 at 6:41 AM

youth said:
I currently have the DT770 ^_^ But I want to upgrade my gear. I'm pretty sure it's either gonna be the t5p or the TH600 - I'm just really unsure which to pick.

Sorry, I did not get that ;-)

I think the TH600 is more similar and kind of a safer upgrade. If you can demo the T5p before you buy: do so. Its definitely a very fine headphone, though not to everybody's taste. The T5p leaks less than the TH600 though if that is of concern: the TH600 is not *that* closed. Comfort is good for both of them, both are rather easy to drive with the T5p targeting mobile use with its shorter cable and 3,5mm plug (mine came with an extension cable though, plus of course a 6,3mm adapter).

If you happen to live near Vienna feel free to PM me, I'd be happy to let you try out both.

Youth · Dec 12, 2014 at 10:11 AM

plakat said:
Sorry, I did not get that
I think the TH600 is more similar and kind of a safer upgrade. If you can demo the T5p before you buy: do so. Its definitely a very fine headphone, though not to everybody's taste. The T5p leaks less than the TH600 though if that is of concern: the TH600 is not *that* closed. Comfort is good for both of them, both are rather easy to drive with the T5p targeting mobile use with its shorter cable and 3,5mm plug (mine came with an extension cable though, plus of course a 6,3mm adapter).

If you happen to live near Vienna feel free to PM me, I'd be happy to let you try out both.

Yeah TH600 seems like a safe upgrade for sure, I'll see if I can try the t5p in a shop next week. I dont live in Austria but thank you for the kind offer! :-)

Lohb · Dec 18, 2014 at 4:32 AM

If anyone can ship me one of their TH-600 magnesium cups (it just involves unscrewing 4 screws under the ear-pad which un-clips) , I can ship you it back with custom woodies at a not-for-profit price..

Similar to this DXK cup ,
http://www.head-fi.org/t/350721/denon-d2000-d5000-md2000-md5000-thread/4365#post_11139395
But I want to make the exact shape of TH cups for TH woodies, so need a cup sent to me.
PM for details if anyone is interested...Your cup will be out of action for a month round-trip and measuring etc. Tracked shipping back to you.

Youth · Dec 18, 2014 at 2:11 PM

Is the TH900 worth the money, or should i go for TH600?

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