Just listened to some Fostex T50RPs today... WOW!
Oct 11, 2010 at 12:21 PM Post #256 of 11,346
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/281431-REG/Fostex_T50_RP_T50RP_Studio_Headphones.html#features
 
$73
 
Anyone have any idea if these are the V1s or the V2s?


They all use v1 stock photos, but it's been replaced by v2 ages ago...you'd have to really be unlucky to get a NOS v1.
 
And "runswithaliens" just posted that it sounds amazing from the 0404 USB, which nearly has me sold.  But now "Acix" has me wondering if any ole' headphone amp would do.  
blink.gif


The 0404USB is exclusively using 5532 opamps, they'll do the job...but you can get a much more refined sound.
 
Oct 11, 2010 at 1:32 PM Post #258 of 11,346
@SP Wild: which one is preferable for you driving the Fostex T50? your BCL or Ming Da MC84?
 
@Leeperry: thanks for informing to get this phone from US... yeah, I think it is cheapest in US than other countries in this planet...
sometimes makes me wonder... how come a stuff that has travel as far as the opposite of the earth from the maker (I believe most of cheaper Fostex stuffs now are made in Taiwan) could be sold [much] cheaper than the places just few hours away from its origin...
 
Oct 11, 2010 at 5:00 PM Post #259 of 11,346
 
 
@Leeperry: thanks for informing to get this phone from US... yeah, I think it is cheapest in US than other countries in this planet...

 
the T50RP costs $225 in Germany...someone's being greedy along the way
biggrin.gif

 
 
Oh good, cause I'm using a B-stock Prodigy HD2.
 


The HD2 has a soldered NJM4580V on its HP out, it should be good w/ the T50RP...but you may wanna upgrade the swappable opamps.
 
Oct 11, 2010 at 8:33 PM Post #260 of 11,346
It's not always a practical option, but orthos really do love tubes.
 
Oct 11, 2010 at 10:41 PM Post #261 of 11,346


Quote:
@SP Wild: which one is preferable for you driving the Fostex T50? your BCL or Ming Da MC84?
 


The BCL without a doubt.  The Fostex T50 is quick enough for you to hear how slow most tube amps are.  Solid state can push the transient capabilities and the T50 can keep up, it is also relatively laid back in the treble. 
 
The HD650, although I condemn them for a grainy treble and upper mid, this condition only exists when I pair the HD650 up with the BCL - it appears the BCL pushes the HD650 speed and the drivers do not keep up, hence the grain.  With tube amps that are slower in speed, the grain is completely eliminated and the HD650 is as smooth as butter.
 
I firmly believe in the concept of "prat matching" or "speed synergy" between cans and amps.  I tend prefer state of the art cans with solid state and mid level cans with tubes.
 
Oct 12, 2010 at 12:19 AM Post #263 of 11,346


Quote:
It's not always a practical option, but orthos really do love tubes.



what tubes? I've been wonder because fwir tubes don't give enough current do amp t50rp into 50% of it's max power in 50 ohm.
 
Can i ask any acoustic material that is good enough to improve t50rp without change it's mid's flat and where can i buy it? Like absorber, diffuser and so on?
 
Oct 12, 2010 at 6:17 AM Post #265 of 11,346

I can't speak for all the technical stuff, but I do like the T50RP with my MP-301, sporting NOS Jan-GE pre-amp tubes and Vintage RCA 6V6GT.  I've never gotten the impression that they aren't getting enough power.  That said, the T50RP is capable of taking up to 3 watts max, which is pretty much obscene for a headphone.  I seriously doubt I would ever need to tap 50% of its maximum power.
 
I also do really like how they sound with my main solid state amp, and I've never done any serious speed comparison tests between the two.
Quote:
what tubes? I've been wonder because fwir tubes don't give enough current do amp t50rp into 50% of it's max power in 50 ohm.
 
Can i ask any acoustic material that is good enough to improve t50rp without change it's mid's flat and where can i buy it? Like absorber, diffuser and so on?



 
Oct 12, 2010 at 6:11 PM Post #266 of 11,346
I am really starting to fall deeply in love with those T50RP
eek.gif
  There smoothness, supremely balanced and delicate voice, while still retaining enough truth, is simply astonishing at this price. Resolution is excellent across all frequencies, rendering true tones and timbrical of every instruments like very few cans can do (actually, none I have heard so far, except for the DT48 that still lack some low bass emphasis in comparison).
 
I do enjoy them most at moderate volume (I still believe they lack true dynamic range), and during relaxed listening sesions... They are the perfect complement for my DT48.
 
They will not set a new standard in soundstage for sure, but with basic mods, imaging and separation of instruments improves greatly, letting more air between instruments, the blur disappers as well as frequencies overlapping (especially what I believe are resonant bass frenquencies in the standard version). My simple mods consisted in applying a coating of bitumen (hold with blu tack) in the cups, and some acoustical dampening foam layer (4 mm) on top of it as shown in those pictures:
 

 

 
Now I am huntinhg a nice headband that would fit nicely on the original rubber headband, that I find somehow unconfortable... I think the DT880 headband would do the trick, but not quite sure yet...
 
Oct 12, 2010 at 6:30 PM Post #267 of 11,346
 
I still believe they lack true dynamic range

 
I've done a shootout against a modded cd850(biocellulose drivers) today, I agree that the T50RP lacks dynamic range at low volume(which I identified as a lack of speed in the first place...maybe it's related). It provides a somewhat dark organic sound to my ears.
 
the DT48 that still lack some low bass emphasis in comparison

 
oh yes, very few phones provide this kind of thick low end bass IME.
 
They will not set a new standard in soundstage for sure

 
You wanna take out the side vents felt to unleash the SS of this phone, and also angle the earpads.
 
I am hunting for a nice headband that would fit nicely on the original rubber headband, that I find somehow unconfortable

 
I did some experiments w/ a very comfy headband, but then the ear cups didn't clamp properly anymore...Beyer don't sell drivers, they sell "systems" that are based on the drivers/cup/clamping/earpad combination. You might need to mess around w/ the metal side bars once switched headbands.
 
Oct 12, 2010 at 7:06 PM Post #268 of 11,346
I should add that a R10 owner said that PRaT was about having a tight and thick sounding upper bass....something the T50RP does like no others. Too bad about the lack of dynamics at low volume, can't get it all I guess...especially at this price point.
 
Oct 12, 2010 at 8:56 PM Post #269 of 11,346
Quote:
....
 
Now I am huntinhg a nice headband that would fit nicely on the original rubber headband, that I find somehow unconfortable... I think the DT880 headband would do the trick, but not quite sure yet...

 
In stock form  I found the headband would get uncomfortable because it only touched the very top of my head due to it's wide arc. However, to increase the clamping force I took the headband and squashed it quite flat in my hands which put a sharper bend at the top (it is quite resilient to bending so I had to be somewhat forceful).
 
This not only increased the bass by allowing the cups to form a better seal but had the unexpected benefit of completely eliminating the uncomfortable headband problem. For the shape of my head, putting the sharper bend at the top center caused the contact patch between the band and my cranium to be spread out over the whole headband rather than just at the tip of my pointy head.
 
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top