omegaorgun
Previously known as FireLion
A Community Favorite, Now With Removable Cables
When the Massdrop community asked for a closed-back headphone that redefined price-to-performance expectations, the TH-X00 was our answer. Made in collaboration with Fostex, a brand that’s produced innovative audio gear since 1949, these headphones feature purpleheart ear cups, a magnesium alloy frame, and Fostex’s signature biodynamic drivers. Purpleheart is among the densest woods in the world, and along with adding a darker, more sophisticated aesthetic, it delivers a slightly different sound signature. Now, in another response to the community’s requests, we’ve updated the original with a removable cable. Introducing the TR-X00 (the “R” stands for “removable”): everything you loved about the TH-X00, now with a detachable cable for greater flexibility.
Improved Technology, Intimate Sound
Equipped with the biodynamic cone Fostex first developed in the late ‘80s, which delivers a sound unique to any other driver structure, the TR-X00 benefits from years of iterating on that original design. The higher magnetic flux density in these headphones (more than 1 tesla) creates instant attack and decay for a crisper, more detailed sound signature. With the emphasis on the low end toned down slightly from the TH-600, the rich bass meets the Fostex standard without becoming bloated. The top end’s been taken down several decibels, too, neutralizing any sharp, sibilant highs and putting the emphasis on the mids. The result is an incredibly intimate sound, like being front row at a small venue.
Mahogany Cups, Comfort-First Design
The TR-X00’s mahogany ear cups are a nod to the Denon D series (though somewhat lighter in color and more luminescent) and complemented by Fostex’s proprietary magnesium alloy body, built to be lightweight, strong, and durable. Made of eggshell protein, the ear pads’ soft leatherette is designed to form a super tight seal, while still being breathable for hours of comfortable listening. And because the curve of the headband has been optimized to fit the human head, minimal padding is needed. The thick, braided cable has a conveniently long distance between the headphones and Y split. The Massdrop logo is silk-screened on the inside of the headband, just above the left cup, with a serial number located just above the right cup.
A Side-by-Side Look
The density of purpleheart wood makes it excellent for reducing acoustic resonance. As a result, the sub-bass through bass is increased ~2 dB, while following the same curve as the original, which peaks at 50 Hz. The lower midrange is decreased by ~5 dB, and while the mahogany version had a slight peak at ~600 Hz, the purpleheart has a smoother climb from 500 to 1000 Hz. The midrange proper is essentially identical to that of the mahogany, the upper midrange is ~2 dB less throughout, and the highs are slightly more emphasized. Peaks and valleys are positioned differently than on the mahogany, but their magnitude is similar. As for the super highs, while the mahogany falls off at ~14 kHz, the purpleheart maintains presence through that range. Finally, CSD graphs of the mahogany showed some resonance at 3,000 and 6,000 Hz; these are all but eliminated in the purpleheart.
Refined Sound
Our measurements show that these new headphones have the flattest frequency response of any TR-X00 edition, as well as the deepest bass extension. While the Mahogany and Purpleheart lose some steam in the 3–4 kHz region, the Ebony maintains a smoother descent, and the mids are more present with a smoother transition into the upper mids. As for the high frequencies, while the original Mahogany has a peak at 9 kHz, the Ebony (to an even greater degree than the Purpleheart) reduces that area, leaving the 10 kHz+ region to sparkle without any harshness. On the below graphs, the black line represents the TH-X00 Ebony, while the brown and purple lines represent the previous editions: the Mahogany and Purpleheart, respectively.
When the Massdrop community asked for a closed-back headphone that redefined price-to-performance expectations, the TH-X00 was our answer. Made in collaboration with Fostex, a brand that’s produced innovative audio gear since 1949, these headphones feature purpleheart ear cups, a magnesium alloy frame, and Fostex’s signature biodynamic drivers. Purpleheart is among the densest woods in the world, and along with adding a darker, more sophisticated aesthetic, it delivers a slightly different sound signature. Now, in another response to the community’s requests, we’ve updated the original with a removable cable. Introducing the TR-X00 (the “R” stands for “removable”): everything you loved about the TH-X00, now with a detachable cable for greater flexibility.
Improved Technology, Intimate Sound
Equipped with the biodynamic cone Fostex first developed in the late ‘80s, which delivers a sound unique to any other driver structure, the TR-X00 benefits from years of iterating on that original design. The higher magnetic flux density in these headphones (more than 1 tesla) creates instant attack and decay for a crisper, more detailed sound signature. With the emphasis on the low end toned down slightly from the TH-600, the rich bass meets the Fostex standard without becoming bloated. The top end’s been taken down several decibels, too, neutralizing any sharp, sibilant highs and putting the emphasis on the mids. The result is an incredibly intimate sound, like being front row at a small venue.
Mahogany Cups, Comfort-First Design
The TR-X00’s mahogany ear cups are a nod to the Denon D series (though somewhat lighter in color and more luminescent) and complemented by Fostex’s proprietary magnesium alloy body, built to be lightweight, strong, and durable. Made of eggshell protein, the ear pads’ soft leatherette is designed to form a super tight seal, while still being breathable for hours of comfortable listening. And because the curve of the headband has been optimized to fit the human head, minimal padding is needed. The thick, braided cable has a conveniently long distance between the headphones and Y split. The Massdrop logo is silk-screened on the inside of the headband, just above the left cup, with a serial number located just above the right cup.
A Side-by-Side Look
The density of purpleheart wood makes it excellent for reducing acoustic resonance. As a result, the sub-bass through bass is increased ~2 dB, while following the same curve as the original, which peaks at 50 Hz. The lower midrange is decreased by ~5 dB, and while the mahogany version had a slight peak at ~600 Hz, the purpleheart has a smoother climb from 500 to 1000 Hz. The midrange proper is essentially identical to that of the mahogany, the upper midrange is ~2 dB less throughout, and the highs are slightly more emphasized. Peaks and valleys are positioned differently than on the mahogany, but their magnitude is similar. As for the super highs, while the mahogany falls off at ~14 kHz, the purpleheart maintains presence through that range. Finally, CSD graphs of the mahogany showed some resonance at 3,000 and 6,000 Hz; these are all but eliminated in the purpleheart.
Refined Sound
Our measurements show that these new headphones have the flattest frequency response of any TR-X00 edition, as well as the deepest bass extension. While the Mahogany and Purpleheart lose some steam in the 3–4 kHz region, the Ebony maintains a smoother descent, and the mids are more present with a smoother transition into the upper mids. As for the high frequencies, while the original Mahogany has a peak at 9 kHz, the Ebony (to an even greater degree than the Purpleheart) reduces that area, leaving the 10 kHz+ region to sparkle without any harshness. On the below graphs, the black line represents the TH-X00 Ebony, while the brown and purple lines represent the previous editions: the Mahogany and Purpleheart, respectively.
- Fostex x Massdrop
- Closed-back design
- 50mm dynamic transducer
- Magnesium alloy construction
- Ebony wood ear cups, brilliant gloss finish
- Leatherette ear pads, matte black
- Magnetic flux density: >1 tesla
- Impedance: 25 ohms
- Sensitivity: 94 dB/mW
- Maximum input: 1,800 mW
- Frequency response: 5–45,000 Hz
- Removable 10 ft (3 m) thick, braided Y cable
- 1/4 in (6.3 mm) gold-coated stereo phone plug
- Weight without cable: 16 oz (450 g)
- Weight with cable: 20.5 oz (582 g)
