Background:
 
My very first review, in March of 2016, was of a Fostex T50RP mod – specifically the ZMF Vibro Mk. I. Any in-depth impressions I have of the prolifically modified T50RP were of ZMF Zach’s tuning of the Mark II driver. This was used in the ZMF Vibro and both ZMF Ori/Omnis that I have owned and reviewed in the past – but the Mark III Fostex driver was what Zach has switched to for the Vibro Mk. II. Confusing right?
 
In any case, it has been months since I sold my last planar magnetic headphone and chose to focus on the two dynamic options that I currently own. Approached by a fan nearby for my impressions of the Cascadia Audio Talos, I jumped at the chance. I knew of them, as I frequently peruse Reddit’s r/headphones subreddit where an announcement was made last year. The creator of the Talos is a fellow who goes by the moniker MadEconomist. I read some impressions back then about how it was slightly V-shaped, not a sound signature I prefer personally, and left it at that.
 
So, thanks to Armand for lending me his pair to find out more firsthand.
 
Specifications, Build Quality and Comfort
 
Impedance: 50Ω.
Maximum input power: 3000mW
Weight: 385g (without cable).
 
As with all T50RPs, the impedance is 50 ohms. Make no mistake however, they all require a good amount of power to come into their own – with the FAQ section on the site painting an ideal scenario of having an amplifier that can inject “3Vrms or more into 50 ohms.”
 
The headphones come in the original box for the Fostex T50RP, along with the original cable – a single-ended affair that plugs into the left cup. Given its $250 price, it makes absolute sense for MadEconomist to not push the envelope of remodeling the cups and wiring properties (as done by ZMF and previously MrSpeakers by changing the cable plugs).
 
What you’ll get is something that looks absolutely like the original Fostex headphone, with stickers on it. The stock cable is also provided, and it is not impressive at all. Armand provided his own V-Moda cable as an alternative he chooses, which I used instead and found preferable to the overly springy stock option. Both are terminated into 3.5mm jacks, so a converter was necessary to use it with my amplifier.
 
You have to understand just how naked the Talos feels in my hand compared to what I have experienced before – T50RPs tricked out with wooden cups with thick audio jacks that had room for mini-XLR terminated cables. However, it is because of the minimalist nature of the Talos’ modification that it is quite a bit lighter than both the Vibro and the Ori. Nevertheless, it is a solidly built headphone even in its stock form – with the plastic design not feeling overly flimsy and quite rugged. The metal sliders are intact and as I remember them, with no incremental adjustments but staying in place well.
 
Because of the relatively light weight, comfort is not an issue with the Talos. The choice of using HM5 Hybrid earpads is commendable, as they are not overly thick and make an effortless seal on my ears – while being very, very comfortable and plush. Extended listening sessions did not reveal any ear fatigue, but I could see them getting a tad hot in the summer – but that’s a concern that is unimaginably far right now as it’s a cold February in the UK.
 

Sound
 
I was pleasantly surprised that the Talos is not as deep of a V-shaped sound signature as I had anticipated. The overall presentation has somewhat of a clean characteristic to it while being elevated at the edges – bass and treble taking centre-stage. Jumping through my library, I immediately preferred the Talos with warmer rock music productions than I did the Vibro Mk. I for its ability to not feel too stuffy or congested.
 
The bass of the Talos is north of neutral, but not overly far reaching in the sub-bass region. However, it is punchy and not sluggish like the Fostex x Massdrop TH-X00 or even the earthier sounding Meze 99 Classic. It is not deeply textured, but it occupies a place that lends a “full” sound to the music – injecting a lot of body into each and every recording. I find this a tricky endeavour to implement because of the risk of midrange bleed (which did happen on the Vibro Mk. I), but the mids of the Talos bypass this issue – giving the lower midrange and bass space to come into their own quite well. Every bassline is heightened in presence in a pleasing manner, but do not expect the intense accuracy of the Sennheiser HD800 in this regard (and you really should not, apples and oranges).
 
Despite having its V-shaped characteristic, it was actually the midrange of the Talos that made it for me. I could not help but directly compare it to the TH-X00, which has sucked out mids and sharp treble – in my opinion. The Talos, however, has a manner of making the instrumentals of songs work well around its dip. While the soundstage is not, understandably, wide – the instrumentals of most genres fit as they should. The jangling guitar work of Spanish Bombs by The Clash sounds as it should, and well separated to boot. However, it is the vocals that take a backseat in the overall presentation of the midrange – with an upper mid dip especially hitting the female vocal range and making it sound distant. Male vocals are not hit nearly as hard, but it is still obvious that the instrumental will always be emphasized when using the Talos. It should be noted that you will not experience an especially detailed midrange from the Talos, as it is a bit hazy because of the dips.
 
That being said, the good aspects of the midrange far outweigh the negative. A quick listen to Dreams by Fleetwood Mac confirms this. The vocal layering is not absolutely drowned out by the instrumental, but the harmonies come through quite well in a manner that can be complimented. I prefer its presentation over the Vibro Mk. I for sure.
The treble is very comfortably extended, but not overly far reaching. It does not feel too stuffy, but it is certainly not very airy. I greatly appreciate the lack of peaks that I endured when I had a TH-X00 – as the Talos has a more linear approach to the treble. I also appreciate that it extends further than the Vibro Mk. I, which would get too stuffy (especially on older tracks like Led Zeppelin) – although this could be a characteristic of the T50RP Mk. III, something the Vibro Mk. II is built upon and supposedly has more treble extension than the Mk. I. (another confusing statement, I know) This means that the snare drums have a more impactful sound and cymbals are not completely drowned out in the mix.
 
One significant weakness that both headphones share is the slightly “scratchy” and unnatural nature of the T50RP treble in general. I had gotten used to it back in the day, but spending so much time with dynamic headphones has made it stick out just that much more.
 
I went hunting for sibilance in songs that make me grind my teeth on the HD800 (despite it being SuperDupont modded). One example is David Lee Roth’s vocal on Van Halen’s Hot for Teacher, which can give me a headache on some headphones. While it did run hot at certain vowels and on a ride cymbal, the Talos did a great job at giving the song a thick low-end with decently opened-up highs in a manner that didn’t irk me. This is a non-fatiguing headphone, plain and simple.
 
Conclusion
 
As an overall listen, I greatly prefer the Talos with energetic songs coupled with slick production. Its strengths are not very compatible with low-fi recordings, despite it being quite a forgiving listening experience.
 
It is not a true-to-life and “natural” sounding headphone that will give you an especially live sound, but it is a very pleasing “fun” tuned headphone that works well as an all-rounder among planar magnetics in its price range – and is an impressive first release by Cascadia Audio.
 

 
Comparisons:
 
Bass Quantity: TH-X00 > Classic 99 > Talos > ZMF Omni = Elear > ZMF Vibro Mk. I > HE400i > DT990 > K7XX > HE-500 > HD600 > HD800
 
Mid Presence: HE-500 > HD800 > HD600 > ZMF Omni = Elear > Classic 99 > HE400i > ZMF Vibro Mk. I > K7XX > Talos > TH-X00 > DT990
 
Treble Quantity: DT990 > HD800 > HE400i > TH-X00 > Elear > K7XX > Talos > Classic 99 > HE-500 > HD600 > ZMF Omni > ZMF Vibro Mk. I
 
Soundstage: HD800 > K7XX > DT990 > HE-500 > ZMF Omni = Elear = HD600 > HE400i > ZMF Vibro Mk. I > Talos > Classic 99 > TH-X00
 
Comfort: DT990 > HD800 > K7XX > TH-X00 > Elear > HE400i > HD600 > Talos > ZMF Omni > Classic 99 > ZMF Vibro Mk. I > HE-500
 
Aesthetics: Elear > HD800 > Classic 99 > TH-X00 > ZMF Omni > ZMF Vibro Mk. I > HE400i > DT990 > K7XX > HE-500 > Talos > HD600
 
Lightness: HD800 > Classic 99 > K7XX > DT990 > TH-X00 > HD600 > HE400i > Talos > Elear > ZMF Vibro Mk. I > ZMF Omni > HE-500

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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Cascadia Audio Talos Review: A Tidy Upgrade[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]I’ve heard my fair share of T50RP mods. Be it ZMF’s Omni (or is it Ori now?) or a DIY sock-mod (yes, that’s a real thing), I am consistently surprised at what people manage to be able to do with a $150 pair of headphones. Cascadia Audio is another player in the T50RP mod scene, with only one model currently available for purchase, the Talos. However, are the structural and sonic improvements worth the $100 premium added to the Talos by Cascadia Audio?[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]You can find the Talos for sale here on Cascadia Audio’s official website for $250.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Disclaimer: This review is based upon a loaner unit provided to me by Cascadia Audio in exchange for my honest opinion and un-edited words. I do not profit in any way from the writing of the review. I would like to thank Blaine at Cascadia Audio for giving me this opportunity.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Preference and Bias: Before reading a review, it is worth mentioning that there is no way for a reviewer to objectively pass judgment on the enjoy-ability of a product: such a thing is inherently subjective. Therefore, I find it necessary for you to read and understand what I take a natural liking to and how that might affect my rating of a product.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]My ideal sound signature would be an extended sub-bass with a leveled, but textured, bass. The mids should be slightly less pronounced than the treble, but still ahead of the bass. I prefer a more bright upper range.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Source: The Talos was powered like so:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]PC Optical out -> HifiMe 9018 SPDIF -> 3.5mm out -> headphones[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Hidizs AP100 3.5mm out -> FiiO A5 (high gain) 3.5mm out -> 3.5mm out-> headphones[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]PC USB -> Sound Blaster E3 3.5mm out -> Sherwood AD230B 1/4-inch out[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]-> headphones[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Standard 3.5mm out from both my Nexus 6P and HTC One M8 was inadequate to drive the Talos. While the FiiO A5 did a decent job powering the Talos, I got my best results when using my desktop amp, the Sherwood AD230B.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Sound Signature[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Initial Impressions:[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The Talos sounds V-shaped at first listen with a solid bass response. Extension is good on both ends, though upper treble seems a tad bit rolled off. Mids are dynamic, but recessed behind both the treble and the bass. Detail retrieval is quite good for the price.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Treble: Songs used: In One Ear, Midnight City, Outlands[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Despite the upper treble seeming a bit rolled off, there is still plenty of high-pitched goodness to go around. The treble is tuned well, with no sense of coloring. The high-hats from In One Ear were very clear to the point where I could distinguish each and every cymbal hit individually. The attack and decay of the treble is similarly well tuned, leaving the upper-range with a quite natural sound.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Mids: Songs used: Flagpole Sitta, Jacked Up, I Am The Highway, Dreams[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]I personally prefer my mids to be more emphasized than on the Talos, but I’ll be damned if it still didn’t show me a good time while using it. Every song I listened to through it sounded lively and dynamic. Be it the mish-mosh of Flagpole Sitta or the organized chaos of Jacked Up, I found that the Talos was able to present guitars, pianos, drums, and synths with no issues. Tonality is pretty natural, with no overt coloring.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The pianos of Jacked Up had a medium hardness, indicating a healthy and natural level of decay in the mids. This is a pretty subjective area, as I tend to like my decay speed faster than natural, while others find such a speed a little off-putting.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Vocals are presented well and are placed well within the mix. I find often that it is a bit difficult for headphones makers to strike a good compromise between making the lyrics clear, yet cohesive, with the rest of the sound. Thankfully, it seems that Cascadia Audio has largely succeeded in doing just that.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Bass: Songs used: Lights(Bassnectar Remix), Gold Dust, In For The Kill (Skream Remix), Leave Me[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]While the Talos does have a healthy amount of both mid and sub-bass I wouldn’t rate it a bass-head’s headphone. In order to avoid compromising the listenability of acoustic-based genres, it sounds like Cascadia audio chose to go with a slightly above-average mid-bass boost and a standard sub-bass boost. I have no qualms with this, as it does what is needed to do. Sub-bass extension and dynamism is good, as demonstrated by In For The Kill.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]While bass is satisfactory for electronic genres, it really does shine in classical songs. Listening to the Tron: Legacy soundtrack (which is an unholy classical and electronic hybrid) really impressed me.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Clarity: Songs used: Throne, Map of The Problimatique, I’m Not Alright[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Clarity was fairly good for a V-shaped pair of headphones, and I was consistently impressed with the detail retrieval these cans regularly exhibited. The Talos exhibited minor smudging in the chorus of I’m Not Alright, but didn’t entirely drop any particular detail.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Packaging / Unboxing[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]My loaner came in a standard T50RP box.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Build[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Construction Quality[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]While Cascadia Audio hasn’t done quite as much of an overhaul as other brands that are modding T50RPs, I still quite like the changes they have made. No longer are the plastic cups of the headphones a dull matte-black — Cascadia Audio has instead opted to use a semi-glossy solarized orange that shifts colors in direct sunlight. It’s cool, and is certainly and eye-catcher. However, it looks to my eyes as though this is not a paint, but is instead a very well-adhered sticker. Cascadia Audio has reached out to me to let me know that these are actually made from automotive vinyl, the same material that are used on the Mad Dogs series. This type of vinyl is much more durable than standard industrial stickers. I would still much prefer that paint was used, as this would open up a lot more of interesting finishes and allow Cascadia Audio to come closer to a true “solarized” look.[/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The headband has also undergone some changes. Cascadia Audio has introduced a soft inner-strap tasked with distributing the weight of these large drivers across the wearer’s head. This works well, and while the headphones don’t “disappear” they certainly don’t weight too heavily down on my head for extended periods of time.[/color]
The cable is detachable, but has a proprietary locking mechanism. This isn’t Cascadia Audio’s doing, but rather is a feature introduced by Fostex. Thankfully, this locking mechanism isn’t too intrusive, so some third-party TRS cables, such as those from Monoprice, will likely work, which is a plus.

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Accessories[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The Talos comes with two cables: an orange 3.5mm cable and a black 1/4 inch cable. They are both made from a standard plastic, but feel good enough in the hand. Neither cable is especially prone to microphonics.[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]Summary[/color]

[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8)]The Talos is a pretty compelling headphone for the price. While I do really like the sound it offers, I am skeptical about a $250 headphone having stickers. I understand the logistical difficulties introduced by having to paint each cup, but I think at that point I would see a lot more value in the construction itself. However, if this doesn’t bother you at all, and you are willing to invest in a setup capable of driving the Talos’s demanding drivers, then by all means pick one up. It is an extremely capable V-shaped headphone.[/color]

First review whoop whoop! Quick heads up I'm not an audiophile, so I'm not gonna be talking about "the lush, subtle but grainy treble" etc... This is purely just my thoughts on the Talos, as someone who's into headphones and listening to music.
 
   Apparently I'm the only person outside of the US to own a pair of the Talos. As a UK resident, you will be paying considerably more to buy these. The pound falling in value did not help, making them approximately £200, plus the worldwide shipping and high import tax made these cost "approximately" £300 ($370).
 
With all that said, I think the Talos are still certainly worth buying, even at a higher price.
 
 
Looks:
I love the industrial utilitarian design of the Talos, the orange coloured cups contrast well with the black of the headphone. However, and this is really a nitpick, I do not like the orange wires that stick out between the headband and the cup on both sides. They just stand out like crazy when you wear them. If the wires were coloured black (for example) then this wouldn't bug me so much. I do not consider this a con because this more Fostex's fault than Cascadia Audio, plus as I said this gripe of mine is really petty.
 
Comfort:
Amazing. You wear them and they feel like earmuffs they are that comfortable. You are still conscious they are on your head, but they are not too heavy and have the perfect amount of clamping force. The added strap and the HM5 hybrid pads feel like such a luxury.
 
Portability:
Forget it. They are very hard to drive. You can get to a decent volume on an iPhone 6, but you have to max out the volume and they begin to distort horribly. If you take these out with you, then I'd recommend the Oppo HA-2 amplifier. At home, plugging the Talos in a laptop or desktop works fine. Personally, I used a Schiit Magni 2 Uber amplifier on high gain at home.
 
This is not a con because once again the hard to drive nature of these cans is not Cascadia Audio's fault, Fostex is to blame again. When buying the Talos, I assume people already generally know about the t50rp mk3, so when purchasing these, the buyer is already expecting them to be hard to drive.
 
Clarity:
First thing I can say is that they are far more detailed than my Oppo PM-3's (£350), the AudioQuest NightHawks (£499) and most mid-tier headphones sharing a similar price range. I cannot compare the Talos to other more "endgame" headphones over £1000 because I did not have the opportunity to. The Talos conveys almost every subtlety in the music for all genres. I would say the Talos are at the same level of detail as an Audeze el-8 Open Back (£600).
 
They do not sound remotely murky or muddy, and they don't try and forcefully push every detail in your face (Sennheiser HD800/s, Audeze LCD-4, Technics EAH-T700) to the point where they get fatiguing. They have that perfect balance of amazing detail without sounding either artificially precise or blurry.
 
Bass:
More pronounced than the t50rp mk3, not as pronounced as the t20rp mk3. It isn't quite neutral: if 0 was no bass, 5 was neutral, 10 was insanely high, then the Talos would be at a 6 when it comes to quantity. As for quality, it has the "planar" sound with slap bass that gives shivers down your spine. Reminds me a lot of Audeze LCD-X, though the Talos's bass is more comparable to the Audeze el-8. The Talos has a really decent amount of sub bass as well, the pads rumble to the beat of a drum. The mid-bass does not remotely bleed into the midrange. The precision is really great, but not quite as exceptional as an endgame headphone which is to be expected given the Talos's price.
 
Mids:
Slightly recessed. I would not call the Talos V-shaped because the bass is not as pronounced and the treble is not harsh and so in your face. The details are just as present in this region of the sound. Honestly, the recessed mids really are not that noticeable, and is essentially a nice feature of the Talos. Vocals do sound a little distant, so whether or not you like that it's up to you to decide.
 
Treble:
Clarity is top-notch, and it's never overly present/harsh (which I cannot stand) or too laid back (like the Oppo PM-3). As a result, the Talos have a really fun and engaging sound.
 
Con:
The music does sound a little hollow. This does not have anything to do with the recessed midrange. I would say the sound is slightly resemblant of when you place a shell next to your ear. It is a very difficult thing to describe, and my shell comparison sounds far harsher than the reality. I should also add this problem is very minor and is not a deal-breaker of any kind.
 
 
Conclusion:
Buy them. Of all the headphones I've tried, they have the most addictive sound ever. When I put them down I want to put them back on my head and listen to some more music. Clarity is great, bass is quality and quantity, it has the "planar" sound, and best of all, they are super comfy!