First post
I just recently got a pair of T50RPs and I am currently listening to/burning them in now. They're mainly for work listening.
They probably need a little more time but right now they sound very nice. I have a STAX SR303 and 313 amp as my main setup and so they are my direct reference. I know, they are 2 very different 'phones but they are all I have and they are the "best" phones I have ever listened to except the SR007As. I need me a pair of them! Ahem... back to the thread topic
Compared to the STAXes the Fostexes are sort of closed in and not as "sparkly" in the top end. But then not many headphones match STAXes for open-ness IMO. The Fostexes have more "in your face" bass though. People say that the Fostexes have no bass. I disagree. They have a decent amount without being overpowering. Its deep and rich although it might be a bit uncontrolled at times. The STAXes are not as deep and noticeable but they go low and its beautifully crisp. Sometimes the Fostex sounds muffled and a bit indistinct. Sounds like a resonance of the housing? It makes the mids a bit fluffy and voices suffer a bit as a result.
The detail of the Fostexes is very high though. There are some CDs where I can hear little details that I didn't notice before. These are meant for monitoring so I expect them to pick up all the little details and they do a great job at it! The STAXes might fall behind a little here. The STAXes have the detail but its not presented as blatently as the Fostexes.
The soundstage is very "left-right". Not much front to back depth compared to the STAXes but the left right width is impressive. You can tell left and right with pinpoint precision. Again, probably due to the monitor role of these cans. The "airyness" is not up to the STAXes as mentioned earlier but they are not bad for monitors. I have listened to a pair of Sony CD-900STs in the shop extensively and they were my first choice until I discovered the Fostexes recently. For those not in the know, the Sony's are pretty much the standard reference studio monitor in Japan. Sony Pictures worked with Sony to build them and they are very flat and plain, and by far the most widely used monitor in Japan. We even use them to mix the sound for our games. They sound very detailed (maybe more than the Fostexes) and crisp from high to low but they are maybe not as open and the high is maybe a little too shrill for my tastes. Anyway, the Fostexes won me over the Sony's in the end and I like the Fostex sound in many ways over the Sony's.
The Fostexes sound very smooth and relaxed. There is no urgency in their tone (not necessarily a bad thing) and they just sound flat and like the source. Not something to rock along to but they are easy to listen to. The STAXes are clean and smooth but they are more "colourful". They are more upfront and musical. Involving without being fatiguing and infinitely pleasureable to listen to. The Fostexes sound a bit bland but they are very smooth and just present the music with no frills.
The comfort of the Fostexes is not bad. I've tried worst (the Sony's). The pads are soft but they do get a little sweaty with prolonged use. The inner cavity is also not very big so your ears might get squashed a bit. The depth of the cavity is not that deep either so some people might get a bit of pain from the ear contacting the driver all the time. I find them perfectly fine though. Not anywhere near as comfortable as the STAXes but they aren't uncomfortable. The Sony's were bad here with pads that were thin and small.
The build of the Fostexes is very good. These will most probably take a fair bit of abuse. The cord is detachable and easily replaceable so there are no worries there. The adjusting mechanism is stiff so it son't move once you've adjusted it. They are relatively heavy though at 330g without the cable. I've not had any problems with fatigue though.
On the Japanese forums, these are not talked about much. Most reviews though say the Fostexes are muffled and echo-ey with not so great detail and subdued highs. Basically, not very well received but worth trying because they use a unique technology these days. I find the sound a little muffled sometimes but its not bad and the highs are a little subdued but they DO have the high end, its just not as piercing as some others. I am personally very satisfied with them.
I would probably not buy another pair of Fostexes but I would like to try a pair of CD900STs for direct comparison in my system. That is not to say I don't like them. I could really get to like this sound and as a first monitor headphone, I would not hesitate to reccommend these. Especially for the price! $80 is a bargain!
Edit: I just realised I didn't put in what I listen to ><
I listen to mainly rock type stuff (RHCP, Jimi Hendrix, RATM, Japanese groups etc), classical (piano, strings and simple orchestral), jazz, blues and pretty much anything else but I'm not so keen on dance and electronica or hip-hop, rap or R+B. I have an appreciation for acoustic instruments, especially guitar. The Fostexes handle simpler classical well but any hardish rock or complicated pieces sound muffled and a bit congested.
