Fostex x Massdrop TH-X00 Review

[MWSVette]

  I think, X00s are one of the best, if not the best headphones for money under £500.

+1 I agree.  They are a great value...

 

[zombywoof]

  I think, X00s are one of the best, if not the best headphones for money under £500.

I could not agree more.  The EM-U Teak are easily their equal, though...not necessarily sounding exactly the same, but in terms of the quality of the build and the quality of the sound.  I can't think of any other manufacturer that rivals Fostex with regard to consistency and quality throughout their total product line.  (And I am including the TH500RP which I also enjoy.)

 

[inertianinja]

 

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Which male SMC connectors were used for this?
Or can you take a pic of how they're mounted inside?
 
I just performed this mod on my set, and the internal (male) SMC connector is too tall for the cups to fit back onto the frame. 
 
These are the connectors I'm using: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-connector-SMC-male-plug-nut-bulkhead-solder-1-13-cable-straight-M-/281624698048
 
They appear to be the same as the ones in the pic, but I have no idea how the cups could get all the way on. This method was suppoosed to not require modification, but it's not working out. 

 

[moedawg140]

Which male SMC connectors were used for this?
Or can you take a pic of how they're mounted inside?

I just performed this mod on my set, and the internal (male) SMC connector is too tall for the cups to fit back onto the frame. 

These are the connectors I'm using: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-connector-SMC-male-plug-nut-bulkhead-solder-1-13-cable-straight-M-/281624698048

They appear to be the same as the ones in the pic, but I have no idea how the cups could get all the way on. This method was suppoosed to not require modification, but it's not working out. 

I'm partaking in my first Father's Day activities, so please PM the person who modded my TH-X00 (PETEREK), as he may disclose what he used (and possibly method as well).

Good luck.

 

[Dogmatrix]

   
Which male SMC connectors were used for this?
Or can you take a pic of how they're mounted inside?
 
I just performed this mod on my set, and the internal (male) SMC connector is too tall for the cups to fit back onto the frame. 
 
These are the connectors I'm using: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-connector-SMC-male-plug-nut-bulkhead-solder-1-13-cable-straight-M-/281624698048
 
They appear to be the same as the ones in the pic, but I have no idea how the cups could get all the way on. This method was suppoosed to not require modification, but it's not working out. 

 Cut away the knurled tube and chamfer so you are left with only the centre conductor and the semi open tube surrounding it . Solder positive to  the centre pin and negative to the back of the small semi open tube . Makes soldering easier and should be short enough to fit

 

[Daze513]

A bit unrelated, but here a little project I started today...
 
The bass is ridiculous, The mids are in your face, and the highs are very well extended, Almost too much... but I have done ZERO dampening or tuning. Strictly just getting the cups on, with ZERO mods to either cup. and fully reversible. It actually works. Fostex must use a certain mounting template so its consistent across their line. No cups, screws, plate anything were hurt doing this.
 
Massdrop, Fostex, Maybe ill make it my own headphone line, but someone needs to put the Bio-Dyna driver in an open setup, and properly tune it. If anyone in Miami,Ft Lauderdale has measurement equipment let me know so I can measure these, once I'm done.
 

 

 

 

[DavidA]

   
Which male SMC connectors were used for this?
Or can you take a pic of how they're mounted inside?
 
I just performed this mod on my set, and the internal (male) SMC connector is too tall for the cups to fit back onto the frame. 
 
These are the connectors I'm using: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-connector-SMC-male-plug-nut-bulkhead-solder-1-13-cable-straight-M-/281624698048
 
They appear to be the same as the ones in the pic, but I have no idea how the cups could get all the way on. This method was suppoosed to not require modification, but it's not working out. 

I use this SMC female, no cutting needed: http://www.vetco.net/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=7368&keywords=smc

 

[inertianinja]

 Cut away the knurled tube and chamfer so you are left with only the centre conductor and the semi open tube surrounding it . Solder positive to  the centre pin and negative to the back of the small semi open tube . Makes soldering easier and should be short enough to fit

Hah, that's crazy. I just had that idea when I sat down to dinner - it occurred to me that the posts said there would be no modifications to the headphone....but didn't say that there would be no cutting of the adapter! Thanks!

I use this SMC female, no cutting needed: http://www.vetco.net/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=7368&keywords=smc

Ah great. Didn't know that existed. I already have like 4 pair of the others, so I will attempt to cut them down first.

 

[Whitigir]

A bit unrelated, but here a little project I started today...

The bass is ridiculous, The mids are in your face, and the highs are very well extended, Almost too much... but I have done ZERO dampening or tuning. Strictly just getting the cups on, with ZERO mods to either cup. and fully reversible. It actually works. Fostex must use a certain mounting template so its consistent across their line. No cups, screws, plate anything were hurt doing this.

Massdrop, Fostex, Maybe ill make it my own headphone line, but someone needs to put the Bio-Dyna driver in an open setup, and properly tune it. If anyone in Miami,Ft Lauderdale has measurement equipment let me know so I can measure these, once I'm done.

For real ? Ever imagined wood cups with semi-open metallic grill like that one ? Must be superb

 

[DavidA]

For real ? Ever imagined wood cups with semi-open metallic grill like that one ? Must be superb

I like your imagination, who knows, maybe someone with good wood working skills can do one.

 

[inertianinja]

A bit unrelated, but here a little project I started today...

The bass is ridiculous, The mids are in your face, and the highs are very well extended, Almost too much... but I have done ZERO dampening or tuning. Strictly just getting the cups on, with ZERO mods to either cup. and fully reversible. It actually works. Fostex must use a certain mounting template so its consistent across their line. No cups, screws, plate anything were hurt doing this.

Massdrop, Fostex, Maybe ill make it my own headphone line, but someone needs to put the Bio-Dyna driver in an open setup, and properly tune it. If anyone in Miami,Ft Lauderdale has measurement equipment let me know so I can measure these, once I'm done.

Nice. I actually have a similar project going on, in reverse. I 3D printed a set of cups that make the HE-500 closed back. Even with some bass ports, there is WAY too much treble energy. I actually spoke to Mrspeakers about it at the last meet, and he said damping is a must - it's all reflections pushing back in.

If you want to collabo a bit on this, Id be interested in designing and printing some stuff.

 

[Whitigir]

I like your imagination, who knows, maybe someone with good wood working skills can do one.

The hardest would be to make the cups. But it will be much easier to have an already existing cups and cut it open, then insert some semi-angled grill over it ?

 

[Daze513]

I like your imagination, who knows, maybe someone with good wood working skills can do one.

Well, It'd be a matter of drilling out a hole in a THX00 Cup, a bit of finishing, and putting in a metal mesh material, Just roughly off the top of my head,

 

[Daze513]

Nice. I actually have a similar project going on, in reverse. I 3D printed a set of cups that make the HE-500 closed back. Even with some bass ports, there is WAY too much treble energy. I actually spoke to Mrspeakers about it at the last meet, and he said damping is a must - it's all reflections pushing back in.

If you want to collabo a bit on this, Id be interested in designing and printing some stuff.

You sir have a PM...

 

[Change is Good]

I've seen custom made wood cups on some of the Hifiman headphones before the 560 released, so I'm sure it's possible. I'd ask lohb.