Fostex x Massdrop TH-X00 Review
Sep 12, 2016 at 11:25 PM Post #8,567 of 12,089
Just got my purplehearts, bought a "used" pair with only a few hours on them.  First impressions - they don't have as much bass as I was expecting, but it is solid, tight bass.  Treble is nicely extended.  Mids are just a touch recessed, which I prefer.  Overall they sound a lot like my PSB M4U2s, with a bit more extension and energy in the treble.  This is fantastic - pretty much the sound signature I was looking for.
 
Sep 12, 2016 at 11:41 PM Post #8,568 of 12,089
They respond well to EQing, so pushing the bass up 5-10db produces quite a rumble 
atsmile.gif
 
 
Sep 12, 2016 at 11:57 PM Post #8,570 of 12,089
Just got my purplehearts, bought a "used" pair with only a few hours on them.  First impressions - they don't have as much bass as I was expecting, but it is solid, tight bass.  Treble is nicely extended.  Mids are just a touch recessed, which I prefer.  Overall they sound a lot like my PSB M4U2s, with a bit more extension and energy in the treble.  This is fantastic - pretty much the sound signature I was looking for.


Thanks for the comparison and thoughts! In your opinion, why would someone get the Thx00 over the PSBs? (Do you have a preference?)

Thank you
 
Sep 13, 2016 at 12:02 AM Post #8,571 of 12,089
Thanks for the comparison and thoughts! In your opinion, why would someone get the Thx00 over the PSBs? (Do you have a preference?)

Thank you

 
As I said, these are pretty early impressions. I haven't listened to the Purplehearts very long.  To me, the PH and the PSBs suit different needs although I think the sound is somewhat similar, with the PHs having slightly better sound to my ears.  The PH has a more open, spacious sound, with relatively poor isolation.  The PSBs isolate way better and I find the noise cancelling function is quite good.  I generally do not listen to the PSBs at home - they are my travel cans.  The PHs will be my at home headphones. 
 
Sep 13, 2016 at 2:43 AM Post #8,573 of 12,089
As I'm listening more, I'm noticing more rumble.  Maybe I just picked the wrong tracks to start with.


You put some tracks on with nice low end energy and the PH really pound it insanely into you head...take a track like "stellar" from Nigel Good's Space Cadet album...

https://youtu.be/zc6P4xuiDw8

The low end on that youtube video isn't as menacing as it is off the Flac download though...
 
Sep 14, 2016 at 3:53 AM Post #8,575 of 12,089


Finally got my Purpleheart. It's been sitting on the local post office for a while and just had the time to pick it up yesterday. :)

It looks gorgeous on the photo, but unfortunately, the bubblewrap mark issue is affecting mine. It's not easy to photograph it, but looking closely with naked eye will easily reveal it. Well, bubblewrap mark is one thing, but I also noticed a line mark that looked like a scratch (the surface is smooth, so I suspect it is the same finishing issue). Even more, a few place on the hinge have this leftover white stuff visible (not sure what to call them). And I'm not sure how to clean this as it seems to be permanently attached. Disappointing QC. :frowning2:

That said, sounds is fantastic. I don't think I'll want the hassle to send it back, so I'm keeping this. Now I just hope the Ebony one won't have this problem, please learn from this Massdrop and Fostex.

I'll spend a little bit more time to head-to-head this with my Mahogany. :)
 
Sep 14, 2016 at 4:18 AM Post #8,577 of 12,089
It looks gorgeous on the photo, but unfortunately, the bubblewrap mark issue is affecting mine. It's not easy to photograph it, but looking closely with naked eye will easily reveal it. Well, bubblewrap mark is one thing, but I also noticed a line mark that looked like a scratch (the surface is smooth, so I suspect it is the same finishing issue). Even more, a few place on the hinge have this leftover white stuff visible (not sure what to call them). And I'm not sure how to clean this as it seems to be permanently attached. Disappointing QC.
frown.gif


That said, sounds is fantastic. I don't think I'll want the hassle to send it back, so I'm keeping this. Now I just hope the Ebony one won't have this problem, please learn from this Massdrop and Fostex.

 
That's bad news. I didn't know about the marked-cup thing until I got a mail from Massdrop saying they'd had reports of problems and were looking into it. 
I wouldn't worry about returns just yet, but I absolutely would raise a case with Massdrop. You might choose not to return them if you're asked, but whatever their solution is, at least you'll have the option - they might decide just to send out replacement cups. If mine weren't perfect they'd be going straight back!
 
Sep 14, 2016 at 4:45 AM Post #8,578 of 12,089
Please do post comparisons with your Mahogony - what difference you may hear between the two versions!

A lot of us are interested to know from those who own both, together.


Sure, I'll have to find some quite time with these two babies and will post back. :)


That's bad news. I didn't know about the marked-cup thing until I got a mail from Massdrop saying they'd had reports of problems and were looking into it. 
I wouldn't worry about returns just yet, but I absolutely would raise a case with Massdrop. You might choose not to return them if you're asked, but whatever their solution is, at least you'll have the option - they might decide just to send out replacement cups. If mine weren't perfect they'd be going straight back!


Yeah, I think I'll try contacting them. :)
 

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