Just listened to some Fostex T50RPs today... WOW!

[Deep Funk]

My first impression straight out of the box (just delivered) connected to CDX593 + SRC2496 (24/96): I am not impressed and there is less bass extension than my stock K240 DF; midrange is showing a glimpse of excellence but not more yet; highs still sound a bit shy. I do not understand how this thing can 'wow' you since it still sounds unfocused to my ears. At least it sounds pleasant enough to keep on your head but nothing that beats a Pioneer Monitor 10. 
 
Maybe a bit of burn in helps with the instrument separation and better overal clarity. If not, modifications follow. 
 
P.S. Weird observation maybe but after going from instrumentals to Dire Straits to Tool this headphone sounds a bit more focused. This thing reminds me of Sextetts with their addictingly pleasant presentation of the recording, less warm though.

 

[mrspeakers]

Interesting, this makes a lot of sense. So what was the original intention of the white damping in the stock T50s? Increased driver back-pressure is going to limit the drivers travel and low frequency response, right? The stock version was totally bass anemic, but I suppose it is a cheaper alternative to having a properly dampened and tuned enclosure.

Interesting question and my answer is not sure. My guess is the white gauze was a bit more permeable to low frequency, and reflective of highs, probably to juice the treble which was swamped by mids bouncing around the plastic enclosure, and the huge vent to reduce back pressure and let the driver move a bit more freely at the bottom.

By treating the cups with akasa the reflections are cut so the sound was harder and brighter until the gauze was removed.

I don't have access to test gear, so this is from memory and a guess, and could be totally bogus....:rolleyes:

 

[ambchang]

So after doing a lot of reading on this thread, I think I am going to do the following mods, please let me know if this makes any sense:
Stage 1 mods:
1.1) Plaster the cups with dynamat (not even sure where I can get some)
1.2) Put some acoustic foam between the drivers and the cup.
1.3) Cover the acoustic foam with felt.
1.4) Stuff the baffle with modelling clay to minimize the vibrations
 
Question: Should I drill a hole on the cups for venting?

Stage 2 mods, if I have any $ left:
2.1) Replace the pads either with SA5000 or Stax 007 pads.
 
So at the end , I am thinking the earpiece will have layers in the following order:
Earpads
Drivers + baffle with modelling clay
Felt
Acoustic Foam
Dynamt
Cup

 

[lorriman]

I've been looking at the possibility of getting deoxit or nyogel to solve the connector problems but would rather go with nyogel to avoid the potential nastiness of deoxit.

However, it doesn't seem clear to me that nyogel will sort out the problem. Am I right in thinking it's merely a way to avoid corrosion, and since that's already the issue the nyogel may not help at all? Am I also right in thinking that it's a dielectric grease and that if it does indeed work for this purpose then so would any other dielectric grease? Nyogel does seem quite expensive.

 

[geetarman49]

okay ... i've never used nyogel before, but it seems to me that the non-conductive nyogel would be a detriment to good electrical contact.  otoh, with the conductive nyogel, isn't there a possibility of establishing conductivity between the active contacts of trs plug over its insulators?  ---> short ... not the best result.
 
imo, best to use some good electrical/electronics conditioner/cleaner like nu-trol or caig pro-gold.
 
btw, what nastiness associated with deoxit?
Quote:

I've been looking at the possibility of getting deoxit or nyogel to solve the connector problems but would rather go with nyogel to avoid the potential nastiness of deoxit.

However, it doesn't seem clear to me that nyogel will sort out the problem. Am I right in thinking it's merely a way to avoid corrosion, and since that's already the issue the nyogel may not help at all? Am I also right in thinking that it's a dielectric grease and that if it does indeed work for this purpose then so would any other dielectric grease? Nyogel does seem quite expensive.

 

 

[mrspeakers]

So after doing a lot of reading on this thread, I think I am going to do the following mods, please let me know if this makes any sense:
Stage 1 mods:
1.1) Plaster the cups with dynamat (not even sure where I can get some)
1.2) Put some acoustic foam between the drivers and the cup.
1.3) Cover the acoustic foam with felt.
1.4) Stuff the baffle with modelling clay to minimize the vibrations
 
Question: Should I drill a hole on the cups for venting?

Stage 2 mods, if I have any $ left:
2.1) Replace the pads either with SA5000 or Stax 007 pads.
 
So at the end , I am thinking the earpiece will have layers in the following order:
Earpads
Drivers + baffle with modelling clay
Felt
Acoustic Foam
Dynamt
Cup

Don't drill a hole, the existing vent is too big if you remove the white gauze and use felt to damp the driver.

No point putting felt over foam, but the foam needs to be acoustic foam to have value...

 

[Deep Funk]

The T50rp stock, after critical listening and some burn in I am liking it more and more. This headphone just sounds right and is so easy to listen with. I cannot complain about Massive Attack except maybe the deepest bass notes. 

 

[leeperry]

The T50rp stock, after critical listening and some burn in I am liking it more and more. This headphone just sounds right and is so easy to listen with. I cannot complain about Massive Attack except maybe the deepest bass notes. 

Hi DF, glad you like it! I hope you've imported it from the US because the european price($250) is most delirious...even though it's still very much worth it.
 
BTW, I've used thin pieces of dual sided adhesive tape to install the sanitary covers and not make them look like a nasty kludge anymore:

 

[Deep Funk]

UK, pricey but the gamble paid off. 

 

[RanDiesel]

Quote:

Has anyone done a comparison of the modded T50RPs to the Thunderpants? I am so impressed with the sound I am getting from these headphones I am considering ordering some wood and turning some cups. I am also waiting for my Maverick D1 to ship so I can really see what these babies can do.

I just ordered some Cocobolo wood blocks and I am going to turn some cups and try my hand at making some Thunderpants. But I am still wondering if anyone has done a comparision of the modded T50s and the Thunderpants?

 

[ambchang]

The T50-RP stock sounds fantastic out of the box, especially considering I paid about $95, including shipping and duties.  It's a phenomenal deal.  I am actually liking it compared to the Westone 3 (both of their strengths and weaknesses, but the W3 were $350).
 
One issue I have, and it's a pretty major issue, is the cables.  I find myself having to fidget with the jack continuously to get signals to both phones, what gives?  I don't want to mod my phones before this issue is fixed, because I don't want the warrantee voided before I got all the issues cleaned up.
 
On the other hand, is it worth it for me to upgrade to a new cable?  If so, which one?

 

[nezzurazi]

I don't understand how something that isn't nearly as mainstream as other more well-known headphones can match up. Is it the looks, or the lack of promotion? It goes against the laws of demand.

 

[maverickronin]

Quote:

I don't understand how something that isn't nearly as mainstream as other more well-known headphones can match up. Is it the looks, or the lack of promotion? It goes against the laws of demand.

Its just that its so cheap that most people underestimate it.  I did it for a while.  I should have just started with it in the first place.

 

[schwallman]

I must be one of the lucky few that didnt have problems with the cable. I used them non stop until I had some cups made for them. Never had an issue.
 
Quote:

The T50-RP stock sounds fantastic out of the box, especially considering I paid about $95, including shipping and duties.  It's a phenomenal deal.  I am actually liking it compared to the Westone 3 (both of their strengths and weaknesses, but the W3 were $350).
 
One issue I have, and it's a pretty major issue, is the cables.  I find myself having to fidget with the jack continuously to get signals to both phones, what gives?  I don't want to mod my phones before this issue is fixed, because I don't want the warrantee voided before I got all the issues cleaned up.
 
On the other hand, is it worth it for me to upgrade to a new cable?  If so, which one?

 

 

[mrspeakers]

The "laws of demand" are hardly perfect.  Distribution, target markets, desire to build market share, and many other factors come into play.  Once in a while they favor the crafty/vigilant consumer.