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

[LFF]

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 Who knows?  I may try them and think the sound is not right for my ears.  I doubt that there's hardly one headphone that will satisfy thousands of people.  Sure, it may satisfy them to a degree, but maybe not 100% all the time. 

This is very true. When people ask me about them I try to be as honest and forthcoming about their sound signature (or lack thereof) as possible. Some people love a natural sounding headphone while others might be looking for a more fun sound signature ala LCD-2.2.

 

[Taowolf51]

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I think the threads are fine, it's the heads that are almost spent (and yes, I did try to find the correct screwdriver, but not a single one seemed like a right fit).

Really? I was shocked at how tough the threads were. I've opened and closed them tons of times, and not a single sign of wear yet. The plastic threads of the baffle have gotten much looser, but other than that, no problems.

 

[mrspeakers]

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I remember asking you earlier if you had a reflex dot on yours and you said you didn't because your 'phones provided plenty of upper end.  Ironically, I skipped the reflex dot during the last re-assembly and fluffed up three cotton balls and the upper frequencies are just spot on.  I have no desire for additional treble at this point.  And, I'm a person who was a Grado fanboi, who loved the detail of a Grado headphone.
 

I posted earlier but on this system the reflex dot reduces upper mids/lower treble, at least in all the configs I tried.  Maybe works for some design, but not any of mine...
 

 

[AnotherN00b]

where have you been BMF? I've been anxiously awaiting the results of your latest experiments! 
 
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 You might try filling the cup screw holes with super glue, use a drill bit slightly smaller than the stock baffle-to-cup screws, and see if the screws will self-tap new threads. 
 
 

 

 

[wje]

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I posted earlier but on this system the reflex dot reduces upper mids/lower treble, at least in all the configs I tried.  Maybe works for some design, but not any of mine...
 

Yeah, I had thought in my readings it would increase those frequencies.  However, I'm better without it, too.  So, my mods will remain without one being in place.  Time and effort will be spent on other areas instead.
 

 

[wdahm519]

Last night I formally introduced this modification to a group of people at Michigan State University (where I am I student).  The group was a club I am in there, called AEE (Audio Enthusiasts and Engineers).  When I initially brought up the idea of these mods, there were 3 or 4 people interested in it.  Now it seems there are maybe 8 or so people interested in doing these mods in the club alone because of how astonished everyone was.  People loved the sound. 
 
Another member here who doesn't post too regularly brought his unmodified pair of T50RP's in to compare A/B with the O2 amp being used, and lossless music from my iPod.  The differences were tremendous.

 

[hans030390]

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I posted earlier but on this system the reflex dot reduces upper mids/lower treble, at least in all the configs I tried.  Maybe works for some design, but not any of mine...

 
You originally used a square of tape as a reflex dot with your RP2 840 mod (latest version). Do you not recommend this anymore?
 
 

 

[wdahm519]

By the way I've been wondering if anyone has done a comparison between these and the Grado GS1000i?

 

[dogwan]

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I tried the gasket aswell! Pads, baffle and cup is now sealed. Seal is IMPORTANT to get the drum slam I think. Some 3mm cellulose sponge in the cup HELPED A LOT. It was moistured when i put it inn, wonder If drying It will change the sound. Try some irregular sponge, I'ts reversible. Cover the whole cup, 4 mm, not too much over the reflex dot. Driver should be able to breathe.

Ahhh, finally see someone else tried the sponge.
 
I posted ages ago about using the natural vegetable cellulose sponges from Trader Joe's. Have been itching to compare notes with someone else who's tried it. I think it works great.
 
-Dogwan
 

 

[wje]

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By the way I've been wondering if anyone has done a comparison between these and the Grado GS1000i?

I have not done such a direct comparison.  However, I've been through a lot of Grados and Grado designs with the Magnum drivers - my latest being the Magnum v.4 in Mahogany cups.  I had sent out my Magnums on a loan, so another user could test them out and capture the experience of the Magnum driver.  Clearly, the Magnum driver exceeds the performance of the Grado 325 and quite possibly, the RS-2 and RS-1 headphones, too.  When I set up my Magnums for a listening session, I realized that I had gotten so accustomed to the omni drivers, Fostex mods and my HifiMAN headphones, that the signature of the Grado or Magnum was no longer for me.  Could this classify as such a comparison?  In some ways, yes.  I think it speaks volumes for what the Fostex headphones with modifications to the orthodynamic design offer.
 

 

[mrspeakers]

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Quote:
 
You originally used a square of tape as a reflex dot with your RP2 840 mod (latest version). Do you not recommend this anymore?
 
 

Take it out...  
 

 

[wdahm519]

 
Quote:

I have not done such a direct comparison.  However, I've been through a lot of Grados and Grado designs with the Magnum drivers - my latest being the Magnum v.4 in Mahogany cups.  I had sent out my Magnums on a loan, so another user could test them out and capture the experience of the Magnum driver.  Clearly, the Magnum driver exceeds the performance of the Grado 325 and quite possibly, the RS-2 and RS-1 headphones, too.  When I set up my Magnums for a listening session, I realized that I had gotten so accustomed to the omni drivers, Fostex mods and my HifiMAN headphones, that the signature of the Grado or Magnum was no longer for me.  Could this classify as such a comparison?  In some ways, yes.  I think it speaks volumes for what the Fostex headphones with modifications to the orthodynamic design offer.
 

 
Thanks for this reply.  I owned a pair of Alessandro MS1i's once and I was super disappointed in the SQ of the basically Grado driver.  I know they were low-end but still.  I guess I've always been curious how the GS1000i's sound since I'm starting to contemplate purchasing one of the high end headphones ($1000+ ish if I had to put a number on it).  I think owning a pair of truly high end headphones that are better than the HD650's, K701's, and DT990's that I've owned would contribute greatly to being able to improve the T50RP's.
 
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Ahhh, finally see someone else tried the sponge.
 
I posted ages ago about using the natural vegetable cellulose sponges from Trader Joe's. Have been itching to compare notes with someone else who's tried it. I think it works great.
 
-Dogwan
 

  I'm eager to hear more about this but not willing to try it yet.
 

 

[wdahm519]

Ehh okay Head-Fi isn't submitting the changes to my editted post so here is the other part that won't show up:
 
Quote:

I have not done such a direct comparison.  However, I've been through a lot of Grados and Grado designs with the Magnum drivers - my latest being the Magnum v.4 in Mahogany cups.  I had sent out my Magnums on a loan, so another user could test them out and capture the experience of the Magnum driver.  Clearly, the Magnum driver exceeds the performance of the Grado 325 and quite possibly, the RS-2 and RS-1 headphones, too.  When I set up my Magnums for a listening session, I realized that I had gotten so accustomed to the omni drivers, Fostex mods and my HifiMAN headphones, that the signature of the Grado or Magnum was no longer for me.  Could this classify as such a comparison?  In some ways, yes.  I think it speaks volumes for what the Fostex headphones with modifications to the orthodynamic design offer.
 

 
Thanks for this reply.  I owned a pair of Alessandro MS1i's once and I was super disappointed in the SQ of the basically Grado driver.  I know they were low-end but still.  I guess I've always been curious how the GS1000i's sound since I'm starting to contemplate purchasing one of the high end headphones ($1000+ ish if I had to put a number on it).  I think owning a pair of truly high end headphones that are better than the HD650's, K701's, and DT990's that I've owned would contribute greatly to being able to improve the T50RP's.

 

[hans030390]

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Take it out...  

Haha, OK. Will do. Any chance you have measurements to compare the difference?
 

 

[dmcs414]

Sigh...cant decide between Fischer FA-003, Beyer velour DT770, and Hifiman earpads.  Thoughts anyone?  These would be replacing the stock Fostex pads on Smeggy TP1s.  
 
Lost in pad picking hell...