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

[Armillary]

I just finished giving my pair an overhaul, turned a set of wood cups, used cut acrylic as a replacement for the baffle, and finished off by changing over to mini-xlr ports for the removable cable. I found out after finishing them that there's a problem with the left driver. The driver on the right seems to be louder on frequencies below 1000Hz and certain others, I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered this issue. I've taken them apart and listened to them out of the cups and checked the wiring and everything seems to be fine but perhaps the drivers themselves. 
 
I'm also hoping to start selling modified sets around my campus, I have access to a 3d printer, laser cutter, and a well stocked wood shop so I'm about to start doing a bit of prototyping. I really appreciate any information anyone could give me about getting sets of t50rp's for a good price or even drivers sold apart from the sets. I'd be willing to haggle a set of turned woodcups for anything that would make it easier for me to get started on creating a good custom set.
 

Spoiler: My previous project

Right after first assembly, I used Walnut for the cups. The cable has a parachute cord covering to prevent tangles and add some durability.
 

I rewired the mini-xlr plugs on the cord and turned a wood cover for them. I also ordered a set of hybrid brainwavz pads. 

 

[ZGLISZCZ]

  I just finished giving my pair an overhaul, turned a set of wood cups, used cut acrylic as a replacement for the baffle, and finished off by changing over to mini-xlr ports for the removable cable. I found out after finishing them that there's a problem with the left driver. The driver on the right seems to be louder on frequencies below 1000Hz and certain others, I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered this issue. I've taken them apart and listened to them out of the cups and checked the wiring and everything seems to be fine but perhaps the drivers themselves. 
 
I'm also hoping to start selling modified sets around my campus, I have access to a 3d printer, laser cutter, and a well stocked wood shop so I'm about to start doing a bit of prototyping. I really appreciate any information anyone could give me about getting sets of t50rp's for a good price or even drivers sold apart from the sets. I'd be willing to haggle a set of turned woodcups for anything that would make it easier for me to get started on creating a good custom set.
 

Spoiler: My previous project

Right after first assembly, I used Walnut for the cups. The cable has a parachute cord covering to prevent tangles and add some durability.
 

I rewired the mini-xlr plugs on the cord and turned a wood cover for them. I also ordered a set of hybrid brainwavz pads. 

Hi Armillary, I tried to get some of them cheaper with no result, I contacted Fostex Japan and although respond was really friendly I wasn't able to purchase anything from them. They don't sell to third party. I couldn't find any wholesale sources either... I was hoping sellers will try to rid of MK2 to start selling MK3 but prices stays almost same. There was one website that was selling them pretty cheap but they didn't support paypal payment and I couldn't find much info about them so I didn't risk losing money (they also didn't respond to my email) but if you would like to try contact them: http://www.proaudiosuppliers.com/fostex-t20-rp.html   damn they are so cheap there, its so tempting... If you will be able to contact them please let me know. For your woodies, I would suggest to do something with wire close to where you made xlr wooden covers as this place is where you will sooner or later damage your cable. I would try to angle painted stripes, it might look more dynamic (or even remove paint as wood have its own organic beauty). Nice work man! 
Btw. I was trying to get Fostex drivers at first place (I'm also make my own phones) and there is no way to get them;(  there is one head-fi user that apparently was able to get them but now I'm not sure anymore about that.

 

[Armillary]

That certainly does look temping, I'd almost be willing to give it a shot just to see if it worked out. I'll shoot them an email and see if I can get confirmation on the price. Maybe amazon will lower it a bit as well when the mk3 is selling, right now though they just seem to be going further up in price. 
 
I'll do something about that section on the cord, I haven't noticed any issue yet but I think a bit of heat shrink or the like might relieve tension there. 
 
Thanks for the info, it sucks that the drivers aren't available for separate order themselves, makes me wonder what mr.speakers had to go through to get his own drivers produced. Thinking about that though I suppose I might just have to either buy sets themselves or try other companies. 

 

[ZGLISZCZ]

I know its tempting and I was thinking the same but I didn't wanted to put my debit card info on the site I don't really know. It looks like real shop but I became suspicious. At the end I ordered few pairs from Japan which was bit cheaper (with duty and DHL) than from one website from Germany. Beside that they in similar price everywhere. Drivers were available as spare parts long time ago, then they became more expensive and now I don't really see them anywhere. I believe Mr Speakers and ZMF need/ed to buy them just like us. That's why they reused headband. I was planning to made my own headband but as I cannot source drivers I will partially reuse it also. I'm sure ZMF would have much better look with custom headband, those beauty wood cups deserve something better imho. Headband from TH 600/900 would be perfect
 
About your cord. If you will be able to drill bigger hole in wooden xlr covers (on the cable side) you might be able to put there and glue some elastic but sturdier shrink wrap.
 
As long as I know there is no way to buy planar driver from any company right now;(

 

[silvrr]

Picked up some lambskin pads from ZMF and they came in today.  I wouldn't have thought that pads could change the sound so much.  I think getting a seal on the ear side really helps, if I lift away even a little bit and break the seal the bottom end drops out.  
 
About 1000 times more comfortable than the stock pads too.  

 

[DangerClose]

I got a used T50rp.  It sounds incredibly veiled, almost underwater.  If it wasn't for eq'ing the lower mids down around 5db to get them to sound somewhat like a headphone should sound like, I'd think my pair was broken.  
 
Now where did I put that bag of cotton balls....

 

[SeEnCreaTive]

I got a used T50rp.  It sounds incredibly veiled, almost underwater.  If it wasn't for eq'ing the lower mids down around 5db to get them to sound somewhat like a headphone should sound like, I'd think my pair was broken.  

Now where did I put that bag of cotton balls....

Heh I was just going to say, get on modding


I took the felt off the back of my drivers one time... gosh it was bad

 

[Audiolic]

My mr speakers where the same.. opening the valve made them better for air it was still to muddy more so if you compare it to my koss electrostats microdetails... i would resel them and buy something like the last philips fidelio or if you want close oppo pm-3 or nad or last momentum 2 without wireless for lightweight or with wireless if you dont care for weight

 

[SeEnCreaTive]

My mr speakers where the same.. opening the valve made them better for air it was still to muddy more so if you compare it to my koss electrostats microdetails... i would resel them and buy something like the last philips fidelio or if you want close oppo pm-3 or nad or last momentum 2 without wireless for lightweight or with wireless if you dont care for weight

I'd imagine most headphones would sound muddy compared to even low end electrostatics, but then again, $900 is no small chunk of change. But for price, $150 with a few mods, t50rp seems to blow the doors off most. Momentums are nice but I feel they don't have much micro detail, gorgous build, and also very costly

 

[Araki]

Just amazing !!!

 

[Armillary]

I'm coming up on the end of my next project. This time I built the cups with wooden baffles and cut out a set of cups with a shopbot cnc. I also used other laser cut pieces for the backing and 3d printed a support arm that would allow the cup to rotate to fit well with the angled pads I used. I ended up going with a smc rf connector and cable although I did end up regretting it a bit to be honest. I still need to do some cosmetic work and make the fit seal better.
 
Edit: Added a wrap to the ends of the headband, I need to wrap them over again but the pics convey the idea.

 

Spoiler: Pictures

 

 

[Fox2twenty]

I heard mk3's are similar to alpha dogs... Can anyone confirm??

 

[PETEREK]

I heard mk3's are similar to alpha dogs... Can anyone confirm??

Where in the world did you hear that nonsense?

 

[Fox2twenty]

It was on an impression thread. I think it was AnakChan.

Anyway, so the mk3's at least sound better without mods compared to the mk2?

 

[Fox2twenty]

Where in the world did you hear that nonsense?

Here you go -
http://www.head-fi.org/products/fostex-t50rp-closed-ear-stereo-headphones/reviews/13593