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

[LFF]

Quote:

 I've had a couple of closed headphones that I could almost mistake for open, as well, but my T50RPs are not one of them.  Perhaps it's time to have another go at them.  

Tweak on my friend...
 
I know you can get them to sound open with some careful modding.
 

 

[KneelJung]

I sort of disagee with the notion that these phones sound open, but that may just be semantics on some level. I thought when I first got mine that they sounderd very congested with a plasticky resonance. Of course a lot of the mods are designed to eliminate that resonance. To my ears, after my mods a lot of the congestedness or closed feel faded. A lot of people have commented that these phones have a very black background; and that's what my perception seems to be when I'm listening to them. They still feel closed, but there is an illusion of space and dimensionality that I dont get with my Grado's and they are much more neutral with little to no grain apparent. That's my perception anyway.
 
LFF have you posted your mods yet and I missed it or are those still forthcoming.
 
Also is the modification of the reflex dot on the driver, or that post thingy in the middle of the cup. BMF's pics looks like he added something to the plastic piece in the cup (the furiture felt) but I also thought I saw something added to the center square in the driver. Can someone clarify for me...thanks.

 

[LFF]

Quote:

I sort of disagee with the notion that these phones sound open, but that may just be semantics on some level. I thought when I first got mine that they sounderd very congested with a plasticky resonance.
 
LFF have you posted your mods yet and I missed it or are those still forthcoming.
 

I think it comes down to the mod technique used. I do agree that when new and stock, they sound congested, plasticky and thin.
 
As for my mods....no I have not posted them.

 

[mrspeakers]

Working on finishing up my tweaks.  At this point, I am preferring these vs. LCD-2.  
 
All I can say is one earlier assumption I made about energy transfer proved to be incorrect and there's a subtle but useful mod here.  
 
And the more I use the O2 pads, the more I love them.  They are SO comfy.  

 

[SLaRe]

Quote:

Working on finishing up my tweaks.  At this point, I am preferring these vs. LCD-2.  
 
All I can say is one earlier assumption I made about energy transfer proved to be incorrect and there's a subtle but useful mod here.  
 
And the more I use the O2 pads, the more I love them.  They are SO comfy.  

Could you explain that mod?

 

[mrspeakers]

Not yet...    

 

[SLaRe]

I'm eagerly waiting hehehehe

 

[Hennyo]

Quote:

I'm eagerly waiting hehehehe

Mr Speakers:
 
Eagerly.
 
BMF: Going to go nab that reflex dot. I actually saw the same one at the store the other day, but decided I was content, Not anymore.

2 layers of paxmate was just too much. and I'm starting to question If I like stock more than one layer. Pad upgrades incoming I suppose.
 
Will keep fiddling around.
 
 

 

[rawrster]

I hope to get my O2 pads sooner than later Also I'll be putting foam in the cups tonight..or tomorrow or sometime soon but either way they are more enjoyable than the DT880 I have right now although the comfort level of them wins by a long shot but it's also a different sound signature. I don't have my Magnums since it's on loan but from memory theres still some improvement for the T50RP to go to match them.

 

[wdahm519]

I just ordered everything I need to do this mod!  I'm really glad this thread exists, and I have Hennyo to thank to point me in this direction.  By the way, Performance Audio (great company, ordered from them many times) has a few pairs of T50RP's in stock right now.  I ordered mine this morning and they had 4 or 5 left.  If you're looking for a pair to grab for this mod or want a second or third pair for more mods, I suggest swiping up a set.  They're the same $74.00 as everywhere else -- just in stock.
 
I also ordered SRH840 pads because I really liked those pads when I had a pair of SRH840's.  I will still end up trying some Beyer pads and especially the LCD-2 pad in the future.  Maybe the O2 pad... but its stupid-expensive for a pad.
 
I will post some pics of my modding, etc. when the time comes.  

 

[arnaud]

LFF, Marv:
 
I am just reading this thread for the first time now and only check the last few pages (from Marv's impressive CSD results for the modded TR50). Probably very mundane questions but if someone doesn't mind answering:

1. The original T50RP are referred as semi-open headphones on their (Fostex japan) website, but the discussion in last few pages mentions about closed design. Is that part of the mod (like blocking the original partially open baffle plate?)
2. How heavy does the headphone feel like (I am interesting in getting a pair here, shouldn't be too expensive to source in japan)? I see the stock one is 330g which is 200g lighter than LCD2 (I just thought all orthos would be heavy due to the driver itself) so it doesn't feel like wearing an iron?

 

[dogears]

Feels light and very comfortable after some minor mod:

 
It's a closed headphone after you seal the vent

 

[purrin]

 
Quote:

LFF, Marv:
 
I am just reading this thread for the first time now and only check the last few pages (from Marv's impressive CSD results for the modded TR50). Probably very mundane questions but if someone doesn't mind answering:

1. The original T50RP are referred as semi-open headphones on their (Fostex japan) website, but the discussion in last few pages mentions about closed design. Is that part of the mod (like blocking the original partially open baffle plate?)
2. How heavy does the headphone feel like (I am interesting in getting a pair here, shouldn't be too expensive to source in japan)? I see the stock one is 330g which is 200g lighter than LCD2 (I just thought all orthos would be heavy due to the driver itself) so it doesn't feel like wearing an iron?

 
I believe with LFF's mods, you end up with a closed headphone. The modded headphone cups felt a little bit more solid - less resonant than the stock - but a little bit heavier. I've suggested mass loading with lead strips (I'm not necessarily a big fan of dampening), but LFF said that would make them too heavy! But to answer your question - no, it doesn't feel like you are wearing an iron - not even close.
 
The LCD2 feel heavy to me, but part of that is the pressure of the cups. I feel like my head is in a vice. The modded T50RPs were just fine.

 

[purrin]

Quote:

So... uh... are these officially FOTM status?

They can only be FOTM after LFF starts a thread: Best Music for Modded T50RP's. 

 

 

[LFF]

Quote:

 
 
I believe with LFF's mods, you end up with a closed headphone. The modded headphone cups felt a little bit more solid - less resonant than the stock - but a little bit heavier. I've suggested mass loading with lead strips (I'm not necessarily a big fan of dampening), but LFF said that would make them too heavy! But to answer your question - no, it doesn't feel like you are wearing an iron - not even close.
 
The LCD2 feel heavy to me, but part of that is the pressure of the cups. I feel like my head is in a vice. The modded T50RPs were just fine.

 
Purrin is correct. After my mods, you essentially end up with a closed headphone. The headphones aren't that much heavier, certainly lighter than many others. I've found I can wear them for hours on end without any discomfort whatsoever. I still need to modify the headband to make it super comfortable but I need my wife's help for that and she has been busy with other stuff at the moment.