[Sopp]

Specification:
 
主な仕様
■形式：オープンRPダイナミック型
■再生周波数帯域：20～ 30,000Hz
■インピーダンス： 48Ω
■感度：93dB/mW
■最大入力：3,000mW
■本体質量：約375g（コード含まず）
■ケーブル長：3m（ Y型）
■プラグ：直径6.3mm金メッキステレオ標準プラグ
■付属品：レザー調ポーチ
 
http://www.fostex.jp/products/TH500RP

 

[Claritas]

Makes me wonder why they haven't also made a good-looking, closed T50RP with proper damping, &c.

 

[takato14]

Makes me wonder why they haven't also made a good-looking, closed T50RP with proper damping, &c.

Because no one would buy it, there's already plenty of those made by the community. The TH500RP offers something new and unique to the market, whereas another closed T50RP-based headphone would be the same old song and dance.

I'm also pretty sure BMF already got the most performance out of the T50RP transducer as possible with his mod, so they don't really have much headroom for improvement unless they significantly alter the transducer itself.

 

[Audiolic]

I hope they updated the transducer by a big margin compare to the T50rp... if not.. it's a fail in my opinion..

 

[vid]

There aren't any big margins in hifi, though there's marketing.

 

[Claritas]

Because no one would buy it, there's already plenty of those made by the community. The TH500RP offers something new and unique to the market, whereas another closed T50RP-based headphone would be the same old song and dance.

I'm also pretty sure BMF already got the most performance out of the T50RP transducer as possible with his mod, so they don't really have much headroom for improvement unless they significantly alter the transducer itself.

Only two of the T50RP mods are actually good-looking: Alpha Dog and ZMF Vibro. Fostex could make its own, based on the Dx000/THx00 build. In any case, I'm not persuaded yet that this is anything new.

 

[snejk]

I don't need to be persuaded, I'll let my ears decide when it's released. I'm just baffled by the lack of interest in this product, considering it's a renowned company that has shown their capability to produce top tier phones.

 

[musicman59]

If they sound like the prototype I listened to last October at RMAF or better I am buying a pair.

 

[takato14]

I don't need to be persuaded, I'll let my ears decide when it's released. I'm just baffled by the lack of interest in this product, considering it's a renowned company that has shown their capability to produce top tier phones.

I don't know, their vintage planars are really something special but I have yet to be satisfied by any modern Fostex product. This new headphone might be an exception, but the square transducer has me worried, and at $800 I'm certainly not taking a leap of faith given my experience with the TH600.
 
We'll see though. What would be interesting is if Fostex OEMs this "new" driver out to other manufacturers like they have in the past.
 

 
Only two of the T50RP mods are actually good-looking: Alpha Dog and ZMF Vibro. Fostex could make its own, based on the Dx000/THx00 build. In any case, I'm not persuaded yet that this is anything new.

 

Oh, I missed the "good-looking" part of your post, my mistake. Though, while on the topic, I don't think the silver on black colorscheme is doing the TH500RP any favors. They really should've gone with all-black or all-silver, or all silver and black mesh, or all black and silver mesh, or something. It just kind of clashes the way it is now, imo. 

 

[Nada190]

Anyone know when these are going to be available in the US?

 

[up late]

I don't need to be persuaded, I'll let my ears decide when it's released. I'm just baffled by the lack of interest in this product, considering it's a renowned company that has shown their capability to produce top tier phones.

the th900 was a slow burn but its reputation spread and it's now an established top tier closed can. not having everyone getting on board the hype train makes for a welcome change around here if you ask me.

 

[HarleyZH]

Hmm, with it being a heavier construct being metal and all, I hope they strengthened the bolt that connects to the cups and band. 
 
Either way, sure that we will get ripped off on price over here for this, but will be interested to test out this can for sure - at least on the whim of importing. 

 

[Byrnie]

I could care less about the looks of a headphone. Just focus on the sound.

 

[AUserName501]

Is this an $800 headphone using the same drivers found in the Fostex T50RP? If that is the case then that is just insulting.

 

[Ishcabible]

  Is this an $800 headphone using the same drivers found in the Fostex T50RP? If that is the case then that is just insulting.

 
And a lot of work. Trust me, it's damn hard to get those drivers to sound good in an open enclosure. I spent around 75-100 hours tuning a pair to sound good in an open enclosure for a friend and ended up just giving up and told him to make closed cups. $800 is still a lot, but I can kind of see why they're asking so much.