NEW! Fostex TH610 Premium Reference Closed-Back Headphones

[kuutan]

Besides changing the cups, I'm also curious what other mods we can do to the 610s. Awhile back I read about people covering certain holes behind the black ring to change the sound for the th900s... But I'm not sure on that...

I"m waiting for the open back version of the th610s... I'm tempted to cut a hole in the walnut cups just to know how it'll sound...lol

 

[George Taylor]

Besides changing the cups, I'm also curious what other mods we can do to the 610s. Awhile back I read about people covering certain holes behind the black ring to change the sound for the th900s... But I'm not sure on that...

I"m waiting for the open back version of the th610s... I'm tempted to cut a hole in the walnut cups just to know how it'll sound...lol

I hear you. Ever since I saw the "wooden" T50RP variation they're showing at conventions I've been waiting for a shot at it. I enjoy every set of cans I've heard from Fostex. And I agree with you all here today, the 610s are definitely under represented here and elsewhere. I don't really know if they're worth the full price, especially with the Massdrop offerings available. And those cans are probably what is killing the 610 more than anything.

 

[sigmasix]

Oh, I still very much love my pair, every odd night it's just me and the Fostex'es!
They suit my rather eclectic taste in music well and is connected to a iFi iDSD Micro Black Label or (as of late) the Fiio X7mk2. I love the authority and sparkle the BL gives them, without becoming too emphatic in either end.
I only got to listen to the Mojo for a couple of hours (I had at least 50 hours with the iFI at the time) so take my opinion with a pinch of salt: despite being a great dac/amp with many obvious qualities, I missed the .. hmm .. precision (or sense of definition I guess) of the Black Label. I can't exactly put my finger on it, perhaps my brain (or bias) had adjusted to the iFI signature at the time of audition but the iDSD sounds more dynamic and "hi-fi".
I haven't looked back since and the TH-610's thank me for it every time

I agree with the above, when testing for amps recently I tried out the MOJO, iDSD Black Label & Questyle CMA400i over a few hours.

The MOJO sounded great and smooth but I didn't like the pairing as it lost some detail imo with the 610's. The iDSD was excellent for the price, sounded energetic with the 610's but I was after a desktop unit vs portable/desktop so went with the CMA400i which I'm very happy with.

That What HiFi article initially turned me off the 610's when I was researching as there weren't many other opinions back then, and I think plays some part in it's popularity or lack there of. When I was testing I didn't really consider them at all, but once I was in the shop and comparing them to comparative priced hp's it was pretty clear the quality of the 610's for the price is excellent.

As I've posted previously, testing the 400i's, the MEZE 99's & 610's for me was a clear upgrade in sound and I didn't want to spend more than the 610's cost. Initially I was thinking the 400i, as it was extremely comfortable and light, the highs were amazing, but it lacked elsewhere in comparison. The MEZE 99 sounded better for an 'overall hp for all music' and had great mids and bass, but the 610's have excellent bass and a more energetic higher quality sound compared to the other two headphones, but you're paying for that upgrade. They're different types of hp too, 400i being portable the 99's being portable/home and the 610's sits for me as a 'home hp' etc.

 

[donkeywalker]

Has anyone compared this with denon D5000, D7000 or D7200?

 

[casper3127]

The D7000s are more refined, with a better sound stage and better instrument separation. The sound is much more linear (taking it with the perspective that we're talking of a Fostex/Denon sound signature).
For me they're a step forward the TH610s. Both are enjoyable cans but the Denons reserve a more relaxed listening. The Fostexs put the music much more in your face. They're my perfect mates with a diy shorter cable to hear music out of a X5 III.

 

[GivenTheOkiDoke]

Has anyone tried these with Dekoni pads? Specifaclly the Fenestrated Sheepskin?

 

[kuutan]

Has anyone tried these with Dekoni pads? Specifaclly the Fenestrated Sheepskin?

I have the Dekoni TH-X00 elite sheepskin on mines. To my ears it's an improvement in every way- comfort and sound quality. But I haven't tried it with the Dekoni attenuation rings. Can't justify paying the price for two plastic rings, so I made a hard paper version. Not a big noticeable difference in my opinion.

I vaguely remember reading mixed reviews for the fenestrated ones.

 

[329161]

Just got a pair of these instead of the Cascade or Aeon Flow. The Th610's are better balanced with greater detail and soundstage than either. Hugely underrated can.

 

[tcellguy]

Just got a pair of these instead of the Cascade or Aeon Flow. The Th610's are better balanced with greater detail and soundstage than either. Hugely underrated can.

Have you heard the Emu Teak’s? I’m curious how they compare to the 610s. I have the Emus coming via massdrop next month.

 

[gazzington]

I must confess I'm a bit of a bass head but also love metal and classic rock. Can these cover all my needs or am I better off with jvc sz2000 or taction kannon?

 

[GitBash]

Just got a pair of these instead of the Cascade or Aeon Flow. The Th610's are better balanced with greater detail and soundstage than either. Hugely underrated can.

Nice! im looking to buy the 610, the cascade cable design is a mess and the aeon flow is way too big to use at the office. Do you recommend the TH610 for home and office use?
Have you tried the th900? dont know if is should save or get the 610.

 

[casper3127]

Although being this a bit off-topic (sorry), I would like to share with you that I've just put my Denon AH-D7000s for sale on the classifieds. Should anyone be interested, shoot me a PM.

 

[CanDo]

Finally someone besides me likes the 610. What people don't realize is Lawton tune-up kit type mods come on the drivers, same dampening material that Mark Lawton uses! I removed the walnut cups and purchased Lawton Chambers in Padauk. IMHO, they are the most neutral of the Fostex variants. I am using my Ampsandsound Kenzie, out of Metrum Amethyst DAC. What a fantastic headphone that no one realizes, even the stock cable is good, it bests my Kimber Axios on these. I sold the walnut cups and went with the Lawtons in Padauk, Great headphones!

Same here. I spent many hours on two trips to a headphone shop listening to pretty much everything under £1,000 and a few over that (HD800S, TH900 MKII, Beyer T1.2, Final VIII, Focal Clear and Elear). To me, the TH-610 was a no-brainer. The only thing I liked a tiny bit more was the Clear. I'd have grabbed it at the same price, but not at nearly double. LOVE these cans.

 

[kuutan]

Ever since getting the IDSD Micro Black Label, I haven't spent time listening to the 610 because the TH900 was getting all the attention with the BL. Now that my 900s are being sent off for a period of time, I'm starting to listen back to the 610.

And I must agree with what members have said about the BL pairing well with the 610. The BL gives that extra bit of "energy" and refinement to the 610. A bit more soundstage and low end. Not on the level of the 900s of course but still a very enjoyable listen. After listening to the 900 exclusively everyday, going back to the 610 was quite refreshing-tone things down a bit, relax, and enjoy. The matte walnut wood cups really says something about the character of the 610. This might be only me, but I can't help but enjoy the 610 with an acoustic guitar track with female vocals. I love how it feels like the guitar strings are resonating in the wood chambers and it felt very intimate as oppose to my HD600, which was still awesome with the mids and being open but it didn't have that "intimacy" that I look for now and then.

Anyways, I hope there are still folks out there enjoying the 610s even though it quite quiet here.

 

[obsidyen]

I still use TH-610 every day. I think I will do so until Fostex comes up with a new model in the TH-6XX line (TH-620 or something). It is the perfect allrounder for all music types and media (films, games).