[Hiltonk]

Do they brush your neck? They look really long.

No they don’t

 

[nornicle]

I’ve owned the fostex th610 for about two years now. I’ve been very hot and cold with them, my other head phones are the ER4XR Etymotic IEMs and Audio Technica AD900. Run through iPhone XS Max and Spotify.

I’ve always felt two things about these head phones negatively - separation (in electronic music or heavily produced pop it starts to sound quite congested) and resolving details are not as good as the etymotics and female vocals feel too recessed sometimes (eg diana krall/ Taylor swift) but not others (eg winterplay) Also puts electric guitar solos slightly in the background rather than rocking them upfront.

The thing I’ve liked about them - detailed bass, great acoustic guitar and male vocals. For closed headphones they have reasonably good staging.

They do really well with ‘classic analog rock’ - rhythm guitar (electric or acoustic), drum (kick drums are quite a treat) and cymbals, male vocals. It has a very rock concert ‘pa system’ playback presentation, so don’t expect clinical.

I’ve enjoyed listening to foo fighters, three piece jazz bands (winterplay comes to mind), Gomez.

So maybe that’s what these phones are all about - classic analog rock?

I’m still hot and cold on these ($600 feels like a no mans land of head phones in some ways?). For those with higher end phones, what was ‘next level’ for you to these headphones.

 

[DavidA]

I’ve owned the fostex th610 for about two years now. I’ve been very hot and cold with them, my other head phones are the ER4XR Etymotic IEMs and Audio Technica AD900. Run through iPhone XS Max and Spotify.

I’ve always felt two things about these head phones negatively - separation (in electronic music or heavily produced pop it starts to sound quite congested) and resolving details are not as good as the etymotics and female vocals feel too recessed sometimes (eg diana krall/ Taylor swift) but not others (eg winterplay) Also puts electric guitar solos slightly in the background rather than rocking them upfront.

The thing I’ve liked about them - detailed bass, great acoustic guitar and male vocals. For closed headphones they have reasonably good staging.

They do really well with ‘classic analog rock’ - rhythm guitar (electric or acoustic), drum (kick drums are quite a treat) and cymbals, male vocals. It has a very rock concert ‘pa system’ playback presentation, so don’t expect clinical.

I’ve enjoyed listening to foo fighters, three piece jazz bands (winterplay comes to mind), Gomez.

So maybe that’s what these phones are all about - classic analog rock?

I’m still hot and cold on these ($600 feels like a no mans land of head phones in some ways?). For those with higher end phones, what was ‘next level’ for you to these headphones.

I'm not sure there is a "next level' since the TH-600/610/900 and all the MassDrop/Emu variations are more of a slightly different tuning/refinement of the Fostex house sound IMO. I'd suggest something totally different if you don't own other headphones like a Senn HD6 series, Beyer DT series or even a Grado

 

[Martin J]

Finally closed out my home and office headphone.....home, aeon flow open ( got it used, ordered new pads , thing is back to life) if not for the good deal on the unit i would have gone for a bnew aeon flow closed back. Money saved went to TH610, bnew old stock at around 399 USD here in Manila. This is definitely U shaped, im liking it so far for office use.

 

[legcramp]

I’ve owned the fostex th610 for about two years now. I’ve been very hot and cold with them, my other head phones are the ER4XR Etymotic IEMs and Audio Technica AD900. Run through iPhone XS Max and Spotify.

I’ve always felt two things about these head phones negatively - separation (in electronic music or heavily produced pop it starts to sound quite congested) and resolving details are not as good as the etymotics and female vocals feel too recessed sometimes (eg diana krall/ Taylor swift) but not others (eg winterplay) Also puts electric guitar solos slightly in the background rather than rocking them upfront.

The thing I’ve liked about them - detailed bass, great acoustic guitar and male vocals. For closed headphones they have reasonably good staging.

They do really well with ‘classic analog rock’ - rhythm guitar (electric or acoustic), drum (kick drums are quite a treat) and cymbals, male vocals. It has a very rock concert ‘pa system’ playback presentation, so don’t expect clinical.

I’ve enjoyed listening to foo fighters, three piece jazz bands (winterplay comes to mind), Gomez.

So maybe that’s what these phones are all about - classic analog rock?

I’m still hot and cold on these ($600 feels like a no mans land of head phones in some ways?). For those with higher end phones, what was ‘next level’ for you to these headphones.

Sony Z1R

 

[pallydou]

Would you guys consider it is a good choice of the first planar magnetic headphone? Or save some money and go for Audeze? Also, I read the polarity of cables compared with Senns. So the upgrade cable cannot be shared?

I own Senns HD600 and wish to have something warmer in sound. I personally don’t prefer China brands.

 

[Shane D]

Just bought a demo set of these tonight. Hopefully the store still has them in the morning and they make their way to me.

I am thinking pads early on. Maybe Lawton, if I am not thrilled with them.

Deal is done and they are on the way. Really looking forward to them. I almost bought the Denon D7200's several times over the years.

Shane D

 

[Hiltonk]

TH610 meet RME ADI-2 DAC FS - Your new best friend. Awesome DAC and Headphone AMP.

TH610 new best friend RME ADI-2 DAC FS by Hilton, on Flickr

TH610 new best friend RME ADI-2 DAC FS by Hilton, on Flickr

 

[Shane D]

TH610 meet RME ADI-2 DAC FS - Your new best friend. Awesome DAC and Headphone AMP.

TH610 new best friend RME ADI-2 DAC FS by Hilton, on Flickr

TH610 new best friend RME ADI-2 DAC FS by Hilton, on Flickr

Looks good but I thought the 610 cups were darker?

Shane D

 

[Tsukuyomi]

TH610 meet RME ADI-2 DAC FS - Your new best friend. Awesome DAC and Headphone AMP.

TH610 new best friend RME ADI-2 DAC FS by Hilton, on Flickr

TH610 new best friend RME ADI-2 DAC FS by Hilton, on Flickr

I also have an rme adi2 dac, thinking of picking these fostex also

 

[Shane D]

Got my 610's yesterday. I am really enjoying the sound. I don't recall drums ever being so prominent, but I guess that's what a bassy headphone does. I am enjoying it. Vocals are not recessed at all, which is great for me.

Right now I am going Sony DAP to SMSL SU-8 (DAC) to SMSL SP200 (amp). I think these are going to be even more fun with the Liquid Spark, Vali 2 and especially the Burson Fun. I wanted to start with my most neutral amp and see what I am dealing with.

Nice looking headphones although the fit is very loose. And I have a Big noggin.

Last night I started with some new jazz as ALAC files. Sounded very clean and sharp. I was a little surprised. Drums were noticeable. Went to Counting Crows to Whitesnake to Crash Kings. Very "drummy". A word I have never used before. But the vocals were also prominent. VERY different from my Grado's, Beyer's and Koss Electrostatics. A very nice change of perspective.

I will play with these for quite a while before deciding on any Lawton mods. Thinking about pads just for a tighter fit at this point, but everything is very comfortable right now.

Still in the shiny new toy phase at this point, but I am pretty happy with these. Also, the fact that I got these demo's at half price reduced my expectations.

Shane D

 

[Shane D]

Anybody else using these? A really quiet thread. Anyone want to list the amps they are using?
So far I have been using:
SMSL SP200
Cavalli Liquid Spark
XDuoo TA-20
And they all sound pretty good.

Anybody done the Lawton mods?

 

[Martin J]

Here is mine, modded cables to accept mmx, balanced on the AK Kann.

 

[Shane D]

Here is mine, modded cables to accept mmx, balanced on the AK Kann.

Is the AK 2.5mm or 4.4mm?

 

[Martin J]

Is the AK 2.5mm or 4.4mm?

2.5mm