Orthodynamic Roundup

[Armaegis]

Hey, I'm all for equal opportunity front stuffing. Uh...

 

[droido256]

Well hello all, I think this is my first posting here.
Well I got into planars with the Fostex T50rp, then the Hifiman he-400, and now on way to me is a pair of Yamaha HP2.
I do t think I can go back to dynamic

 

[leeperry]

Quote:

I don't think I can go back to dynamics

Welcome to the Ortho Anonymous

 

[droido256]

hahahahaahaha. I cant wait to get the HP-2's in, and give em a go, seems like the HP line is worshipped here. I wish I could afford a LCD2, or 3, but PFFFAAAHAAAHAAA not on my current pay.
 
If I did get another dynamic it would be only a Yamaha, Shure, or some far out there brand that no one has ever heard of, and works magic with a dynamic driver. My next stop on the exploration train tho is hopefully a electrostatic.....tho I cant afford one.(or at least I havnt found one affordable.  

 

[droido256]

damn nice work dude

 

[vid]

I've only got the HP-50, but although I like them, I think worship is a bit too strong an idea. Veeery good for the price, but that price is about $20.

 

[vid]

Put the HOK pads on top of the HP-50 pads. Upgrades the P's soundstage to what might be called decent. Sound gets a bit more trebly, but that's an easy fix. Decay measures much as normal.
 
The closer the driver is to the mic, the faster the decay, but for the ear the worse the sound. Not sure why Yama went with these flat pads, then. Looks even worse with the YHE.

 

[thoughtcriminal]

Question for you ortho guys. I'm really interested in a planar magnetic can for my next home phone (I'm looking at the fostex t50rp for its ability to grow with me. Or a he400 if I come across a lot of money). What I really like is the speed/clarity and imaging that orthos are said to have, however I have a problem... I like my cans slightly bright and I see most frequency graphs show orthos as having recessed highs. Do they take well to an equalizer boosting the highs or are they pretty hampered by their design?

 

[droido256]

Both my Fostex t50rp, and my he-400 take equalization very well. They can go very bright imho
Personally if you can pony up the dough, and don't mind the weight I highly recommend the he-400, but the Fostex are like a 4th of the price depending. The Fostex are excellent, but to me lack the high sparkle of the he-400 and the low end subbass rumble. Both are adequately able to direct drive from my iPhone 4S, zunehd and palm pre2. I do recommend at least a fiio e11 to get the most out of them. But they are no where near as power hungry as I thought. The he-400 are heavy tho, heaviest headphone I've ever listened to. Both headphones are as solid as a tank, and comfortable even with my super stiff spikes. One note tho, the Fostex stock cable sucks. I'm using just a aux cable from griffin, works fine.

 

[thoughtcriminal]

Both my Fostex t50rp, and my he-400 take equalization very well. They can go very bright imho
Personally if you can pony up the dough, and don't mind the weight I highly recommend the he-400, but the Fostex are like a 4th of the price depending. The Fostex are excellent, but to me lack the high sparkle of the he-400 and the low end subbass rumble. Both are adequately able to direct drive from my iPhone 4S, zunehd and palm pre2. I do recommend at least a fiio e11 to get the most out of them. But they are no where near as power hungry as I thought. The he-400 are heavy tho, heaviest headphone I've ever listened to. Both headphones are as solid as a tank, and comfortable even with my super stiff spikes. One note tho, the Fostex stock cable sucks. I'm using just a aux cable from griffin, works fine.

Thanks, that's a relief. I'm always tempted by the he400 but until my fiscal situation improves drastically I can't justify them.
Does modding the t50rp bring it more in line with the he400? My wallet is pretty thin, but I enjoy modding especially if it can bring things up to par.

 

[droido256]

I haven't modded mine yet I don't mod until I have a second pair as a template and a back up. I have heard with careful modding the t50rp can exceed the he-400 with the biggest improvement being the earpads, and packing the baffle

http://www.head-fi.org/t/618659/fostex-t50rp-incremental-mods-and-measurements/350_50#post_9212324


This thread can really help for modding t50s

 

[vid]

Also, before you start modding, get a microphone so you can measure the changes and keep track. A few bucks on an electret mic will do it.

 

[Hutnicks]

Not to confuse issues here....but.... I have heard from more than one source now that the T20 is a better responding headphone. Is there any truth to that? I have never listened to the 20 or the 40 so have no frame of reference and am really curious about this.
 

 

[Armaegis]

The only differences as far as I can tell are that the T20's have a more open mesh instead of felt over the cup vents, and no plastic bit over the screw that holds the headband to the cups. 
 
The T40 is fully closed. The T20/50rp are semi-open.

 

[Hutnicks]

Is the t 20 a different driver?