Greetings everyone,
Since we launched the Fostex T-X0 planar magnetic headphones back in 2017, we’ve been paying close attention to your comments and feedback. We’re excited to announce that we’re working on a brand-new version of the Fostex T-X0, the T-X0 II, which uses a combination of parts from the original T-X0, and now the T50RP MK III.
The first T-X0 was based on the famed MKII model and was made in a limited batch. Since that time, Fostex rolled out with an MKIII version and we are now in a position to bring back the T-X0 with some new refinements.
Tuned Up
This headphone is widely known for being tuned and modded by many companies and the community. We took feedback from the original T-X0 and worked to address those concerns (wooly bass, etc.) The new tuning is something that is a bit more linear than the first version and closer to the T60RP. We also experimented with different densities of foam which are inserted around the driver opening. The less dense foam provides a more linear tuning and the denser foam helps emphasize the lower frequencies.
In the end, we opted to include both types of foam, giving you the ability to change based on your own ears. So, for those who want to get a bit more experimental, we found that if you stuff the extra foam inserts into the rear of the earcups, the added damping brings down the bass to get you an even more linear response. Those who want the most neutral sound out of this headphone might also want to give this a try.
Pads for Your Preference
You also get a choice in type of pads. We include a pair of angled protein leather pads as a default on the headphone, and we kept the original Hybrid pads in the box for those who prefer their comfort and sound.
A Modder’s Delight
Modders are super inventive. They have stuck EVERYTHING in T50RPs. Cat toy? Yes. Cosplay mask? Yes. Every type of paper you can think of? Yes. I've personally tried fur and silly putty and, well, many things a manufacturer can't easily replicate in mass production. What is great about these items and mods is that they are easy to roll in and out of your T-X0 II’s.
New to modding? Between the tuning foam and pad choices, we made it easy to try out some different combinations right away. Those who know about the history of this headphone know that it has a long legacy of modding and tweaks. Now you can join in and tinker to find your own sound.
Have fun, swap some things and settle on a great sound then enjoy your music!
— Thomas Fernandez
Collaborations Team, Audiophile
Maybe, however you want to interpret it, it's a custom comfort mod that uses less common parts, like the seat cushion works great in the headband with enough padding underneath, if I were to redesign the ergonomics I would make a version of that to be used with headphones. I think ZMF has great leather cushiony headband covers, this is an animal free version, all together much cheaper, but with only the pads as acoustical changes. It's hard to find a strap free solution for the headband bc Beyerdynamic headband covers are too small and the nuggets/bumpy add ons just are not comfortable enough on their own. Just an example of what can be done for cheap for people who don't want leather, etc. Audeze has leather free LCD2, this is a leather free option someone like ZMF or Drop could use to prototype a final design. Also the 90 degree adapter makes the BoomPro usable without having to twist it, which I don't recommend. The Beyerdynamic DT770 80 ohm has great foam, you could use that for dampening. Maybe they can have a collab in the future, Drop x Fostex x Beyerdynamic DT5XRP.
JJDeviloperMy friend, I'm going to give you the best advice you've ever received in your life; whenever you take your wallet out of your pocket, put it straight back into the other pocket and save the money. You'll be glad in 5 years.
Disclaimer* I have not heard these TX0II.. not even the TX0 so I can't say whether they are great or trash. From reading the TX0 reviews, I know the TX0 will need modding to make it sound half way decent. Modhouse can get the TX0 sound great with stupid sound stage. for around $120 (if you want ZMF pads and Vmoda Cables). so if you are buying these TXOII and planning on sending them to ModHouse, adding the $180 you already spent, = $300 and I am not even sure he can mod them yet as the TXOII are currently being pre-order. So the price of Modding them can be more. for this discussion, lets say $320 by the time Ryan get a hold of one to Mod.
I own a pair of T60RP right off the bat, they sound very different compare to the Argon. The T60RP will distroy any unmod T50RP MK II or MK III and its balanced and look damn sexy. However they do cost around $280 new. or $240 refurbished. (A pair of New T60RP Argon is currently priced at $385 on Ryan's website BTW, which is a steal from what I heard).
I also own 2 pairs of Argons (Modded differently by Ryan). One using T50RP MK II with Lambskin Pad and the other using T20RP MK II with Protein Leather. With that said, I know what a pair of Fostex RP is capable of once its Modded.
I paid $70 a piece on the used market for the MK IIs with the Mod Fee at the time was $150 charged by ModHouse include ZMF Pads, V-moda SE cable, and SheepSkin Head strap, so It cost me $220 each total. However, finding a used pair of MK II for $70 is scare. (I just got lucky). So in conclusion. If you don't want to Mod these headphones yourself, the best scenario is to purchase a pair of Argon MKIII from ModHouse for $245. and call it a day. You can buy me a beer later. But if you wish to mod em yourself, this DROP offering can be a great deal!
Oh one last thing, if you send ModHouse a MKII it costs $85 vs $60 for the TX0 because it came with a strap already. But it will cost $90 if you send in the MKIII because he has to undo something to the MKIII before it can be made into an Argon. ZMF Pads V-moda Cable and balance conversion are extras of course. please keep that in mind.
Other headphones I currently own: HiFiman HE400i, HE5SE, Sennheiser HD25, HD 25sp, HD58X, and AR E-10 IEM.
AmensmasherI've got the Argon Mk II as well but have so far only tried it with the ZMF Lambskin and Microsuede pads. How is the Mk2 on the protein pads in your opinion?
PastafarianLemurLambskin is less dense and softer than the Protein so the Protein will have a larger distance to the driver, which will have less high but better imaging. I use Protein with gaming. The Protein is on my T20RP, but I have lambskin on my T50RP for Music Listening.
I’d looooove to see an option for folks that purchased the original v.1. I have a pair and haven’t modded them at all - it would be great to have a kit that I could buy for $30-ish with some foams and felts that I could use to tune my v.1’s.
serweiProbably not. I tried the Dekoni blues and Argons (t50rp mods) with the xDuoo xd-05 (500mW at 32ohm) and while it will work, it sounded super muffled. I am using either one as daily driver at work running off sanskrit 10 dac and Jds Labs Atoms and it sounded great. I have the thx aaa coming from last drop and I can't wait to try them on there.
serweiIt will sound.. but it wont be very open and dynamic. Absolutely no headroom. You will hear distortion before maxing out your portable amp. I have Fiio Q1 MKII, Fiio A3, Topping nx4. None can drive them cleanly. Now if you have a Monolith AAA THX, iFi Micro Black or a Chord Mojo, YMMV.
OMG make it balanced! Like 177x and T60. Can we get pics of the angled leather, T60 pads or ZMF?
Headband needs to be softer like alcantara. Above is my MK2 with MK3 baffle, ZMF and deerskin strap.
The connector inside is a PCB style and cup crafted to house it properly. It would be down to Fostex to source a TRRS version that would slot in. These headphones need balanced power.
rslataraWhere did you get the mk3 baffles from?
I would like to replace mine like yours so the earpads will fit clean instead of its lips covering the frame.
Jay_FLove my custom (I modded them) Fostex T50RP headphones... One of the best sounding headphones I have ever owned or heard (if you can push enough power through them of course).
I'd like to order a mod kit to go with my Stock T50RP mkIII. A 'bass' kit for those wanting more of that. a 'neutral' kit for me. I take it that this is for a headphone with mods all-in-one. Not crystal clear to me by reading.
Would like the option to have protein leather or vegan head strap or none at all. Also a feature to open/close the vents, and microsuede pads, with or without perforation.
That'd be really awesome, the vents feature would be really interesting. For the customization, I wouldn't pay too much for aesthetics. At the end of the day, if I want to make some aesthetic changes I can do them by myself.
The problem with slider is that it will be almost impossible to get the tuning correct. Its either or. if you tune for sound stage, it has to be open, if you want to tune for bass, it has to be closed. its hard to come up with a Mod that can accommodate both correctly.
Though it's tiny, it manages to power even high ohm headsets with amazing accuracy. It works great with the drop usb-c to usb-c and my Phillips shp-9600. Soon enough I'll be using the Akoustyx...
I have an external amplifier with no integrated DAC and I only have an xduo xa10 as a dac/amp can I use the xduo xa10 as a dac only with an external amplifier?
So I bought the HD6xx a few weeks back and when I finally got the packages i got some Noir 99. ever happened to any of u guys and how did it get resolved