Drop + Fostex T-X0 II Planar Magnetic Headphones Discussions | Drop

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Drop + Fostex T-X0 II Planar Magnetic Headphones

Jun 18, 2019

Why are they still creating "new" headphones for a community of audiophiles without including, at least, the option for a balanced cable without modding *facepalm*. Yes, I know there's people who don't care.. Yes, I know that my stupid pleb ears could never discern a difference.. Yes, I know they would likely need to charge more to include the balanced cable... I still want and would pay for it. I like the big ass connector! Love fostex and want to try some planar magnetics, but ultimately I'm not gonna drop $200 on them when they need further work to meet my "needs".

Jun 18, 2019

ElectronicVices

2937

Jun 19, 2019

zypherionbalanced jack can be added diy or you can get it done for about 60. $240 all in and you are still cheaper than Mayflower, Mr. Speakers SE version and Argon Balanced with standard pads

Jun 19, 2019

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zypherion

242

Jun 19, 2019

ElectronicVicesUltimately, massdrop/drop is pitched as "collective bargaining". They are supposed to be using their loyal community as leverage to make manufacturers offer us savings and, in the case of custom products, designs and features based on our feedback. I would be 100% more likely to purchase this product if it checked all of my boxes out of the gate. All that would entail for massdrop is making sure the manufacturer conformed to an industry standard connection instead of this proprietary connector and/or including an option to purchase a balanced cable upgrade with the cans. That's supposed to be their whole pitch, throwing around their weight as a community to make a better deal for us. I'm not saying this just to bitch.. I'm hoping they understand they lost a purchase because they didnt pressure or even persue the option of a balanced cable for this product. Next time maybe, though I doubt it, they will.

Jun 19, 2019

ElectronicVices

2937

Jun 19, 2019

zypherionI have a review unit and the lack of a balanced termination was most certainly listed as a con. It's just not something that appeals to a large audience and would definitely have increased the cost. Increased cost would alienate more users than the lack of a built in balanced connector. I would also speculate that Fostex may have been concerned over eating into their T60rp sales as one of the differentiating factors for that model is the balanced connector. The biggest impact from a lack of balanced connector is for those who will try to use this in a portable manner, something I don't see as the real target audience for this particular set.

Jun 19, 2019

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zypherion

242

Jun 19, 2019

ElectronicVicesIf the cans are built to support balanced input out of the box, they can offer a balanced cable as a paid upgrade to only those people that choose it. If fostex doesnt want to bend, that's where the group buying pressure comes in. They can either sell a couple thousand units with the features requested or they can sell zero units. I don't get the correlation between balanced connections and portability? I'm looking for balanced input because the output per channel on my desktop amp is significantly more powerful and, theoretically, cleaner. I know there's probably some portable amps with balanced output, but I would think that's a pretty small market compared to home/desk amps that are balanced.

Jun 19, 2019

Noldir

Jun 27, 2019

zypherionWas wondering the same. Perhaps because balanced does deliver more output per channel and for battery fed devices that could be helpful?

Jun 27, 2019

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ElectronicVices

2937

Jun 27, 2019

zypherionYou really only need around 1 watt (into 32 ohms) to drive these with more than enough headroom, there are a ton of desktop amps that put out that much on SE. I can drive them just fine from the O2, Gustard H10, Lyr, Cayin iHA-6 or my receivers HP outs. You won't find many portable SE outputs in that range, thus my assertion that balanced cabling would be more valuable to those trying leverage the higher output from the balanced out on their portables.

(Edited)

Jun 27, 2019

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