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heatles
2
Dec 1, 2018
I received my package. Was looking forward to it all week. Listening now.... Underwhelmed? Posting this in the Discussions as this is not a review. Seeking tips/advice. This is my first purchase of quality headphones, ever. You can call it splurging. But I think I have an above average ear when it comes to observing sound, picking out details, etc. Used to produce music as a hobby for 8 yrs or so (whether I was good at it or not is a diff discussion). With that out of the way, I expected more as a lot have raved about the bass. Yet here I am halfway jamming out, trying to love these headphones but my ears are saying otherwise and I'm becoming less convinced that I made the right purchase. Is it the headphones, is it this particular finished good (I actually work in manufacturing so fully aware of the imperfect world of it), are my ears not as good as I thought they were, do I have to break these in further (listening for 1 hour)... I don't own any DACs. I'm powering this through my LG V20 which has a DAC but I presume it's weak. If I were to buy a decent DAC and power the headphones through that, would it make a significant improvement? Fuck... Thanks in advance.
DenonFanboy
825
Dec 4, 2018
heatlestry an amp, I suggest a magni 3
Hyde
1119
Dec 12, 2018
heatlesFrom my personal experience this headphone sound the best straight off phone. I've tried it on SDAC/O2 also iFi Nano Black Label and I still like it better from the phone (Google Pixel 1). I'm convinced these headphones don't really need amp (own Mahogany, Ebony, E-Mu Teak and Denon D2000). That being said, they do benefit from burn in. My Ebony's bass sound muddy and bloated when I first got them, as I burn in the sound gets cleaner and cleaner. Some recommend 100 hours but I think for me after the first 2-3 days it kind of doesn't change too much after. Tonality wise I like Mahogany the best (very warm and lush) but it also has the least sound stage out of all the Fostex variants. I would try a low power source and also if you've only played it for 1 hour I'd give it more time to burn in. Give it more time and report back to us after 3 days. :)
heatles
2
Jun 12, 2019
HydeUpdate: I believe they do sound better now than upon receipt. My biggest concern is build. They're strangely and awkwardly built, feel fragile. I've owned this set for about 7 months. I have been VERY gentle and delicate with these headphones; always properly folding the cables and placing everything back into the leather bag, gently placing them on my stand. I am a freak when it comes to preserving my expensive goodies. Somehow, the screw underneath the right hinge appears to be coming undone (metal piece that it screws into is no longer flush on the hinge - raised about a centimeter, very noticeable) and have been tampered with. Long story short, thankfully I'm being sent a replacement. Before the issue above, my plan was to purchase a DAC/amp to hear a new side to these headphones. But I now have little faith in the longevity of these headphones. Will likely sell the new set which due to arrive today.
Hyde
1119
Jun 13, 2019
heatlesMan that sucks, too bad to hear you had quality control issues. I think I was lucky that out of the 4 pairs that I own (Denon AH-D2000, TH-X00 Mahogany, TR-X00 Ebony, and E-Mu Teak), so far none of them had any issues. But I do read stories here and there regarding the hinge screw being broken, apparently it's a common problem. Hopefully you get your replacement pair soon. Also which headphone do you plan to buy next after selling the TR-X00? I find in the closed back category in this price range, there isn't too many options...
heatles
2
Jun 13, 2019
HydeI received the replacement today. Prior to delivery I researched a bunch of alternative options; Brainwavz Alara, Audioquest NightOwl, Final Audio Design Sonorous IV, Meze 99 Noir, and more. Nothing captured my attention. I do like the way the TR-X00 sound so the last thing I want is to go through the hassle of selling the new unit and picking up something that doesn't adhere to my preference. So I'm giving it a second shot. Crossing my fingers for any QC issues. Right away this second unit seems to have the glorified bass that my original unit lacked. Odd in a good way. And the wood is far lighter in shade, which I prefer, than the original. The original just didn't impress me but these now have my attention. I'm a happy camper. I plan to enhance this go around by adding a DAC. Shopping for a DAC will be another journey...
Hyde
1119
Jun 13, 2019
heatlesAwesome! Good to know your second pair turned out to be better than the first. Hopefully there won't be any future problems and you get to really enjoy it this time. As for DAC that's another long story. I mean don't mark my word on it but this is my observation, I've tried FiiO E10K, NuForce uDAC-3, Schiit Fulla 1, SMSL M3, Massdrop SDAC/O2, and iFi Nano Black Label, I find all of them just sound "different". Like it improve in some area but worse in some area. Funny enough the iFi Nano Black Label and SDAC/O2 happened to be the most expensive ones I tried but also my least favourite out of the bunch. The best ones that worked out for me is either straight off my phone jack (Google Pixel 1) or running Hidizs Sonata HD DAC Cable II (also off the phone, with latest firmware for version 2 of the DAC). LOL so funny enough I had better luck with cheapest solution (also probably least powerful solutions). Like I said don't mark my word on it, I've also heard the headphone pair really well with Grace M9XX but it's too rich for me to chance it. Definitely update me later if you have any good findings!
heatles
2
Jun 13, 2019
HydeNice, thanks for the tip! Hmm, makes me want to push back the DAC route which is fine. I'm a firm believer in the saying 'you get what you pay for' so if I'm not going to shell out $500+ for a DAC, then maybe it's not worth getting one at all. I'm not willing to spend more than $200-300 so maybe I should hold off for a year or so to monitor any QC upcoming QC problems. I'm content with how it sounds right now. Really curious what open backed and planar headphones sound like though. Do you have any? If so, how would you compare them to your TR-X00s?
Hyde
1119
Jun 15, 2019
heatlesUnfortunately I don't have too much experience with open back or planar headphone. The only ones I tried are Fostex T50RP MK3 but this is known to NOT have the planar bass people usually expects, though general impression is that this headphone sounded very clean and detailed. However it was lacking the organic wood texture (sound) compare to the TH-X00. As for open headphone I've only tried my friend's Grado SR125E and Sennheiser HD650, to be honest I didn't find the sound stage to be particularly big or anything but I did find both headphones sounded great. The HD650 is especially good with string instruments. However from what I've read I think both the Hifiman HE4XX and Sennheiser HD6XX are both great starting point if you want to try planar or open headphones. Though both require amps to run it to its full potential. So I imagine you might need to invest in an amp first regardless which direction you're going lol.
(Edited)
heatles
2
Jun 16, 2019
HydeYou've been massively helpful (no pun intended). I really appreciate it man. I will get back to you shortly brother.
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