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Massdrop x Fostex TR-X00 Purpleheart Headphones
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Massdrop x Fostex TR-X00 Purpleheart Headphones
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4.3K requests
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3.6k Sold
Product Description
When the Massdrop community asked for a closed-back headphone that redefined price-to-performance expectations, the TH-X00 was our answer. Made in collaboration with Fostex, a brand that’s produced innovative audio gear since 1949, these headphones feature purpleheart ear cups, a magnesium alloy frame, and Fostex’s signature biodynamic drivers Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downanterak13
22
Jul 15, 2016
To show I'm not that mad about MD, I just joined the ebony th-x00 drop. I just wish they'd put out that last one first I would have skipped the purplehearths (I like headphones with very crisp highs). Now I need to wait to get the purplehearths, resist opening the box, wait for the ebonys (hopefully within 2016), then sell the purplehearths and reinvest the money in a m9xx to finally get complete... These things take time.
anterak13
22
Aug 19, 2016
Yeah my point was that cups must in some way absorb energy at different freqs depending on stiffness and shape and some how shape the sound. It would be interesting to build granite caps for the th-x00, that would be closest to an ideally stiff cup that dissipates as little as possible :) who can negotiate a deal with a tombstone maker?
wooxer
42
Mar 25, 2016
Considering the fact that these are obviously being manufactured in the EU, then shipped to the US and then back to the EU for EU customers, can't you just ship them from the EU to EU customers saving us the additional hassle of paying the VAT and other Taxes?
Takang
25
Mar 30, 2016
btw, Chinese make less garbage nowadays ... for example most competitive hi-end curtain wall contractor in Europe is Chinese too ... look Lexicon Tower in London(whole external wall are made in China): http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=449694&page=37
... so does top tier Leadenhall Building, the external wall is made in China:
Exnorton
33
Mar 30, 2016
maybe you should join the DIC program. Trying buying stuff that you earned the money for.
PixelPusher21
139
Mar 30, 2016
Hi Will. The items you sell are so varied between cost, size and shipping. Perhaps just free shipping for VIP members with VIP being set by how much a user has spent. If you spend X amount on Massdrop then any items you purchase automatically qualify for free shipping (no refund for items purchased to get to the amount). Pick a certain amount of time for that x amount to expire if you stop purchasing and start running an average spend over time. Once a persons hits the amount spent they are VIP until the average drops below that spend amount over the set period of time. You may have to adjust or leave out international but your US customers would certainly appreciate it. You can add in simple things like early previews to upcoming products and collaborations but after seeing your business and how it works with vendors of all types I would think that anything more would just be too expensive for most of your users and - or your business. Just a thought.
Will
8470
Chief Product Officer
Mar 24, 2016
Hey Everyone,
Thanks for your interest in the TH-X00 Purpleheart!
This is the TH-X00 you know and love, but the Mahogany earcups have been replaced with Purpleheart earcups. Purpleheart is among the densest woods on earth, making it excellent for reducing acoustic resonance, and incredibly hard to work with.
----------------------------------------- How does this impact the sound? ----------------------------------------- Sub-bass (~50hz) through bass (~250hz) is increased ~2 db while following the same curve as the original (peak is at 50hz).
Lower midrange (~500hz-800hz) is decreased by ~5db, and where the Mahogany has a slight peak at ~600hz, the Purpleheart has a smoother climb from 500hz to 1000hz.
Midrange proper ( ~1000hz-2000hz) is essentially the same as the Mahogany.
Upper midrange (~2k-6k) is ~2db less throughout.
Highs (~8k-10k) are slightly more emphasized. Peaks and valleys are positioned differently than on the Mahogany, magnitude of peaks and valleys is similar.
Super Highs (~12k-20k) are more present. Where the Mahogany falls off at ~14k, the Purpleheart maintains presence throughout that range. This is something for the community to verify, but overall top-end extension should be improved.
CSD Graphs of the TH-X00 Mahogany showed some resonance at 3k and 6k, these mostly eliminated with the Purpleheart.
All of these are subtle changes, driven by the community’s response to the original TH-X00.
Was this section gibberish? Check out https://www.massdrop.com/article/understanding-headphone-reviews and http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm
---------------- Drop Details ----------------
The drop will launch at 9am EST, 6am PST on Friday, March 25th.
The Purplehearts are also serialized, with the serials starting at 1. Same as all our first drops for custom products, first 250 purchasers will get a serial below 300.
Price is set at $449.99 including free domestic shipping. Price is higher primarily due to higher material cost from Purpleheart.
Quantity is limited to 1000 units to start, possibility to increase to 2000.
Expected ship date is early August. Takes three months to produce these (gotta make sure the wood is properly dried, etc) and another 4-6 weeks on a boat to america.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OMG WTF WILL, I BOUGHT THE LAST ROUND, THEY DON’T SHIP UNTIL MAY, I WANT THE PURPLE ONES INSTEAD!!! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well good news folks. Because this is the first time a situation like this has come up (where we’re releasing an alternative version of the product while customers are still waiting on the original to ship) we’re giving all participants of the last TH-X00 drop the opportunity to switch to the Purpleheart if they so desire.
If you want to get in on the purpleheart, join the drop, go to your transaction page, find the TH-X00 Mahogany transaction, and click "Contact Support".
I’ll be around to answer questions leading up to the launch tomorrow morning : )
Thanks for your interest in the TH-X00 Purpleheart!
This is the TH-X00 you know and love, but the Mahogany earcups have been replaced with Purpleheart earcups. Purpleheart is among the densest woods on earth, making it excellent for reducing acoustic resonance, and incredibly hard to work with.
----------------------------------------- How does this impact the sound? ----------------------------------------- Sub-bass (~50hz) through bass (~250hz) is increased ~2 db while following the same curve as the original (peak is at 50hz).
Lower midrange (~500hz-800hz) is decreased by ~5db, and where the Mahogany has a slight peak at ~600hz, the Purpleheart has a smoother climb from 500hz to 1000hz.
Midrange proper ( ~1000hz-2000hz) is essentially the same as the Mahogany.
Upper midrange (~2k-6k) is ~2db less throughout.
Highs (~8k-10k) are slightly more emphasized. Peaks and valleys are positioned differently than on the Mahogany, magnitude of peaks and valleys is similar.
Super Highs (~12k-20k) are more present. Where the Mahogany falls off at ~14k, the Purpleheart maintains presence throughout that range. This is something for the community to verify, but overall top-end extension should be improved.
CSD Graphs of the TH-X00 Mahogany showed some resonance at 3k and 6k, these mostly eliminated with the Purpleheart.
All of these are subtle changes, driven by the community’s response to the original TH-X00.
Was this section gibberish? Check out https://www.massdrop.com/article/understanding-headphone-reviews and http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm
---------------- Drop Details ----------------
The drop will launch at 9am EST, 6am PST on Friday, March 25th.
The Purplehearts are also serialized, with the serials starting at 1. Same as all our first drops for custom products, first 250 purchasers will get a serial below 300.
Price is set at $449.99 including free domestic shipping. Price is higher primarily due to higher material cost from Purpleheart.
Quantity is limited to 1000 units to start, possibility to increase to 2000.
Expected ship date is early August. Takes three months to produce these (gotta make sure the wood is properly dried, etc) and another 4-6 weeks on a boat to america.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OMG WTF WILL, I BOUGHT THE LAST ROUND, THEY DON’T SHIP UNTIL MAY, I WANT THE PURPLE ONES INSTEAD!!! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well good news folks. Because this is the first time a situation like this has come up (where we’re releasing an alternative version of the product while customers are still waiting on the original to ship) we’re giving all participants of the last TH-X00 drop the opportunity to switch to the Purpleheart if they so desire.
If you want to get in on the purpleheart, join the drop, go to your transaction page, find the TH-X00 Mahogany transaction, and click "Contact Support".
I’ll be around to answer questions leading up to the launch tomorrow morning : )
DJAT
299
Jun 7, 2016
Alright. Ready to take a leap of faith. I guess it's Fostex at the end of the day. And reviews aren't bad. I'm yet to read any bad reviews, so that does say a lot.
A community member
0
Jun 12, 2016
WillSo will the soundstage be similar? It seems like they will have a similar signature, but a little brighter, perhaps?
musgrat
41
Mar 26, 2016
Canceling my order. I had assumed that since this was limited to 1k units, there was the possibility that this would be the only chance to get a pair of these. It's obvious that the 1k limitation was just there to get people to click the buy button now rather than later, because it might fill up! Really tacky on massdrop's part.
Also, there is no word on whether this is the last variation, or if there are more in the works (sounds like there almost definitely are), so I guess I'll just wait till there is a more reasonable turnaround time.
Also, there is no word on whether this is the last variation, or if there are more in the works (sounds like there almost definitely are), so I guess I'll just wait till there is a more reasonable turnaround time.
Varholiaglimp
939
Mar 26, 2016
musgratMD said from the very beginning they would probably bump the number of purplehearts sold to 2,000. Their plan to release an additional thousand headphones appears in the gray box on the product page and always has. MD didn't pull a scam in order to get people to buy the purplehearts. They merely expected people to read the part of the product page that pertained to this drop.
marts_sum
316
Mar 26, 2016
and who cares? You buy a headphone because YOU want it, if you care that others have it too you have deep problems.
Snoopchicken
32
Aug 13, 2016
I don't know if I'm allowed to triple post, but here are some images I took:
Nrde
12
Aug 15, 2016
Because I know something about wood turning, I have looked at good quality photos of the cups, it wouldn't make any sense to do by laminating and disguise them to look like one piece wood. And I also think I saw it mentioned they are carved/turned from solid wood.
Main thing with the TH900 cups when it comes to the labor is the outside finish, they are different model, so you can't really draw conclusions how TH-X's are manufactured - country, material etc. based on them.
To me, they look as being carved from a solid wood block, nothing indicates they would be laminated.
Main thing with the TH900 cups when it comes to the labor is the outside finish, they are different model, so you can't really draw conclusions how TH-X's are manufactured - country, material etc. based on them.
To me, they look as being carved from a solid wood block, nothing indicates they would be laminated.
Ian15
25
Aug 15, 2016
NrdeYeah that's actually a good point. But it would probably cheaper to carve/turn them out of block of laminate wood (HPL) than solid wood and there would be no way to tell from pictures. But I could very well be wrong I don't know much about turning wood. I'll take your word for it.
CEE_TEE
3480
May 30, 2018
In the original product proposal to Fostex, yes...removable cables were requested.
Though It was in the original requirements, it didn't make it into the original version of the TH-X00 as Fostex is very methodical and careful.
They spent years working on their removable cable system to make it their version of perfect. They could have done it in a few weeks, but it wouldn't have been a true Fostex solution.
Removable cables for the TH-X00 line is one of those features that the community never stopped pushing for and we never stopped requesting.
This feature is so important to the community and to the headphones, that we renamed them: TR-X00 (The “R” is for removable.)
If you haven’t been following the journey of the first Mahogany version of the headphone into the Purpleheart and Ebony wood variants, we offer three different wood types for different aesthetics and slight sound signature variation.
However, since launch- the most requested (demanded!) change has been the ability to remove or swap cables.
Why? I’m so glad you asked!
If you develop any issues with the cables over time, you can replace them. If you need a specialized cable to connect to gear or wish to have a personalized cable, you have options.
(In the discussion comments which follow, please let us know if you modified your TH-X00 to accept removable cables and how you are using them now…Matt Takaichi is paying attention and sourcing cables for the community. We’ve transferred the comments from the original headphone drop pages so that none of your contributions have been lost.)
Thank you for your support of this headphone, it has been a true success due to community feedback and participation.
FYI, this latest change is the only one that we have planned for the series, we don’t have any other surprises on the horizon at the moment. (I know somebody is going to ask me!)
For now, the time has come and the TR-X00 is available for ordering on June 1st!
Though It was in the original requirements, it didn't make it into the original version of the TH-X00 as Fostex is very methodical and careful.
They spent years working on their removable cable system to make it their version of perfect. They could have done it in a few weeks, but it wouldn't have been a true Fostex solution.
Removable cables for the TH-X00 line is one of those features that the community never stopped pushing for and we never stopped requesting.
This feature is so important to the community and to the headphones, that we renamed them: TR-X00 (The “R” is for removable.)
If you haven’t been following the journey of the first Mahogany version of the headphone into the Purpleheart and Ebony wood variants, we offer three different wood types for different aesthetics and slight sound signature variation.
However, since launch- the most requested (demanded!) change has been the ability to remove or swap cables.
Why? I’m so glad you asked!
If you develop any issues with the cables over time, you can replace them. If you need a specialized cable to connect to gear or wish to have a personalized cable, you have options.
(In the discussion comments which follow, please let us know if you modified your TH-X00 to accept removable cables and how you are using them now…Matt Takaichi is paying attention and sourcing cables for the community. We’ve transferred the comments from the original headphone drop pages so that none of your contributions have been lost.)
Thank you for your support of this headphone, it has been a true success due to community feedback and participation.
FYI, this latest change is the only one that we have planned for the series, we don’t have any other surprises on the horizon at the moment. (I know somebody is going to ask me!)
For now, the time has come and the TR-X00 is available for ordering on June 1st!
Pasghetti
14
Jan 9, 2019
CEE_TEEQuestions:
How do we get this cable, but in a 3.5mm jack version?
What is the name of the planar Magnetic headphones that Fostex makes? I thought these were the Massdrop version of the TH-600 with removable cables, which are Planar Magnetics, but these look to be just plain old dynamic drivers?
GiantHeadphoneSquid
639
Jan 9, 2019
PasghettiThese are MD versions of the TH610, which features the same 1 T dynamic biodynamic driver. The same driver technology is used but with a more powerful 1.5 T motor in the flagship TH900/909.
Fostex planar mags are the 'Regular Phase, RP' series, the T20, 40, 50 and 60 RP. A few years back they did put an RP into the TH premium form factor, which is the out of production(?) TH500 RP - it was not too well received, I've never heard one unfortunately. MD did a few drops of these, I'd probably jump on it if they did again at a reasonable price just for collector sake.
If you want Fostex planar mag, get the T60 RP - it has a mahogany enclosure and lovely full sound, stock.
AlexPk
7197
Community
Aug 18, 2016
Hey everyone,
Thanks for flagging the bubble wrap marks. We’ve been collecting tickets and are handling them as they come in, but just wanted to more visibly address people’s concerns. It seems the lacquer finish must have been in contact with some bubble wrap in transit to assembly which blemished some units to varying degrees. If any of you are noticing your ear cups have some of these marks, then please contact Community Support so they can help you with getting a replacement.
Alternatively and unofficially, I have run into this problem in the past with a few wood keyboard cases and there are a few solutions if you would prefer to do a bit of polishing in place of waiting for a replacement. I was able to remove them from the keyboard case with a microfiber cloth and some gentle rubbing, but have not yet tried it with the purplehearts which have a more lacquered finish.* I have heard for “pack marks” on things with more of a piano finish, that using an automotive polish like 3M Imperial Microfinishing Compound works wonders. @KTMD also had success using a rubbing alcohol pad and some furniture polish(https://www.massdrop.com/buy/fostex-x-massdrop-th-x00-purpleheart-headphones/talk/496380).
Again, this is just if you want to try something on your own, but our recommendation is contacting Community Support to resolve the issue.
edit: I wanted to caveat that I've only personally tried this on the wood keyboard case. Once a pair from this batch shows up in this office I will play around with removal methods if they have some marks.
Thanks for flagging the bubble wrap marks. We’ve been collecting tickets and are handling them as they come in, but just wanted to more visibly address people’s concerns. It seems the lacquer finish must have been in contact with some bubble wrap in transit to assembly which blemished some units to varying degrees. If any of you are noticing your ear cups have some of these marks, then please contact Community Support so they can help you with getting a replacement.
Alternatively and unofficially, I have run into this problem in the past with a few wood keyboard cases and there are a few solutions if you would prefer to do a bit of polishing in place of waiting for a replacement. I was able to remove them from the keyboard case with a microfiber cloth and some gentle rubbing, but have not yet tried it with the purplehearts which have a more lacquered finish.* I have heard for “pack marks” on things with more of a piano finish, that using an automotive polish like 3M Imperial Microfinishing Compound works wonders. @KTMD also had success using a rubbing alcohol pad and some furniture polish(https://www.massdrop.com/buy/fostex-x-massdrop-th-x00-purpleheart-headphones/talk/496380).
Again, this is just if you want to try something on your own, but our recommendation is contacting Community Support to resolve the issue.
edit: I wanted to caveat that I've only personally tried this on the wood keyboard case. Once a pair from this batch shows up in this office I will play around with removal methods if they have some marks.
PurpleGnomeFeet
8
Aug 18, 2016
AlexPkCAUTION: Do not for a second believe that you can remove the bubblewrap smudges with elbow grease. I tried this before posting, and in my first email to massdrop about the issue (which they responded to in a very timely manner, I might add), I made it extremely clear that this did not work.
Do NOT damage your beautiful Purplehearts by applying force. Like KTMD said, even the softest cloth will scratch.
Do NOT damage your beautiful Purplehearts by applying force. Like KTMD said, even the softest cloth will scratch.
AlexPk
7197
Community
Aug 19, 2016
PurpleGnomeFeetThanks for the feedback. I'll modify that part of my post.
nicpope
448
Jun 23, 2016
Hey All -
Couple of quick notes on this one:
We’re super proud of the products we’ve been able to create for/with the Massdrop Community so far and I want to thank everyone who has joined this drop, and the previous TH-X00 drops. It really means alot to everyone here at Massdrop HQ to be able to share them with you all.
To that end, we decided it was fair to give a pre announcement--in case anyone wants to hold off ordering--of some extremely exciting news we’ve just received from our friends at Fostex: very shortly we will be launching the first drop of the Fostex TH-X00 in an exotic and very dark (colored) tonewood that is one of the densest available.
They are absolutely beautiful to see and hear and I can’t wait to share the official announcement (+ photos) with everyone. Watch for it in early to mid July, standard production delays for a brand new custom to be expected.
As always reply to this comment with questions/queries/concerns and I will do my best to respond.
Couple of quick notes on this one:
We’re super proud of the products we’ve been able to create for/with the Massdrop Community so far and I want to thank everyone who has joined this drop, and the previous TH-X00 drops. It really means alot to everyone here at Massdrop HQ to be able to share them with you all.
To that end, we decided it was fair to give a pre announcement--in case anyone wants to hold off ordering--of some extremely exciting news we’ve just received from our friends at Fostex: very shortly we will be launching the first drop of the Fostex TH-X00 in an exotic and very dark (colored) tonewood that is one of the densest available.
They are absolutely beautiful to see and hear and I can’t wait to share the official announcement (+ photos) with everyone. Watch for it in early to mid July, standard production delays for a brand new custom to be expected.
As always reply to this comment with questions/queries/concerns and I will do my best to respond.
AlexPk
7197
Community
Jul 12, 2016
I'm not 100% on what changes are coming, but I do know that engineering is working hard on improving the discussion system in a lot of ways. Until then I'll talk with the Audio and Logistics team to see if we can figure something out in the interim to make this easier for everyone.
imdan
12
Mar 27, 2016
Will the purplehearts get the same 1/4" to 1/8" adapter like the mahogany? It is not listed in whats included
konbawa
1
Apr 20, 2016
Is this better than Fiio MontBlanc?? I kinda like its small form factor it offers but bother it will redundant to my current setup.
echineko
196
Apr 20, 2016
konbawaWell, what is your current setup? And if I'm guessing correctly, you're asking if the Mojo will be better than the Fiio E12 Mont Blanc?
Edit: I went back and checked the models again, the E12 is just an amp, it's the E17 and E18 (which I used to own) that are also DACs.
I can tell you the Mojo (and the Hugo I currently use) are better DACs than the E18, and are also able to drive full size headphones with no problem. What are you using to play the music files? A phone, or dedicated DAP?
Edit: I went back and checked the models again, the E12 is just an amp, it's the E17 and E18 (which I used to own) that are also DACs.
I can tell you the Mojo (and the Hugo I currently use) are better DACs than the E18, and are also able to drive full size headphones with no problem. What are you using to play the music files? A phone, or dedicated DAP?
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