There are several top-tier audio companies on the market, and Fostex is one of them. It’s been in the audio business for quite some time, and this shows in its products. Fostex just announced its new flagship audiophile-grade headphones, the TH1000RP and the TH1100RP. These are set to be the company’s most premium headphones.
There’s no hiding that these are going to be some rather premium and pricey headphones. The TH1000RP will cost $2,499 while the TH1100RP will cost $2,699 when they launch. So, these aren’t going to be your typical store-shelf headphones.
Fostex announced the TH1000RP and the TH1100RP premium headphones
The standout feature of these headphones is the unique housing of the ear cups. The drivers aren’t housed in plastic or metal, but they’re housed in maple wood. This type of wood is highly dense, and it also gives the audio a specific characteristic. So, you can expect a deep and rich bass with exceptionally crisp highs.
This sound isn’t only achieved with the housing material. Another unique feature of the TH1000RP and the TH1100RP is the special material used to dye the housing. The company used Awa Aizome straight from Tokushima, Japan. This comes from the indigo plant, and Fostex says that this particular dye brings out the beauty of each individual wood grain. Skilled artisans apply the dye in two coats by hand in Japan.
Top-tier drivers
So, what is the housing protecting? The company is using some high-quality drivers in these headphones, as you can guess. The company improved its RP (Regular Phase) driver technology over the past half a century. The new driver present in the TH1000RP and the TH1100RP have some differences over previous models that positively affect the audio.
For starters, the diaphragm is fairly larger than the one present in the Fostex T50RP mk3. This is the company’s more affordable set of headphones. The diaphragm in those headphones is 40mm x 34mm. Well, that was boosted to 45.6mm x 41.6mm. Along with that, the number of magnets has been increased from 3 on each side to 11 on each side.
Fostex also brought other tweaks to its drives which include reworking the pattern shape for the printed coil on the diaphragm. All of these changes mean that you’re getting the best sound that Fostex can produce. These reworked drivers will play nicely with the maple wood housing, optimize the magnetic flux, and produce a beautiful and engaging sound. They’re truly an audiophile’s dream.
Superior comfort
These headphones have the kind of audio that will make you not want to take them off, and that also goes for the comfort. The ear pads are going to be some of the most comfortable on the market. The cushions are made from a soft low-resilience material, and they’re coated in a silk protein synthetic leather. The cups themselves are asymmetrical, which means that they will sit on your ears more comfortably.
Fostex used a magnesium alloy for its primary components. This is a much lighter material than aluminum, and that means that the TH1000RP and the TH1100RP will be a lightweight pair of headphones. This means that you won’t have to worry about these headphones weighing your head down when you’re wearing them for extended periods of time.
Not only that, but the company actually used rubber for the rotation mechanism. The rubber will hopefully eliminate as many unnecessary vibrations as possible.
Wires and cables
The TH1000RP and the TH1100RP will come with 7N unbalanced cables. These use oxygen-free copper, and that will reduce the audio impurities. There’s also a detachable connector terminal with a tough rhodium plating.
These are truly the best headphones that Fostex has released. You’ll hear its more than 50-year lineage the moment you plug them in.
Differences between the two models
When it comes to the differences between the two models, there’s only one main difference. There aren’t any differences in the specs, but the main difference is the fact that the TH1000RP have a closed-ear design while the TH1100RP have an open-ear design.
The latter are great for people who want to have a more open sound stage. They’re also best for people who work in quiet environments.
Specs
Driver Type: RP Planar Driver
Impedance: 32Ω
Sensitivity: 96dB/mW (provisional)
Max input: 3,000mW
Playback frequency band: 10Hz – 40,000HZ
Weight: 420g (not including cable)
Cable: 2m Y-type high-purity OFC wire (detachable connector terminal: 2-pin, rhodium-plated)
Plug: Φ6.3 mm gold-plated stereo standard plug
2024-07-27 15:07:00