So I just began my head-fi journey and I have the HD600. I like them a lot but I wanted to have something with more punch/impact/bass for my pop/rap/hip-hop/k-pop/EDM guilty pleasures.

I have heard the Focal Clear MG (OG no longer available locally), which I think is pretty good but didn’t wow me (although it’s US950 locally so not a bad deal). My research on this forum and others indicates that the Audeze LCD-X is what I am looking for. There’s only one shop in my town that offers it and I made a hike out there to audition them.

For whatever reason, it underwhelmed me. It’s good but it I had to try to like them. Maybe I expecting a more powerful bass but it honestly did not impress me more than Clear MGs and Clear MGs have better vocals.

I happened saw the Fostex th900mk2 signature edition at the Audeze dealer. I decided to give them a go. First, it was more comfortable than the LCD-X. (LCD-X was like–I can bear this for the sound if i like the sound enough). The Fostex had some of the best bass I have heard from a headphones. Kanye/Jay Z/Nas etc. all sounded great. Maybe it’s the signature edition tuning, I didn’t the mid range was as bad as people make it out to be – l listen to a few Asian love-ballads --the vocals were clear while complimented by the instrumentations, which were clearly separated. The treble was bright but it didn’t bother me, but maybe I am getting older (close to 40).

The down side is that the Fostex is like 1500 locally, so i need to go back to another shop and compare to the Clear MG – to see if I like it for 500 more. Also, the Fostex doesn’t seem as well reviewed as the other two mentioned – and I wonder why. Also at 1500, HIFIMAN Arya Organic is also in play.

Anyone have any thoughts?

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  • plmon24@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    I have the TH900mk1 and have compared with my friend’s LCD-XC. The Audeze has cleaner bass and portrays the texture better, but doesn’t slam as hard as the Fostex even if you EQ the fuck out of its bass.

    The main reason the TH900 isn’t as well-reviewed imo is its sound signature. People love the bass, but the TH900’s sharp treble is really the polarizing part. In comparison, the Focals don’t really need EQ and the Audeze are a step-up in terms of resolution as long as you EQ.

    If you don’t really care about the TH900’s treble, then you’re good to go. But as another poster mentioned, there are also the more inexpensive E-MU Teak, Fostex TH-X00 / TR-X00, Fostex TH-610 headphones. These all use similar frame, drivers, and dampening to the TH-900, but the TH-900 has the strongest magnetic force in its driver. In practice, the TH-900 has a bit more resolution to my ears, but it’s hard to tell when comparing.

    The other is build quality. I find the TH900 has slightly better materials than a less pricier model like the E-MU Teak, but the hinge is the weak point for these Fostex frames. Some can get loose over time (requiring you to screw it back in) while the worst-case ones can just snap off and require getting a replacement part.