Fostex USA 25-Ohms TH900 Premium Stereo Headphones with Japanese Lacquer Earcups and 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Circuit
A Rocking favorite
By JCG - October 25, 2013
Amazon Verified Purchase
I own(ed) the following so-called "pinacle" headphones: Sennheiser HD800, Hifiman HE500 & HE6 (sold) and Stax 007MkIIs, 009.
Each of those have their particular (and peculiar) strengths and weakness, but to me the TH900s are my goto set for just pure rocking fun.
If you know/own/had the Denon D2000/5000 or D7000s, you will understand where the TH900 is coming from (Fostex was involved in those designs according to folklore).
The experts call these out for being (slightly?) colored, but to me they resemble the perfect balance between a fun headset and the sonically pure/correct. Particularly good (arguably the best?) with electronic, pop, rock and prog rock genres, although no slouch at others.
I also like the Hifimans, but the Fostex rules in comfort. MUCH lighter and being closed back, means I can spend late nights with these for a few hours without waking she who must be obeyed.
Of course, amplification and dac plays a role - I (currently) drive the TH900s with a Burson Soloist and D160 dac - an almost perfect match imho. As usual - YMMV. Saying that, these are amongst the easiest to drive headphones - so they'll sound good even from a phone/DAP.
Re price vs performance- I'm not convinced that they are totally worth the $1.7k asking price, but as in everything audiophile, the law of diminishing returns does apply. (A used set at around 25% off might be more like it if you're lucky enough to come across one).
Highly recommended!