Massdrop x Fostex TR-X00 Purpleheart Headphones Discussions | Drop

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Massdrop x Fostex TR-X00 Purpleheart Headphones

Mar 28, 2016

There have been many comments and concerns regarding the tendency of purpleheart to age to a brown color. This is certainly true. My father was a woodworker and I have several pieces (some yo-yos and game boards) that he made out of exotic woods, including purpleheart. This change in color will happen, and I would expect that the cause is oxidation. Regardless of the coating that is on the outside of the cups, the insides of the cups are likely bare wood so the wood will be exposed to oxygen and age/discolor accordingly. It is possible that a dye or stain has been used on the cups to enhance the purple color. This will allow the color to remain as received for a longer period of time but may not entirely prevent the discoloration from taking place. Some of the pieces I have are 15 to 20 years old, and while they are not badly discolored, but they are no longer the vivid purple color that they once were. In all cases the pieces I have were completely coated with lacquer on all surfaces and the color still changed. I am certain this is not caused by UV as they are stored in a drawer out of direct light. Wood is not plastic or metal...it changes with time. Isn't that part of the beauty of these or the TH-X00 mahogany/EM-U teak? They will age and have a patina that cannot be duplicated by plastic or metal.

Mar 28, 2016

echineko

196

Mar 28, 2016

zombywoofI'm very curious, would you happen to have a picture handy to share of these colour-changed items?

Mar 28, 2016

Erix

134

Mar 28, 2016

echinekoEchineko, to see color changes, take a look at the following page:
http://hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/_color%20change/index.htm
Then hit the "ctrl" and "f" keys together and search for "purpleheart".

Mar 28, 2016

zombywoof

121

Mar 28, 2016

echinekoNo, sorry...working today and it would take me some time to put my hands on the pieces that I have at the house anyway. I am not saying that the purpleheart loses its beauty...not at all, the purple coloration simply become less vivid. Perhaps I should not have said it turns "brown." It is more correct to say that it loses some of the vivid purple that you see in the Massdrop photos of the headphones, but I would still say it tends to take on a brownish hue. If you Google Image purpleheart, you will see that there is wide variation in the color of the native untreated wood, as there is with any natural material. Frankly, I think there is a lot of useless worry on this subject. You are buying, if the mahogany version (which I own) is any indication, an outstanding headphone with exotic wood cups at a fraction of the price that other similar products would command in the market. Be satisfied that you and your purpleheart headphones can, together, grow old gracefully in a blissful state of sonic excellence..

Mar 28, 2016

VoiceOfReason116

Mar 28, 2016

zombywoof"Be satisfied that you and your purpleheart headphones can, together, grow old gracefully in a blissful state of sonic excellence.." Elegantly put zombywoof

Mar 28, 2016

zombywoof

121

Mar 28, 2016

VoiceOfReason116Thanks! Perhaps Massdrop and Fostex should collaborate on a headphone made entirely out of synthetic materials that will never change or degrade...land fills are fill of things that will be around forever.

Mar 28, 2016

VoiceOfReason116

Mar 28, 2016

zombywoofSounds very environmentally conscious. Maybe they'll get endorsed by Green Peace. We'll call them the Massdrop Fostex Green Peace TH-X3C0 (Eco). But in all seriousness, that's a cool idea. I'm not opposed, except that my wallet is already crying for mercy after dropping $450 on headphones that won't even arrive for a number of months.

Mar 28, 2016

zombywoof

121

Mar 28, 2016

VoiceOfReason116All seriousness aside for a moment...it will be worth the wait. The TH-X00 are really outstanding headphones, and it is highly unlikely that the purpleheart version will disappoint. I got in the EM-U Teak drop that ended last week. I believe that I am now officially a Fostex fanboy as I own four Fostex/Fostex variants (the other are the Th-500RP, which I also love; and the Creative Aurvana Live).

Mar 28, 2016

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Demi9OD

Mar 28, 2016

zombywoofHow do you like the CAL? I thought about getting a pair to hold me over until I can get a pair of x00 or EM-U Teak with replaceable cable.

Mar 28, 2016

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VoiceOfReason116

Mar 28, 2016

zombywoofAll seriousness aside or all joking aside? Just kidding, I got what you meant. It seems many people are huge fans of the Fostex sound signature, and I'm very excited to try them out. Linus Tech Tips' review of the TH-X00 when they originally dropped pretty much sold me on them.

Mar 28, 2016

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zombywoof

121

Mar 28, 2016

Demi9ODWell, I like them a lot. Its place as my main portable headphone was lost to the AKG 545 about 4 months ago. I still listen to the CAL's a few times a week when I am out walking the dog. They are <$50 on Amazon and well worth it. If I had to chose one headphone and only had $100, they would be it. There is an EM-U walnut drop going on right now. These are basically CAL's with a solid walnut wood cup. I haven't been following that drop as I am not inclined to spend an extra $60 for the wood cups. I don't know if there are differences between the build/tuning of the EM-U walnut and the CAL other than the cups, though. You may want to do a little research if you are interested in them. For my money you can't go wrong with the CAL's...by the way no replaceable cable on the CAL's, either. Also, there is a fair amount of activity on Head-Fi if you want to mod them...haven't felt the need, myself.

Mar 28, 2016

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Demi9OD

Mar 28, 2016

zombywoofThanks. No need for a replacement cable on a $50 pair. I'll pick some up from amzn.

Mar 28, 2016

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zombywoof

121

Mar 28, 2016

Demi9ODGood luck. I would like to know what you think. Great all rounders in my opinion.

Mar 28, 2016

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TheRealVlad

Mar 29, 2016

VoiceOfReason116Classy guy.

Mar 29, 2016

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echineko

196

Mar 29, 2016

zombywoofI actually own a first run X00, it's my favourite "fun" headphone, and I love it. I was just struggling with the notion of selling it so I can get this aesthetic instead (honestly I'm not sure if I'll be able to actually hear the differences). Love me some purple, even if it sounds the same as the original, it's going to a fantastic headphone.

Mar 29, 2016

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Takang

Mar 30, 2016

echineko........ TH X00 sounds like TH900?? or close? how close?

Mar 30, 2016

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