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loxo
6
Jan 26, 2016
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This headset seems to be the darling if Head-Fi, but there isn't much info for how well it performs for gaming. For anyone who has a set of these cans, how well do they perform for gaming?
LxJLthr
451
Jan 26, 2016
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loxoSo was the AKG KXX a year ago; now it is just another mid-fi headphone that provides good bang for buck with its own strengths and weaknesses. Head-Fi fanboys have moved on to other flavors of the month LOL
fjrabon
456
Jan 26, 2016
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LxJLthrThe difference is that there's not nearly the same competition in the price range for closed headphones. While there are roughly 40 extremely capable open headphones within $50 either way that compete well with the K7XX, there's maybe a handful of closed headphones that compete with the THX00.
And the pickings are even slimmer if you're trying to improve on the THX00 with a closed headphone. You've got the $1500+ Ether C that clearly beats it out, but outside of that it's mostly trade-offs. I think the THX00 beats the pants off the Audeze EL-8 which is more expensive. It beats the AKG top end closed offerings. It beats the Shure top end close offerings. The PM3 competes with it, but is a much different sounding headphone. And the NAD HP50 is also competitive. Alpha Dog Primes also compete, but it's a coin flip to me and they're more expensive. But outside of that the landscape is barren.
And the pickings are even slimmer if you're trying to improve on the THX00 with a closed headphone. You've got the $1500+ Ether C that clearly beats it out, but outside of that it's mostly trade-offs. I think the THX00 beats the pants off the Audeze EL-8 which is more expensive. It beats the AKG top end closed offerings. It beats the Shure top end close offerings. The PM3 competes with it, but is a much different sounding headphone. And the NAD HP50 is also competitive. Alpha Dog Primes also compete, but it's a coin flip to me and they're more expensive. But outside of that the landscape is barren.
LxJLthr
451
Jan 26, 2016
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fjrabonMy comment had nothing to do with headphone technical competencies or comparisons, but rather with human behavioral patterns.
All hobby communities go through continuous cycles of lusting after the latest and greatest equipment releases (regardless of price). It does not mean TH-X00 won't continue to be loved or recommended, but at some point the market will become saturated and/or people will move onto the next "darling" product (which for all we know will be generated as a result of releases like this..aka competitive markets).
BTW I would very much be interested in this list of "40 extremely capable" full size open headphones in the ~$200 range :)
All hobby communities go through continuous cycles of lusting after the latest and greatest equipment releases (regardless of price). It does not mean TH-X00 won't continue to be loved or recommended, but at some point the market will become saturated and/or people will move onto the next "darling" product (which for all we know will be generated as a result of releases like this..aka competitive markets).
BTW I would very much be interested in this list of "40 extremely capable" full size open headphones in the ~$200 range :)
fjrabon
456
Jan 27, 2016
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LxJLthrSure, somewhat. But it's also the same headphone family that have been popular for nearly a decade, the Denon DX000 series. They're essentially the Sennheiser HD580/600/650 series equivalent for closed headphones when it comes to how long they've remained consistently popular. The only time their popularity ever really waned was when Denon started contracting another company to make their headphones and Fostex's offerings were very expensive.
needhelp
331
Jan 27, 2016
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fjrabonWould appreciate if you can share 40 good headphones name
fjrabon
456
Jan 27, 2016
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needhelpOff the top of my head, that can be found between $100-$270 based on sales if you look hard enough (ie about the amount you'd have to wait for the K7XX to be on drop at any particular point): AKG K141, K701, K702, K712, K612, Q701; Sennheiser HD558, HD598, HD580, HD600; Phillips L2, X1, X2; HiFiMan HE400, HE400s, HE400i; SoundMAGIC HP200; Beyerdynamic DT440, DT990, DT990Pro, DT880; Samson SR850; Grado SR125e, SR225e, SR325e; Telefunken Aqusta; Ultrasone HFI 2400; Sony MDRMA900; German Maestro GMP 435, GM240; AudioTechnica AD500X, AD700X, AD900X, R70X; Shure SRH1440; Alessandro MS1e, MS2e; Roland RHA-30. So, 38, and I am probably forgetting a handful.
none of that is to say that the K7XX aren't great headphones, simply that the competition in the $100-300 open back market is intense with very high quality performers, which leads to a lot of "flavor of the month." It's the same with low end closed designs. There's literally hundreds of mediocre $100 closed headphones. But the high end closed headphone market is pretty barren, especially if you take anything costing more than $600 off the table. Heck, I think the THX00 best almost all the $600+ closed headphones. It destroys the Audeze EL8, for example.
none of that is to say that the K7XX aren't great headphones, simply that the competition in the $100-300 open back market is intense with very high quality performers, which leads to a lot of "flavor of the month." It's the same with low end closed designs. There's literally hundreds of mediocre $100 closed headphones. But the high end closed headphone market is pretty barren, especially if you take anything costing more than $600 off the table. Heck, I think the THX00 best almost all the $600+ closed headphones. It destroys the Audeze EL8, for example.
lvince95
248
Jan 27, 2016
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fjrabonHaving owned the TH-X00 and the LFF Paradox and Slant, I would have to give the LFFs' the edge in the $600 closed back department.
LxJLthr
451
Jan 27, 2016
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fjrabonAgain, I agree with this statement, but it is still missing the point I was trying to make. LOL. Never mind, probably just my failure to succinctly verbalize it on my part. Damn interwebz LOL
lvince95
248
Jan 27, 2016
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LxJLthrI see your point, it's just the way you word it that might piss the 'fanboys' off. I do agree with your point, and I do agree that the TH-X00 is a really good closed-back for the price.
However, hype will always be present, while competitors without hype will not get noticed. For example, the LFFs and ZMFs which do not have the marketing resources the Fostex has are not hyped and fly under the radar. They're both great mods, and really the LFF is the closed-back end-game, and those who have heard it including myself express the same sentiment (r/headphones, SBAF). I'm still wondering when these will get the respect they deserve.
Anyway, the Fostex gets a lot of hype that it deserves I guess, but it'll definitely slow down in a year or so once more people get their hands on the Fostex which is what happened to the AKG.
However, hype will always be present, while competitors without hype will not get noticed. For example, the LFFs and ZMFs which do not have the marketing resources the Fostex has are not hyped and fly under the radar. They're both great mods, and really the LFF is the closed-back end-game, and those who have heard it including myself express the same sentiment (r/headphones, SBAF). I'm still wondering when these will get the respect they deserve.
Anyway, the Fostex gets a lot of hype that it deserves I guess, but it'll definitely slow down in a year or so once more people get their hands on the Fostex which is what happened to the AKG.
fjrabon
456
Jan 27, 2016
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LxJLthrI get what you're saying, I'm just trying to say that I think a lot of the "hype" for the THX00 isn't so much hype as much as pent up missing the Denon D5000/D7000, and then they debuted it at a cheaper price than those sold for a decade ago.
Sure, there is some hype, there has to be hype to sell out this fast given a three month wait time. But I don't see this going the same way the K7XX has, where even in *just* the AKG line there are, what, 7 variants that are comparable? K701, K702, K712, K712 65th anny, Q701, K612. I honestly don't understand AKG's strategy there, where almost nobody understands the differences between the various models.
I think these will stay very consistently popular, and a go-to rec for closed headphones as long as they stay in the $399 price point. On the other hand I don't see how Fostex will ever sell another TH600 as long as these are available.
Sure, there is some hype, there has to be hype to sell out this fast given a three month wait time. But I don't see this going the same way the K7XX has, where even in *just* the AKG line there are, what, 7 variants that are comparable? K701, K702, K712, K712 65th anny, Q701, K612. I honestly don't understand AKG's strategy there, where almost nobody understands the differences between the various models.
I think these will stay very consistently popular, and a go-to rec for closed headphones as long as they stay in the $399 price point. On the other hand I don't see how Fostex will ever sell another TH600 as long as these are available.
fjrabon
456
Jan 28, 2016
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echinekoIt's not technically discontinued. They just have more stock already produced than they are selling. Their official vendors are still selling them and there's still a product page for them. I think they may, eventually, be discontinuing them and replacing them with the THX00 (at a higher price most likely) down the road. But as for now it's a product that isn't discontinued but that they aren't making more of. Seems like when they run out of back stock on them they will decide on whether or not they will keep making them or discontinue them. Doesn't seem like they've decided one way or another at this point.
Official webpage is still up: http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/TH-600.shtml
Official webpage is still up: http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/TH-600.shtml
echineko
196
Jan 30, 2016
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fjrabonThe fact that you can't buy them from Fostex anywhere (US or Japan), unlike the TH-900 make me think otherwise. They could be offered again, as you say. But as it stands they're no longer available from the manufacturer, and dealers have no new stocks coming in, some are indeed offering the TH-600 on sale. I have a feeling a TH-600 MK 2, with the experience gained here may eventually arrive
fjrabon
456
Jan 30, 2016
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echinekoFostex sells the vast majority of its headphones through dealers like B&H, Amazon, etc. who are still selling it, and not saying it's discontinued. I actually talked to a Fostex person and was specifically told it isn't discontinued (yet). They have enough stock so that they can supply their vendors and are instead currently focusing manufacturing capacity on the TH900 and THX00, which use many of the same parts and lines.
I do think Fostex will change things in some way though, as the TH600 hasn't sold well at all. I wouldn't be surprised if they essentially rebrand the THX00 as the TH700 and replace the TH600 with it eventually. Then sell it full time at $499 while still giving Massdrop drops at $399 regularly.
But who knows? They currently haven't decided how they will ultimately reshuffle their mid tier lineup. It is clear that some of their mid tier products aren't working at the given price points though.
But who knows? They currently haven't decided how they will ultimately reshuffle their mid tier lineup. It is clear that some of their mid tier products aren't working at the given price points though.
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