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Pahani
118
Apr 29, 2016
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I just added (yesterday) Fostex T50RP MkIII to my ever-growing headphone collection. They're planar, and sound so amazing at a low price point, that I can't think of a need I'd have for the HE-350 :/ And that's regardless of the wait time, as I'm already waiting that long for my Purplehearts to show up.
You WILL need different pads with the MkIII, so figure that into the total cost. I can barely tolerate the stock pads, and my fingers aren't dexterous enough to install the HM5 Hybrid pads I have. I'll probably give them the ZMF pad and headband treatment.
It's never my intention to be a stick-in-the-mud, but I'm so taken with my new MkIII's that they're my new low-price standard, and I had to share :)
Apr 29, 2016
KTMD
195
Apr 29, 2016
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PahaniI did the ZMF pads and I don't regret it at all. I got the pilot pad too, which is comfortable, but ripping already. The stock headband is fine. The MK3s should be the standard, they're super hard to drive though since they're planar. I think they're much harder to amp than my 600 ohm Beyers and 300 ohm Sennheisers.
Apr 29, 2016
Pahani
118
Apr 29, 2016
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KTMDThanks for the confirmation on the ZMF pads! I'll probably order them today LOL. And my MkIII's are surprisingly easy to drive, as far as the minimum amount of volume twist on my Schiit stack to start getting satisfying sound. I'd estimate my particular pair is harder to drive than my X2's, but no harder to drive than my K7XX. *edit* Or as hard to drive as my HD600's at the outside.
Apr 29, 2016
KTMD
195
Apr 29, 2016
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PahaniYeah go for it with the ZMF, the pads are so comfy and feels like I'm not even wearing them. I'm using the Schiit Magni 2 and Modi 2 both Uber versions and a Creative X7 LE for gaming to drive them. The planars are deceivingly hard to drive. My X2 is easy, but I find the K7XX is hard to drive too. What I've been finding is even though some things are rated at low ohms, they're deceptively current hungry. (Looking at you AKG) To me, the K7XX isn't as hard to push as the MK3. For the Mk3, I set the signal source to 90% and keep it in low gain and the dial at 12. I'm scared to push it into High gain for fear of blowing my drivers randomly.
Apr 29, 2016
mattris
1260
Keyboard Club Member
Apr 29, 2016
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PahaniInstalling Brainwavz (HM5) pads on these Fostex mk3 headphones will significantly alter their sound (in a bad way) because the thick pads increase the driver-to-eardrum distance. The best (and easiest) way to improve wearing comfort is to place cotton balls underneath the cushions of the stock pads. I recommend tearing the cotton balls in half and arranging them so that a seal is created around each ear.
Apr 29, 2016
Pahani
118
Apr 29, 2016
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KTMDSame here, Modi/Magni, and my normal listening volume with Mk3 seems to be around 10 O'clock to 12 O'clock on Low gain. Same range more or less as my K7XX and HD600's. My Mk3's are only a day old mind you, so that may change with more wear-in.
Fostex rates the Mk3's for 3000mW max input power! That's amazing as well, IMO you needn't worry about blowing them at all with the Schiit stack :) All my other HP, I have to guesstimate the amount of max volume I can give them for single-song rock outs. If the power rating from Fostex is correct, I'd have no worries at all with Mk3 turning it as loud as the amp (or my ears, whichever comes first) can go.
Apr 29, 2016
Pahani
118
Apr 29, 2016
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mattrisAhh that's easy enough, I'll give that a try now! Thanks.
Apr 29, 2016
KTMD
195
Apr 29, 2016
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mattrisZeos mentioned that. Keep the pad size the same, however if the pads squish, that works as well also.
Apr 29, 2016
Uzuzu
1431
Apr 29, 2016
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KTMDcowhide or lambskin ZMF pads for best bass response? That is the question that nobody can answer including the maker of the pads, sadly. Cause he doesn't know how his own pads sound I never ordered from him.
Apr 29, 2016
KTMD
195
Apr 29, 2016
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UzuzuZach from ZMF had descriptions up the last time I ordered from him. I think cow hide were for bass and lamb skin were for mids.
Apr 29, 2016
KTMD
195
Apr 29, 2016
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UzuzuIf ZMF don't work out, there are alpha pads as well and Zeos and other people swear by Shure Alcantara pads. However those are sold out everywhere. I tried the HM5, stock and ZMF and just stuck the HM5 on my M50x and ZMF on the MK3.
But yeah, I went with cow hide for the bass and durability. I can't stand flaking of the stock plastic and lamb skin might be too thin. The mids sound the same as the stock and increased distance doesn't affect the sound. They squish. The one thing I picked up from Zs review. I'm not sure how the lambskin will hold up though.
Just be weary that the weight changes and the pads are angled, so the headphones sit angled on your head a bit. Reddit has a ton of reviews on ZMF pads for the MK3s.
Reason I bought the MK3 and a little bit about pads.
Apr 29, 2016
Uzuzu
1431
Apr 29, 2016
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KTMDI don't know how cowhide would be more bass than lambskin. lambskin is less porous and creates a slightly more "closed" seal. Lambskin is also softer so it may be more comfortable against the face. I own a pair of the lambskin lawton pads (110 dollars, ouch) and I have zero questions when it comes to durability. But they are so stiff and they kill bass. I'd say they are actually pretty bad pads (sorry lawton, your stuff is busted and overpriced lol). Though they look feel and smell amazing. If they had softer foam inside they'd be godly. Personally I'd be putting these on some th-600s and my EMU-Teaks when they arrive. Maybe I'll buy both the cowhide and lambskin from Zach and put up a detailed review on head-fi or something regarding pads. It's also hilarious how Zeos talks about pads in his reviews and he actually changes the economy a bit. Really funny how a youtube channel can cause so much stir in the audio community. I have zero interest for the shure pads. I can confirm alpha pads are nice, though. Hands down though my favorite style of pad is soft foam, leather or eggshell pads.
Apr 29, 2016
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