Fostex TH1000RP

Scope of delivery: What you get

The Fostex TH1000RP’s packaging is simple, but the presentation of the headphones is still successful. Inside the box, the headphones come in a foam shell lined with black satin. The only accessories included are an audio cable and an unpadded imitation leather pouch that closes with a drawstring.

The included unbalanced cable features oxygen-free copper strands with an ultra-high purity grade of 7N. Even if you think Voodoo is your cup of tea when it comes to sound quality, at least you know that the TH1000RP is built with quality materials right down to the last detail. The earphone plugs are rhodium plated to prevent oxidation and improve conductivity. A balanced XLR cable is optionally available from the manufacturer.

Design: Solid wood and magnesium alloy

As befits the premium sector, Fostex treats the TH1000RP’s listeners to solid wood backs instead of plastic. The workmanship and choice of materials are well thought out and of high quality, and not just in the maple shells. It starts with the ultra-light metal parts and extends to the use of vibration-damping rubber seals in the joints of the earpieces. The leatherette ear pad covers are made from highly durable silk protein.

The headband, which runs along the lower curve of the headband, is made from sheepskin. This prevents chafing and allows air to circulate, reducing perspiration. A lot of thought has gone into making the headphones as comfortable as possible for long periods of use. I was surprised to find that the audio cable’s jack plug ends in a silver sleeve. This seems a little incongruous as there is nothing silver on the inside of the headphones, apart from the Fostex logo and the metal bracket.

The mechanical parts of the headphones are made of a black painted metal alloy. Despite their size and the large number of magnets, the headphones are not very heavy. This is not surprising as most of the metal parts are made from a magnesium alloy, which is lighter than aluminium. Made in Japan, the backs of the ear cups are hand-painted a dark indigo blue using the traditional aizome technique. The grain of the wood shows through. It is a refined choice that gives the headphones a simple yet interesting look.

High wearing comfort

The Fostex TH1000RP are also very comfortable to wear. At 415g without the cable, the headphones are surprisingly light for their size and technology. The pressure is comfortable, but does not allow any sudden movements without the headphones slipping. The foam on the ear pads is asymmetrical and has a high memory effect, which means it regenerates very slowly. As a result, the ear pads adapt very well to the shape of your head. Inside the headband, the TH1000RP has a metal strut that can be locked in place. This means that when you take it off, it remembers the size you last adjusted. The detent mechanism is well-balanced, as it is easy to move, but still engages clearly and distinctly.

Fostex TH1000RP – the technology

For over 50 years, Fostex has been developing the regular phase technology of its RP diaphragms. The new drivers are based on a new version of the printed coils and an optimised magnetic flux. The number of magnets surrounding the coils has also been increased compared to other models. This is because the strength of their magnetic field is said to have a positive effect on playback dynamics. In addition, the diameter of the planar diaphragms is larger than that of the much cheaper T50RP (review). The headphones boast high sensitivity, low resonance, a balanced frequency response and good transient response.

Immense frequency range

The TH1000RP’s magnetostatically driven diaphragms reproduce audio in the ultra-low 10Hz to 40kHz spectrum, beyond the typical range of human hearing. This made us eager to try them out. The low impedance of 32 ohms also makes them potentially interesting for low output headphone amplifiers. At 97 dB SPL, the maximum sound pressure level is in the same league as some other, much cheaper Fostex headphones. However, as magnetostats are generally considered to be quieter than dynamic headphones, this is a really good value.

The sound of the Fostex TH1000RP

One of the most important things about a pair of premium headphones is how they sound. In this respect, the Fostex TH1000RP is (almost) universally convincing.

The highs are subtle and warm. The mids are silky and differentiated. This is good for speech intelligibility, but also for the plasticity of dense instrumentation – be it pop, rock or classical. The TH1000RP’s clear and differentiated high frequency range is crowned by a wide super-high frequency range. The fine resolution and richness of detail in these frequencies make the stereo image sound very lively. Combined with the excellent reproduction of dynamic subtleties, this results in impressive localisation during playback.

A slight harshness in the 10-12 kHz range occasionally causes S-sounds in speech and vocals to hiss. Fortunately, this limit is never crossed to the point of discomfort.

Despite the closed-back design, the headphones never suffer from annoying resonance. Instead, they deliver powerful, precise bass that can be distinguished in detail above the lows. In the ultra-low frequency range, they deliver everything the human ear is capable of when it comes to urban music and the like. As is typical of planar magnetic headphones, the Fostex TH1000RPs offer both power and differentiation in terms of dynamics. Impulsive audio components come to the fore. When listening to classical music, the headphones do an excellent job of handling everything from quiet solo playing to orchestral tutti. Sparsely orchestrated jazz comes across vividly and even old bar jazz recordings sound almost three-dimensional.

Verdict

The Fostex TH1000RP premium closed-back headphones deliver a mix of detail and musical warmth. Aside from the limited scope of delivery, the TH1000RPs are comfortable to wear for hours on end, with high-quality materials and excellent workmanship.

The planar magnetic drivers with flat membrane technology, solid wood earcup backs, genuine leather headband and pure copper cable underline the headphones’ premium credentials. These headphones deliver bass and ultra-low bass without annoying resonance, reproduce mids with remarkable differentiation and provide warm highs and a wide super-high range for high level listening pleasure. Considering that the Fostex TH1000RP is built using traditional Japanese woodworking techniques, hi-fi enthusiasts with the money to spend will be able to enjoy a detailed and naturally warm listening experience for classical, jazz, rock and pop music.

The only thing missing from this high priced test candidate is a balanced cable.