Fostex has a ton of great audiophile headphones on the market. They range from just about affordable models like the soon-to-be-released TH50RPmk4, to the high-end range like the TH909. With this latest product announcement, Fostex is looking to go even further into the premium headphone market. The TH1000RP and the TH1100RP will now represent their highest standard, with a $2,499 and $2,699 price point.
The TH1000RP and TH1100RP are flagship RP headphones that incorporate Fostex’s proprietary state–of–the–art premium grade RP planar magnetic driver technology in a solid wood housing. Dyed with Aizome from Tokushima, known as Japan’s renowned indigo dyeing method, the headphones are carefully assembled in Japan. This one–of–a–kind texture brings out the beauty of the individually different wood grain that is unique to traditional Aizome. Fostex’s 50 years of flat diaphragm RP technology come together beautifully in two models of flagship headphones, a closed type and an open type.
TH1000RP & TH1100RP
The RP technology planar diaphragm driver technology, developed in 1974 and continually refined ever since, has a newly developed planar diaphragm, much larger than the conventional RP driver used in T50RPmk3/mk4. In addition to increasing the number of magnets that sandwich the diaphragm and a newly designed pattern and shape for the printed coil, the magnetic circuit components have been redesigned to optimize the magnetic flux distribution.
All of these work together to suppress unwanted resonance in the diaphragm. This simultaneously achieves high sensitivity, smooth frequency response, and excellent transient characteristics, enabling accurate and delicate reproduction from heavy bass to high frequencies, and the ability to express a clear sound image in space with a clear sense of localization.
Hard Maple Solid Wood Housing
The wood is carefully dyed one by one by skilled craftspersons, resulting in a deep indigo color that beautifully reveals the unique grain of the hard maple wood. Dyeing with Aizome, made exclusively from the indigo plant, allows the hard maple’s density and specific gravity to take advantage of its properties that do not add unnecessary color to the sound, allowing the player to use a firm, deep bass range and clear, extended treble range.
The open–type TH1100RP reproduces a natural sound field with a high resolution and low listening fatigue, which is appropriate for the premium open–type RP, using double aluminum etched parts in the housing aperture and careful fine–tuning of the aperture ratio and each internal part.
More Key Features
●Newly adopted lightweight magnesium alloy mechanical parts
A refreshed design using Magnesium alloy for mechanical parts, such as the housing base
plate and hanger, help reduce overall weight by 20% compared to aluminum. Rubber packing is used for the rotation mechanism to eliminate excess vibration as much as possible. The design concept of considering every detail of each part has further improved the wearing comfort.
●Newly shaped ear pads with new materials
The newly shaped ear pads, which are asymmetrical to optimize wearing comfort, are made of low–resilience cushions and silk protein synthetic leather that is three times more durable than conventional ear pads, ensuring a comfortable fit even over long periods of listening.
●Flexible fitting headpad and headband
The headpad and headband are made of natural sheepskin material, providing a supple and
comfortable fit.
●7N grade cable for internal wiring and highly reliable detachable connector port
The removable connector on the headphone body, as well as the detachable connector terminal, are both rhodium–plated terminals. Balanced connection is also supported with the optional XLR terminal cable (ET–H3.0N7BL), and a 4.4 mm balanced cable (ET–TH4.4BL) is also planned for release.
●Includes high–purity OFC unbalanced cable
Includes 7N (99.999999%) grade high–purity OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) unbalanced cable,
which eliminates impurities to the utmost limit to enhance transmission performance.
Specs
| TH1000RP |
TH1100RP |
- Type: Closed, Dynamic
- Driver: RP Planar Magnetic
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Sensitivity: 100 dB/ mW
- Max Input: 3,000 mW
- Frequency Response: 5 – 40,000 Hz
- Weight: Approx.420 g (excluding cable)
- Cable 2 m Y–type 2–pin (detachable connector rhodium plated)
- Detachable terminal: 2–pin (rhodium–plated on the gold–plated base)
- Plug: Φ 6.3 mm gold–plated stereo standard plug
- Accessories: Leather pouch, Owner’s Manual
|
- Type: Open-Back, Dynamic
- Driver RP Planar Magnetic
- Impedance: 32 Ohm
- Sensitivity: 96 dB/ Mw *tentative
- Max Input: 3,000 mW
- Frequency Response: 5 – 40,000 Hz
- Weight: Approx.420 g (excluding cable)
- Cable 2 m Y–type 2–pin (detachable connector rhodium plated)
- Detachable terminal: 2–pin (rhodium–plated on the gold–plated base)
- Plug: Φ 6.3 mm gold–plated stereo standard plug
- Accessories: Leather pouch, Owner’s Manual
|
The Fostex TH1000RP & TH1100RP are open for pre-order and will be available this September from Audio46.
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