Fostex TH600 + Fiio E17
First of all, thanks very much for Headphone GAF for introducing me to the world of great sound on the go. At home I listen to music from Genelec 8040 monitors, I really like them. I am, however, on the road in Turks & Caicos and USA for all of January and February, and I thought now might be the right time to invest into good headphones.
Selecting my headphones
My previous headphones havent been audiophile. Probably the best I had was Sennheiser PXC 450s. I have also had Bose QC IIs and Nokia Purity Pros. I found them all pretty lacking. I scanned through this thread and looked at the various recommendations. I was looking for a high quality pair with sound clarity and sound stage similar to my Genelecs, but with more emphasis on bass. After reading many reviews of all the headsets in the $300-600 price range mentioned here it seemed that Fostex TH600s were the right choice for me - the way people described them felt like the closest match.
Selecting my portable DAC/AMP
Next, I needed a DAC/AMP to go with my headset since I was going to use mainly my iPhone and iPad for listening. Since I was short of time, Fiio E17 was pretty much the only reasonable choice with quick delivery in UK. Its probably under specced for my headphones, but I rationalised that I would buy a proper portable amp later when kit using the Apple Lightning port would be available, removing one analogue link from the chain. I do suspect that the Fiio E17 might not be providing enough oomph for the headphones, I think they sounded even better when being fed from my Yamaha home amp.
Selecting my case
Based on some recommendations online I got a Slappa Large Hardbody case. It fits the Fostex TH600s and their looooooong cable perfectly, with space in the middle left for the Fiio E17. Perfect case to protect quality kit - but big, so I had to upgrade my carry on luggage bag too!
Build quality
Before even firing the setup up, the first thing I appreciated was the build quality. Both the Fostex TH600 and Fiio E17 have stunning build quality. Sturdy metal construction, heft and rigidity. Certainly entirely another league than my earlier Sennheisers and Boses. The cables are incredibly well done too.
Sound
Hearing my new setup for the first time was truly a revelation to me. I am in no means an expert in describing sound so please excuse my laymans wording.
- Broadness of the sound stage is incredible and has a real sense of space around me. The sounds seem to come from a range of directions and distances. This could be only appreciated once I as forced to use a pair of Bose QCs on American Airlines, coming from my new kit they are best described feeling like someone would have taped miniature speakers directly on my ears.
- Clarity and detail in the sound is incredible. My favourite songs like Luka by Suzanne Vega take an all new life when I can really hear the physicality of the guitar strings and the echos from the body. They might sound too clinical to some listeners, but coming from my Genelec 8040s I appreciate clarity.
- Bass feels like standing next to a huge gig speaker set, when fed with the right kind of track. I could not believe how amazing Skulls by Royksopp sounds, I can really physically feel the bass thumping, like on a gig or nightclubs. I do need to listen at a fairly high volume to get the effect, however. And it requires a lot from the track, as ones without extreme lows in bass can feel much thinner. I am currently pushing my Fiio E17 at 6+ on bass and it doesnt feel like too much at all.
- Leakage, well, there is a lot of it. All my previous headsets have been whisper quiet to people around me, so it was a surprise that my Fostex TH600s require a lot more social awareness. I fully expect to be told off one day by the passenger sitting next to me in an airplane. Now I was flying business so I didnt disturb anyone in my own cocoon
Weaknesses
Currently, the biggest weak link in my chain is the required 1/4-to-3mm connector needed to plug the Fostex TH600s to my Fiio E17. As I was running out of time our local DJ shop in London only had a direct plug, and a bad one too, used in their store demo unit. A small twist or bend causes a rattle, it has to be positioned in a perfect angle. I have ordered adapters with a small cable that I will get on our US leg of our tour.
Open questions
I am still figuring out the entire setup. I do wonder, for example, that how much the source material and particular mastering affects my experience. Is Spotify Extreme Quality (320) as good as I need? Second thing I am not conclusive on is whether I should max out the amp and keep the output on my iPhone / iPad low, or the other way around? And third, I need to find the right EQ settings that produce the fullest, most pleasing sound - or should I rely on the defaults?
Costs (inc. tax)
Overall, this was an expensive set of kit. Maybe I took the thread title too literally, but I do think that this will last me a long time and provide me a lot of joy. And it's probably at the edge or past the threshold of where I can't hear difference when spending more.
- Fostex TH600 from Amazon.co.uk - £466.65 ($706)
- Fiio E17 froms Amazon.co.uk - £99.00 ($149)
- Slappa Large case from Amazon.co.uk - £24.87 ($37)
Personal reflection
I always try to reflect expensive purchases on whether they increased my happiness. Here, that question was answered the moment Prodigy announced theyd release their first track in years, Nasty Nasty, while I was on the road. I had actually the chance to hear it properly for the first time, feeling the effect of that imposing fog horn properly.
I also found myself for the first time just sitting and listening to all kinds of music I have enjoyed during my life, for the sheer joy of being able to hear it so well - Vangelis, Robert Miles, Propellerheads, Angelo Badalamenti, Chemical Brothers, Rage Against The Machine, U2, Tears for Fears, Kraftwerk, Massive Attack.... The experience really consumes my full attention, initially freaking out my wife as she found me sitting in a lounger and staring at the sea with my headset on.
Thumbs up and thanks again to Headphone-GAF!
Three objects providing me a lot of joy on my holiday - my Fostex TH600 headset, Fiio E17 portable DAC/AMP and my scuba mask. Also pictured, a specacularly bad 1/4-to-3.5mm adapter
