Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
T60RP 50TH Anniversary
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Type: Semi-open dynamic
- Driver: RP planar magnetic
- Impedance: 50Ω
- Sensitivity: 92dB/mW
- Maximum input: 3,000mW
- Frequency response: 15 to 35,000 Hz
- Weight: Approx. 450g (excluding cable)
Description
This product is based on the T60RP, which is equipped with an RP diaphragm recognized by musicians and engineers around the world as a monitor headphone and optimized for listening specifications to achieve a new RP sound, and employs a housing made of solid African paddock, a high-grade wood. The T60RP is a special 50th anniversary model of the Fostex T60RP, which differs from the existing T60RP in that it has been manufactured in Japan and each unit has been carefully assembled, with new acoustic adjustments and a choice of earpads according to your preferences.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Fostex integrates traditional Japanese artistry, such as Urushi lacquering and Aizome dyeing, into the design of their headphone housings, amplified by the acoustic properties of materials like Japanese cherry birch and maple wood.
- They leverage their "Biodyna" driver technology, optimized with high magnetic flux densities (often using neodymium magnets), enabling detailed, dynamic, and low-distortion sound.
- Their headphones are designed to be easily driven by a wide range of devices, often featuring a low impedance (25-32 ohms) and high sensitivity, increasing versatility and convenience for users.
Select products
Select product comparisons
TH616
- Position: The entry-level unit offering basic amplification and straightforward control.
- Description: Offers a simple design with clear controls suited for small room setups and limited connectivity, making it a budget-friendly option. Compared to the other models, it has a more basic feature set and lower output capabilities for users who do not require advanced performance or multiple functions.
TH808
- Position: A compact mid-range option focused on balanced performance.
- Description: Features a clean signal path and improved circuitry that supports better dynamic range and connectivity compared to entry-level models. Relative to the TH616, it delivers enhanced performance while maintaining a moderate price.
TH900MK2
- Position: A mid-range model with advanced digital control and refined tuning.
- Description: Incorporates digital tuning and smarter circuitry to boost clarity and responsiveness, making it well suited for varied room sizes and sonic goals. When compared with the TH616 and TH808, it provides a noticeable upgrade in audio detail and connectivity.
TH1100RP
- Position: A high-end integrated unit designed for higher resolution performance.
- Description: Offers robust processing and precise digital-to-analog conversion to deliver clean and powerful output for users with higher technical requirements. In contrast to the mid-range TH900MK2, it provides more detailed signal processing and expanded functionality.
T60RPMK2
- Position: A flagship model that brings premium control and complete feature integration.
- Description: Delivers groundbreaking performance with advanced components and a design focused on full connectivity and high-end sonic control. Compared to the lower-end models like the TH616 and TH808, it provides superior build quality and extensive functionality.
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Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
780
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
16
Founding Year
1973
Our take on the brand
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
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Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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Used
Fostex
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What if you spend more?
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Fostex
TH616
535
535
/
7
Reviews
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
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Product Strengths
- Crafted with premium black walnut wood, offering a unique and aesthetically pleasing design, and each headphone is unique due to the natural grain of the wood.
- A 50mm neodymium magnetic driver and a BIODYNA diaphragm made of biocellulose fiber contribute to detailed and accurate sound reproduction, wide dynamic range, and minimal distortion.
- Lightweight and comfortable for extended listening sessions, due to premium vegan leather pads and aluminum mechanical parts.
- Many different layers are revealed in the stereo field for great dimension, but the soundstage won’t extend too far outward, providing the listener a more intimate space for the tracks to operate in.
Product Considerations
- The stock cable is long, heavy, and stiff, and it uses Fostex's proprietary connectors, which some reviewers dislike and recommend replacing.
- Some reviewers found the high frequencies to be too bright, which could be fatiguing for some listeners over extended periods.
- The low end is considered moderate and may lack the visceral feeling or rumble desired by bass enthusiasts.
- The carrying pouch appears very bland and like an afterthought during development.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Fostex TH909, the TH616 features 50mm drivers with Fostex’s own Biodyna cones, as used in the high-end model.
- Compared to the beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro, the TH616 is V-shaped like the DT-990 Pro, a headphone infamous for its sonic faults.
Takeaway: The Fostex TH616 is a beautifully crafted headphone with great clarity and detail, offering an engaging listening experience. Pairing with a tube amplifier can enhance the sound by smoothing out the treble and expanding the soundstage.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
Product Page
Product Page
Fostex
T60RPmk2
599
599
/
2
Reviews
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
Expand Details
Video review
Our take on the brand
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
Product Page
Product Page
Fostex
T60RPmk2CL
779
779
/
1
Reviews
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
Expand Details
Video review
Our take on the brand
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
Product Page
Product Page
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Edifier
Stax Spirit S5
569
569
/
11
Reviews
Edifier, a hifi audio brand, horn-loaded ribbon tweeters to affordable active monitors through their Airpulse series. The brand achieved the first Hi-Res Audio certified true wireless earbuds with their NeoBuds Pro and in 2010 became China's first publicly listed audio speaker company.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent wireless sound quality with clarity, detail, and balanced, refined sound.
- Good technical performance, particularly soundstage width.
- Multiple hifi audio codecs are supported, including LDAC, aptX HD, and aptX Lossless.
- The Edifier ConneX app provides a customizable EQ.
- Long battery life is quoted at 80 hours.
Product Considerations
- Active noise cancellation is lacking.
- Some reviewers find the fit awkward, with inadequate clamping force.
- Treble can sound a little metallic or plasticky.
- The use of animal hide might deter some buyers.
- The volume on wireless mode isn't always loud enough.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sennheiser Momentum 4, the Spirit S5 offers a more audiophile-like presentation with better soundstage and clarity.
- The Spirit S5 destroys the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Sennheiser Momentum 4s in terms of sound quality.
- The S5 sounds better than the Stax Spirit S3, with improvements across the board and new features.
Takeaway: The Stax Spirit S5 is a great-sounding wireless headphone that is comfortable and offers modern convenience. It is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to enjoy music with detail and clarity.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Edifier, a hifi audio brand, horn-loaded ribbon tweeters to affordable active monitors through their Airpulse series. The brand achieved the first Hi-Res Audio certified true wireless earbuds with their NeoBuds Pro and in 2010 became China's first publicly listed audio speaker company.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
Fostex
T50RPmk4
249
/
Released
2024
The T50RPmk4g is the latest model in the RP technology headphone series, which has been continuously refined for 50 years and is used in professional music studios worldwide. Featuring Fostex's RP technology proprietary planar magnetic driver, it delivers an unparalleled response, resulting in exceptional sound localization and clear separation, for an unparalleled gaming experience.
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Warm sound and can reproduce the deepest bass
- High wearing comfort, and the cable can be plugged in either left or right
- Redesigned RP drivers provide accurate reproduction
- High efficiency due to comparatively low impedance and increased sensitivity
- Robust construction
Product Considerations
- Treble reproduction is somewhat restrained
- Small scope of delivery, with few accessories included in the package and not even a carrying pouch
- The gold-plated adapter is simply plugged in, not screwed on, and may get stuck in the amplifier's socket
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Dynamic headphones like the beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro and DT 1990 Pro can descend deeper into the bass
- Guitar melodies are presented in a detailed and finely resolved manner, even better than the AKG K702 Studio in terms of treble reproduction
- The Dan Clark Stealth has better treble reproduction and plasticity
- The spatial representation is very good, though the Focal Listen Professional is preferred in this discipline
Takeaway: The Fostex T50RPmk4 is a comfortable and studio-suitable headphone with a balanced sound, making it a great choice for music production. With its good impulse response and high wearing comfort, it is a professional tool at a reasonable price.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
Product Page
Product Page
Fostex
T50RPmk4CL
389
/
Released
2025
The T50RPmk4CL is the latest closed-back model of the RP technology headphones that have been adopted by professional music studios worldwide, continuing to evolve for over 50 years since their inception. The T50RPmk4, equipped with the 4th generation RP driver featuring Fostex's uniquely developed and manufactured planar magnetic driver, has been arranged as a long-awaited closed-back type. It achieves dense sound monitoring that suppresses environmental sound leakage during vocal and instrument studio recording and mixing, and can be used as a closed-back headphone with the accurate sound reproduction characteristic of RP drivers.
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Video review
Our take on the brand
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
Product Page
Product Page
Fostex
T50RPmk4g
209
/
Released
2025
The T50RPmk4g is the latest model in the RP technology headphone series, which has been continuously refined for 50 years and is used in professional music studios worldwide. Featuring Fostex's RP technology proprietary planar magnetic driver, it delivers an unparalleled response, resulting in exceptional sound localization and clear separation, for an unparalleled gaming experience.
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Video review
Our take on the brand
Fostex is a hifi headphone brand known for its proprietary 4th-generation RP planar-magnetic drivers, developed over 50+ years, BioDyna biocellulose diaphragms, and hand-finished Urushi lacquered housings on Japanese birch wood. With deep DIY speaker heritage, their T50RP platform has earned unique renown as a modding canvas, supported by extensive community documentation that treats it as a baseline for higher-end builds.
Product Page
Product Page
FIIO
FT1
164
/
Released
2024
The FiiO FT1 offers North American walnut / beech wood ear shells with natural solid wood construction, effectively reducing cavity resonance and minimizing standing waves. Each wooden ear shell features unique grain patterns.
FiiO stands out for integrating unique features into portable audio devices, such as their BTR7 DAC/amplifier with its screen and wireless charging, and their KB3 mechanical keyboard with a built-in DAC/amp. The brand caters to audiophiles seeking personalization through products like their pioneering X7 music player with interchangeable amp modules and their compact R7 desktop system that combines streaming, DAC, and headphone amplification capabilities.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Shockingly good for the money, a very well-tuned headphone for the price category
- Good bass response that is fun, with lots of thumpiness and impact in the lower sub-bass regions, while maintaining a clean mid-bass region
- Trouble response is fairly target-adherent with a chill character and not overly fatiguing
- Comes with a banger accessories package providing two cables, a carry case, more than a lot of companies are coming out with
- Delivers impressive sound quality across the board, backed by excellent build quality and a generous set of accessories
Product Considerations
- The actual earpad area for the ear is not super great, and it will be felt a little bit on the ear, might be more on-ear than fully over-ear if you have really large ears
- Sound staging is one area that could improve the most, because there is almost none, can sound almost claustrophobic, because everything is happening right here all the time
- Mid-range is not all that exciting to listen to, vocals can be shouty or honk-type sound to certain vocalists
- Build quality feels good for $150, but it would not pass the sniff test for $500, definitely feels like it's a budget device
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The AKG K361 has advantages over the FiiO FT1, like sound staging
- The FT1’s level of midrange fidelity is impressive, rivaling the best mid-fi headphones such as the Sennheiser HD6XX and the Sundara
- It outshines most closed-back classics, including the Sony MDR-7506, AKG K361, and beyerdynamic DT700 Pro X
- The smaller FiiO FT1 was enjoyed even more than the FiiO FT5, since it strikes the right balance between fun, warmth, and technicality, handling tough tracks with much more ease than anticipated
Takeaway: The FiiO FT1 is a surprisingly good closed-back headphone for the money and offers a well-tuned sound signature with good bass response. This headphone is priced at $150 and is surprisingly nice with some great terminations.
Video review
Our take on the brand
FiiO stands out for integrating unique features into portable audio devices, such as their BTR7 DAC/amplifier with its screen and wireless charging, and their KB3 mechanical keyboard with a built-in DAC/amp. The brand caters to audiophiles seeking personalization through products like their pioneering X7 music player with interchangeable amp modules and their compact R7 desktop system that combines streaming, DAC, and headphone amplification capabilities.
Product Page
Product Page
Sennheiser
HD 560S
279
/
Released
2020
With linear acoustics tailored to extended listening sessions and smooth, gratifying bass performance, the HD 560S was crafted for the analytical audio enthusiast.
Sennheiser pioneered the world's first open-back headphones with the HD 414 in 1968, which became the bestselling full-size headphone of all time, and later developed the HD 25, evolving from 1980s broadcast use to become the industry standard in DJ booths worldwide. The brand is known for unique engineering approaches, such as integrating high-voltage amplifiers directly into earcups with Carrara marble chassis in the HE 1, developing proprietary ring-radiator transducers and absorber technology to eliminate resonances, and creating the long-running MD 421 microphone that has remained in production since 1960.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The HD 560S delivers a flat sound profile that should suit most musical genres
- Very comfortable, with a relatively lightweight design and plenty of plush padding
- Soundstage is exemplary
- Lightweight and provide a nimble feel
- Excels in delivering both vocals and instruments with a remarkable level of clarity and precision
Product Considerations
- Some users might find it a bit dull over time due to its conservative sound signature
- Can be a bit intense at times in the lower treble
- The plastic construction does not scream luxury
- Some loss of texture in the mid-bass, with bass notes of different instruments often sounding the same
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs AKG K702: 560S' sound is going to feel a bit closer, but it may not always be a good thing when trying to hear what is farther off in the distance, for gaming
- Vs Sennheiser HD58X: The 560S is cleaner and more accurate sounding than the HD58X
- Vs Sennheiser HD600: The 560S is more intimate and livelier sounding than the darker HD600
- Vs HIFIMAN Sundara: Compared to the more expensive Hifiman Sundara, the 560S sounds like it lacks detail across the frequency spectrum, except in the sub bass region where the Sundara does not seem to dig as deep
Takeaway: The Sennheiser HD560S is a comfortable headphone with a well-balanced sound, making it a solid choice for both gamers and music enthusiasts looking for neutrality and clarity. It is a versatile headphone for various genres and applications.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sennheiser pioneered the world's first open-back headphones with the HD 414 in 1968, which became the bestselling full-size headphone of all time, and later developed the HD 25, evolving from 1980s broadcast use to become the industry standard in DJ booths worldwide. The brand is known for unique engineering approaches, such as integrating high-voltage amplifiers directly into earcups with Carrara marble chassis in the HE 1, developing proprietary ring-radiator transducers and absorber technology to eliminate resonances, and creating the long-running MD 421 microphone that has remained in production since 1960.
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