Fostex T20RPmkIII
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Full-size professional monitor headphones with an open acoustic design, dry analytical sound and an old-school design inspired by aviation or racing headphones. They belong to a rare class of isodynamic models, which are a cross between classic headphones with dynamic drivers and rare electrostatic models. The planar emitters installed in them are thin membranes with flat voice coils, which are placed in a powerful magnetic field.
They provide an extremely flat frequency-amplitude curve and sound extremely dry, scrupulous and analytical. The headphone impedance is only 50 ohms, so driving them doesn't necessarily require a powerful amplifier or a sound card with an advanced DAC. The capabilities of planar emitters are almost twice the capabilities of human hearing - they are able to reproduce frequencies from 15 to 35,000 Hz, due to which subtle details appear in the composition that are not audible in classical models with a limit of 20,000 Hz.
Fostex T20RPmkIII is positioned by the manufacturer as a product of the middle price category, focused on critical listening and mixing. Given that these are some of the most affordable isodynamic headphones on the market, they should also be of interest to fans of neutral sound who are tired of the overly colored sound of modern Hi-Fi acoustics. The device comes with a detachable three-meter cable with a 3.5 mm mini-jack and a 6.3 mm adapter. The kit also includes a detachable cable 1.2 meters long. It should also be noted that over the years of the existence of this model, a small fan community has grown around it, which is engaged in finalizing the headband, replacing ear cushions, modernizing the shape of the cups, etc.
Before buying always check characteristics and configuration of product with online store manager
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The most affordable isodynamic headphones on the market
Let's dot the i's right away, the Fostex T20RPmkIII are some of the weirdest monitor headphones you can find on the market. They belong to a rare class of isodynamic, that is, the local "speaker" is a thin membrane on which a flat voice coil is applied, and all this is placed in a powerful magnetic field. If you thought that this sounds like an attempt to cross the usual dynamic and electrostatic headphones, then you are completely right. Usually, isodynamic models play very smoothly and fairly, but are either expensive or very expensive. But Fostex T20RPmkIII are the most affordable option in this class and will cost the buyer only $200.
They sound dry and honest, like the legendary Yamaha NS-10M
Given the pedigree, it is not surprising that they have an extremely flat frequency response, as if her cows were licked with their tongues. Even much more expensive monitor headphones can not always boast such a straight line. This in itself is excellent. But there is a downside to the coin, which is a strong dryness and constriction of the sound. They lack emphasis and pressure in the low-frequency region and, in general, some kind of rollicking. If you take them purely to listen to music, then after 10-15 minutes you will probably want to switch to the conditional Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO, just to return the joy of life to your ears. If at this point you have a desire to scroll down, then do not rush. The fact is that this pathological sterility can be very useful in the studio for additional control. Like the famous Yamaha NS-10M monitors, these little ones will instantly show you all the bumps and roughness of the mix.
I do not like? Change!
And Fostex T20RPmkIII is not the most attractive and comfortable. You want to switch further again, right? Again, don't rush. Given the unique isodynamic nature of the model, many headphone owners have decided to go the unusual way and turn minuses into pluses through customization. There are craftsmen on the audio forums who can customize the headband for a more comfortable fit, put on chic wooden cups, play around with ear cushion combinations, or change pads to tweak the sound to their preference. Or you can not mess around and buy ready-made custom ones, although they will cost almost 2 times more than the original ones.
Not for music lovers
Summing up, we note that personally we would take them precisely for additional control in the studio in a pair with other well-known headphones. Yes, they are also respected on audioforms, but in our opinion there are much more interesting options for listening to music.
