Fostex T20RPmkIII
 | $169.99 Buy!  Fostex T20RPmk3 RP Series Open Design Headphones with Rich BassFullcompass.comDelivery: in USA Report |
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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.
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The most affordable isodynamic headphones on the market
Let's get this straight right away: the Fostex T20RPmkIII are some of the strangest monitor headphones you can find on the market. They belong to a rare class of isodynamic headphones, meaning the local "speaker" is a thin membrane with a flat voice coil applied to it, all of which is placed in a powerful magnetic field. If you thought this sounded like an attempt to cross regular dynamic and electrostatic headphones, you'd be right. Isodynamic models tend to play very smoothly and fairly, and are either expensive or very expensive. But the Fostex T20RPmkIII are the most affordable option in this class, costing the buyer only $200.
They sound dry and honest, like the legendary Yamaha NS-10M
Given their pedigree, it is not surprising that they have an unusually flat frequency response, as if a cow licked it with its tongue. Even much more expensive monitor headphones cannot always boast such a straight line. This in itself is great. But there is a downside to the coin, which is a strong dryness and tightness of the sound. They lack emphasis and pressure in the low frequency range and generally some kind of riot. 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 babies will instantly show you all the unevenness and roughness of the mix.
Don't like it? Change it!
And Fostex T20RPmkIII are not the most attractive and comfortable. Again, you want to switch further, right? And again, do not rush. Given the unique isodynamic nature of the model, many owners of headphones decided to go an unusual way and turn minuses into pluses through customization. There are craftsmen on audio forums who can custom-make a replacement headband for a more comfortable one, put in chic wooden cups, play with the combination of ear pads or replace the pads to adjust the sound to your preferences. Or you can not mess around and buy ready-made custom ones, although they will cost almost 2 times more than the originals.
Not for music lovers
To sum it up, we would personally buy them for additional control in the studio, paired with other familiar headphones. Yes, they are also respected on audio forms, but in our opinion, there are much more interesting options for listening to music.
