Fostex T40RP Mk3 vs Yamaha HPH-200

Short answer: the Yamaha HPH-200. Both are rated 3.2/5 for sound quality (#155 and #160 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Yamaha HPH-200 costs $160 against $189.99 for the Fostex T40RP Mk3, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.

The case for the Fostex T40RP Mk3: This closed back planar magnetic model measures smoothly in oratory1990’s test, with only 2.57 dB of deviation around the target and sub-bass within 6 dB down to 20 Hz. The tradeoff: Sensitivity of 91 dB/mW is low for an over-ear, so a dedicated headphone amp helps it reach full volume.

The case for the Yamaha HPH-200: The open 40mm dynamic design has an airy, speaker-like staging, and at 48 ohms and 98.5 dB/mW it runs fine from a phone or laptop. The tradeoff: Sub-bass is roughly 9 dB under target, so deep bass is largely absent.

Buy the Yamaha HPH-200. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $29.99 less than the Fostex T40RP Mk3.

Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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How Yamaha HPH-200 compares with other leading options:

• Austrian Audio Hi-X15 vs Yamaha HPH-200
• FiiO FT1 vs Yamaha HPH-200
• Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X vs Yamaha HPH-200
• 1MORE Triple Driver Over Ear vs Yamaha HPH-200
• 1MORE Triple Driver Over Ear vs Fostex T40RP Mk3

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The Two Headphones In Full

Fostex T40RP Mk3: $189.99 B&H Photo Video eBay

Pros: This closed back planar magnetic model measures smoothly in oratory1990’s test, with only 2.57 dB of deviation around the target and sub-bass within 6 dB down to 20 Hz. Bass sits about 3 dB above target, giving a warm, solid low end for listeners who prefer a fuller sound. The closed design isolates from room noise and keeps sound in.

Cons: Sensitivity of 91 dB/mW is low for an over-ear, so a dedicated headphone amp helps it reach full volume. Upper mids and presence both run about 2.5 dB below target, which softens vocal detail, and a 4.5 dB dip near 11.9 kHz trims air. The Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X and Yamaha HPH-200 earn the same rating for less money. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.

Full Fostex T40RP Mk3 review and specifications →

Released	Aug 2015 (11 years ago)
Back	Closed
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.57 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Planar magnetic
Drivers	1 x planar magnetic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	20Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	50 ohms
Sensitivity	91 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.4 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-1.26 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.7 lbs (315 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -4.7 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+7.6 dB	0.70
Peak	58 Hz	-8.3 dB	0.35
Peak	1,951 Hz	+4.7 dB	1.28
Peak	860 Hz	-2.4 dB	1.50
Peak	4,884 Hz	+2.7 dB	1.37
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+0.2 dB	0.70
Peak	462 Hz	+1.4 dB	3.24
Peak	581 Hz	-1.2 dB	4.70
Peak	201 Hz	-0.5 dB	3.41
Peak	114 Hz	+0.3 dB	3.13

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Fostex T40RP Mk3 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Fostex T40RP Mk3 vs 1MORE Triple Driver Over Ear
  • Fostex T40RP Mk3 vs FiiO FT1
  • Fostex T40RP Mk3 vs Cooler Master MH752

Yamaha HPH-200: $160.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: The open 40mm dynamic design has an airy, speaker-like staging, and at 48 ohms and 98.5 dB/mW it runs fine from a phone or laptop. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz is about 1.6 dB above target and the midrange sits close to it, giving voices a natural body.

Cons: Sub-bass is roughly 9 dB under target, so deep bass is largely absent. A 12.3 dB dip near 4.8 kHz and presence about 6 dB low are paired with a 4.8 dB peak near 7.4 kHz, which makes vocals recede while hi-hats and sibilants stand out. The open back leaks sound and gives no isolation.

Full Yamaha HPH-200 review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.20 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 40mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	48 ohms
Sensitivity	98.5 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-11.2 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+5.8 dB	0.70
Peak	83 Hz	-6.4 dB	0.54
Peak	4,730 Hz	+6.7 dB	1.88
Peak	41 Hz	+3.8 dB	0.94
Peak	6,680 Hz	-5.1 dB	4.60
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+1.2 dB	0.70
Peak	518 Hz	+1.1 dB	1.05
Peak	1,328 Hz	-1.1 dB	2.04
Peak	8,923 Hz	-2.3 dB	4.29
Peak	243 Hz	-0.7 dB	1.68

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Yamaha HPH-200 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Yamaha HPH-200 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X
  • Yamaha HPH-200 vs FiiO FT1
  • Yamaha HPH-200 vs 1MORE Triple Driver Over Ear
  • Yamaha HPH-200 vs Austrian Audio Hi-X15