Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 3.6/5 (#225 and #230 of 481 over-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($799.99 vs $799.99), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick the Fostex TH610: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72 with a slightly warm overall tilt, a solid result for a closed-back headphone. The catch: At 0.8 lbs (375 g) it is on the heavier side for a closed-back headphone.
Why pick the Koss ESP95X: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 3.06 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: Presence sits about 3.9 dB low with a 12.2 dB dip near 9.6 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
Buy the Fostex TH610 or the Koss ESP95X on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72 with a slightly warm overall tilt, a solid result for a closed-back headphone.
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Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 72 with a 3.06 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $799.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Fostex TH610 | Koss ESP95X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.99 | $799.99 |
| Ranked | #225 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #230 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.52 dB standard deviation | 3.06 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.26 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Electrostatic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 100,000 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | - |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (375 g) | 0.8 lbs (353g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 35kHz |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Falls 6 dB below target at 67 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
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