Fostex TH900mk2 vs Beyerdynamic DT 1350

Short answer: the Fostex TH900mk2. It ranks #158 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $1,399.98. The Beyerdynamic DT 1350 ranks #176, rated 2.9/5, at $1,161.61, $238.37 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.

The Fostex TH900mk2 is the better-sounding option. Sub-bass and bass sit about 2.7 and 3.7 dB above target, giving a full, weighty low end with strong kick drums and bass guitar. Watch for: A 8 dB peak near 5.4 kHz makes vocals, snares and electric guitars sound sharp or shouty, while a 8.3 dB dip near 9.4 kHz leaves the upper treble uneven.

The case for the Beyerdynamic DT 1350: This closed-back headphone weighs only 0.4 lbs (174 g) and keeps sound in and outside noise out, which suits monitoring in loud spaces. The tradeoff: A preference score of 58 in crinacle’s measurement places its tonal balance well away from the response most listeners prefer.

Buy the Fostex TH900mk2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $238.37 saving on the Beyerdynamic DT 1350 is not enough to make up the difference.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Headphone Comparisons

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Fostex TH900mk2:

• Audeze MM-500 vs Fostex TH900mk2
• Sendy Peacock vs Fostex TH900mk2
• Fostex TH900mk2 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS
• Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS vs Beyerdynamic DT 1350
• Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Focal Clear Mg

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The Two Headphones In Full

Fostex TH900mk2: $1,399.98 Amazon eBay

Pros: Sub-bass and bass sit about 2.7 and 3.7 dB above target, giving a full, weighty low end with strong kick drums and bass guitar. The 25 ohm, 100 dB/mW closed-back design runs easily from a phone or portable amp, and presence and air are both lifted about 2.4 dB for added sparkle.

Cons: A 8 dB peak near 5.4 kHz makes vocals, snares and electric guitars sound sharp or shouty, while a 8.3 dB dip near 9.4 kHz leaves the upper treble uneven. Upper mids from 1 to 3 kHz sit about 1.5 dB under target, so the tonal balance feels bass-heavy. There is no built-in microphone.

Full Fostex TH900mk2 review and specifications →

Back	Closed
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.94 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 50mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	25 ohms
Sensitivity	100 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.6 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.94 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -4.9 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	-0.1 dB	0.70
Peak	189 Hz	-3.6 dB	0.18
Peak	2,364 Hz	+5.5 dB	1.54
Peak	5,351 Hz	-8.4 dB	4.70
Peak	454 Hz	+5.3 dB	1.17
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-3.8 dB	0.70
Peak	81 Hz	+0.5 dB	2.33
Peak	39 Hz	-0.3 dB	1.38
Peak	196 Hz	-0.3 dB	1.57
Peak	292 Hz	+0.3 dB	2.64

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Fostex TH900mk2 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Fostex TH900mk2 vs Sendy Peacock
  • Fostex TH900mk2 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS
  • Fostex TH900mk2 vs Audeze MM-500

Beyerdynamic DT 1350: $1,161.61 Amazon eBay

Pros: This closed-back headphone weighs only 174 g and keeps sound in and outside noise out, which suits monitoring in loud spaces. With 80 ohm impedance and a nominal 109 dB sensitivity it reaches useful volume from portable sources without a headphone amp.

Cons: A preference score of 58 in crinacle’s measurement places its tonal balance well away from the response most listeners prefer. The Focal Elegia rates higher and costs less.

Full Beyerdynamic DT 1350 review and specifications →

Released	Feb 2011 (15 years ago)
Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.50 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	58 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	80 ohms
Sensitivity	109 dB SPL (nominal)
Tonal Tilt	-0.78 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.4 lbs (174 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.2 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	+1.1 dB	0.70
Peak	2,762 Hz	+6.9 dB	1.10
Peak	496 Hz	-4.5 dB	0.48
Peak	4,606 Hz	-7.2 dB	1.87
Peak	1,546 Hz	+5.4 dB	1.70
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-1.7 dB	0.70
Peak	98 Hz	-1.6 dB	1.90
Peak	7,672 Hz	+2.5 dB	2.60
Peak	5,822 Hz	-2.3 dB	6.00
Peak	174 Hz	+1.4 dB	3.45

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Beyerdynamic DT 1350 (crinacle measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS
  • Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Focal Clear Mg
  • Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Beyerdynamic DT 880