The Fostex TH909 ranks #106 out of 134 total Over-Ear Headphones for sound quality. See all Headphones rankings for every top pick.
Brand: Fostex
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#106 Fostex TH909: $1,263.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: An open-back wired design with a 50mm driver, 25 ohms and 100 dB/mW sensitivity, so it runs from most sources without a dedicated amplifier. Bass is generous, about 2 to 4 dB over target from the sub-bass up through the low mids, which gives a warm and full presentation. The airy open design gives a spacious soundstage feel, and the range above 10 kHz sits about 2 dB over target.
Cons: Open back means sound leaks out and outside noise leaks in, so it only suits quiet rooms. Presence is lifted about 2.4 dB, with a 6.4 dB peak near 5.6 kHz and a 6.3 dB dip near 9.5 kHz, which can make voices and cymbals sound uneven. The warm low mids and uneven treble keep it well short of the target curve for the price.
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.82 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.8 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 | -0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 304 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.45 |
| Peak | 1,426 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.54 |
| Peak | 5,590 Hz | -6.2 dB | 4.31 |
| Peak | 9,044 Hz | +3.2 dB | 1.56 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,533 Hz | +2.0 dB | 4.27 |
| Peak | 3,371 Hz | -2.4 dB | 4.80 |
| Peak | 1,696 Hz | -1.0 dB | 3.46 |
| Peak | 2,300 Hz | +0.6 dB | 3.30 |
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