Fostex TH919 Premium Open-Back Headphones

Utilizing an upgraded BioDyna driver with improved amplitude stability and tight low frequency response, the TH919 from Fostex are premium open-back audiophile headphones with 50mm drivers. Sporting a solid maple wood housing with a distinctive Japanese Urushi finish, the TH919 is as much a tool as a work of art.

The TH919 delivers accurate and delicate reproduction of everything from heavy bass to ultrahigh frequencies for a clear sense of localization and an ideal soundstage. Newly adopted magnesium alloy mechanical parts in the housing base plate and hanger help to reduce the weight of these headphones by 20% compared to aluminum components. Comfort over long listening sessions is an important factor, which is why the TH919 features comfortable silk-protein synthetic leather earpads that utilize slanted surfaces and a plush sheepskin headband for an optimized fit. The detachable Y-cable features gold plating on the 1/4" end and two 3.5mm TS connections for the earphones. These headphones include a leatherette pouch.

Highly acclaimed for its high resolution and smooth sound quality, the 50mm BioDyna driver has been upgraded to produce remarkable sound reproduction. Newly developed edges improve amplitude stability and makes for tight and well-defined low frequencies without excessive expansion. This in return eliminates muddiness caused by extraneous noise, therefore achieving a natural and smooth midrange.

The solid hard maple wood housing, known as a material for guitars, is lacquered from Sa-kamoto Otozo Shoten Co, a company founded in 1900 that incorporates traditional Japanese industrial design. Using a unique foil pattern of black lacquer as a bass layer and sulfur-smoked silver foil, luxurious detail is created for a premium build.

The hard and highly dense maple combined with the hard lacquer finish, allows for a transparent sound, so you can enjoy deep bass and clear, extended highs.

The open-back TH919 reproduces a natural soundstage with high resolution and creates a less-tiring listening experience through the use of double-aluminum-etched parts in the housing aperture, and careful fine-tuning of the aperture ratio and each internal part. Magnesium alloy is relatively new for mechanical parts such as the housing base plate and hanger, and reduces weight by 20% compared to aluminum. Rubber packing is used for the rotation mechanism to eliminate excess vibration as much as possible. The design concept of taking every detail of each part into consideration has further improved the wearing comfort.

The newly shaped earpads feature a sloped design on the side that makes contact with the face, therefore increasing comfort during long listening sessions. Internal low-density urethane foam is now arranged in a two-layer structure, with a soft type on the outside and a high-elasticity type on the inside to conform to the shape of your face. Low-resilience cushions and silk-protein synthetic leather wrap around the foam for three times the durability of conventional earpads. The head pad and headband are made of sheepskin for a supple, comfortable fit and a texture that changes with use.

The headphone cable is detachable and is made from 7N-grade high-purity OFC (oxygen-free copper), free from impurities for enhanced transmission performance. The detachable cable features gold plating on the 1/4" TRS connector end, ideal for corrosion resistance and conductivity, while the earphone connections now sport 3.5mm TS connectors for improved compatibility of recabling. Optional alternative cable types are also available from Fostex.