Наушники — Fostex TH1100RP mk2

Fostex designed the TH1100RPmk2 as an unsealed circumaural model, and it belongs to the second generation of the company's upper RP planar magnetic range, which was introduced together with the closed TH1000RPmk2. It uses the second RP driver of the upper TH range, which the maker calls RP Driver mk2 with a prefix marking the top tier, in a housing of solid hard maple dyed by hand with Awa Aizome, a traditional Japanese indigo process.

Key specs that matter

Nominal impedance is 32 ohm, sensitivity reaches 96 dB per mW, and the permitted input is 3,000 mW. The stated frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 40,000 Hz. Weight is about 420 g without the cable. Connection is through two 2-pole 3.5 mm mono sockets, one per earcup, and the supplied 2 m cable is made of 7N grade high-purity OFC copper and ends in a gold-plated 3-pole 6.3 mm plug. A synthetic leather pouch is included.

Engineering and use context

According to Fostex, the diaphragm of this mk2 driver is bigger than that of the T50RPmk4, with redesigned coil patterns printed on the film. The magnetic circuit gains larger magnets to shape the flux distribution, and an acoustic filter plus damping materials control air movement behind the diaphragm. The previous generation used 2-pin sockets, and the move to mini plug sockets widens the choice of replacement cables and makes a balanced connection possible with a suitable lead. The ear pads were redesigned with two foam layers - a high-resilience memory foam facing the driver and a softer foam facing the ear - under a surface of silk protein synthetic leather chosen for durability. Natural sheepskin covers both the head pad and the headband, and magnesium alloy parts are used in the mechanism. As an open design it lets sound pass in both directions, so it belongs in a quiet listening space rather than on a studio floor near microphones or on public transport. The maple housing is finished by hand dyeing, so the grain and shade differ slightly from one pair to the next.

Pairing

With its moderate impedance and good sensitivity the TH1100RPmk2 can run from portable sources, yet its high input rating leaves room for a desktop headphone amplifier with generous output. Since each cup has its own mono socket, a balanced cable can replace the stock single-ended lead when the amplifier offers a balanced headphone output.

Alternatives

The Fostex TH1000RPmk2 is the closed-back sibling of this model, built around the same mk2 planar driver and indigo-dyed maple housing.