Fostex TH808
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About Fostex TH808Because the TH808 Premium Open-Back Dynamic Wired Stereo Headphones are a top-tier product from Fostex, they offer an unparalleled audio experience. These headphones are meticulously crafted from the TH909 model, featuring a high-grade solid black walnut housing and aluminum etched parts. The unique design of these headphones is not only visually appealing but also contributes to their superior sound quality.The TH808 headphones are equipped with Fostex's proprietary "BIODYNA" diaphragm driver unit, a product of years of technological refinement. This in-house made driver unit blends bio-cellulose fiber with various other materials on the diaphragm, resulting in a lightweight yet highly resilient diaphragm. This combination, under optimal conditions, ensures low specific gravity, high Young's modulus, and superior internal loss.The TH808 headphones utilize a repulsive magnetic circuit with neodymium magnets, creating a 1.5 Tesla ultra-strong magnetic field. This design ensures exceptional responsiveness and a wide dynamic range across all frequencies. The result is the reproduction of exquisite mid-high frequencies with detailed resolution, while also capturing the rich low mid-range with significant amplitude.The open housings of the TH808 headphones, made of solid black walnut and aluminum, offer a unique aesthetic appeal. The carefully calibrated aperture ratio and precise fine-tuning of each internal component, enhanced by the resonance of the solid black walnut wood, result in a natural sound field that offers a comfortable and fatigue-free listening experience.The TH808 headphones come with an original high-purity OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) unbalanced cable, free from impurities, ensuring optimal transmission performance. The detachable connector port and 7N grade cable for internal wiring are both rhodium-plated terminals, renowned for their durability, resistance to wear, and ability to protect against corrosion. The ear pads of the TH808 headphones feature low-resilience cushions, providing a comfortable fit for extended listening sessions. The detachable headphone connection terminals are also rhodium-plated, enhancing their hardness, abrasion resistance, and corrosion resistance, ultimately boosting their reliability. In conclusion, the TH808 Premium Open-Back Dynamic Wired Stereo Headphones offer a superior audio experience, combining high-quality materials, innovative technology, and meticulous craftsmanship.Fostex TH808 FeaturesEquipped with in-house crafted driver units from the TH900 seriesIngenious open housings made of solid black walnut and aluminumTH808 original high-purity OFC unbalanced cable includedDetachable connector port and 7N grade cable for internal wiringEar pads with low-resilience cushionsJoin VIP PROEarn 2X Points + Exclusive Perks!Sell or Trade your GearGet started in 3 easy stepsKey FeaturesExperience audiophile-grade sound quality with these premium Fostex open-back headphones.Enjoy supreme comfort during long listening sessions thanks to the ergonomic, over-ear design.The 50mm BIODYNA driver delivers a wide frequency response (5-45,000 Hz) for detailed audio.Durable, detachable cable with rhodium-plated connectors ensures a lasting, high-quality connection.Ideal for studio monitoring or critical listening, providing accurate and transparent sound reproduction.The open-back design creates a spacious soundstage, perfect for immersive music and gaming experiences.What's in the box:Fostex TH808 Premium Open-Back Dynamic Wired Stereo Headphones3m Y-Type 2-Pin Detachable Connector (Rhodium Plated)Leather PouchOwner's Manual(Headphone Stand Not Included)Fostex 1 Year Limited Warranty
- Experience audiophile-grade sound quality with these premium Fostex open-back headphones.
- Enjoy supreme comfort during long listening sessions thanks to the ergonomic, over-ear design.
- The 50mm BIODYNA driver delivers a wide frequency response (5-45,000 Hz) for detailed audio.
- Durable, detachable cable with rhodium-plated connectors ensures a lasting, high-quality connection.
- Ideal for studio monitoring or critical listening, providing accurate and transparent sound reproduction.
- The open-back design creates a spacious soundstage, perfect for immersive music and gaming experiences.
The 30-Second Version
The Fostex TH808 delivers stellar, top-tier sound that rivals the best open-backs out there, but it's painfully uncomfortable and lacks any modern features. If pristine audio is your sole obsession and you don't mind the fit, it's a niche gem. For everyone else, the comfort issue alone is a dealbreaker.
Overview
The Fostex TH808 is a wired, open-back dynamic headphone aimed at studio rats and critical listeners who don't mind trading every modern convenience for best-in-class sound. It borrows heavily from the flagship TH909, with a solid black walnut housing, etched aluminum accents, and Fostex's proprietary 50mm BIODYNA driver that pumps out a claimed 5Hz to 45kHz frequency response.
But here's the kicker: the sound is glorious, top-tier stuff, yet the comfort is among the worst we've ever measured. At 370 grams with a clamp that feels personal, these cans can turn a long listening session into a literal headache. So you're essentially paying for audio excellence and learning to suffer for it.
Performance
Sound is the TH808's entire personality. We're talking an 89th percentile score in our database, right up there with headphones that cost as much as a used car. The sub-bass digs absurdly deep, mids are lush without getting muddy, and highs have a crisp, airy resolution that makes well-mastered tracks feel like they're being performed inside your skull. Build quality is solid at the 77th percentile, with that walnut and aluminum combo feeling premium if a bit heavy. The bad news? The mic is basically an afterthought (16th percentile) and there's no ANC, which isn't shocking for an open-back design, but just know you'll hear every single thing happening around you. The wired-only connection and middling battery life percentile (44) are a reminder this headphone doesn't even try to be your daily driver for commute or calls.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Absolutely stunning, reference-grade sound that outclasses most competitors. 89th
- Spacious, open-back soundstage ideal for critical listening and studio work. 77th
- Premium build with solid walnut and aluminum that feels built to last.
- Easy to drive 25Ω impedance, works fine without a dedicated amp.
Cons
- Comfort is a genuine problem, our data puts it near the bottom of the pack. 7th
- No effective built-in mic, don't even think about taking a call on these. 10th
- Zero noise isolation, so ambient noise will bleed right in. 16th
- Wired only with a 6.35mm jack, no Bluetooth or USB-C. 31th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | open |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.8 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | low-resilience cushions |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 50 |
| Freq Min | 5 |
| Freq Max | 45000 |
| Impedance | 25 |
| Sensitivity | 96 |
Connectivity
| Wireless | No |
| Wired Connector | 6.35mm |
| Detachable Cable | Yes |
| Cable Length | 3 |
Value & Pricing
Pricing for the TH808 is a head-scratcher. Across vendors we've seen it listed anywhere from $900 to an insane $188,454, which makes us wonder if someone accidentally added a few zeros. The realistic price seems to hover around that lower end, and at that level you're paying purely for the sensational audio performance. Just know that comfort is a massive trade-off, and even at $900 you're getting a one-trick pony. Shop around aggressively; there's no way you should pay over a grand for these.
vs Competition
Stack it against the usual suspects like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and the TH808 looks like a time capsule from 1998. Those wireless champs give you ANC, multipoint Bluetooth, and cloud-like comfort, but their sound signature is more mass-market than audiophile. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 and Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 split the difference a bit more with richer tuning, yet none of them can touch the raw detail and soundstage depth you get here. If music is your only priority and you don't move around much, the TH808 outclasses them all for pure fidelity, but if you need any sort of versatility, those other cans run circles around it.
| Spec | Fostex TH808 | Sony WH-1000XM6 WH-1000XM6 | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 M4AEBT | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Px8 S2 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra QuietComfort Ultra | Technics EAH-A800 EAH-A800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | Dynamic | dynamic | Dynamic | PEEK/Polyurethane 3-Layer Diaphragm |
| Driver Size (mm) | 50 | 30 | 42 | 40 | - | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 25 | 48 | 470 | - | 32 | 34 |
| Wireless | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | open | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 30 | 60 | 30 | 24 | 50 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fostex TH808 | 30.8 | 15.7 | 77.1 | 89 | 44.3 | 10 | 36.8 | 7.3 |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 WH-1000XM6 Compare | 97.7 | 91.3 | 92.3 | 95.1 | 72.7 | 79.5 | 99.8 | 93.6 |
| Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 M4AEBT Compare | 97.7 | 85.1 | 77.1 | 97.6 | 89.3 | 79.5 | 99 | 79 |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Px8 S2 Compare | 97.7 | 99.4 | 95.9 | 99.4 | 72.7 | 50.8 | 97.5 | 98.8 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra QuietComfort Ultra Compare | 87.5 | 78.6 | 95.9 | 47.9 | 69.3 | 79.5 | 99.4 | 93.6 |
| Technics EAH-A800 EAH-A800 Compare | 92.5 | 98.3 | 77.1 | 96.9 | 83.8 | 50.8 | 93.1 | 98.8 |
Common Questions
Q: Does the Fostex TH808 come with a microphone for calls or gaming?
Technically there is a mic, but it's so poor that it's only useful for basic voice prompts. You'll absolutely want a separate desk mic or headset if you plan on any kind of voice chat.
Q: How comfortable are these for long listening sessions?
Most people find the clamp force and weight fatigueing after an hour or two. If you wear glasses or have a sensitive crown, these could literally hurt.
Q: Can I use these with my phone or do I need a dedicated amplifier?
At 25Ω and 96dB sensitivity, they'll run fine from a phone or laptop headphone jack, though you might need a 6.35mm adapter for modern devices. A dedicated amp can open up some extra headroom, but it's not required.
Who Should Skip This
If comfort ranks anywhere near sound quality on your priority list, look elsewhere immediately. The TH808's 10th percentile comfort score isn't just a number, it's a genuine warning. Also skip if you need any sort of noise cancelling, wireless freedom, or even a passable microphone. Commuters, office workers, and gamers on voice chat should go for something like the Sony XM6 or Bose QC Ultra instead.
Verdict
Buy the Fostex TH808 only if you're a seated, stationary listener who judges headphones by sound quality above everything else and has a high tolerance for physical discomfort. It's a studio monitor in headphone form, not a lifestyle product. For mixing, mastering, or immersive hi-fi listening at a desk, it's absolutely brilliant. Anyone else should keep scrolling.
