Name: Fostex TE05
Brand: Fostex

Technical Specifications of Fostex TE05

Overall score

5.5

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.

Sound

5.2

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

Calls & Controls

4.4

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

Connectivity

6.2

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Features

4.1

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

Battery

1.0

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

Design

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Fostex

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

in-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Fostex TE05 vs the average headphone

Why is Fostex TE05 better than the average headphone?

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Hi-Res Audio certification
Fostex TE05 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
What it is: Certified for high-resolution audio playback
When it matters: When official support for high-resolution playback matters to you.
Importance: LOW
Fostex TE05 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
97.2% lower weight
Fostex TE05 is lighter than the average headphone (6 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Fostex TE05 is lighter than the average headphone (6 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.6 g vs 218 g
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Fostex TE05 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.
Importance: MEDIUM
Fostex TE05 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
8 Hz lower bass extension
Fostex TE05 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Fostex TE05 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.10 Hz vs 18 Hz
In-line controls
Fostex TE05 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.
Importance: LOW
Fostex TE05 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
5,000 Hz higher treble extension
Fostex TE05 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=24000 Hz
Fostex TE05 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.25000 Hz vs 20000 Hz
97.2% lower weight
Fostex TE05 is lighter than the average headphone (6 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
Hi-Res Audio certification
Fostex TE05 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
8 Hz lower bass extension
Fostex TE05 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
5,000 Hz higher treble extension
Fostex TE05 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Fostex TE05 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
In-line controls
Fostex TE05 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.

Why is Fostex TE05 worse than the average headphone?

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Tangle-prone cable
Fostex TE05 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
32 mm smaller driver size
Fostex TE05 has smaller driver size than the average headphone (8 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
9 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Fostex TE05 has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (93 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
11 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
Fostex TE05 has a lower sound pressure level than the average headphone (92 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
95% lower input power handling
Fostex TE05 has a lower max input power than the average headphone (5 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
32 mm smaller driver size
Fostex TE05 has smaller driver size than the average headphone (8 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.
Importance: MEDIUM
Fostex TE05 has smaller driver size than the average headphone (8 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.8 mm vs 40 mm
9 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Fostex TE05 has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (93 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Fostex TE05 has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (93 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.93 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
Tangle-prone cable
Fostex TE05 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
What it is: Cable designed to resist tangling
When it matters: When you often carry wired headphones in a bag or pocket.
Importance: LOW
Fostex TE05 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
22.8% lower user score
Fostex TE05 has a lower user score than the average headphone (6.52 vs 8.000).
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Fostex TE05 has a lower user score than the average headphone (6.52 vs 8.000).6.52 vs 8
11 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
Fostex TE05 has a lower sound pressure level than the average headphone (92 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
What it is: Output loudness level of the headphones, usually measured in dB. It helps compare how loud a model can play under similar conditions.
When it matters: When you need a rough idea of how loud the headphones can get before you pair them with a weaker source.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=108 dB SPL
Fostex TE05 has a lower sound pressure level than the average headphone (92 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.92 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
95% lower input power handling
Fostex TE05 has a lower max input power than the average headphone (5 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
What it is: Maximum input power the drivers can safely handle
When it matters: When you pair the headphones with stronger sources or dedicated gear.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=300 mW
Fostex TE05 has a lower max input power than the average headphone (5 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.5 mW vs 100 mW

Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

4.0

42 Reviews

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Fostex TE05?

Detachable MMCX cable makes replacement or upgrades easy
Excellent midrange reproduction with clear, articulate vocals
Balanced, transparent tuning works especially well for classical and acoustic music
Lightweight machined aluminum shells feel solid and stay comfortable over long sessions
Strong price-to-performance value compared with pricier competitors
Protective leather carrying case is included

What customers dislike about Fostex TE05?

Bass and treble may feel too restrained for listeners wanting a more energetic V-shaped sound
Upper frequencies can become a little sharp with some recordings
Left-right markings are hard to read in low light
Included silicone tips are only average and many users prefer aftermarket replacements
No remote or microphone on the standard cable

Expert reviews

tnt-audio.com

15/02/2016

[Review] Fostex Earphones, TE-03, TE-05 and TE-07

The Fostex earphone lineup spans from basic daily options to higher-end models, delivering a varied mix of performance across different price points. The entry-level TE-03 is a robust, aluminum pair featuring a flat, non-tangle cord and phone controls, but its sound profile is highly flawed, suffering from a congested midrange and unlistenably harsh treble,. Moving up, the TE-05...Read more

headphone.guru

01/07/2015

Title: Fostex TE-05 and TE-07 - Headphone Guru

The Fostex TE-05 and TE-07 in-ear monitors (IEMs) both feature impressive machined aluminum housings, lightweight ergonomics, and an efficient unboxing experience that includes a leather-look storage case. Priced at $149, the TE-05 stands out as the superior model due to its spacious, airy, and balanced mid-frequency sound signature, making it exceptional for vocals, instruments,...Read more

hifipig.com

25/10/2016

Fostex TE05 and TE07 IEMs Review | Hifi Pig

The Fostex TE05 (£89) and TE07 (£189) are well-made aluminium in-ear monitors (IEMs) that offer a controlled, honest sound signature rather than an exaggerated bass or treble response. Designed by a brand rooted in professional audio, both models feature detachable, anti-tangling cables and come packaged with four sizes of ear tips and a premium leather carrying case. The reviewer...Read more

head-fi.org

11/07/2014

Brainwavz S5 In Ear Headphones - Reviews | Page 3

The Brainwavz S5 IEM features a durable, overbuilt metal housing and a flat cable that eliminates microphonics, offering an easy-to-drive design with deep, detailed bass and smooth treble after 150 hours of burn-in. However, the, heavy cable causes comfort issues by pulling on the earbuds, while the midrange is considered warm and lacking in air compared to previous models. While...Read more

connect.de

01/12/2014

stereoplay Leaderboard: Fostex TE-05 (original test date 12/14)

This document is a comprehensive ranking leaderboard (Bestenliste) from the German audiophile magazine stereoplay (dated December 2020), which meticulously evaluates and categorises high-fidelity audio equipment across varying price brackets and performance tiers. The registry covers an expansive range of audio components, including passive and active floor-standing and compact...Read more

hifitest.de

01/07/2026

Technical Data In-Ear Headphones - Fostex TE-05 - Review

The Fostex TE-05 is a dynamic, wired in-ear headphone designed specifically for mobile audio players. Built with a premium black aluminium housing, it balances structural durability with a lightweight design. Its technical specifications highlight a high sensitivity of 92 dB/mW, a low impedance of 13 Ohm, and a broad frequency response spanning from 10 to 25,000 Hz. For user...Read more

maclife.de

01/07/2017

Hardware Quick Review: Fostex TE05BK", "Hardware Mini-Review: Fostex TE05BK

This Mac Life roundup highlights the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H4 headphones, which offer premium comfort and minimalist design, yet lack active noise cancellation (ANC) and a carrying case while providing standard 19-hour battery life. Conversely, the budget-friendly iFrogz Coda Wireless headphones are noted for their low price point, though they fall short in structural durability...Read more

kopfhoerer.de

09/05/2017

Fostex TE05 review on kopfhoerer.de", "Fostex TE05 tested by kopfhoerer.de

The Fostex TE05 receives a solid 4 out of 5 stars in this review, highlighted as a stylish and durable pair of mid-range, closed-back dynamic in-ear monitors well-suited for smartphones and tablets. Built with a high-strength, milled aluminum housing designed to minimize body resonance, these earphones feature a 1.05-meter detachable oxygen-free copper cable utilizing gold-plated...Read more

on-mag.fr

12/08/2018

Fostex TE05 Review: 'Classic' Wired In-Ear Headphones with a Sharp, Detailed Sound!

The ON-mag.fr review highlights the Fostex TE05 as a highly traditional, lightweight pair of wired in-ear monitors priced at €100 that deliver exceptional performance for their price tier. A standout feature praised in the review is the inclusion of an interchangeable MMCX cable, a rare addition for budget earphones that allows users to replace a broken cable for just €39 rather...Read more

15/10/2016

[Review] Fostex TE-03, TE-05 and TE-07 Earphones - TNT-Audio

The Fostex TE-03, TE-05, and TE-07 form a diverse lineup of consumer earphones, each targeting different price points and sound preferences. The budget-friendly TE-03 is a durable, daily-use aluminum model featuring a tangle-free flat cable and built-in smartphone controls. Its primary pros include a warm bass response, decent rhythm, and a practical cable. However, it suffers from...Read more

Fostex TE05 Review | 93 Data compared

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Verdict

Technical Specifications of Fostex TE05

Fostex TE05 vs the average headphone

Why is Fostex TE05 better than the average headphone?

Why is Fostex TE05 worse than the average headphone?

Graphic comparison of Fostex TE05 and

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Fostex TE05?

What customers dislike about Fostex TE05?

Expert reviews

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