OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
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REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Fostex Th 900 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£1,320Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Fostex Th 900 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Fostex Th 900
6.1/10

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 54% of models
Score components

80%

5.6

Technical score

20%

8.2

User score

▼Worse than 54% of headphones
5.4

Value for money

Value for money
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 97% of models
Score components

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

3.5

Price

▼Worse than 97%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 67% of models
Score components

52%

6.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

▼Worse than 67%
8.2

User score

User score
8.2/ 10
✕
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.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 74% of models
Score components

70%

9.3

User ratings

30%

5.5

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
▲Better than 74%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Fostex Th 900

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 67% of models
Score components:

52%

6.9

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.2

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

5.6
User score
User score
8.2/ 10
✕
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.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 74% of models
Score components

70%

9.3

User ratings

30%

5.5

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.2
Popularity
Popularity
5.5/ 10
✕
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.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 54% of models
Popularity:
Fostex Th 900 has a popularity score of 5.5 points, which is lower than that of 53.4% of products in this category.
5.5
Value for money
Value for money
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 97% of models
Score components:

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

3.5

Price

5.4
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
50 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 50 mm, larger driver size than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 8.2% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
5 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 5 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 10.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Fostex
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
390 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 390 g, heavier than 94.8% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
5.1
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 5.1, higher clamp force than 70.7% of headphones and equal to 0.5% of headphones.
Show more

Fostex Th 900 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 25,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (45,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    45,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 22 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (66 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    66 mm vs 44 mm
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • 18x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,800 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,800 mW vs 100 mW
  • 22 mm more spacious earcup width
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup width than the average pair of headphones (66 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    66 mm vs 44 mm
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 10 mm larger driver size
    This pair of headphones uses a larger driver size than the average pair of headphones (50 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    50 mm vs 40 mm
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 25,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (45,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    45,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 18x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,800 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,800 mW vs 100 mW
  • 78.9% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (390 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    390 g vs 218 g
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 14.67x more expensive
    Fostex Th 900 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£1,320 vs £90).
    £1,320 vs £90
  • 35.8% worse value for money
    Fostex Th 900 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.35 vs 7.3).
    5.35 vs 7.27
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 14.67x more expensive
    Fostex Th 900 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£1,320 vs £90).
    £1,320 vs £90
  • 35.8% worse value for money
    Fostex Th 900 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (5.35 vs 7.3).
    5.35 vs 7.27
  • 78.9% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (390 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    390 g vs 218 g
  • 0.8 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (5.1 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    5.1 vs 4.3
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 2 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (58 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    58 mm vs 60 mm
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 2 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 10 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (100 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    100 dB vs 110 dB
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    January 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
GREQ Reviews
≈ estimated
04/10/2024
Hands-on review · frequency tests, music listening, amp pairings
Verdict
Fostex TH-900 has excellent, precise bass, but the treble can be harsh.
9.0
Z Reviews
≈ estimated
08/01/2023
Pad comparison · hands-on listening tests
Verdict
Fostex TH-900 pad swaps change the sound a lot, and the hybrid pads give the tuning the creator wants.
4.0
Joshua Valour
≈ estimated
13/01/2020
Hands-on review · treble, imaging and genre tests
Verdict
Fostex TH-900 is detailed and spacious, but its punishing treble makes it hard to recommend to most listeners.
9.5
Z Reviews
≈ estimated
17/05/2016
Hands-on review · long listening, amp tests, comparisons
Verdict
Fostex TH-900 offers a remarkable low end, imaging and tone that set it apart.
6.0
phototristan
≈ estimated
07/06/2014
Ownership update · why the reviewer sold it
Verdict
Fostex TH-900 has a great soundstage and bass, but overly bright highs and recessed mids led the reviewer to sell it.
9.0
Lord Victor Halgaard
≈ estimated
24/02/2014
Hands-on review · sound, cable and stand
Verdict
Fostex TH-900 has punchy, detailed closed-back sound and is strongly recommended for fans of that tuning.
9.0
phototristan
≈ estimated
16/07/2013
Hands-on review · sound, build and comfort
Verdict
Fostex TH-900 has smooth, detailed sound and fine craftsmanship, but the price is hard to justify.
Overview video
Not graded
Not graded
Shop video
Not graded

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Fostex Th 900

  • World-class sub-bass performance with deep reach and exceptional speed/control
  • Remarkably wide and airy soundstage for a closed-back headphone design
  • Premium build quality featuring Japanese Cherry Birch earcups with a traditional 'Urushi' lacquer finish
  • High sensitivity makes them relatively easy to drive even with modest amplification
  • Excellent detail retrieval and instrument separation, particularly in the treble and bass regions
  • Very comfortable for long listening sessions due to soft protein leather pads and light weight distribution

What customers don't like about Fostex Th 900

  • Recessed mid-range can make vocals and certain instruments feel pushed back or 'distant'
  • Treble can be 'peaky' or sibilant, leading to ear fatigue or piercing sounds on some tracks
  • Poor noise isolation and significant sound leakage for a closed-back model
  • Very high price point makes them less competitive in pure value compared to newer rivals
  • Fixed, non-detachable cable on the original (MK1) version limits customization and durability

Verdict

The Fostex TH-900 is a premium closed-back dynamic headphone featuring a 50mm 'Biodyna' diaphragm and an ultra-strong neodymium magnetic circuit with 1.5 Tesla flux density, delivering a wide 5Hz–45kHz frequency response and a low 25-ohm impedance for easy drivability. It is distinguished by its artisan Japanese Cherry Birch earcups finished in traditional 'Urushi' lacquer, providing a high-resolution, V-shaped sound profile characterized by powerful, fast-decaying sub-bass and detailed, shimmering highs. Main pros include a remarkably spacious soundstage for a closed design, exceptional transient response, and high comfort facilitated by protein leather ear pads; however, users frequently note a recessed midrange that can push vocals back, potentially fatiguing treble peaks, and relatively poor sound isolation despite the closed-back construction.

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