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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Paradox Audio modified T50RP by LFF

Disclaimer: This review is dedicated to Flysweep, who generously got this headphone on a loan tour for friends at Head-Fi.org. Such a great man.

The modder, LFF himself.

In September of 2011, a Head-Fi user, LFF, introduces his modified Fostex T50RP, Paradox, with a ground-breaking modification technique utilized. Once enough feedback has been gathered, he commercializes the model at his website, Paradox Audio.

In contrast to the stock version, Paradox comes with higher sound quality, which is comparable to that of more expensive headphones like Sennheiser HD650, HiFiMAN HE-500, and even LCD-2, according to Purrin. And on top of that, Paradox features an elastic headband for comfort, and a pair of sock-pads, which turns T50RP a semi-open earpad headphone. LFF hints that these pads are simply the upper part of female black socks with a pair of Fischer Audio FA-003 earpads sowed together. What a brilliant idea.




PRO: Once fitted properly, Paradox offers better clarity in the mid-range. With radiation impedance kicking in, thanks to the open-air sock-pads. The driver is better dampened, thus decreasing the distortion along slightly.

CON: Fitting is extremely tricky, as the sock-pads are moving around randomly whenever the headphone is touched or the head is tilted. A slight misfit may result in a substantial loss of bass, as the sock-pads are quite loose in acoustic resistance.

ON SECOND THOUGHT #1: There have been quite a few measurements on this Paradox modification by Purrin of Changstar, Tyll Hertsens of Innerfidelity, and others, but none of them actually tells you a damn about what the mod actually does. So here goes Paradox's head-to-head comparison against my stock T50RP, with the same stock pleather pads attached, at the exact same position on EURI.

Above comparison indicates that the air compliance in the rear cavity has been decreased with additional damping in the rear cabinet. This is not a rocket science, and anybody can easily DIY this by using a damping material themselves. (of which will be covered in the upcoming part 3 of my T50RP analysis) In other words, this little extra damping in the back, the sock-pads & elastic headband are worth $400.


ON SECOND THOUGHT #2: Since the modder seals frontal screws with resin, the rear portion of the headphone is not accessible, unless it is completely disintegrated by means of destroying the housing. It seems LFF is trying to hide his 'secret' behind the modification technique of Paradox, and his intention is quite understandable as some do not prefer open-source of information. However, sealing screws off like this not only makes additional modification impossible, but also leaves users completely stranded should the drivers fail; This is no more than an irresponsible practice done by the modder. If a customer is wiling to pay a modder $$$ for modification service, then his/her right to revert the mod shall be reserved as well, IMHO.

ON SECOND THOUGHT #2: Is this modified headphone worth the hype, on par with more expensive headphones such as HD650 or HE-500 as far as the sound quality goes? I doubt it is. Paradox is certainly better than what the stock configuration offers, but the inherent fitting issue virtually prevents users from achieving an interchannel match in the frequency spectrum, and consequently, its signature mid-rich sound.

27 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thnx! Haven't seen you a while, Jim. How have you been?

      Delete
    2. Banned, But still kickin. Thanks to you and all of your good work, I can still enjoy this hobby.
      Take Care, Jim

      Delete
    3. That blows.. Nonetheless, good to see you again! Thnx for the compliment.

      Delete
  2. OMG it's like you are in my head. When ever I think of a headphone that I might want, you post measurements/review of them. How Rin?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just pure instinct, man. Nah, JK.. LOL
      Fortunately Flysweep got my back this time.

      Delete
  3. Hi Mr. Choi,
    Would you be interested in measuring another set of modded T50RP? It's based on, probably, the most popular modding scheme: Bluemonkeyflyer's DBV #3.
    Let me know!
    Rick

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now there is a Good Idea...

      Donation based headphone testing.

      Maybe 10 or 20 bucks a test?

      Sounds like a plan, and, it would help support this blog.

      Jim

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    2. Rick, sounds great! My address is openly disclosed at pic.twitter.com/88a0IWcpQq I am currently very busy, so maybe in July? Thank you!

      Jim, that sounds too good to be true! I really appreciate your attention, I mean it :D

      Delete
    3. OK, I'll Bite...

      Check your PayPal Giving Widget...

      I know it's not much. But, 10 Bucks should help.

      Thanks for a GREAT BLOG, Jim

      Delete
    4. I really appreciate it, Jim! I know you've already participated in the previous fundraiser. Your continuous contribution definitely encouge me.

      Delete
  4. Any chance at reviewing a pair of MrSpeakers Mad Dog Alphas? It is a commercially available modded T50RP.

    Thanks11

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to review the Mad-Dog too. I will ask Mr.Speakers!

      Delete
  5. Want to make sure that you have already received the DBV #3. Just to make sure that it's shipped! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Rick. 'Sup. Has anybody sent me something? The only loaners I am aware of are flysweep's and anetode's. I'll put it on my 'coming up list' once anything pops up at my doorstep.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for your reply.

      Just checked. It should be on the way to you some time this week.

      Thanks again!

      Delete
    3. Wow, can't wait.. Thank you!

      Delete
  6. I have a set of Mad Dogs you can measure. I think we live in the same zip code.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, Dan! Are you my neighbor?
      Of course I'd love to measure Mad Dogs.

      Delete
  7. I think we are. I'm in the Bay Area. You?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ouch, that is little further than I have hoped.. I live in the OC, near Anaheim.

      Delete
  8. And I thought you'd be a Silicon Valley guy... My Mad Dog measurements look a lot like these Paradox ones.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the most detailed review of the PARADOXs on the web :)
    [A] Why does this version of the PARADOX have a sock attached to the earpads?
    [B] Is this the old "socked" version version of the Paradox or the new non-sock one (I didn't see any socks on the new ones)?
    Also according to tyll, there is a difference between the socks to the no socks new version version:
    http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FostexT50RPDIYModifiedLFFnosocks.pdf
    http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FostexT50RPDIYModifiedLFFwithsocks.pdf

    [C] So are your measurements applicable to the new non-socks version of the PARADOXs?
    [D] How accurate are purrin's new measurment technique of the Paradox's?
    http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,1020.0.html

    -Y

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. [A][B][C] Let's just say analysis on the 'newest' version of Paradox is due soon. Stay tuned!
      [D] If the data is incompatible/non-compliant with the relevant international standards, it is as good as any homebrew data.

      Delete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  11. Hi

    I intend to use Solderdude's hardware equalizer on the Paradox T50RPs and am very confused about equalizing the Highs peak.

    According to different sites the T50RP (and the PARADOXs and other mods) the highs peak resides at different frequencies.
    Highs peak @10KHZ:
    (Your measurments) http://rinchoi.blogspot.co.il/2013/07/dbv3-modified-t50rp-by-bmf.html
    (Your measurments) http://rinchoi.blogspot.co.il/2013/05/fostex-t50rp-part2-general-analysis.html
    (Your measurments) http://rinchoi.blogspot.co.il/2013/06/t50rp-paradox-by-lff.html
    (personalaudio T50RP) http://personalaudio.ru/raa/otchety/naushniki/fostex-t50-rp/

    Highs peak @9.5KHZ:
    (Tyll@Innerfidelity Paradox) http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FostexT50RPDIYModifiedLFFnosocks.pdf
    (Tyll@Innerfidelity Paradox) http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FostexT50RPDIYModifiedLFFwithsocks.pdf

    Highs peak @9KHZ:
    (Purrin@changestar T50RP) http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1020.0;attach=3462;image

    Highs peak @8KHZ:
    (Solderdude@diyaudioheaven blog) http://diyaudioheaven.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/t50rp-stock-940-pads-juke1.png?w=614&h=337
    http://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/
    (Purrin@changestar Paradox) http://www.changstar.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1020.0;attach=3460;image

    [A] Are some of the measurements are wrong regarding the highs peak?
    [B] Is it simply a sample variance of the T50RP so each pair has a different placement of the highs peak?
    [C] I want to equalize the highs peak down and confused about the highs frequency to be equalized
    (The hardware equalizer has a pre defined correction curve so I won't be able to change placement of the highs dip in the correction curve http://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/schematics/headphone/).
    Please tell your input on the matter....

    -Y

    ReplyDelete