# TH900 Mk2 - Impressions/mods/thoughts? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Headphone Discussion\ **Created:** [September 11, 2018, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/th900-mk2-impressions-mods-thoughts/2040 "2018-09-11T13:09:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 2
**Author:** ![Torq](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/torq/32/16384_2.png) [@Torq](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Torq)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2018, 2:07pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/th900-mk2-impressions-mods-thoughts/2040/2 "2018-09-11T14:07:44Z")
I can share some thoughts based on the TH900 Mk2 in stock form. They’re an interesting headphone, and certainly very pretty. I went with the Emerald Green version as well - and it’s a bugger to photograph. ![HD820_ZMF_TH900_Z1R_1024](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/2X/7/72ad292d7dac711561ff4f8674da54a4183b56c2.jpeg) Right out of the gate two things stand out, a pronounced “U” shaped or “W” (with a smaller central peak) shaped signature. Bass, sub-bass in particular is significantly emphasized with excellent slam, growl and rumble. Sadly the bass levels are such that they bleed into the mid-range. And the top end is also quite pronounced - a bit too much so in fact. The resolve well, but the mids get lost somewhat so that’s not as apparent as it could otherwise be. They’re a lot of “fun” to listen to … but they can get fatiguing quickly. vs. the ZMF Eikon - the ZMF headphone is far more neutral - in fact they have the best tonal rendering of any closed-back headphone I’ve heard, with just a hint of warmth. The TH900 Mk2 are somewhat more resolving, have faster transient response and offer more slam and a little better handling of rapid, large, dynamic swings. vs. the Focal Elear - now you’re comparing two headphones with similar degrees of sonic flaws. They have _different_ flaws. But they’re unmissable in both cases. Both have significantly elevated bass response, but the TH900 Mk2 is more convincing, especially for sub-bass presence, in that realm. The Elear wins in overall sonic agility, and is less peaky overall, with a smoother and less biting treble delivery. But the Elear still has a wonky tonal profile that requires the application of EQ (or Elex pads) to make listenable for me. With something like True-Fi, they’re basically a prettier Elex. vs. the HiFiMan HEX V2 - the HEX have much better tonality than the Fostex. The Fostex have a much faster rendering, more prominent and impactful bottom end and a more aggressive sound - the HEX sound almost slow in _comparison_. I really enjoy my TH900 Mk2 with music that really fits their signature. And they’re undeniably beautiful. But they are flawed. Even the similar but much cheaper TR-X00 Purpleheart are more neutral. They’re a high-energy, exciting, in-your-face listen, which is great when you want that, but otherwise can get fatiguing very quickly. Sticking TH610 pads on the TH900 Mk2 helps a fair bit, but is not a panacea. (My comments here are based on currently owning, among others, the TH900 Mk2, ZMF Eikon and Focal Elear and having spent lots of time with the HEX v2). --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.headphones.com/t/th900-mk2-impressions-mods-thoughts/2040)._