Fostex TH-1000RP-MK2 Premium RP Driver Closed-Back Headphones SKU# TH-1000RP-MK2

Utilizing a newly designed flat-diaphragm RP mk2 driver with air-dumping control for superior sensitivity and improved transient and frequency response, the TH-1000RP-MK2 from Fostex are premium planar audiophile headphones with a closed-back design. Sporting a solid maple wood housing with a distinctive Japanese indigo dye Awa Aizome finish, the TH1000RPmk2 are as much a tool as a work of art.

The TH1000RPmk2 delivers accurate and delicate reproduction of everything from heavy bass to ultrahigh frequencies, for a clear sense of localization and an ideal soundstage. Newly adopted magnesium-alloy mechanical parts in the housing base plate and hanger help to reduce the weight of these headphones by 20% compared to aluminum components. Comfort over long listening sessions is an important factor, which is why the TH1000RPmk2 features comfortable silk-protein synthetic leather earpads and a plush sheepskin headband. The detachable Y-cable features gold plating on the 1/4" end and two 3.5mm TS connectors for the earphones. These headphones include a leatherette pouch

The flagship RP "mk2" has further evolved its unparalleled high-resolution sound by refining the outstanding reproduction capability of the premium flat-plane diaphragm RP driver.

This product is the mk2 version of our flagship RP headphones, carefully assembled one by one at our factory in Japan using Fostex's proprietary premium grade RP driver with a fully-driven planar diaphragm, optimized diaphragm movement centered on air damping control inside the driver, and a connector that is easy to re-cable. The mk2 flagship RP headphones are carefully assembled one by one at a factory in Japan. The beautiful indigo color and texture of the wood grain of the housing, hand-dyed by skilled Awa Indigo craftsmen, combined with the overwhelming resolution and faithful expression of the premium RP drivers, provide an exquisite audio experience in which traditional craftsmanship and acoustic technology coexist.

The solid hard maple wood housing, known as a material for guitars, is dyed with Aizome indigo from Tokushima Prefecture, which has long been valued for its high-quality dyeing. The wood is carefully dyed one by one by skilled craftsmen, resulting in a deep indigo color that beautifully reveals the unique grain of the hard maple wood.

Dyeing with Aizome, which is made exclusively from the indigo plant, allows hard maple’s heavy specific gravity to be utilized without adding unnecessary color to the sound, allowing the user to enjoy a firm, deep bass range and clear, extended highs.

The Premium RP Driver, developed using the largest diaphragm ever used in a fully driven planar diaphragm driver based on RP technology that has been refined since 1974, has been further optimized with mk2 technology through air damping control inside the driver, flow ad-justment using damping materials and new ear pads. This achieves ideal diaphragm amplitude, particularly in the low-frequency range. The Premium RP Driver’s large diaphragm and mag-netic circuit suppress unwanted resonance, delivering sharp response, high sensitivity, smooth frequency characteristics, and excellent transient response. Additionally, the mk2 version achieves the ability to faithfully and clearly reproduce sound images from the low-frequency range to the high-frequency range in space with precise localization.

The newly adopted ear pads in the mk2 feature a sloped design on the side that contacts the face, optimizing comfort. The internal low-density urethane foam is arranged in a two-layer structure, with a soft type on the outer side and a high-elasticity type on the inner side to con-form to the shape of the face. Additionally, the adoption of silk protein-based synthetic leather, which offers three times the durability of the previous model, ensures comfortable wear even during extended listening sessions.

The mk2 version uses a 2-pole 3.5 mm connector, improving re-cable compatibility and versatil-ity. The internal wiring and included unbalanced cable utilize 7N (99.99999%) grade high-purity OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) cable, which minimizes impurities to maximize transmission per-formance. Additionally, a separate 4.4 mm balanced cable (ET-TH4.4BL2Y) is available for purchase.

Awa Aizome indigo, which has long been prized for its use in high-quality dyeing, was developed in collaboration with Awa indigo artisans and used to dye the hard maple solid wood housing, which is known as a material for guitars. Each piece is meticulously dyed by skilled artisans, resulting in a deep indigo blue that beautifully highlights the unique grain of hard maple. The dyeing process using “Hon-ai,” made solely from plant-based indigo, leverages the hard maple’s dense, high-density properties that do not impart unnecessary tonal coloration, delivering a robust, deep low-frequency range and clear, resonant high-frequency range.

• Awa Aizome indigo, a traditional natural dye from Tokushima, has been known throughout Ja-pan since ancient times as an indispensable dye for high-quality dyed fabrics due to its beautiful color. However, it was difficult to dye wood using conventional methods, and trial and error was repeated in adjusting the dye concentration, fermentation process, and soil preparation. The housings of the TH1000RPmk2/TH1100RPmk2 are dyed using “genuine indigo” made exclu-sively from natural indigo plants, with the dyeing process involving repeated application and drying by hand over several days. During this process, changes in temperature and humidity affect the dye’s drying, and the condition of each housing’s wood grain alters the conditions under which fine pigment particles penetrate the wood’s structure. This results in a housing that combines the deep blue unique to Hon-ai with the smooth grain of maple wood, creating a truly innovative color where each product’s texture varies from left to right.
  • * Genuine indigo used to dye the housing is also used as part of the blue in Hokusai Katsushika's " Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji "

A refreshed design using Magnesium alloy for mechanical parts, such as the housing base plate and hanger, help reduce overall weight by 20% compared to aluminum. Rubber packing is used for the rotation mechanism to eliminate excess vibration as much as possible. The design con-cept of taking every detail of each part into consideration has further improved the wearing comfort.

The head pad and headband are made of natural sheepskin material, providing a supple and comfortable fit.

• Premium Closed-Back Headphones
• Flat-Diaphragm RP mk2 Planar Driver
• Hard Maple Housing, Indigo Aizome Finish
• Smooth Frequency Response
• Excellent Transient Characteristics
• 32-Ohm Impedance
• Lightweight Magnesium Alloy Components
• Asymmetrical Silk-Protein Earpads
• Sheepskin Headband
• Detachable 7N Cable

• Type: Closed Dynamic
• Driver: RP planar magnetic
• Impedance: 32 ohm
• Sensitivity: 100 dB/ mW
• Max Input: 3,000 mW
• Freq. response: 10 – 40,000 Hz
• Weight: Approx.420 g (excluding cable)
• Cable: Φ3.5 mm(2-pole)x2 to Φ6.3 mm(gold-plated 3-pole) 2 m unbalanced cable x 1
• Accessories: Leather pouch, Safety precaution

• Fostex TH1000RPmk2 Audiophile Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Closed-Back Headphones
• Leatherette Pouch