Fostex T50RP MK4g evaluation: The minimalist headset for radical avid gamers

Greatest Costs Right this moment: Fostex T50RP MK4g+

Fostex is a conventional Japanese producer of high-end audio tools that’s in all probability solely identified to lovers. The most costly headphones, for instance, price effectively over $2,000. In 2024, the corporate launched a brand new version of certainly one of its hottest studio headphones: the Fostex T50RP MK4.

What the producer in all probability didn’t count on was that these headphones would develop into an insider tip amongst Japanese avid gamers. So as to higher enchantment to this goal group, Fostex printed a second bundle for the machine and easily added a “g” to the product identify—for “Gaming”. A number of months later, the producer added a “Professional”, enclosed a microphone after which launched the third model, the “T50RP MK4g Professional”.

So why do Japanese avid gamers go for a wired headset that prices round $250? Two causes: Firstly, it’s supreme for shooters and secondly, it does away with extraneous bells and whistles—in actual fact, it has none in any respect.

Fostex T50RP MK4g: Design

It begins with the packaging: The Fostex T50RP MK4g is available in a easy printed cardboard field and lies there wrapped in bubble wrap. The scope of supply features a microphone into which the 2-meter-long cable with 3.5mm combo jack plug are built-in. If you wish to separate the sign into output (headphones) and enter (microphone) as a result of your PC has separate sockets, you’ll need an acceptable splitter. Most consoles and laptops, nonetheless, have an appropriate socket.

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The technical information, together with a small connection diagram, is just printed on the field. A compact instruction guide is included, however the operate is definitely self-explanatory. It’s a wired headset. Plug goes in, sound comes out and goes in by way of the microphone. No witchcraft. The simplicity can also be mirrored within the weight: with out the microphone, the mannequin weighs simply 330 grams.

The headphones themselves are simply so simple as the packaging and scope of supply: They’re utterly black, the earpiece shells are manufactured from admittedly considerably cheap-looking plastic, and the headscarf and ear pads are coated in synthetic leather-based. The 2 steel rails for adjusting the size of the headscarf are in all probability essentially the most putting function.

Cables protrude between them, connecting the 2 earpieces and giving the headphones a contact of non-utilitarian industrial design. In all probability essentially the most fascinating function of the Fostex T50RP MK4g is that you could join the microphone to the left or proper shell, as each side have a socket.

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The headset additionally has a small distant management on the cable, which you should use to mute the microphone and modify the headphone quantity. Fostex has opted for a slider somewhat than a wheel which is somewhat uncommon, however works effectively sufficient.

By way of development, the Fostex T50RP MK4g are semi-open headphones, which signifies that they let by way of extra ambient noise than closed headphones, however lower than open headphones. This compromise permits for a fairly pure sound with out letting too a lot exterior noise by way of. The match can also be extra snug than with most closed headphones, which is actually helped by the thick, mushy ear pads.

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Inside, Fostex makes use of magnetostatic drivers, typically additionally referred to as planar-magnetic drivers. By way of each value and high quality, the expertise lies someplace between essentially the most broadly used (electro)dynamic drivers and the dearer and rarer electrostatic drivers.

Fostex T50RP MK4g: Sound

So how do the headphones sound? Actually fairly balanced. Considerably emphasised within the center, extremely detailed, however total very balanced. Whereas stability is usually fascinating in lots of different areas, it’s hardly ever the case with audio merchandise. It is because in the commonest use case—music within the client section—balanced sound typically goes hand in hand with a sure flatness, which is actually additionally depending on present developments.

For instance, in case you take a look at the present music panorama, you’ll notice that it has, by and enormous, had a bias in direction of bass for over 10 years. Balanced headphones just like the Fostex T50RP MK4g can’t reproduce this notably effectively as a result of they merely don’t have sufficient oomph within the bass. However that’s hardly shocking, as a result of the Fostex is primarily a studio headphone. Folks use them for mixing in recording studios, the place this attribute is explicitly desired.

It simply so occurs that this sound profile can also be supreme for aggressive shooters, the place the main target is much less on how a lot energy a weapon has and extra on the place the opponents are positioned. The emphasised mids are notably useful right here, whereas the bass and treble play a subordinate function. What’s extra, the headphones provide extremely good spatial audio, i.e. they’ll present very effectively the place one thing is positioned within the sport – with none digital encompass sound or comparable applied sciences that simulate spatiality. It’s actually fascinating and the principle motive why these headphones have develop into an insider tip.

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Fostex T50RP MK4g: Microphone

Mainly, there may be not a lot to criticize concerning the microphone of the Fostex T50RP MK4g. It’s largely an atypical condenser microphone on a versatile arm and with a small foam pop guard. It sounds good—no extra, no much less. It’s greater than sufficient for communication by way of Discord and the like.

My solely actual criticism is its omnidirectional attribute: which means the microphone picks up sounds from any course (kind of) equally loudly, together with ambient noise that doesn’t come from the course of your mouth, comparable to avenue noise by way of an open window. Fostex would in all probability have achieved higher with a cardioid sample.

Is the Fostex T50RP MK4g value it?

With the improve to the headset, Fostex has lastly nailed it with the T50RP MK4g, at the very least for all those that don’t need any pointless bells and whistles. The corporate cures a lot of the criticisms in my unique conclusion with the microphone alone.

What stays is that the Fostex T50RP MK4g remains to be a somewhat costly product for a comparatively restricted goal group. It is because the overwhelming majority of avid gamers will choose a wi-fi headset for its flexibility alone, permitting them to do little issues round the home whereas they look ahead to the following match with out lacking it or having to tug the cable out of the socket.

The largest drawback for American customers is availability. Being a little bit of a distinct segment Japanese band, Fostex merchandise aren’t offered in all places and lack of availability is much more pronounced with the T50RP MK4g than with the essential mannequin, because it’s at the moment solely accessible from a really restricted variety of suppliers within the U.S.