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| The Fostex TH810 (left) and TH818 (right) are decorated with acacia wood housings. |
If you’ve been eyeing Fostex’s stunning but eye-wateringly expensive TH910 and TH919 flagship headphones, here’s some welcome news. The Japanese audio giant has just announced two new over‑ear models—the closed‑back TH810 and the open‑back TH818—that borrow the same core driver technology and acoustic engineering as their top‑of‑the‑line siblings, but swap the handcrafted Japanese lacquer and silver foil for gorgeous, cost‑conscious acacia wood housings.
In short: you’re getting much of the flagship magic without quite the flagship heart attack. And for audiophiles who have been waiting for a more accessible entry into Fostex’s premium lineup, late April 2026 can’t come soon enough.
Same 50mm BioDyna Driver, New Voice Coil & Surround
At the heart of both the TH810 and TH818 lies Fostex’s well‑regarded 50mm BioDyna driver. But the company hasn’t simply recycled an old design. According to Fostex, the driver has been updated with a new voice coil and a reinforced driver surround—specifically engineered to deliver bass with lower distortion, fewer artifacts, and noticeably reduced muddiness. For listeners who crave tight, punchy low end without bleeding into the mids, this is a promising upgrade.
The drivers cover a frequency response of 12.5 Hz to 40,000 Hz, which extends well beyond the audible range, ensuring that harmonic overtones are reproduced with exceptional clarity. With an impedance of 25 ohms and a sensitivity of 100 dB/mW, these headphones are relatively easy to drive from a portable DAC or a phone, but Fostex clearly intends them for serious headphone amplifiers. The power handling rating of 1,800 mW means you can feed them from a desktop amp without fear of clipping—or simply enjoy plenty of headroom for dynamic peaks.
Both models come with a 3.5 mm detachable cable made from 7N oxygen‑free copper, a material choice that reduces signal loss and maintains signal purity.
Acacia Wood: A Beautiful, Earthy Alternative
The most obvious visual difference between these new models and the flagship TH910/TH919 is the housing material. Where the flagships feature Japanese lacquered maple decorated with sulfur‑smoked silver foil patterning (a true artisan process), the TH810 and TH818 use acacia wood for their earcup enclosures.
Acacia is no budget material—it’s dense, resonant, and naturally beautiful, with rich grain patterns that vary from cup to cup. Fostex has chosen it not only for its acoustic properties (wooden housings are known to reduce unwanted standing waves compared to plastic or metal) but also for its warmer, more organic aesthetic. The switch from hand‑lacquered maple to acacia is the single biggest cost‑saving measure, allowing Fostex to target a lower price point while still delivering a premium wooden headphone.
For a deep dive into the official announcement, including technical diagrams and background on the driver redesign, check out the Fostex news release here.
20% Lighter Thanks to Magnesium Alloy
Weight has always been a balancing act for high‑end headphones—rigidity versus long‑session comfort. Fostex has tackled this by constructing the headband and yoke assembly from lightweight magnesium alloy, which shaves approximately 20% off the weight compared to previous models in this class. The result is a very respectable 385 grams (13.6 oz) for both the TH810 and TH818.
That’s light enough for extended listening sessions without neck fatigue, yet the magnesium structure remains stiff and well‑damped. The headband is padded with natural sheepskin leather, which breathes better than synthetic materials and molds gently to the crown of the head. Meanwhile, the earpads use silk protein synthetic leather over contoured, dual‑density urethane foam. Silk protein leather is a premium alternative to standard PU leather—it feels softer, resists peeling, and offers a more natural touch against the skin.
Closed‑Back vs. Open‑Back: Which One Is For You?
The TH810 is a closed‑back design, ideal for listeners who need isolation from ambient noise (and who don’t want to leak music into a quiet office or library). Closed‑back headphones typically offer stronger, more immediate bass impact, and Fostex has tuned the TH810 to deliver that characteristic while minimizing the “cupped” resonance that plagues lesser closed designs.
The TH818, on the other hand, is open‑back. Open earcups allow air and sound waves to pass freely through the grille, which generally results in a wider, more spacious soundstage and more natural timbre. If you listen in a quiet room and prioritize imaging and airiness over isolation, the TH818 is likely your choice.
Both models share the same driver, impedance, sensitivity, and weight. The only difference (beyond the back‑plate design) is the acoustic loading—so your decision should come down to your listening environment and soundstage preferences.
For detailed specifications and high‑resolution images, visit the official product pages:
Pricing, Availability & Where to Buy
Fostex has not yet announced final pricing, but industry sources suggest the TH810 and TH818 will land around $1,000 USD when they begin shipping in late April 2026. That positions them roughly half the price of the flagship TH910/TH919, making them a serious contender in the “affordable flagship” segment—competing directly with models like the Audeze LCD‑2, Sennheiser HD 800 S (used), and various ZMF offerings.
You’ll be able to find the TH810 and TH818 at authorized Fostex distributors worldwide, as well as directly through the Fostex store on Amazon. Given Fostex’s history of limited production runs for their wooden headphones, enthusiasts would be wise to keep an eye on those listings as April approaches.
Final Thoughts: A Smart Step Down From the Stratosphere
Fostex has a well‑earned reputation for crafting headphones that marry Japanese craftsmanship with no‑compromise engineering. The TH910 and TH919 are masterpieces, but their price puts them out of reach for all but the most dedicated collectors. By transferring the same driver and acoustic architecture into acacia wood housings—and dropping the hand‑painted lacquer and silver foil—Fostex has created a pair of headphones that retain 95% of the flagship performance for roughly half the cost.
The use of magnesium alloy to reduce weight, the upgraded driver surround for cleaner bass, and the thoughtful material choices (sheepskin, silk protein leather) all point to a product that punches above its expected price bracket.
Are they “cheap”? No. $1,000 is still serious money. But for audiophiles who have been lusting after the Fostex flagship sound without the five‑figure commitment, the TH810 and TH818 look like the smartest deal in high‑end wood‑cup headphones this year.
Mark your calendars for late April 2026. And if you want to be among the first to know when they drop, bookmark that Amazon store link now.
Sources: Fostex official news release, product pages for TH810 and TH818.
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| The headphones use 50mm BioDyna drivers that have strengthened surrounds to reduce unwanted vibrations and resonance. |
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| The Fostex TH810 and TH818 come with acacia wood housings. |