Fostex TH909LE is the Limited Edition variant of Fostex's flagship open-back dynamic headphone TH909, available from March 2026. The technical foundation is unchanged from the TH909: the 50mm BioDyna driver with 1.5 Tesla neodymium magnet, Japanese ornamental cherry birch housing with Urushi lacquer applied by Sakamoto craftsmen, double-layer etched metal grille, and low-resilience synthetic leather earpads. The distinction between the TH909 and TH909LE is solely in the accessory package: the LE version omits the headphone stand included as standard with the TH909 — enabling a lower retail positioning while delivering the identical acoustic platform and build quality.
BioDyna 1.5 T driver with repulsion magnet and open double-grille acoustics
The 50mm BioDyna driver uses a neodymium magnet with a repulsion magnetic circuit at 1.5 Tesla flux density — the same circuit type as in the closed TH900mk2, adapted for the open acoustic chamber through a redesigned acoustic path and tuning. The BioDyna diaphragm in bio-cellulose and composite fibers delivers low specific gravity, high Young's modulus, and high internal loss — translating to fast transient response, rich low frequencies, natural midrange, and an extended high-frequency range reaching 45,000 Hz. The open acoustic chamber uses a double-layer etched metal grille that diversifies resonance points and allows free airflow, widening the soundstage relative to the closed TH900mk2. Frequency response: 5–45,000 Hz, impedance: 25 Ω, sensitivity: 100 dB/mW, maximum input: 1,800 mW. Weight: approx. 385 g.
Urushi lacquer by Sakamoto, low-resilience earpads and a stand-free accessory set
The Japanese ornamental cherry birch housing is finished with Urushi lacquer produced exclusively by the Sakamoto Otosho Shoten factory, established in 1900. Over a base black lacquer, several types of silver foil smoked with sulfur are applied in a torn-paper manner — building depth and layering in the finish that makes each individual housing unique. Earpads are low-resilience urethane foam covered in high-grade synthetic leather, conforming to the shape of the outer ear. Included cable: 3 m, 7N OFC, 6.3mm plug, 2-pin connector with rhodium-plated contacts. Balanced connection via the optional XLR cable (ET-H3.0N7BL). The LE version does not include the headphone stand supplied with the standard TH909 — in all other respects of accessories and construction it is identical. Available from March 2026.
KEY FEATURES
- Open-back dynamic design — Fostex TH909 flagship in LE form without headphone stand
- 50mm BioDyna driver: bio-cellulose diaphragm, neodymium repulsion magnet circuit, 1.5 Tesla magnetic flux density
- Identical acoustic platform and build quality to TH909 — difference limited to accessory package only
- Japanese ornamental cherry birch housing with Urushi lacquer (Sakamoto factory, est. 1900) — sulfur-smoked silver foil, each unit unique
- Double-layer etched metal grille — resonance point diversification, unrestricted airflow
- Low-resilience urethane earpads + high-grade synthetic leather
- Included cable: 3 m, 7N OFC, 6.3mm plug
- 2-pin connector with rhodium-plated contacts
- Balanced XLR connection via ET-H3.0N7BL (sold separately)
- LE vs TH909: headphone stand not included
- Available from March 2026
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: open-back, over-ear, dynamic
- Driver: 50mm BioDyna (bio-cellulose + composite fibers), neodymium repulsion magnet circuit, 1.5 T
- Frequency response: 5 Hz – 45,000 Hz
- Impedance: 25 Ω
- Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW
- Maximum input power: 1,800 mW
- Weight: approx. 385 g (without cable)
- Housing: Japanese ornamental cherry birch + Urushi lacquer (Sakamoto), double-layer etched metal grille
- Earpads: low-resilience urethane foam + high-grade synthetic leather
- Included cable: 3 m, 7N OFC, 6.3mm plug
- Cable connector: 2-pin, rhodium-plated
- Balanced cable: XLR ET-H3.0N7BL (sold separately)
- LE vs TH909 difference: headphone stand not included
- Available from March 2026
