This is a comparison between the two closed-back flagship headphones the Focal Stellia and the Fostex TH-900 (mk1/mk2). I will also compare the Stellia to a custom Oak cup modded TH-900. I will also try out several different pads for the Stellia.

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FOCAL STELLIA 

Stellia is Focal’s premiere closed-back headphone. It was launched back in 2019 and has a hefty price tag. Like the famous Focal Utopia, it sports an “M” shaped beryllium driver, although the driver hardly is the same as it has different impedance. They have a similar form factor, though. All Focal headphones look more or less the same. It is a “true” closed headphone and offers great passive sound isolation as well as refined sound. With 35 ohm impedance and 106 dB sensitivity it is designed to be driven by portable sources, although it does sound even better with a good desktop amp and source. The Stellia is a comfortable headphone, with leather headband and pads. Build quality seems good. It comes with two detachable cables 

ABOUT STELLIA AND PADS

I have tried various pads on the Stellia, with quite interesting results. I’ve tried stock pads (of course), Dekoni Fenestrated Sheepskin pads, Focal Utopia pads, Brainwavz Sheepskin pads and finally some $29 sheepskin pads with fenestration on the inside from CP YANG on AliExpress. 

The stock pads are alright, but I find that the “CP” sheepskin pads (slight fenestration on the inside) are way better. They offer tighter bass that never bleeds into the mids. Separation and imaging are also better. To me, these pads just make the Stellia a much better headphone. Not everything in this hobby needs to be expensive. 

The Brainwavz pure non-fenestrated sheepskin pads are also better than stock. However, they elevate the bass more than the CP pads.  

The Dekoni Fenestrated sucks the bass out, although not as much as the Utopia pads that are terrible with the Stellia and obviously they were never made to be used with a closed headphone. It would have been interesting to try the Dekoni Sheepskin pads, but I didn’t have them at hand. Thus, the CP Yang sheepskin pads remain my favourite. 

FOSTEX TH900 

The Fostex TH900 was launched back in 2012. Fostex is a subsidiary of Foster, which made headphones for Denon. The TH-900 was the first flagship headphone to come from the company that previously made the Denon headphones. Denon started making their headphones in-house around this time, starting with the D7100. The legendary D7000 was the last Denon flagship to come from Foster, Fostex’ parent company. 

The TH900 is easily recognizable by its red wooden cups, finished with a special Japanese Urushi poison ivy lacquer technique. The Fostex sports a 50 mm dynamic driver with a 1.5 Tesla magnet. 

The TH-900 soon found a following for its beautiful looks, great clarity, and powerful bass. It has a V-shaped sound signature which means that the mid-range is less prominent than the bass and treble. 

MK1 VS MK2 

In 2016, Fostex launched the TH-900 mk2, which looks identical except for a detachable cable. Also sound-wise, the mk1 and mk2 are identical. At launch I was in direct contact with Fostex, and they informed me that the only difference between the TH900  mk1 and mk2 is that the mk2 has detachable cables. Both have exactly the same headband, cups, pads and driver setup. 

The mk2 uses 2 PIN connectors similar to the Sennheiser HD600 etc. The sockets are however of different depths so they are not necessarily interchangeable. 

For this comparison I have on loan a modded TH-900 with custom oak cups. The cups are bigger than the originals and almost half dome shaped. This affects the sound. There are lots of modifications done by enthusiasts that can be worth trying out if you are into modifications and tuning of headphones. Lawton Audio, who started out offering modifications of Denon headphones, offers tuning kits for the Fostex TH-900 along with replacement cups and pads that change the sound. 

My personal set of TH900 has gotten some AHG Orion Sheepskin pads bought from Amazon, after the originals started flaking. The new pads are all sheepskin and are thicker and stiffer than the original pads. I did, however, not managed to identify any significant change in sound when swapping them out for the original ones. To me, they sound like stock TH-900. 

TECHNICAL COMPARISON  

Impedance: Stellia 35 Ω / TH-900 20 Ω. 

Sensitivity: Stellia 106 dB / TH-900 100 dB 

Weight: Stellia 435 g / TH-900 390 g

Passive sound isolation: The Stellia isolates better than the TH-900. 

Build quality: The TH-900 feels better built and sturdier than the Stellia, with more metal and wood and less plastic. The Stellia uses real leather on pads and head-band, the TH-900 uses protein leather. The headband on the Stellia feels fragile. 

Comfort: The TH-900 has much more swivel action than the Stellia and is also a bit lighter. It is more comfortable, at least for me. 

Cable connections: Stellia has 3.5 mm connectors on headphones, the TH900 uses 2 pin “Sennheiser HD600 style” with extra deep sockets. This makes cables way easier to replace/change with the Stellia. 

Accessories: The Stellia comes with two cables. A long cable with 4 pin XLR and a short cable with 3.5 mm jack. There is also a nice travel case included. The TH-900 comes with one long cable with a single ended 6.35 mm jack,  a plain carry pouch and a headphone stand. 

Full specifications at the bottom of the page.

LISTENING  COMPARISONS 

All comparisons were made using the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as the source and the Questyle CMA800R or Bryston BHA-1 amplifier. 

I will compare both the stock TH-900 and the modded Oak version of the TH-900 to the Stellia with both stock pads and my favourite sheepskin pads (from CP Yang). 

FOCAL STELLIA VS FOSTEX TH900

Stock Pads on Stellia. Stock TH-900. 

Variation 25 (From J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988) by Marcin Wasilewski Trio

This piano-oriented piece sounds beautiful on the Stellia. It’s reminding me of the HD650 in a way. Switching to the TH900 things sound very different. There is a much more open soundstage with more clarity, especially the highs. The mid-range, however, is drawn back. 

The bass is quite prominent on both headphones. It is hard to say that one is better than the other but I prefer the sound stage and the instant clarity of the TH900, I enjoy the intimacy and mid-range fullness of the Stellia. 

Vashkar by Marcin Wasilewski Trio

Similar impressions as above, but I do prefer the TH900, it’s just more air and the treble is clearer sounding. 

Almost like The Blues by Leonard Cohen 

Again, they are very different. The TH900 is much more open sounding with better separation. Both headphones render Cohen’s voice nicely, but differently. It is more intimate with the Stellia, with the TH900 it gets a bit distant. 

As Before by Olga Konkova

Again the soundstage is a lot more open with the TH900, details are more pronounced. The female vocals are much more intimate with the Stellia, though. 

Bored by Deftones

Hardcore metal. The Stellia is offering more mid-range presence, otherwise, I think I prefer the TH900. It is more open-sounding, and details are more present. Micro and macro dynamics are better. But the mid-range is a trade-off. 

Can’t you see by Susan Wong 

Slow female vocals. Here Stellia is the clear winner. It’s more luscious, intimate and offers that “milk and honey” sound. The TH900 is more distant. 

Limit to your love by James Blake 

Extremely nice spaciousness from the TH900 and the insane bass that hits at 1 minute is handled fabulously. 

Stellia also handles the bass, but not really equally good/even. They both have quite a lot of bass presence, the TH900 is just more even here. But the vocals, the vocals… they keep being the Stellia’s advantage.  

Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons by the Norwegian chamber orchestra

The TH900 is again showing off the wider, deeper soundstage and a lot more air in the treble region. 

The Stellia again, is more intimate and with more focus on the mid-range, with a less aggressive treble. I find I prefer the Stellia, just for its tonal balance. 

Concluding, these are very different-sounding headphones. If velvety mid-range and intimate soundstage is your thing, then go for the Stellia all the way. For openness and more pronounced detail all along the spectrum, the TH900 is better. Personally, I prefer the TH-900 over the Stellia with stock pads. Ideally, though, I would like a mix of both. 

STELLIA WITH “CP” SHEEPSKIN PADS VS FOSTEX TH900

Here I use the before mentioned CP Yang Sheepskin pads on the Stellia. TH-900 is stock. 

Bergen Open by BMX 

TH900 has better separation and a wider and deeper soundstage. It also has a fuller, more punchy bass. I really like TH900 on this track. The Stellia is also great though, with a bit more balanced frequency response/presentation. 

Brothers by Adam Baldych and Helge Lien Trio 

The bass is fuller with the TH900, a bit too much. The Stellia is more balanced, the saxophone and violin are more pronounced, more detailed with better texture and separation. 

Blood Beech by Kashmir 

The bass is more powerful with the TH900 as usual, the soundstage is also more spacious, separation better. The Stellia has less treble energy but feels more detailed. 

Brahms Symphony #3 by Gewandhausorchester 

The TH900 is more open sounding, with better separation and crisper treble. I find the Stellia’s a bit disappointing here, the symphony sounds better and more natural on the Fostex. 

Can’t You See by Susan Wong

The TH900 sounds great but moving over to the Stellia, Wong’s voice just melts away and enters a new dimension. This song is Stellia all the way. The mid-range is just so sweet. Milk and honey. 

Concluding, the TH900 offers better separation, bigger sound-stage, a fuller bass and a crisper treble. The Stellia is smoother, with a more balanced sound and most importantly a more present, sweeter mid-range. Neither is perfect but I overall would say I prefer the Stellia to the TH-900, as long as the Stellia is equipped with the 3rd party sheepskin pads from CP Yang. 

FOCAL STELLIA VS OAK CUP MODDED FOSTEX TH900 

I have always had mixed feelings about the Fostex TH900. It has great detail and clarity but the v-shaped frequency response bothers me. Bass and treble, there’s just often too much of it, and more often than not, I want a more balanced sound signature. When my friend offered to lend me his modded version, I immediately could hear that it fixed all my issues with the TH900. Everything but the driver unit has been replaced, though, even the cups and headband. 

So this heavily modded Oak cup TH900 sounds gorgeous. It has an expansive soundstage (almost like the original), not only for a closed headphone but compared to many open-back headphones as well. The treble is delicate and spacious, the mids are more present than the original, and the bass is better controlled. 

In direct comparison, the Stellia sounds less clear and open – as with the TH900 – but the mids are not recessed on the modded Oak version. 

STELLIA WITH STOCK PADS VS OAK CUP MODDED FOSTEX TH900 

Here, I use the stock pads on the Stellia. 

Almost like The Blues by Leonard Cohen 

Now, I prefer the mid-range of the modded 900. The Stellia has more fleshed-out vocals, and the bass is less precise and seems to bleed into the mid-range. 

Compare Manuel by Vincente Amigo

Oh, the brilliant flamenco guitarist Amigo… The strings have more attack, there is more air and space between instruments and sounds in general with the modded 900. The Stellia is more enveloping and “cosy” sounding. 

For himmerigs land maa man kjempe by Flaten/Kornstad/Christensen 

Wonderful psalm improvisation. The saxophone is marvellous on the Stellia. The bass is full but again, it bleeds a bit and is a little bit too bloomy for my taste. The percussion could be more snappy. With the modded 900, everything is more tidy and clear, but the wonderful saxophone (although very nice) is not as enthralling as with the Stellia. 

Hilary Hahn plays Higdon 1726 

The violin and flute are delicious with the Stellia. The percussion is sparkly but lacks a bit of air. Moving over to the modded 900, there is more air and sparkle, and better separation. But the violin and flute are not as delicious, even though they have more texture and “plankton”. When things get busy nine and a half minutes into the song, the Stellia is less articulate, but also less aggressive and more pleasant sounding. 

I continue to listen through my playlist and the impression remains the same. This pair of Oak cup modded TH900 is a brilliant headphone. It takes the best from the TH900 and brings the rest closer to the Stellia. Especially the all-important mid-range. There are still places where the Stellia is more smooth and enveloping but I mostly prefer the Oak TH-900. 

STELLIA WITH “CP” SHEEPSKIN PADS VS OAK CUP MODDED FOSTEX TH900 

Here I use the CP Yang sheepskin pads on the Stellia. 

I preferred the modded TH900 to the Stellia with stock pads, so I am curious to see how they compare with my new favourite pads on the Stellia. 

Bergen Open by BMX 

The Stellia is nuanced across the spectrum, with a polite but detailed treble, the upper mid-range is a bit polite too. There is a rawer presentation from the modded TH900, with more bite and attack. 

Bored by Deftones 

This track hardcore metal track sounds massive with the modded TH900. The bass kicks ***, lots of texture to the distorted electric guitar, and great separation. Stellia also has great bass punch, extension and quantity but sounds a lot less aggressive in the upper mid-range and especially treble region. In other words, the bass is similar but otherwise, they sound like two different mixes. 

Can’t You See by Susan Wong

The female vocals are beautifully rendered by the Stellia, and everything else too. Although it sounds great – the modded TH900 feels less refined and with rougher edges in direct comparison. 

Pie Jesu by Sølvguttene

My favorite version of this beautiful song. The two boy sopranos are just beyond this world. Equally beautiful on both headphones. The Stellia is a bit darker and mellower. 

Mahler Symphony #2 by Paavo Järvi… 

The Stellia renders this fabulous piece of music beautifully, but the modded TH900 has that extra treble energy, giving the strings more bite and attack. 

Concluding, these are two of my favorite closed-back headphones so far in my high-fidelity headphone journey. They both have great bass. The Stellia is more refined and has better micro detail. It is a bit mellow and polite in the upper regions. The Oak modded TH-900 is more dynamic, crisp and punchy. It’s a tough choice, however, if I could choose only one to keep, I’d personally take the Stellia, if it was equipped with the CP Yang Sheepskin pads. 

CONCLUSION 

The Stellia sounds great, with a mellow, sweet mid-range, silky highs and powerful bass. It’s easy to drive, has effective passive noise isolation and is quite comfortable. 

However, it is very expensive, the bass can get boomy with the stock pads and bleed into the mids, it has a small soundstage and needs 3rd party pads to get the best performance. 

The TH-900 also sounds great, but in a different way. It has a wide open soundstage, crisp and detailed highs and punchy and dynamic bass. The mid range is detailed but a bit drawn back in the mix. It is also expensive, but costs much less than the Stellia, is better built and more comfortable. 

In stock form, I prefer the TH-900 over the Stellia. However, the TH-900 sounds better with custom oak cups, which brings the mid-range forward. The Stellia, sounds better with 3rd party sheepskin pads. So much better, actually, that my preference might shift in Stellia’s favor. They are, however, still different sounding with different strengths – this my preference will shift depending on the mood and music played. If you can afford both, they certainly complement each other. 

FOCAL STELLIA SPECIFICATIONS

• Impedance: 35 Ω 
• Sensitivity: 106dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz 
• THD: 0.1% @ 1kHz / 100 dB SPL 
• Frequency response: 5Hz–40kHz 
• Speaker unit: 40mm ‘M’ shape pure Beryllium dome full-range driver 
• Pads: Memory foam hybrid pads with non-perforated full-grain leather and part acoustic fabric on the inside 
• Cables: Two cables with 3.5mm jacks on the headphone end: 3m (9.1ft) cable with 4-pin XLR connector, 1.2m (3⅜ft) cable with 3.5mm jack (⅛”) and adapter from 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm (¼”)
• Carrying case: 9.8″ x 9.4″ x 4.7″ (250. x 240 x 120mm)
• Weight: 435g / 0.96lb 

FOSTEX TH-900 mk1/mk2 SPECIFICATIONS

• Impedance: 25 Ω
• Sensitivity: 100dB/mW
• Maximum input: 1,800 mW
• Frequency Reproduction: 5 to 45 kHz 
• Drivers:  50 mm – dynamic
• Proprietary “Biodyna” diaphragm for fine and high-resolution sound reproduction
• Neodymium magnetic circuit repulsion system with 1.5 tesla (15,000 gauss) magnetic flux density. 
• Cable made of 7N grade (99.99999%) OFC 
• TH-900 mk2 has a detachable cable with 2 pin connectors on headphone. 
• Japanese Cherry Birch housings with Japanese traditional “Urushi” lacquer
• Earpads made of protein leather. 
• TH-900 comes with one cable (single ended), a plain carry pouch and a headphone stand. 
• Weight: 390 g (without cable)