Originally Posted by E.B.M.Head
The Stax to avoid are the Electret Headphones (SR-10, SR-20, SR-30, SR-40, SR-50, SR-60, SR-70, SR-80). Only the SR-80pro are nearly comperable to a real stat, but electrets drivers could loose the permanent charge if they haven't been used for a long time and their sound could have deterioreted because of this, or in worst case they don't work at all anymore.
I've read this numerous times. Have you ever seen it or have you just read about it? I have numerous electrets, some of which I'm sure have not been played for a while. They all sound fine. They sound as good or better as my low end stats. As good as my Magnavox SR-3 clone and better than my Playback 70.
That said, avoid the Stax electrets because they are overpriced. The Audio Technica electrets are about 1/3 the price of the Stax and IMO are a good value.