Does it come down to personal preference at this level ? I mean if these cheapo Stax systems are worlds better than comparably priced dynamics why doesn't *everyone* have them ? I'm curious btw, not being confrontational... though sometimes the evangelism comes across rather religious... it's just better because it's an electrostatic.
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Does it come down to personal preference at this level ? I mean if these cheapo Stax systems are worlds better than comparably priced dynamics why doesn't *everyone* have them ? I'm curious btw, not being confrontational... though sometimes the evangelism comes across rather religious... it's just better because it's an electrostatic.
As almost everything is audio it comes down to personal preference. The only objective thing is that stats as a rule are more detailed, by design.
I have the SR-5 with the SRD-7 and it sounds good with a Super T amp. They should sound fine with your Technics.
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Does it come down to personal preference at this level ? I mean if these cheapo Stax systems are worlds better than comparably priced dynamics why doesn't *everyone* have them ? I'm curious btw, not being confrontational... though sometimes the evangelism comes across rather religious... it's just better because it's an electrostatic.
They're not for everyone. Someone who like a real tactile feel to their bass won't like the low end stats. I think that's the biggest reason some people don't like them. I'm just talking about the sub $200 ones here, although I've never read anyone talking about feeling the bass from a stat. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm speaking out of my hat.
I would sell the HD595 (which is a bit "underamped" at the moment I think) if the Stax were better but I fear selling them before getting an electrostat system that I don't know.
Yes, definitely wait if funds allow. Since you're looking at used Stax, you can always get your money back on that side as well if you find out that your ear prefers dynamics.
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I have an eye on a SR-5 with SRD-6... As far as I have understood your replies that should be a nice combo. How much would you pay for that?
Yes, a good starter electrostat combo. Shoot for $150, a little more if it's in pristine condition, and wait for one in good shape it it's not.
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Originally Posted by mnemonix
Does it come down to personal preference at this level ? I mean if these cheapo Stax systems are worlds better than comparably priced dynamics why doesn't *everyone* have them ? I'm curious btw, not being confrontational... though sometimes the evangelism comes across rather religious... it's just better because it's an electrostatic.
Funny, I just used the word "religion" while editing my sleepily misguided post up above, before I'd read down to here to see it used again to cast a different light on this thread.
To answer the question, though: people are afraid to take the leap into something that can't just be plugged into a headphone jack, and unless they read the Stax threads, probably think that all stats cost a fortune. Also with dynamics, you can talk yourself into a headphone now, and an amp later, while the Stax will require both right up front. After that, it's a matter of taste and musical choice. But still, I've observed that when dynamic people try stats, many more make the switch than decide to stick with their dynamic rigs.
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They're not for everyone. Someone who like a real tactile feel to their bass won't like the low end stats. I think that's the biggest reason some people don't like them. I'm just talking about the sub $200 ones here, although I've never read anyone talking about feeling the bass from a stat. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm speaking out of my hat.
Almost all stat have a different low and mid bass reproduction when compared to dynamic headphones. SR-Lambdas, SR-Sigma, SR-303 all have this luck of tactile feel. SR-Sigma suffers the least from it. I never heard Omega but I would imagine the same holds true for it, because I experienced the same with big full stat speakers like Soundlabs for example. Stat dynamic hybrid speakers don't have this issue, but they usually develop a incoherency issue, were you can feel bass, mids and highs not joining correctly. To think of it K340 suffers from this very issue in headphone world.
i used to love the dynamic punch, and the dt770s in particular, but after tasting electrostats i can´t go back to dynamics; they just sound so... inferior.
and i mainly listen to 80s and 70s synthpop, so one would think that punchy dynamics would be a better match.
havent heard the "low-level" stax though, so i cant speak for them.
i used to love the dynamic punch, and the dt770s in particular, but after tasting electrostats i can´t go back to dynamics; they just sound so... inferior.
and i mainly listen to 80s and 70s synthpop, so one would think that punchy dynamics would be a better match.
havent heard the "low-level" stax though, so i cant speak for them.
IMHO it's the same for all stats, more so for low level stats. Orthos on the other hand combine stat goodness with dynamic punch, but this is a conversation for another topic.
This looks interesting but I wonder if it makes sense for me to buy from the US since I live in Germany. There would be pretty high shipping+insurance* costs and customs.
So I'm focused on German eBay at the moment but perhaps I should ask in the FS threads how much shipping cost there would be. But I don't want to rush anyway.
Jonas
* Some phones I ordered from the US were stolen while shipping so I won't buy anything without insurance anymore.
Edit (to prevent a double post)...
Maybe a funny question but:
If electrostats have that much of detail is it disturbing to listen to mainstream CDs that are compressed/brickwalled? Or do real Stax-owners only listen to Classic Rock, Classical and Jazz?
How would you describe the sound signature or balance between highs, mids and bass of the typical Stax headphone? I read something about "bass shy" but I'm wondering how shy they really are. Could somebody compare them to HD595, MS1 or PX100 for me to get an idea of that? Thanks!
Having never heard a electrostat headphone, is the sond sig 'different' in the same way sennheiser is 'different' then grado. I have a pair of HD650s, and SR-225s. I love the grados and am indifferent to the senns, but dont want to drop 700 on a RS-1 upgrade. Will a sub 200$ stat fill the gap? Are there different sound sigs on different Stax headphones?
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