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How do these compare to the full sized electrostats? Years ago I auditioned a set of Martin Logans and Quads, and was not blown away by either. I remember the sweet spot was the size of a marble (shouldn't be an issue with headphones, I would think). I also remember feeling that they were a bit bright and fatiguing.
Martin Logan is crap (except maybe 3 models which were ok but none of the new ones) so they can't compare but if the Quads were bright and forward then they were showing what was upstream. They are ruthlessly revealing but are often blamed when all they are doing is to showcase the faults of the system as a whole.
__________________ Feedback
Main rig: APL 3910 32bit -> DIY IC's with thin cotton insulated silver wire -> BHSE on order and a DIY Blue Hawaii under construction, B22 -> See profile
Secondary rig: APL 3910 32bit -> DIY IC's with thin cotton insulated silver wire -> Modded Stax SRM-T1 -> See profile
Computer rig: Computer S/PDIF output -> AudioZone DAC -> DIY IC's -> Stax SRM-1/Mk2 P.P. -> See profile
Between me, Carl and Evil-Zen, we've picked up (I think) 3 SR-Xmk3s in horrible condition out of 5. Zen and I picked up one dud and one working one respectively, while the one Carl got seems to be a dud.
That's disappointing. I knew Carl had two SR-Xes which had only one good driver each, but I hadn't heard the sad tales of all the others. I think facelvega's explanation (below) makes sense, but still..
Originally Posted by Tachikoma
Getting the dust out of the drivers does wonders for them.
Does this require full disassembly?
Originally Posted by facelvega
I've seen a lot of SR-X for sale that have obviously seen heavy studio use/abuse.
They also invite listening at very high SPL, so yes, their virtue contains the seed of their own destruction.
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 comparable to a real stat...
The US market renamed many of the Euro-market electret models, but I've never heard of the 10, 20 or 70. What did they look like?
Originally Posted by E.B.M.Head
Most Stax headphones are build to last forever, exceptions are the electrets, the original SR-Omega and the SR-X MK3.
I'm one of those who's had mostly good experience with old Stax electrets (one failure out of 4), although whether they were built to last "forever" is open to debate. They were built to a price, and they have solid virtues, but they're also midrangey in the way of many '70s/'80s headphones. Still, my SR-30s have more bass than my SR-X.
I'm also one of those who's very skeptical of Stax's positioning of the SR-80 (the socalled Lambda Jr.) at the top of the range-- I think the SR-30 and SR-30 Pro have better bass (and are easier to modify), but in my experience they sound very much alike-- a real disappointment for an SR-30 owner looking to upgrade a little. The SR-30 Pro differs from the normal SR-30 only in having a lighter diaphragm and thus higher efficiency. As Fewtch pointed out in his 2003 review, the Stax electret 'phones pretty much require bass and treble boost, but they take large amounts of both without complaint. Having a midrange tone control (ie, a three-band quasi-parametric) is a huge help.
State of the art they're not, but if one drops into your lap for cheap, don't turn up your nose at it. Grab a good speaker amp with good tone controls and enjoy. Their diaphragms may be heavier than average, but the Stax 'trets are true 'stats. Wouldn't it be great if 'stat makers still felt the urge to reach out to the "affordable" market?
Sadly, people ask for and get way too much for them, at least on those online auction sites. This makes them decidedly less fun. Faults you'd forgive in a $40 headphone become unacceptable in a $120 headphone. Go for the Pro versions, always ask if the channel balance is perfect or nearly so, and make sure there's a return policy.
Originally Posted by Faust2D
I heard SR-40 and if you can get it for about $80 with the srd-4 it's a good deal. ... If I had choice I would get an old ortho like YH-1 or T20 instead, much better value for the price.
Amen! PREACH it, brother!
Note, however, that "ortho" ownership requires adopting a DIY lifestyle, meaning you have to learn to master the phillips screwdriver and the oldfashioned cast-iron scissors. Not for the faint of heart!
And I'd put a cap of $60 on Stax electrets, but that leaves you high and dry on most auctions these days. Above $60 there is other fun to be had.
Martin Logan is crap (except maybe 3 models which were ok but none of the new ones) so they can't compare but if the Quads were bright and forward then they were showing what was upstream. They are ruthlessly revealing but are often blamed when all they are doing is to showcase the faults of the system as a whole.
The Quads were in their own dedicated listening room, but unfortunately I don't remember the system. I seriously doubt the system was weak, considering the store I was in (ProMusica in Chicago in case anyone is curious).
And for the record, I am curious about trying them again, and these entry level Stax systems may eventually be the ticket. Just curious, do they leak significantly?
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.
No bad experience with the Stax electrets so far, but I had trouble with the electrets in my K-340. They took a while to come alive again. Also my Unipolar must have bad drivers. I doubt that Sennheiser would sell Headphones that sound that bad. That's why I'm cautious about electret...
__________________ Current personal headphone ranking: STAX SR Lambda Pro Classic, STAX SR-5 Gold, STAX SR-001, beyerdynamic)))) DJX-1, beyerdynamic)))) DT 990 Pro (250 Ohm), AKG K-501, AKG K-340, beyerdynamic)))) DTX 50, Cowon A3 Buds, beyerdynamic)))) DTX 20, AKG K-14P, Sennheiser Unipolar 2000
The Quads were in their own dedicated listening room, but unfortunately I don't remember the system. I seriously doubt the system was weak, considering the store I was in (ProMusica in Chicago in case anyone is curious).
It could also be a defective pair. Quad always has QC issues and since the new speakers are exactly the same as the ESL63 all those issues remain. I wish that there was somebody at Quad now that at 1/10 of the talent of PJW. I'm going with a rebuilt set of ESL63's rather then the newer speakers since it will be better made.
Originally Posted by eeerie1
And for the record, I am curious about trying them again, and these entry level Stax systems may eventually be the ticket. Just curious, do they leak significantly?
They leak like a sinking boat. They are dipoles so equal amount of sound hit your ears and are released into the room. There is the 4070 which is a closed model but it's expensive but well worth it.
__________________ Feedback
Main rig: APL 3910 32bit -> DIY IC's with thin cotton insulated silver wire -> BHSE on order and a DIY Blue Hawaii under construction, B22 -> See profile
Secondary rig: APL 3910 32bit -> DIY IC's with thin cotton insulated silver wire -> Modded Stax SRM-T1 -> See profile
Computer rig: Computer S/PDIF output -> AudioZone DAC -> DIY IC's -> Stax SRM-1/Mk2 P.P. -> See profile
I am using Sr-40 with a srd-4 and 16' extension.
Cost from local EBAY $86. Good shape, works well.
I agree much of it is overpriced for 30 year old gear.
But if at the right price, it's a good value.
The SR-40 paired up with the right amp works very well.
I'm going with a rebuilt set of ESL63's rather then the newer speakers since it will be better made. 
They are dipoles so equal amount of sound hit your ears and are released into the room. There is the 4070 which is a closed model but it's expensive but well worth it.
Linear Mode
