Foreword
I acquired this setup in late May, and have been enjoying it since then. I notice that there are a few head-fiers here have similar STAX setup as mine, the differences are probably interconnects and the sources used. Since nobody has really made an official SR 404 + SRM 313 combo review, I thought I’d make mine just to share my experience to others and to see the difference between mine and others’ with similar STAX setup but different sources. I think I’ve been living with the STAX long enough to make some impressions on them, eh?
Mind you that I am not really into technical stuff (eg. Knowing what’s happening inside the amp/headphones) so I can’t really talk about that. You might wanna refer to Kevin Gilmore for that one.
What I will say here is based from purely musical enjoyment only, no technical stuff, and everything I said here is according to my overall setup and ears, so it may sound different with others’ setup or taste. I also don’t like to sugarcoat or exaggerate stuff, which I think is frequently done here on Head-Fi (self-justification or fanboyism), so if I think it’s good, that means I honestly think it’s good, and vice versa.
Lastly, occasionally, I will also refer to my other setup (Alessandro MS2 + Headsave Classic) as a comparison.
Last lastly, this is a pretty long review, so maybe it will be too tiring for your eyes. Alternatively, you can just print this out and make it as a toilet-reading (I’d do this if I were you). I believe this review is at least interesting enough for toilet-reading. It is still pretty long though, so I think you need a few toilet sessions to finish it.
The downside is maybe you won’t be able to see the pretty pictures on the screen. But again, people’s taste for toilet reading can vary, just like headphones.
Last last lastly, You may find that I stray from the topic from times to times, I am fully aware of that, but I just prefer the sort of relaxed, informal type of reviewing, and not too concentrated on things, so the readers don’t feel like reading a stiff review, AKA robot review, talking about technical stuff all through the way…
The Equipment
NAD C542 ---> Audiogeek Nitrogens RCAs ---> SRM313/SR404 ---> Headphile Standard Silver RCAs ---> Headsave Classic ---> Alessandro MS2
NAD C542
AudioGeek Nitrogens
STAX SRM313
STAX SR404
Headsave Classic
Headphile Standard Silver
Alessandro MS2
Packaging
Since it’s not a system series, they come in two separate boxes. Nothing fancy, only carton boxes with some Styrofoam inside. Unlike some other higher-end headphones, the 404 doesn’t come with those fancy headphone storage boxes. At least we know there is no extra money spent on something other than the headphone itself. Well, actually it has a storage box, but it’s made of Styrofoam. Overall, it’s neatly packaged though.
Design and Built Quality
SRM 313 (The Energizer)
Well, this is the energizer, nothing special, it’s just like any other amplifier really, all metal with the brushed-metal look on the face plate. Simple, yet elegant looking.
It’s actually longer in real life than what it looks like in the picture (Width:15cm – Height:10cm – Length:37cm). There is no voltage selector, you have to open the energizer and adjust it yourself if you know how to do it.
It weights at 2.9 Kg. Mine comes with two “Pro Only” sockets, although I believe the older version comes with one “Pro Only” and one “Normal” socket for older STAX headphones.
The volume control turns smoothly and feels very solid, just like a nice amp supposed to be. If you wanted me to nitpick though, I’d say the power button can be a bit better. I don’t like the loud click when you press the ON/OFF button, and you can feel a strong spring mechanism when you press it. Should be more smoothly done if you ask me; but that’s just an @ss of me talking.
At the back, you’ll find two sets of RCA connectors, one is for input (eg. CDP, turntable) and the other one is output (eg. For your dynamic headphone amp so that you don’t have to reconnect your CDP to your dynamic amp everytime you wanna listen to your dynamic setup).
The energizer is warm to touch whilst operating (even after 48 hours non-stop), not overly hot. Although you’d want to make a bit of space for the energizer to breathe though, just to be on the safe side.
Just in case if you’re wondering about amp (energizer) hiss, there is none at all. It’s all dead quiet when the energizer is on but the CD is not playing, and also when there is a quiet passage in a song. Dead quiet. All I can hear is my tinnitus ringing.
SR 404 (The Headphone)
Now this came to me as a surprise. On most occasions, you can only find crappy looking pictures of STAX headphones, even on their website. But in real life, after you looked at it and felt the construction, you’d think otherwise. The crappy-looking brown headphone on STAX website doesn’t resemble the real one at all; I wonder whether they actually wanted to sell the headphones or not. I think that’s what happened if you put an engineer in charge of both designing and taking the product picture of the headphones, eh? hehe...
Although they look like plastic, but I believe there is different name for the material used, I don’t exactly remember the name. All I know is, they are tougher than they look like. Before I had my STAX, I thought my Audio Technica Air Series headphone was comfy, but this is even comfier. According to the website, the earpads are made from “high quality artificial leather”. I would use the word “synthetic” instead of “artificial” if I were them, but anyway, they don’t feel like artificial at all. I’d think they’re original leather if they didn’t let us know. They’re very soft indeed.
I think the upper-head headband (the one that supports the headphone whilst it’s on your head) is made from similar material, it’s thick and comfy and it’s adjustable to suit your head size. You don’t need to readjust them anymore once you set it according to your head’s size, unlike Grado headphones where you have to readjust the headphones because they slide down easily.
The headphone may look big, but once it’s in your head, you won’t feel it at all. It doesn’t squeeze your head, but more like just “sits” there on your head without so much pressure but still firm enough to stay put. The headphone (without cable) weights 300 grams, which is not heavy at all… Well, maybe, if you’re a Smurf. hehe....
Smurf (3-apples high)
They won’t tire you after prolonged use, and won’t make your ears hot after awhile.
Now about the drivers… hang on… what you say? Drivers? What drivers? Well, excuse me, but we STAX headphones don’t have no “drivers”. Diaphragms they are. And really thin ones too, 1.35 micron thickness.
Those are my fingers you see there. The diaphragms are so thin, they’re see-through. This leads to a warning; I think it is NOT a good idea to poke around just because you’re curious.
About the cable, well, some people believe that the improvement of 404 over 303 is cable only, although some believe they sound better. As for me, even if it’s only cable (and the colour, I like the brown more), I think it’s well worth it.
This is the 404 cable.
Answering the question of creaks, I read that some people mentioned about creaks whilst moving their heads with the headphones on. I never found this problem at all, not even once. I think it’s only on the older (or maybe lower end) models. I tried to move around my head (even vigorously), but just couldn’t make it creak at all.
Now to some minor gripe. Once in awhile, the rough sponge-like material that covers the inner cups may touch the tip of my ears and it will feel kinda itchy. But once you adjust it a bit, the problem will disappear. Maybe if you have a set of long and pointy ears just like Legolas’ from Lord of The Rings, then you will have trouble wearing this headphone.
Legolas (A.K.A Mr. Oh-I’m-so-cute-but-can’t-wear-Stax-headphones)
The Sound
Now onto something that matters the most… I can’t cover all music genres here, but I’ll do some of the more popular ones, and you can make your decision based on those. I’m gonna pick one or several CDs from the genre and tell you my impressions.
POP
Michael Jackson – Number Ones 5138002000
Music: 8
Audio Quality: 8
Track #4: Billie Jean – The bass in the intro of the song feel like they appear out of nowhere and just hit your head without passing through your ears. I think this is one of the characteristics of STAX headphones; producing sound out of thin air.
After the bass intro, there comes the bass, cymbals, and the electric guitar; and right away at that moment you can hear all the beautiful airiness of the music. Michael’s voice sounds very detailed and clear, a truly pleasant experience. Considering I used to grow up listening to this song from stereo cassette or radio, and when I first listened to this CD using my system, I found so many things that I didn’t hear in the song before.
Although I found sibilance on the track Billie Jean, but I’m sure it’s not the system, since I couldn’t find this on the other songs.
Overall, this is a nicely recorded and clean-sounding CD, and STAX displays it accurately as that, a clean sounding CD. I think if your system is on the bright side, it will be too painful to listen to this album.
The Corrs – Unplugged 7567-8096-2
Music: 8
Audio Quality: 8
I’m a big fan of Andrea’s voice, I must confess. I think she is one of the most beautiful singers out there too... She’s so beautiful… Anyway, back on track, yeah, the good thing about this CD is, it’s quite well recorded, it doesn’t suck out neither Andrea’s voice nor the musical instruments, although I can find some tape hiss but it’s negligible considering the enjoyment I got from the CD. Plus Andrea is so hot.
Track #3: Radio – The acoustic guitar sounds sweet, STAX manages to retain the “sparkle” in the guitar as you can hear when you listen to a real life acoustic guitar. I’m not sure whether the “sparkle” is actually just a product of reverberation from the guitar or it’s different thing altogether. Usually in real life when you hear an acoustic guitar being strummed, you can hear the following “sparkle” after the sound that underlines the strum.
In the intro of “Radio”, if you want me to illustrate it, the guitar sparkle is like mini fireworks playing around my ears. Of course, this doesn’t sound as good as a real life guitar, but it’s very good. I don’t wanna exaggerate by saying STAX can sound like a guitar in real life. Everyone who plays acoustic guitars knows how “rich” and “sparkly” acoustic guitars sound, and it’s not easy (if it’s possible at all) to recreate that sound perfectly, not to mention the visceral impact of the sound…
Track #4 Toss the Feathers – A real joy to listen to, every instrument is clearly separated but not detached, they are presented as individual instruments that are combined together to create music. The guitar is there, the drum (bongo?), the flute, etc..
Although I believe headphones won’t be able to have the ability to “bring all the musicians into your room” like speakers do, in this instance, when there is a drum solo, it makes me feel like I’m one of the audience listening to the performance on the stage. Only that. I won’t go as far as saying I feel like I’m there watching the Corrs performing live, because it just doesn’t feel like that. But in terms of musical enjoyment, oh hell yeah. This CD sounds damn good with the STAX.
Kylie Minogue – Fever 5358042
Music: 7
Audio Quality: 5
Two words, too bright. To be honest, I haven’t listened to the whole album, but I went through half of it and wasn’t impressed at all (and my favourite tracks are on the 1st half anyway). Depending on which song, sometimes I feel like the lower end frequency is being “capped”, or the mid-range is too distant. But the highs are definitely too bright/harsh on many tracks.
It’s a pity really. My favourite track on the album is “Fever” and it’s just too bright to listen to, it’s painful. “Can’t Get You Outta My Head” is not that bright, but alas, I feel like the frequencies are not dynamic enough here, making it a bit boring and punch-less.
I don’t know whether they made the recordings brighter than usual in order to fit in the mass boom box market or something, I’m not sure. Or maybe they make it bright so that people perceive it as “clean sounding”? But bright and clean sounding is different thing altogether, although sometimes people make a mistake confusing the two.
It’s funny that you can find different type of weaknesses on different tracks, not just the CD in general, I think this really shows the nature of STAX as being honest to your source.
But maybe, on a dull, muffled system, this CD can be enjoyed, since I assume it will mask the brightness issue by the “Boom Boom” they produce ?
Fumiya Fujii – エンジェル PCCA-0054
Music: 7.5
Audio Quality: 8.5
I believe this is Fujii’s 1st album, from 1994. This is a nicely recorded album in general, but the reason why I picked this one is just for Track #9, “First Love”, probably the most well-known song by him; the guitar sounds heavenly in this song. STAX manages to submerge me into the song’s mood.
In this track you can easily tell it’s an acoustic guitar with steel string judging by the sound and afterward-vibration of the strings after they’re strummed. I don’t play guitar, but maybe veteran guitar players can even gain more information just from the detailed sound of the guitar in this track.
The STAX accurately portrays when the guitar hits hard or soft. Totally a moving experience, especially if you are familiar with this old song. Japanese head-fiers will appreciate what STAX can offer with this song.
JAZZ
Norah Jones – Come Away With Me 724358206722
Music – 7.5
Audio Quality – 5
Now I’m not sure if I got a dud copy or maybe it’s the fault found in that certain CD release (724358206722), but all I know is, this CD distorts, right from the first track “Don’t Know Why” when Norah started to sing the first few lines, I could hear a tiny distortion, some sort of a static, “bbzzttt…” sound accompanying her voice when she hits the high tone. As a matter of fact, on the intro of the song before her vocal, there are a few “pops” as well.
Let me break this down, I tried this from several sources:
1.PC – Audigy – MS2/A900: I couldn’t hear the distortion. As a matter of fact, this CD sounds quite listenable from here.
2.My 11 years old Fisher Discman – MS2: I just barely could hear it, by a thread.
With NAD as the source, the popping and buzzing sounds very clear with the STAX, it’s so annoying. Using MS2, the fault is still audible but not as obvious as STAX.
Even if you disregard the distortion, the CD is still unimpressive at all. The other thing that bothers me is, the musical instruments in this CD sound lifeless, the guitar intro on “Seven Years” sounds like it’s covered by a blanket, no sparkle or snap at all, and it distorts again. I think overall, the instruments are sort of overwhelmed by Norah’s voice. I know you might think: “This is Norah Jones’ CD, not some instrumental CD”, but I feel the proportion between the instruments and the vocal is just not right, plus the sound quality isn’t that convincing at all.
I think a good recording should show a synergy between vocal and instruments, merging together to make a beautiful piece of music, not “pushing each other” or overpowering one or the other.
Funny thing is, with lesser equipment, this CD is pretty enjoyable. I can enjoy this from my A900 + Audigy. So instead of giving you what you wanna hear, STAX gives you what you should hear. Very honest indeed.
Diana Krall – The Girl in The Other Room 0602498620465
Music – 8
Audio Quality – 9
Now this is what I call recording. Although not all the songs in the album are in the same superb quality, but overall, they are all very well recorded in general.
Track #1: Stop This World – Every single music instrument is very well produced. You can hear so much detail in the cymbals, but yet it doesn’t sound bright / metallic at all. It’s just pure detail, not bright. How good the detail is, you ask? I could hear the minute vibration of the cymbal after it’s hit; my mind actually automatically imagined the image of the vibrating cymbal.
The piano sounds like, well, piano. Everything is just so right; you’ll be immersed in the music. Love Me Like a Man is another track where the piano really shines. After a more mellow mood from the previous track, Love Me Like a Man will suddenly change you into a “swinging” mood.
So how does Diana sound? Very intimate; lush is the other word I would use to describe it. On some passage I could actually hear the lips movement when she was about to sing or stopped singing.
Overall, STAX successfully changed my “music mood” several times in this album, from mellow, to uptempo, then back to mellow again. I think this is probably one of the most important things that your audio should be able to give you; the ability to be immersed in the music. If this is not musical, I don’t know what is.
Slightly off-topic, but I found a single distortion on Black Crow, at 3:21 down the track, nothing serious, only like ½ second distortion on the vocal. Although this is also easily noticeable from my PC + crappy headphone setup.
CLASSIC
Yo Yo Ma – Soul of The Tango SRCR9154
Music: 8
Audio Quality: 8
Well, this is not really a classical recording, but what the heck. IMO, if you’re using a 2-million dollars (or something like that) Cello, at least get it perfectly recorded to show off how that expensive Cello sounds. Should’ve asked Telarc to produce this…
Okay, back to the topic. I will use the track #3, Allegro, as a reference. The pace changes a few times on this track, so what would you like me to talk about, transient? PRAT? To tell you the truth, I forgot about all those and was amazed by this beautiful piece of music. I could only hear… beautiful music. Everything else disappeared.
Yeah, I can hear you complaining, “What the? Tell me about the tonal accuracy, the decay, the midrange, blah blah…” But seriously, listening to this track, I forgot all that, it’s just… beautiful music.
The catch is, would I be able to feel like this if it didn’t sound good enough? The answer is, NO; I would think “it needs this, there is a flaw here…etc..”. I think only if it sounds THAT good, you will start forgetting about everything else.
I can only put one word for the combination of STAX and that track #3, it is DRAMATIC. The combination of Yo Yo Ma’s Cello and that “guy’s” guitar is like… Yin and Yang… Well, not really Yin Yang since they are not opposite… maybe Bonnie & Clyde, or Batman & Robin, or Karl Malone & John Stockton…you know what I mean.
It’s perfectly complimenting each other. Now, your rig should be able to separate it well enough so that it won’t sound jumbled, but also not too distant its detached, it should sound like a killer duo (especially around the later section of the track).
Anyway, there is a “holy crap” guitar play there… Worth checking out.
Erich Kunzel & Cincinnati Pops Orchestra – Round-Up CD-80141
Music: 8
Audio Quality: 9
I know I know, this is not a classical music, but it’s performed by an orchestra, with instruments you can find at classical music, so it’s the same.
Actually I bought this CD because it’s from TELARC, and it has this label:
On the booklet it says: “Telarc Digital Compact Discs, especially those containing substantially wide dynamic range, will present an extraordinary challenge to all stereo systems. Certain components – even the finest – may have problems with the most demanding passages. Damage could result to speakers or other components if the musical program is played back at excessively high levels.”
“Sounds like fun”, I thought. So I bought it.
My impressions: Well, although my system might not be able to do “layering” as good as top-of-the-line electrostat system, but the layering is very evident here. Instruments that are placed at the back sounded like they’re coming from the back, you can easily tell which sound is coming from the front and which ones are from the back, or from which side; although it’s not as accurate as a high-end speaker system of course.
And for you people wondering whether electrostat sounds thin, well, they’re not. Providing you have matching source and a good recording. Listening to this CD, the orchestra doesn’t sound wimpy at all. It is big, spacious, and bold. It offers the grandness of the orchestra.
If you are into cow’s “Moo… Moo..” sound, this CD has it. The first track is the sound effect of cows and some cowboy riding a horse herding the cows (I think). The moo sounded so real, as if the cow was just next to my face. When I listened to this CD for the 1st time, and when I heard the loud “MOOooOOOO…” I was shocked and actually pulled my head back away… But I was wearing headphones…so…duh….
And no, my systems are not damaged after playing this CD.
ROCK/METAL
Now on this genre, I think my preference is torn between a dynamic setup and an electrostat one. For something fast/hard (or “adrenaline-pumping”), I think dynamic setup, especially Grado just has the “something” in it that the electrostats might be slightly too polite for.
For example, songs like Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My way or Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out is more enjoyable with my MS2, it must be the forwardness, because technically-speaking, the STAX is better, but a bit too polite. I’m not saying that they sound like crap with STAX headphones, but for those kind of songs, if you gave me the option of Grado or STAX (in the same class), I’d go for Grado.
However, on more laid back type of rock, such as Dire Straits, STAX is much more enjoyable IMO.
So which kind of rock album is the STAX has more advantage over Grado? These two CDs came to mind:
Dire Straits – Sultans of Swing 558658-2
Music: 8
Audio Quality: Varies too much between tracks, some are very good, some are not.
Track #9: Money For Nothing – My MS2 won. For the first 50 seconds that is. After that, STAX just kicked MS2’s butt all through the song.
The forwardness of MS2 was fully utilized in this track, the intro of drum solo felt punchy, and the solo guitar was also very fun-sounding… Then came 0:51 down the track. It’s the combination of guitar + drum. How hard it is to produce the sound of guitar and drum at once, right? Wrong.
Before I heard STAX, I would agree, but after that, the STAX can beautifully produce these two instruments hand in hand, without overlapping each other. I don’t know how to explain this, but it just sound so effortless with STAX.
A very simple combination of two music instruments; but you just needs to hear it in order to appreciate the difference. Then later after the vocals and everything else kicks in, it’s just one simply audio bliss.
Pink Floyd – Dark Side of The Moon
Music: 8 (I know it’s 10 for some , maybe I need to listen more to appreciate it)
Audio Quality: 8
I categorise this as a more laid back rock, and as I mentioned before, slower rock sounds better on STAX. Plus, all the sound effect on this album is convincingly produced, with spacious sound. The problem with Grado/MS2 is, sometimes they make you feel like they’re trying to “squeeze-in” many things into a small room. Listening to STAX makes you feel like you just moved into a spacious apartment where you can put all your stuff nicely without feeling cramped.
DANCE/CLUB/TECHNO
Now I will go against 90% of HeadFiers who prefers dynamic over STAX systems for techno/dance music.
The CDs that I used for reference are: (couldn’t find the screenshot from the net)
P*rn Kings – Amour CD Single AVTCDS-056
Track #3: Amour (P*rn Kings Full On 12” mix)
Now in that track, the bass goes real deep. With my crappy Sony headphones, I the bass sounded shallow and ordinary. On MS2, it’s very deep, but it’s even deeper with STAX.
It’s weird, I actually felt that MS2 sounded thin compared to STAX when it comes to this genre. I think it’s mostly due to the lower end frequency coverage, among other things. The MS2 also sounds a bit harsh compared to STAX.
Hocus Pocus – Here’s Johnny! CD Single CSRCDS0052
Track #2: Here’s Johnny (Bam Bam Bam)
The STAX just beat MS2 in every aspect; speed, details, clarity, bass, it’s not funny. This CD sounds great with MS2 and very involving, but STAX is just, better.
If you associate these following factors with the enjoyment of this genre:
-Speed / transient
-Spaciousness (for sound effect)
-Clarity: clear, airy highs
-Bass that goes real deep
All I can say is, STAX will give you all that. A good one.
Earlier, I mentioned that on Michael Jackson recording, the bass is as if it’s created within your head without passing your ears, this is even more apparent in this genre… well, duh !
But I hear you saying: “visceral impact…”
Visceral impact? Well, if you ask me, headphones visceral impact is way overrated. That is something I completely never missed even once using STAX.
I mean, it’s only the tiny little impact you can feel around your ears, what’s so great about it?
I’d choose a more accurate, wider frequency, and more detailed presentation over visceral impact on any given day.
Unless it can give me speaker-like visceral impact, I wouldn’t bother about headphone visceral impact. Even speaker visceral impact is different to real life visceral impact; where a single strum of guitar strings in real life will give visceral impact (sound vibration) that you can feel around your body.
RAP
Now, Rap has evolved (maybe not evolved, but changed) so much since the good old days; today’s most current rap artists remind me of BOSE headphones. All flashy, bling bling, and marketing without much substance (although I still like Missy Elliott)
I don’t own many rap albums, but I thought I’d just mention one of the few I have:
Warren G – I Shot The Sheriff CD Single 574097-2
Music: 8
Audio Quality: 7.5
Track #4: Regulate – This is kinda laid-back style of rap, sounds better with STAX, although it doesn’t sound that terribly bad either with MS2. But the vocals sound slightly cleaner with STAX. Some people rap is better with darker-sounding headphones, I don’t know why, but for me, I just want to hear the real thing, not darker or brighter, and the STAX will give me that, honest recording.
My View on Different Quality of Recordings…
All I can say is, don’t go buying high end headphones thinking that your crappy recordings will sound good with that. Good headphones won’t do magic. Therefore some of my dull recordings still sound dull, and the bright ones still sound painfully bright. But one thing you have to remember, they are not some sort of flaw-seeking monster, looking for minor flaw and exaggerating it. Therefore you don’t really have to worry that you won’t be able to listen to half of your CDs because the STAX will reveal them.
They are just honest, not masking or exaggerating. One interesting thing I found is, not only you can sometime find different audio quality of songs in an album, but you can even find a different quality in a single song.
I have a few tracks that I can detect the “cut and paste” feeling. The engineers must have recorded different passage in the song using different equipment, and then just combined them when creating the song as a whole; it’s apparent that sometimes I can hear a slight hiss on the track, and it will reoccur on the same passage at the different part of that song. Although the rest of the song, it’s dead quiet.
However, on a good recording, (when I mean good, something like TELARC’s Land of Giants, track: The Search come to mind), the STAX just sound simply magical.
According to my observation, CDs in general are in “okay/average” quality, and a small proportion of that are truly awful-sounding, and another small proportion are excellent-sounding.
So if really, the STAX renders most of your recordings unlistenable, I think that’s probably because of the rest of your system.
System Synergy
The discussion above leads me to this; I think there is no point having expensive components that do not match/compliment each other, better to have an average system that is synergistic. Not-so-expensive, carefully matched components can give you a very good audio quality already, providing they compliment each other.
I think this combo will match very well with slightly warmish (not overly warm) source with bass punch, backed with cables that further balance the sound overall. Although preference may vary, so maybe some people prefer it with source with different characteristics.
I don’t have a killer source, or cables that cost me 3 months salary, but I’m very happy with my current rig at the moment, they are probably not the most accurate, or offer the best soundstage, but they sure are damn musical.
Conclusion
The STAX combo is really good, but it’s not something that can make you feel like the artist/performance is right there in your room. For that kind of soundstaging, I’m afraid you’ll need a killer speaker setup. There is just no comparison in that regards.
I mentioned this in the past, I went to my local hifi shop and the friendly shopkeeper showed me their “demo room” equipped with some fancy, high-end turntable with monoblock setups (and I don’t even know the rest of the setup).
Right there, when I casually sat down on the couch and the moment that thing was on, I thought there was a live band performing right in front of me. I dare not listen to it so long, afraid of it would elevate my standard of how music suppose to sound like, which I am sure I won’t be able to afford.
Apart from soundstage-wise, what the STAX combo can offer you is, intimacy, and just a pure, blissful audio experience; providing you can keep an open mind that you won’t be able to bring London Philharmonic Orchestra into your room.
I have already given up that kind of notion, trying to pinpoint this and that, and in result, I can just enjoy music as what it is, a musical experience. And if you want me to say what I like the most from STAX that my dynamic can’t offer, that is, the ability to get into the soul and mood of the music.
DJ_Mocok (Albert)
I acquired this setup in late May, and have been enjoying it since then. I notice that there are a few head-fiers here have similar STAX setup as mine, the differences are probably interconnects and the sources used. Since nobody has really made an official SR 404 + SRM 313 combo review, I thought I’d make mine just to share my experience to others and to see the difference between mine and others’ with similar STAX setup but different sources. I think I’ve been living with the STAX long enough to make some impressions on them, eh?
Mind you that I am not really into technical stuff (eg. Knowing what’s happening inside the amp/headphones) so I can’t really talk about that. You might wanna refer to Kevin Gilmore for that one.
What I will say here is based from purely musical enjoyment only, no technical stuff, and everything I said here is according to my overall setup and ears, so it may sound different with others’ setup or taste. I also don’t like to sugarcoat or exaggerate stuff, which I think is frequently done here on Head-Fi (self-justification or fanboyism), so if I think it’s good, that means I honestly think it’s good, and vice versa.
Lastly, occasionally, I will also refer to my other setup (Alessandro MS2 + Headsave Classic) as a comparison.
Last lastly, this is a pretty long review, so maybe it will be too tiring for your eyes. Alternatively, you can just print this out and make it as a toilet-reading (I’d do this if I were you). I believe this review is at least interesting enough for toilet-reading. It is still pretty long though, so I think you need a few toilet sessions to finish it.
The downside is maybe you won’t be able to see the pretty pictures on the screen. But again, people’s taste for toilet reading can vary, just like headphones.
Last last lastly, You may find that I stray from the topic from times to times, I am fully aware of that, but I just prefer the sort of relaxed, informal type of reviewing, and not too concentrated on things, so the readers don’t feel like reading a stiff review, AKA robot review, talking about technical stuff all through the way…
The Equipment
NAD C542 ---> Audiogeek Nitrogens RCAs ---> SRM313/SR404 ---> Headphile Standard Silver RCAs ---> Headsave Classic ---> Alessandro MS2
NAD C542
AudioGeek Nitrogens
STAX SRM313
STAX SR404
Headsave Classic
Headphile Standard Silver
Alessandro MS2
Packaging
Since it’s not a system series, they come in two separate boxes. Nothing fancy, only carton boxes with some Styrofoam inside. Unlike some other higher-end headphones, the 404 doesn’t come with those fancy headphone storage boxes. At least we know there is no extra money spent on something other than the headphone itself. Well, actually it has a storage box, but it’s made of Styrofoam. Overall, it’s neatly packaged though.
Design and Built Quality
SRM 313 (The Energizer)
Well, this is the energizer, nothing special, it’s just like any other amplifier really, all metal with the brushed-metal look on the face plate. Simple, yet elegant looking.
It’s actually longer in real life than what it looks like in the picture (Width:15cm – Height:10cm – Length:37cm). There is no voltage selector, you have to open the energizer and adjust it yourself if you know how to do it.
It weights at 2.9 Kg. Mine comes with two “Pro Only” sockets, although I believe the older version comes with one “Pro Only” and one “Normal” socket for older STAX headphones.
The volume control turns smoothly and feels very solid, just like a nice amp supposed to be. If you wanted me to nitpick though, I’d say the power button can be a bit better. I don’t like the loud click when you press the ON/OFF button, and you can feel a strong spring mechanism when you press it. Should be more smoothly done if you ask me; but that’s just an @ss of me talking.
At the back, you’ll find two sets of RCA connectors, one is for input (eg. CDP, turntable) and the other one is output (eg. For your dynamic headphone amp so that you don’t have to reconnect your CDP to your dynamic amp everytime you wanna listen to your dynamic setup).
The energizer is warm to touch whilst operating (even after 48 hours non-stop), not overly hot. Although you’d want to make a bit of space for the energizer to breathe though, just to be on the safe side.
Just in case if you’re wondering about amp (energizer) hiss, there is none at all. It’s all dead quiet when the energizer is on but the CD is not playing, and also when there is a quiet passage in a song. Dead quiet. All I can hear is my tinnitus ringing.
SR 404 (The Headphone)
Now this came to me as a surprise. On most occasions, you can only find crappy looking pictures of STAX headphones, even on their website. But in real life, after you looked at it and felt the construction, you’d think otherwise. The crappy-looking brown headphone on STAX website doesn’t resemble the real one at all; I wonder whether they actually wanted to sell the headphones or not. I think that’s what happened if you put an engineer in charge of both designing and taking the product picture of the headphones, eh? hehe...
Although they look like plastic, but I believe there is different name for the material used, I don’t exactly remember the name. All I know is, they are tougher than they look like. Before I had my STAX, I thought my Audio Technica Air Series headphone was comfy, but this is even comfier. According to the website, the earpads are made from “high quality artificial leather”. I would use the word “synthetic” instead of “artificial” if I were them, but anyway, they don’t feel like artificial at all. I’d think they’re original leather if they didn’t let us know. They’re very soft indeed.
I think the upper-head headband (the one that supports the headphone whilst it’s on your head) is made from similar material, it’s thick and comfy and it’s adjustable to suit your head size. You don’t need to readjust them anymore once you set it according to your head’s size, unlike Grado headphones where you have to readjust the headphones because they slide down easily.
The headphone may look big, but once it’s in your head, you won’t feel it at all. It doesn’t squeeze your head, but more like just “sits” there on your head without so much pressure but still firm enough to stay put. The headphone (without cable) weights 300 grams, which is not heavy at all… Well, maybe, if you’re a Smurf. hehe....
Smurf (3-apples high)
They won’t tire you after prolonged use, and won’t make your ears hot after awhile.
Now about the drivers… hang on… what you say? Drivers? What drivers? Well, excuse me, but we STAX headphones don’t have no “drivers”. Diaphragms they are. And really thin ones too, 1.35 micron thickness.
Those are my fingers you see there. The diaphragms are so thin, they’re see-through. This leads to a warning; I think it is NOT a good idea to poke around just because you’re curious.
About the cable, well, some people believe that the improvement of 404 over 303 is cable only, although some believe they sound better. As for me, even if it’s only cable (and the colour, I like the brown more), I think it’s well worth it.
This is the 404 cable.
Answering the question of creaks, I read that some people mentioned about creaks whilst moving their heads with the headphones on. I never found this problem at all, not even once. I think it’s only on the older (or maybe lower end) models. I tried to move around my head (even vigorously), but just couldn’t make it creak at all.
Now to some minor gripe. Once in awhile, the rough sponge-like material that covers the inner cups may touch the tip of my ears and it will feel kinda itchy. But once you adjust it a bit, the problem will disappear. Maybe if you have a set of long and pointy ears just like Legolas’ from Lord of The Rings, then you will have trouble wearing this headphone.
Legolas (A.K.A Mr. Oh-I’m-so-cute-but-can’t-wear-Stax-headphones)
The Sound
Now onto something that matters the most… I can’t cover all music genres here, but I’ll do some of the more popular ones, and you can make your decision based on those. I’m gonna pick one or several CDs from the genre and tell you my impressions.
POP
Michael Jackson – Number Ones 5138002000
Music: 8
Audio Quality: 8
Track #4: Billie Jean – The bass in the intro of the song feel like they appear out of nowhere and just hit your head without passing through your ears. I think this is one of the characteristics of STAX headphones; producing sound out of thin air.
After the bass intro, there comes the bass, cymbals, and the electric guitar; and right away at that moment you can hear all the beautiful airiness of the music. Michael’s voice sounds very detailed and clear, a truly pleasant experience. Considering I used to grow up listening to this song from stereo cassette or radio, and when I first listened to this CD using my system, I found so many things that I didn’t hear in the song before.
Although I found sibilance on the track Billie Jean, but I’m sure it’s not the system, since I couldn’t find this on the other songs.
Overall, this is a nicely recorded and clean-sounding CD, and STAX displays it accurately as that, a clean sounding CD. I think if your system is on the bright side, it will be too painful to listen to this album.
The Corrs – Unplugged 7567-8096-2
Music: 8
Audio Quality: 8
I’m a big fan of Andrea’s voice, I must confess. I think she is one of the most beautiful singers out there too... She’s so beautiful… Anyway, back on track, yeah, the good thing about this CD is, it’s quite well recorded, it doesn’t suck out neither Andrea’s voice nor the musical instruments, although I can find some tape hiss but it’s negligible considering the enjoyment I got from the CD. Plus Andrea is so hot.
Track #3: Radio – The acoustic guitar sounds sweet, STAX manages to retain the “sparkle” in the guitar as you can hear when you listen to a real life acoustic guitar. I’m not sure whether the “sparkle” is actually just a product of reverberation from the guitar or it’s different thing altogether. Usually in real life when you hear an acoustic guitar being strummed, you can hear the following “sparkle” after the sound that underlines the strum.
In the intro of “Radio”, if you want me to illustrate it, the guitar sparkle is like mini fireworks playing around my ears. Of course, this doesn’t sound as good as a real life guitar, but it’s very good. I don’t wanna exaggerate by saying STAX can sound like a guitar in real life. Everyone who plays acoustic guitars knows how “rich” and “sparkly” acoustic guitars sound, and it’s not easy (if it’s possible at all) to recreate that sound perfectly, not to mention the visceral impact of the sound…
Track #4 Toss the Feathers – A real joy to listen to, every instrument is clearly separated but not detached, they are presented as individual instruments that are combined together to create music. The guitar is there, the drum (bongo?), the flute, etc..
Although I believe headphones won’t be able to have the ability to “bring all the musicians into your room” like speakers do, in this instance, when there is a drum solo, it makes me feel like I’m one of the audience listening to the performance on the stage. Only that. I won’t go as far as saying I feel like I’m there watching the Corrs performing live, because it just doesn’t feel like that. But in terms of musical enjoyment, oh hell yeah. This CD sounds damn good with the STAX.
Kylie Minogue – Fever 5358042
Music: 7
Audio Quality: 5
Two words, too bright. To be honest, I haven’t listened to the whole album, but I went through half of it and wasn’t impressed at all (and my favourite tracks are on the 1st half anyway). Depending on which song, sometimes I feel like the lower end frequency is being “capped”, or the mid-range is too distant. But the highs are definitely too bright/harsh on many tracks.
It’s a pity really. My favourite track on the album is “Fever” and it’s just too bright to listen to, it’s painful. “Can’t Get You Outta My Head” is not that bright, but alas, I feel like the frequencies are not dynamic enough here, making it a bit boring and punch-less.
I don’t know whether they made the recordings brighter than usual in order to fit in the mass boom box market or something, I’m not sure. Or maybe they make it bright so that people perceive it as “clean sounding”? But bright and clean sounding is different thing altogether, although sometimes people make a mistake confusing the two.
It’s funny that you can find different type of weaknesses on different tracks, not just the CD in general, I think this really shows the nature of STAX as being honest to your source.
But maybe, on a dull, muffled system, this CD can be enjoyed, since I assume it will mask the brightness issue by the “Boom Boom” they produce ?
Fumiya Fujii – エンジェル PCCA-0054
Music: 7.5
Audio Quality: 8.5
I believe this is Fujii’s 1st album, from 1994. This is a nicely recorded album in general, but the reason why I picked this one is just for Track #9, “First Love”, probably the most well-known song by him; the guitar sounds heavenly in this song. STAX manages to submerge me into the song’s mood.
In this track you can easily tell it’s an acoustic guitar with steel string judging by the sound and afterward-vibration of the strings after they’re strummed. I don’t play guitar, but maybe veteran guitar players can even gain more information just from the detailed sound of the guitar in this track.
The STAX accurately portrays when the guitar hits hard or soft. Totally a moving experience, especially if you are familiar with this old song. Japanese head-fiers will appreciate what STAX can offer with this song.
JAZZ
Norah Jones – Come Away With Me 724358206722
Music – 7.5
Audio Quality – 5
Now I’m not sure if I got a dud copy or maybe it’s the fault found in that certain CD release (724358206722), but all I know is, this CD distorts, right from the first track “Don’t Know Why” when Norah started to sing the first few lines, I could hear a tiny distortion, some sort of a static, “bbzzttt…” sound accompanying her voice when she hits the high tone. As a matter of fact, on the intro of the song before her vocal, there are a few “pops” as well.
Let me break this down, I tried this from several sources:
1.PC – Audigy – MS2/A900: I couldn’t hear the distortion. As a matter of fact, this CD sounds quite listenable from here.
2.My 11 years old Fisher Discman – MS2: I just barely could hear it, by a thread.
With NAD as the source, the popping and buzzing sounds very clear with the STAX, it’s so annoying. Using MS2, the fault is still audible but not as obvious as STAX.
Even if you disregard the distortion, the CD is still unimpressive at all. The other thing that bothers me is, the musical instruments in this CD sound lifeless, the guitar intro on “Seven Years” sounds like it’s covered by a blanket, no sparkle or snap at all, and it distorts again. I think overall, the instruments are sort of overwhelmed by Norah’s voice. I know you might think: “This is Norah Jones’ CD, not some instrumental CD”, but I feel the proportion between the instruments and the vocal is just not right, plus the sound quality isn’t that convincing at all.
I think a good recording should show a synergy between vocal and instruments, merging together to make a beautiful piece of music, not “pushing each other” or overpowering one or the other.
Funny thing is, with lesser equipment, this CD is pretty enjoyable. I can enjoy this from my A900 + Audigy. So instead of giving you what you wanna hear, STAX gives you what you should hear. Very honest indeed.
Diana Krall – The Girl in The Other Room 0602498620465
Music – 8
Audio Quality – 9
Now this is what I call recording. Although not all the songs in the album are in the same superb quality, but overall, they are all very well recorded in general.
Track #1: Stop This World – Every single music instrument is very well produced. You can hear so much detail in the cymbals, but yet it doesn’t sound bright / metallic at all. It’s just pure detail, not bright. How good the detail is, you ask? I could hear the minute vibration of the cymbal after it’s hit; my mind actually automatically imagined the image of the vibrating cymbal.
The piano sounds like, well, piano. Everything is just so right; you’ll be immersed in the music. Love Me Like a Man is another track where the piano really shines. After a more mellow mood from the previous track, Love Me Like a Man will suddenly change you into a “swinging” mood.
So how does Diana sound? Very intimate; lush is the other word I would use to describe it. On some passage I could actually hear the lips movement when she was about to sing or stopped singing.
Overall, STAX successfully changed my “music mood” several times in this album, from mellow, to uptempo, then back to mellow again. I think this is probably one of the most important things that your audio should be able to give you; the ability to be immersed in the music. If this is not musical, I don’t know what is.
Slightly off-topic, but I found a single distortion on Black Crow, at 3:21 down the track, nothing serious, only like ½ second distortion on the vocal. Although this is also easily noticeable from my PC + crappy headphone setup.
CLASSIC
Yo Yo Ma – Soul of The Tango SRCR9154
Music: 8
Audio Quality: 8
Well, this is not really a classical recording, but what the heck. IMO, if you’re using a 2-million dollars (or something like that) Cello, at least get it perfectly recorded to show off how that expensive Cello sounds. Should’ve asked Telarc to produce this…
Okay, back to the topic. I will use the track #3, Allegro, as a reference. The pace changes a few times on this track, so what would you like me to talk about, transient? PRAT? To tell you the truth, I forgot about all those and was amazed by this beautiful piece of music. I could only hear… beautiful music. Everything else disappeared.
Yeah, I can hear you complaining, “What the? Tell me about the tonal accuracy, the decay, the midrange, blah blah…” But seriously, listening to this track, I forgot all that, it’s just… beautiful music.
The catch is, would I be able to feel like this if it didn’t sound good enough? The answer is, NO; I would think “it needs this, there is a flaw here…etc..”. I think only if it sounds THAT good, you will start forgetting about everything else.
I can only put one word for the combination of STAX and that track #3, it is DRAMATIC. The combination of Yo Yo Ma’s Cello and that “guy’s” guitar is like… Yin and Yang… Well, not really Yin Yang since they are not opposite… maybe Bonnie & Clyde, or Batman & Robin, or Karl Malone & John Stockton…you know what I mean.
It’s perfectly complimenting each other. Now, your rig should be able to separate it well enough so that it won’t sound jumbled, but also not too distant its detached, it should sound like a killer duo (especially around the later section of the track).
Anyway, there is a “holy crap” guitar play there… Worth checking out.
Erich Kunzel & Cincinnati Pops Orchestra – Round-Up CD-80141
Music: 8
Audio Quality: 9
I know I know, this is not a classical music, but it’s performed by an orchestra, with instruments you can find at classical music, so it’s the same.
Actually I bought this CD because it’s from TELARC, and it has this label:
On the booklet it says: “Telarc Digital Compact Discs, especially those containing substantially wide dynamic range, will present an extraordinary challenge to all stereo systems. Certain components – even the finest – may have problems with the most demanding passages. Damage could result to speakers or other components if the musical program is played back at excessively high levels.”
“Sounds like fun”, I thought. So I bought it.
My impressions: Well, although my system might not be able to do “layering” as good as top-of-the-line electrostat system, but the layering is very evident here. Instruments that are placed at the back sounded like they’re coming from the back, you can easily tell which sound is coming from the front and which ones are from the back, or from which side; although it’s not as accurate as a high-end speaker system of course.
And for you people wondering whether electrostat sounds thin, well, they’re not. Providing you have matching source and a good recording. Listening to this CD, the orchestra doesn’t sound wimpy at all. It is big, spacious, and bold. It offers the grandness of the orchestra.
If you are into cow’s “Moo… Moo..” sound, this CD has it. The first track is the sound effect of cows and some cowboy riding a horse herding the cows (I think). The moo sounded so real, as if the cow was just next to my face. When I listened to this CD for the 1st time, and when I heard the loud “MOOooOOOO…” I was shocked and actually pulled my head back away… But I was wearing headphones…so…duh….
And no, my systems are not damaged after playing this CD.
ROCK/METAL
Now on this genre, I think my preference is torn between a dynamic setup and an electrostat one. For something fast/hard (or “adrenaline-pumping”), I think dynamic setup, especially Grado just has the “something” in it that the electrostats might be slightly too polite for.
For example, songs like Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My way or Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out is more enjoyable with my MS2, it must be the forwardness, because technically-speaking, the STAX is better, but a bit too polite. I’m not saying that they sound like crap with STAX headphones, but for those kind of songs, if you gave me the option of Grado or STAX (in the same class), I’d go for Grado.
However, on more laid back type of rock, such as Dire Straits, STAX is much more enjoyable IMO.
So which kind of rock album is the STAX has more advantage over Grado? These two CDs came to mind:
Dire Straits – Sultans of Swing 558658-2
Music: 8
Audio Quality: Varies too much between tracks, some are very good, some are not.
Track #9: Money For Nothing – My MS2 won. For the first 50 seconds that is. After that, STAX just kicked MS2’s butt all through the song.
The forwardness of MS2 was fully utilized in this track, the intro of drum solo felt punchy, and the solo guitar was also very fun-sounding… Then came 0:51 down the track. It’s the combination of guitar + drum. How hard it is to produce the sound of guitar and drum at once, right? Wrong.
Before I heard STAX, I would agree, but after that, the STAX can beautifully produce these two instruments hand in hand, without overlapping each other. I don’t know how to explain this, but it just sound so effortless with STAX.
A very simple combination of two music instruments; but you just needs to hear it in order to appreciate the difference. Then later after the vocals and everything else kicks in, it’s just one simply audio bliss.
Pink Floyd – Dark Side of The Moon
Music: 8 (I know it’s 10 for some , maybe I need to listen more to appreciate it)
Audio Quality: 8
I categorise this as a more laid back rock, and as I mentioned before, slower rock sounds better on STAX. Plus, all the sound effect on this album is convincingly produced, with spacious sound. The problem with Grado/MS2 is, sometimes they make you feel like they’re trying to “squeeze-in” many things into a small room. Listening to STAX makes you feel like you just moved into a spacious apartment where you can put all your stuff nicely without feeling cramped.
DANCE/CLUB/TECHNO
Now I will go against 90% of HeadFiers who prefers dynamic over STAX systems for techno/dance music.
The CDs that I used for reference are: (couldn’t find the screenshot from the net)
P*rn Kings – Amour CD Single AVTCDS-056
Track #3: Amour (P*rn Kings Full On 12” mix)
Now in that track, the bass goes real deep. With my crappy Sony headphones, I the bass sounded shallow and ordinary. On MS2, it’s very deep, but it’s even deeper with STAX.
It’s weird, I actually felt that MS2 sounded thin compared to STAX when it comes to this genre. I think it’s mostly due to the lower end frequency coverage, among other things. The MS2 also sounds a bit harsh compared to STAX.
Hocus Pocus – Here’s Johnny! CD Single CSRCDS0052
Track #2: Here’s Johnny (Bam Bam Bam)
The STAX just beat MS2 in every aspect; speed, details, clarity, bass, it’s not funny. This CD sounds great with MS2 and very involving, but STAX is just, better.
If you associate these following factors with the enjoyment of this genre:
-Speed / transient
-Spaciousness (for sound effect)
-Clarity: clear, airy highs
-Bass that goes real deep
All I can say is, STAX will give you all that. A good one.
Earlier, I mentioned that on Michael Jackson recording, the bass is as if it’s created within your head without passing your ears, this is even more apparent in this genre… well, duh !
But I hear you saying: “visceral impact…”
Visceral impact? Well, if you ask me, headphones visceral impact is way overrated. That is something I completely never missed even once using STAX.
I mean, it’s only the tiny little impact you can feel around your ears, what’s so great about it?
I’d choose a more accurate, wider frequency, and more detailed presentation over visceral impact on any given day.
Unless it can give me speaker-like visceral impact, I wouldn’t bother about headphone visceral impact. Even speaker visceral impact is different to real life visceral impact; where a single strum of guitar strings in real life will give visceral impact (sound vibration) that you can feel around your body.
RAP
Now, Rap has evolved (maybe not evolved, but changed) so much since the good old days; today’s most current rap artists remind me of BOSE headphones. All flashy, bling bling, and marketing without much substance (although I still like Missy Elliott)
I don’t own many rap albums, but I thought I’d just mention one of the few I have:
Warren G – I Shot The Sheriff CD Single 574097-2
Music: 8
Audio Quality: 7.5
Track #4: Regulate – This is kinda laid-back style of rap, sounds better with STAX, although it doesn’t sound that terribly bad either with MS2. But the vocals sound slightly cleaner with STAX. Some people rap is better with darker-sounding headphones, I don’t know why, but for me, I just want to hear the real thing, not darker or brighter, and the STAX will give me that, honest recording.
My View on Different Quality of Recordings…
All I can say is, don’t go buying high end headphones thinking that your crappy recordings will sound good with that. Good headphones won’t do magic. Therefore some of my dull recordings still sound dull, and the bright ones still sound painfully bright. But one thing you have to remember, they are not some sort of flaw-seeking monster, looking for minor flaw and exaggerating it. Therefore you don’t really have to worry that you won’t be able to listen to half of your CDs because the STAX will reveal them.
They are just honest, not masking or exaggerating. One interesting thing I found is, not only you can sometime find different audio quality of songs in an album, but you can even find a different quality in a single song.
I have a few tracks that I can detect the “cut and paste” feeling. The engineers must have recorded different passage in the song using different equipment, and then just combined them when creating the song as a whole; it’s apparent that sometimes I can hear a slight hiss on the track, and it will reoccur on the same passage at the different part of that song. Although the rest of the song, it’s dead quiet.
However, on a good recording, (when I mean good, something like TELARC’s Land of Giants, track: The Search come to mind), the STAX just sound simply magical.
According to my observation, CDs in general are in “okay/average” quality, and a small proportion of that are truly awful-sounding, and another small proportion are excellent-sounding.
So if really, the STAX renders most of your recordings unlistenable, I think that’s probably because of the rest of your system.
System Synergy
The discussion above leads me to this; I think there is no point having expensive components that do not match/compliment each other, better to have an average system that is synergistic. Not-so-expensive, carefully matched components can give you a very good audio quality already, providing they compliment each other.
I think this combo will match very well with slightly warmish (not overly warm) source with bass punch, backed with cables that further balance the sound overall. Although preference may vary, so maybe some people prefer it with source with different characteristics.
I don’t have a killer source, or cables that cost me 3 months salary, but I’m very happy with my current rig at the moment, they are probably not the most accurate, or offer the best soundstage, but they sure are damn musical.
Conclusion
The STAX combo is really good, but it’s not something that can make you feel like the artist/performance is right there in your room. For that kind of soundstaging, I’m afraid you’ll need a killer speaker setup. There is just no comparison in that regards.
I mentioned this in the past, I went to my local hifi shop and the friendly shopkeeper showed me their “demo room” equipped with some fancy, high-end turntable with monoblock setups (and I don’t even know the rest of the setup).
Right there, when I casually sat down on the couch and the moment that thing was on, I thought there was a live band performing right in front of me. I dare not listen to it so long, afraid of it would elevate my standard of how music suppose to sound like, which I am sure I won’t be able to afford.
Apart from soundstage-wise, what the STAX combo can offer you is, intimacy, and just a pure, blissful audio experience; providing you can keep an open mind that you won’t be able to bring London Philharmonic Orchestra into your room.
I have already given up that kind of notion, trying to pinpoint this and that, and in result, I can just enjoy music as what it is, a musical experience. And if you want me to say what I like the most from STAX that my dynamic can’t offer, that is, the ability to get into the soul and mood of the music.
DJ_Mocok (Albert)
Well thought out and written review with some beautifull eye candy shots (Stax don't do themselves any favours with the pictures on the site...), I only hope i can put something together of the same quality one day 
