STAX - the Lambda Pro System photo walkthrough! - BIG PICS WARNING! - Page 3

Oh yeah! Thanks for all the votes of confidence Dan, I was really worried until the rig was all set up and I heard it for myself! I took a chance on a new approach but I'm glad I did - it's a great alternative to dynamics, and both should have a long and happy life in my home!

last post tonite -the first time i've had the chance to listen to both the dynamic and electrostatic rig in complete silence - my place is usually abuzz with a million things going on.

Both the HP2 and the Stax have very precise imaging, and place everything where it should be, and about the same place on my head. the further flung notes are further flung with the HP2 believe it or not, just as JPelg said.

But the Stax may SEEM more precise because it's still the quickest draw this side of the West Side Highway. notes decay quicker than with the HP2, especially in the midbass. It almost makes the HP2 seem like it has a midbass hump like the john grados do - until i stick a SR60 in the mix and go "oh, that's a midbass hump. the HP2 doesn't have it - it's neutral."

But you know the HP2 is slower, but not smeary or syrupy or diffuse or less accurate - it just has a slower rate of decay on notes. An interesting effect is that the Stax, which has deeper bass than the HP2, ends up sounding like it has less bass due to the HP2 keeping the bass around longer. In fact I think both cans have good impact, but the HP2 being a bit slower makes for a more thunderous shot from the artillery, versus the "oops i shot my load" quickness of the Stax.

On highs, no contest, the Stax takes the HP2 to town. And I like the mids on both for different reasons (completely different signatures, but equally awesome - the Grados are lush and intimate, and the Stax seem like they are voices possessing my head). After an hour or two, I've come to the conclusion that both these cans really don't let me down in any appreciable area - just some days you want that dynamic sound, others the electrostatic - and I'm happy listening to both!

The pics might look cool to all of us, but my wife actually said this morning - "What is that? It's so ugly! You look ridiculous!" This, from the woman who saw me wear Darth Grados every night...go figure!

she might have a point hehe they are ugly! but she doesn't even want to listen to them bah. my father in law just did, and unfortunately that just cost me 60 bucks - he liked it so much that i'm going to buy him some maria callas CDs - tosca, and madam butterfly. of course he'll be listening to the tunes in his car with a crappy stereo, but i didn't want to tell him that it wouldn't sound as good...

In the words of George Bush, Sr. - "Ain't gonna do it. Wouldn't be Prudent."

I bet you "Choppin' Broccoli" would sound transcendent on the Stax!

and if i had the ED-1 diffuser too, i'd hear the chopping sound bouncing off the walls and back to my ears! nothin' like a good choppin' to complete an audiophile evening!