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The Stax thread - Page 163  

post #2431 of 2675
2/10/07 at 3:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Azure View Post
Bah, I hate how open the SR-404s are. Are there any good headphones (affordable headphones, so no 4070s) that are less-open and can replace the SR-404s?
Argh Azure, don't sell your 404s again! You'll just be pining for them in a couple of months

Patrick

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Koss ESP-950 Electrostatic Stereophone
$632.45 at
See it »
post #2432 of 2675
2/10/07 at 4:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl View Post
The ESP950s and 003s leak less than the 404, but I suspect it'll still be too much for your requirements. Older electrostats like the ET1000 and ESP9 probably won't sound good enough for you.

You can see why I opted for the 4070s. There isn't that much selection when it comes to closed 'stats.



I found the leakage to be around the same as the ESP950s; much less than a 404, but still quite audible if the volume is turned up.
There was a closed ESP950:




Quote:
Originally Posted by Azure View Post
I need to seriously get out of this Head-Fi thing. I'm spending way too much time on here every day, and I'm constantly pulling my hair out over here deciding what gear to get next (Tube amp? Zapfilter? SR-X MK3? SACD modded SCD-555ES? Eastsound CD-E5? Dynamic rig? CD3000s? Darkvoice? K1000? etc.). I'm freaking 17 years old and I'm thinking about saving up for $1500 headphones and amps (HE60, O2, McAlisters, KGSS, etc.). Plus, it's getting in the way of my school work as I'm always on here, even when I have huge tests/homework assignments due the next day (I'm on here for several hours when I have SATs/ACTs, finals, AP exams, etc. the next day). As a result I'm usually up until ~1-2 a.m. doing school work because I spent the rest of the day on here. I'm killing myself. This whole thing is just ridiculous; a high school student shouldn't go this deep into this hobby (A simple <$300 rig, okay, but saving up for multi-thousand dollar rigs is getting out of hand for someone of my age). I'm obsessed with Head-Fi and feel I need to go cold turkey.
It sounds like you really like the SR-404. If so stop looking for something better. I found my personal best so now I just pick up the occasional good deal that I know I won't have problems selling. Stop looking for something better and enjoy the music.

I can understand why most of Headfi keeps looking, it's because they're not happy with one aspect or another. But when you've found something that you're really happy with you should just stick with it.
post #2433 of 2675
2/10/07 at 4:31pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Pak View Post
There was a closed ESP950:
Not as a production model.
post #2434 of 2675
2/10/07 at 4:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl View Post
Not as a production model.
Really? Do you know the story behind it? I believe the same seller listed three on ebay around the time I got my Stax setup.
post #2435 of 2675
2/10/07 at 4:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Pak View Post
Really? Do you know the story behind it? I believe the same seller listed three on ebay around the time I got my Stax setup.
Probably hatcheted together by some Koss worker. The A/130, A/250, and ESP950 are all built on a similar platform.

To my ears, the ESP950 is already a bit too heavily damped as is, so I can't see a closed back helping the sound any.
post #2436 of 2675
2/10/07 at 4:59pm
Well, I turn my back for 5 minutes and awake to chaose and dismay!! Azure, I hope you find what you're looking for in sound and peace of mind. All-engrossing passtimes can be very destructive.
post #2437 of 2675
2/10/07 at 5:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl View Post
Probably hatcheted together by some Koss worker. The A/130, A/250, and ESP950 are all built on a similar platform.

To my ears, the ESP950 is already a bit too heavily damped as is, so I can't see a closed back helping the sound any.
My heart sunk a little when you said it was a one off, glad to hear I'm not missing much

I would love to see a few closed back stats (that weren't earbuds) in the under $400 range and are currently in production.
post #2438 of 2675
2/10/07 at 5:21pm
I think I've reached my personal pinnacle in headphones with the SR-X/3 and K1000 (and ksc-75) so everything else is just mild interest in how they sound. I don't think I'm gonna be buying any more cans except maybe backups due to the age of them

Amps on the other hand.... I feel a Sig 30 or Aleph 3 in my future heheh

Gah! I can't believe I'm still doing this... 30 years ago when I was 17 it was Isodynamic phones and a Rotel receiver. I haven't really come all that far
post #2439 of 2675
2/10/07 at 5:24pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Pak View Post
I would love to see a few closed back stats (that weren't earbuds) in the under $400 range and are currently in production.
I agree. Sadly, it's hard to design a good closed electrostatic due to the nature of its backwave.
post #2440 of 2675
2/10/07 at 6:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl View Post
I agree. Sadly, it's hard to design a good closed electrostatic due to the nature of its backwave.
Thats true but most, if not all, of the older stats had a partially closed of backwave, some more then others. The old Suprex PEP74 has just small ports on the cup and it was filled with foam.
post #2441 of 2675
2/10/07 at 7:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl View Post
I agree. Sadly, it's hard to design a good closed electrostatic due to the nature of its backwave.
I'd suspected as much. I'm keen on something closed myself although tempted to just pick up some drivers/cables and build my own. The SR-X Mk3 seems to leak sound much less than my open headphones but at reasonable volumes there's still enough leakage that I wouldn't consider it useable at work or outdoors. This makes me wonder exactly how much isolation I can realistically expect from a closed electrostatic. How do you find the leakage on 4070?

Azure, there's not really much to say that hasn't already been said but I know if it was me I'd go nuts without something around capable of producting quality sound. I'd keep the 404/313 and go cold turkey on Head-fi personally. You can only do whatever works for you though.
post #2442 of 2675
2/10/07 at 7:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Pak View Post
There was a closed ESP950:
I was in drool mode for a second!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl View Post
Not as a production model.
^Then Carl pulled me back down to reality. ^

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl View Post
Probably hatcheted together by some Koss worker. The A/130, A/250, and ESP950 are all built on a similar platform.

To my ears, the ESP950 is already a bit too heavily damped as is, so I can't see a closed back helping the sound any.
So the tally remains at : 1 for closed electrostats; darn.
post #2443 of 2675
2/10/07 at 7:45pm
I am going to turn my tatty old gammas into closed cans. I just need to find a good broken set of Sony or AT closed cans to mod. It might even be worth getting a set of ATH-A700s to rip apart just for that purpose.

The SR-X is gonna get woodied once I get around to it and I want to black powder or anodize the K1000 cages so they actually look cool.
post #2444 of 2675
2/10/07 at 8:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thrice View Post
Anyone else have experience with the ED-1? What do you think?

Cheers,
thrice

I'm actually looking for one right now. If I find one, we can compare notes. Or, if you plan to sell yours please let me know!
post #2445 of 2675
2/11/07 at 1:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ferrstein View Post
I'm actually looking for one right now. If I find one, we can compare notes. Or, if you plan to sell yours please let me know!
I'll keep you in mind

It's an interesting unit. I've been using it with the Lambda Pros and the Lambda Signatures and it makes an interesting difference. I haven't had a lot of time with it to really nail down a full "review" but it does add deapth to the headstage...overall I feel like the image is more 3-dimensional than without it.

There are some trade-offs: bass is a little compressed and there's some roll-off in the highs (I think).

So far I feel like it has a larger effect on the Pros as opposed to the Sigs, but that could be due to the Sigs being new to me and nothing more.
Overall I'm enjoying it though.
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Koss ESP-950 Electrostatic Stereophone
$632.45 at
See it »
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