Stax SR-X MK3: Unlocking the bass
Feb 10, 2008 at 5:00 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 29
003

003

Headphoneus Supremus
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Many people accuse the SR-X MK3 of being very weak in the area of bass. This is true (to an extent). But, I have solved the problem, at least for me. How did I solve it? Extremely high quality EQ. PLParEQ to be specific. Check it out:
Refined Audiometrics Laboratory

You can try it for 30 days free. Make sure you set quality to 7, and that you lower the gain when EQing so that the clipping LEDs are not tripped. It sounds phenomenal. I can't tell that EQ has been used, other than the boost in bass. There is no quality degradation at all.

Now this does not give the SR-X MK3 DT770 bass, but it is bass none the less. I recommend you try this, on other headphones as well!
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 5:10 PM Post #3 of 29
Well good EQ is nice, but it changes a rather analytical representation these give to music. How do you like them so far, and how do you like that Fitz made amp?
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 5:12 PM Post #4 of 29
Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif
A simpler way is to buy a SR-Lambda or find the very rare SR-X Mk3 Pro. EQ is always good though if it is transparent.


Is SR-X Mk3 Pro really that much better? I somehow doubt it can get rid of major issues these have, that is a tiny soundstage and very analytical and cold sound.
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 5:31 PM Post #5 of 29
Quote:

Originally Posted by Faust2D /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Is SR-X Mk3 Pro really that much better? I somehow doubt it can get rid of major issues these have, that is a tiny soundstage and very analytical and cold sound.


It has better bass and a larger soundstage but the latter one could be due to the better glue I use then what Stax used at the time. I've never compared it though. It isn't huge by any means but placement is excelent. They are still analytical but I don't really mind it.
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 5:43 PM Post #6 of 29
Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif
It has better bass and a larger soundstage but the latter one could be due to the better glue I use then what Stax used at the time. I've never compared it though. It isn't huge by any means but placement is excelent. They are still analytical but I don't really mind it.


Sounds like Stax improved exactly where improvements were needed, but that is quite unimportant to me since I will never find one and even if I do it will go for a lot of money, the money I rather spend on something else, like Lambda signature for example.
biggrin.gif
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 5:53 PM Post #7 of 29
Quote:

Originally Posted by Faust2D /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Sounds like Stax improved exactly where improvements were needed, but that is quite unimportant to me since I will never find one and even if I do it will go for a lot of money, the money I rather spend on something else, like Lambda signature for example.
biggrin.gif



There is some improvement but it is definitely a collectors only phone as you can get better for less. Even making them out of a SR-X Mk3 and a Gamma Pro is expensive. Still they are worth it to me and have found permanent residence in my computer rig.
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 6:26 PM Post #8 of 29
003., thanks for the reminder.
I will try to apply some equalization the next time I listen to the SR-X/MK3. Cause for all I know I might actually like the result.
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 7:05 PM Post #10 of 29
Quote:

Originally Posted by Anders /img/forum/go_quote.gif
What does it cost, are there other options than the $1000 lifetime license?


Unfortunately I don't think so. It is for mastering engineers who can afford stuff like this. There is a 3-band version for $150:
Refined Audiometrics Laboratory

But the quality is limited to setting 5 (I can't hear a difference between setting 7 and 5) and a few of the filters are taken out. The ones useful for simple playback EQ are still there, though.

Then there is "X" version of PLParEQ for the 10 band and 3 band version, and they are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper, but the description says they have slightly reduced quality.
 
Feb 10, 2008 at 7:22 PM Post #11 of 29
Thanks, the cheap version should be enough for the non-critical task I use my computer for presently, mostly listening to mp3 samples to get an impression of recording and artist style. But I might go further with computer based sources soon and then high-quality EQ is interesting.
 
Jul 6, 2008 at 8:33 AM Post #12 of 29
Has anyone tried adding bass eq using their Amp/Receiver ? Or will this mess up the SQ?
 
Jul 6, 2008 at 8:45 AM Post #13 of 29
The SR-X Mk3 can have more bass naturally by using an adapter plate and O2 pads.

The Pro driver has loads of bass down to below 20Hz, so no problems on that front. It's what the Smegma pro uses and they put out as much as the Lambda does and goes as low as the Lambda does but of better quality.

I wouldn't put these in the overly analytical camp either, they're warm and full sounding with a much smoother midrange and don't suffer that shrieking upper middle of the Lambdas.
 
Jul 6, 2008 at 9:46 AM Post #14 of 29
Quote:

Originally Posted by smeggy /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The SR-X Mk3 can have more bass naturally by using an adapter plate and O2 pads.

The Pro driver has loads of bass down to below 20Hz, so no problems on that front. It's what the Smegma pro uses and they put out as much as the Lambda does and goes as low as the Lambda does but of better quality.

I wouldn't put these in the overly analytical camp either, they're warm and full sounding with a much smoother midrange and don't suffer that shrieking upper middle of the Lambdas.


Ditto. I've never been much of a fan of the normal bias driver found in the SR-X but the Pro version is simply much better. My SR-X Pro has become my go to headphone for everything as they are easy to drive and warm enough for me not to miss having a tube amp.
 
Jul 6, 2008 at 10:06 AM Post #15 of 29
Sorry I didnt say so, but I'm talking about the normal one here, just bought it from KrMathis, and shold arrive this week.
 
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