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Best Stax Headphone Other Than O2 (and cheaper)

post #1 of 20
11/17/09 at 2:15pm
Thread Starter 
is there any consensus about which stax headphone is the best one other than the O2 or even the 4070.

i'm going to have an RSA A10 on loan from Ray and want to use something with it other than my HE60 and don't want to spend O2 cash.

maybe i can get a stat headphone on loan from someone, but in case that doesn't pan out, i figured i would look into buying something, not only to use with the A10 but to keep and use with my KGSS.

thanks
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post #2 of 20
11/17/09 at 2:21pm
The 404 Limited Edition I heared sounded pretty good for the price. Nice midrange and impact, I think they benefit well from a warm (tube) amp. I got a new 404-LE from Japan coming this way for 700$ including shipping (Ebay) to use with my Woo Audio GES.
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post #3 of 20
11/17/09 at 2:24pm
Would the SR-Ω be the logical follower? :P
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post #4 of 20
11/17/09 at 3:32pm
Besides the O2 and 4070 I would highly assume that to be the SR-Omega.
I have never (sadly) heard it myself, but from reading what is written around here it seems to be highly appreciated sound wise. Next after that one would most probably be the SR-Lambda Signature or the SR-404LE.

Consensus or not...
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post #5 of 20
11/17/09 at 4:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aRRR View Post
The 404 Limited Edition I heared sounded pretty good for the price. Nice midrange and impact, I think they benefit well from a warm (tube) amp. I got a new 404-LE from Japan coming this way for 700$ including shipping (Ebay) to use with my Woo Audio GES.
Congrats! Heared the same set (naturally, same meet!) & I bought them via Bluetin - will have to wait for a while before they ship I think. Next meet we will be able to compare the SRM600 and your Woo GES as wel then
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post #6 of 20
11/17/09 at 4:53pm
Sigma or Sigma Pro
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post #7 of 20
11/17/09 at 5:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tohenk2 View Post
Congrats! Heared the same set (naturally, same meet!) & I bought them via Bluetin - will have to wait for a while before they ship I think. Next meet we will be able to compare the SRM600 and your Woo GES as wel then
Congrats to you aswell. I actually had to because I just sent back the Jade for a refund, cant leave my GES sitting there doing nothing
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post #8 of 20
11/17/09 at 5:31pm
I find the Sigma/404 often sounds better than the 007A with some kinds of music such as opera and choral. However you need to have this modded into existence and by the time you buy and old Sigma and pay for 404 parts you may be $700-$1,000.00.

Otherwise I would go for a straight 404, for $400-500, but remove the back foam. That gets rid of the mid-range nastiness that these and some other Lambdas are known for. The sound field also opens up nicely.
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post #9 of 20
11/17/09 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
what about the 404LE?

is that really better than the standard 404.
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post #10 of 20
11/17/09 at 9:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aRRR View Post
The 404 Limited Edition I heared sounded pretty good for the price. Nice midrange and impact, I think they benefit well from a warm (tube) amp. I got a new 404-LE from Japan coming this way for 700$ including shipping (Ebay) to use with my Woo Audio GES.
I second this recommendation!

The 404LE is great in all regards and also a alternative to the O2 as it is very different. I am listening to my O2's and 404LE's equally.
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post #11 of 20
11/17/09 at 9:48pm
I think the Sigma Pros are more to my liking than the 404's although they are also very good. Agree with Ed that vocals sound heavenly with the SP's, with not the slightest hint of sibilance. Yes they are a little rolled off t the ends but the sound is not fatiguing and very enjoyable.
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post #12 of 20
11/17/09 at 11:09pm
Gilency, you have described the Sigmas strengths and weaknesses perfectly. The Sigma/404 is even better, apparently (I haven't heard the Sigma Pro).
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post #13 of 20
11/17/09 at 11:24pm
Count one more vote for the sigma pro (which I would be willing to lend to you, Dave).

Gilency and John have described it perfectly. A very smooth ride, indeed. Mine have the proper original drivers, not the 404 drivers.
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post #14 of 20
11/18/09 at 9:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gilency View Post
I think the Sigma Pros are more to my liking than the 404's although they are also very good. Agree with Ed that vocals sound heavenly with the SP's, with not the slightest hint of sibilance. Yes they are a little rolled off t the ends but the sound is not fatiguing and very enjoyable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Buchanan View Post
Gilency, you have described the Sigmas strengths and weaknesses perfectly. The Sigma/404 is even better, apparently (I haven't heard the Sigma Pro).
Quote:
Originally Posted by El_Doug View Post
Count one more vote for the sigma pro (which I would be willing to lend to you, Dave).

Gilency and John have described it perfectly. A very smooth ride, indeed. Mine have the proper original drivers, not the 404 drivers.
The Sigma/404 and Sigma pro have a lot in common. The main differences are that 404 version has a more extended top end, but still not sibilant or harsh, a bit more bass and somewhat more detail. Rather like the difference between a 404 and older Lambda.

I had both hooked up at the last LA Canjam and I recall one listener who described the Sigma/404 as "more refined."

As regards the regular 404, I can't stress enough enough how much more I prefer the sound of this phone and the older Lambda Signature without the back foam. This gets rid of most of the mid-range hump and a dirtiness and harshness to the sound.
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post #15 of 20
11/20/09 at 9:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by vcoheda View Post
what about the 404LE?

is that really better than the standard 404.
In my opinion the 404LE is better than the standard 404, but the difference is not as huge as some may claim. The LE seems to have less of the upper mid-range glare that bothers some people more than others, likely a result of the new leather earpads or maybe some other undocumented changes. Both 404 models are more forward than the O2 which seems laid back in comparison.

I sold the standard 404 and kept the LE, but had I not had so many phones, I could have happily lived with the standard 404 as well.
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