Which are considered the best headphones for Classical music around here lately? - Page 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by pp312 

Can someone explain the Stax heirarchy to me? If the electrostatic system is so inherently superior, in how many ways and at how many price points can it be marketed? I just can't follow all these Stax models, why some are twice the price of others, why some are drooled over and others apparently shunned. Aren't they all electrostatics?   

 

I owned a Stax Sigma and a Lambda back in the 70s. These models had a clear differentiation of presentation, with very different housings. There was also the Lambda Pro, which apparently had a thinner diaphram and was more expensive, though I was never sure why. Since then a plethora of models has sprouted, and I must say I'm quite surprised at the number of people who are intimately familiar with all the models and which ones measure up and which don't. I'm just totally confused.     

Even I'm not sure of the Lambda hierarchy myself. There are some people (notably spritzer) who prefer the original SR-Lambda normal bias to the Lambda Pro and many of the later models, others whose favorite happens to be the Lambda Nova Signature (also discontinued), and still others who may not have a particular favorite, but regard even the lowly SR-202 to deliver sound that outclasses dynamic flagships. (Ortho flagships are a slightly different matter.) Especially when you factor in quotes like these:

"Dinna matter where you start with Stax, you're starting near the top of earphones. Welcome to the wonderful world of clear sound."

"I've been a fan of stax headphones for years. They are the one brand where you don't have to get a flagship to hear high end sound. Heck I would even take an old 202 over a pair of ed8, d7000, and even hd800."

There seems to be some difference in the materials used; the SR-202 only has a felt/cloth headband like the vintage Lambda and Lambda Pro, while the SR-303 on up adds some sort of pleather layer on top to help the headband retain its shape. The SR-507 is also touted as using genuine leather earpads instead of pleather like the vast majority of Lambdas (and I might just pick up a pair to replace my worn-out Lambda earpads). The SR-404 lacks the genuine leather pads and a slightly-revised "fork"/"cup holder"/headband with notched adjustments for the headband on each side that the SR-507 has, but apparently has the same exact drivers. Maybe the earpads are what provide the difference in the sound? Who knows...

But we should also note that Stax likes to sell their headphones as systems, given that they do need specialized amplifiers and all. That could affect the sound somewhat. But in spite of that, Inner Fidelity measured some differences between the current Lambda models, all running from a Blue Hawaii SE...not sure if that's strictly down to the change in materials.

Whatever the case may be, I'll just keep enjoying my vintage Lambda, even with its significant alterations like the thicker diaphragm (2.5 microns vs. 2.0 microns originally; I don't know why whoever rebuilt these went for a thicker one, instead of the same or possibly even thinner) and the lack of the original mineral wool. That atmospheric, transparent sound is too delightful. (But if these fail for any reason, my wallet is gonna hurt really hard as I attempt to get my hands on an SR-202 and a driver unit with Pro bias...)

As I have said before, the RS1i works great for my small ensemble classical recordings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoTrack 

As I have said before, the RS1i works great for my small ensemble classical recordings.

Absolutely agree. infact with a good feed they can also handle larger orchestral peices, thick string textures really come out well. But I'd have to go for the HD650's for larger classical peices, the large soundstage and laid back approach works with opera, symphonies etc 

Ideally have both... I have   

HD650 headphones are a little out of my personal budget, are there any cheaper you folks would recommend? New here and learning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigcanman 

HD650 headphones are a little out of my personal budget, are there any cheaper you folks would recommend? New here and learning.

Audio Technica AD700 ~ great starter can for the money and it runs off a soundcard.

AD700, Sennheiser 598, Shure 840

Or look for pre-loved/used Sennheiser 600/650 or AKG 701

I've had my DT-880 600s for a month and are finding them satisfying yet relatively affordable (especially when compared to some of the other phones mentioned in this thread) transducers for classical music.  I was just marvelling last night how last now at how good Marilyn Horne's Great American Songbook disc sounded, both in the intimate, piano accompanied pieces, and in the blockbuster, voice, chorus & orchestra numbers.  The concluding Battle Hymn of the Republic received two encores!

Duplicate post!

Quote:

Originally Posted by duetta 

I've had my DT-880 600s for a month and are finding them satisfying yet relatively affordable (especially when compared to some of the other phones mentioned in this thread) transducers for classical music.  I was just marvelling last night how last now at how good Marilyn Horne's Great American Songbook disc sounded, both in the intimate, piano accompanied pieces, and in the blockbuster voice, chorus & orchestra numbers.  The concluding Battle Hymn of the Republic received two encores!

Don't know the Beyers.  Sound interesting for classical.  Last night I listened to Act 1 of Roberto Devereux (Donizetti) with Sills from 1969 on CD.  Sounded real good on my Grado PS500's.  I'd like to try the 880's sometime.  Thanks for the post.