The never ending 007 and 009 discussion
All been said before, old news etc etc. BUT this week I am in my 'other' home and using my other system:
Mac Mini with uptone audio mod inc LPS > ethernet > Rednet3 with LPS Ethernet > SPDIF > AMR DP-777 tubed NOS DAC > KGSShv Carbon > 007A's 2015.
This is a change for me, as I normally major on the 009s and my Audio Note DAC 5. Taking the DAC out of the equation (I have allowed for the change)
I am thinking about the 007. It is not as fast, clear, wide, or even go as deep as the 009. It is more back of the concert feel, laid back maybe. But having said all that, it does have a character, or dare I say it, it is 'coloured'. This is my view, and will wind up other 007 fans no doubt. But before we get all crazy. I am saying Stax has pulled off something quite special with this 007 version. The coloured sound, or it's character is very attractive to be honest. I know it is there, but I am enjoying it regardless. What speaker isn't coloured? The 007 has a kind of unique warm glow, a glue like flow to the notes and calming delivery. It is odd, and hard to get my finger on it. Everything is calm , nothing to be alarmed about., safe and secure.
A note on volumes, the 007 does need to be played on the side of loud to wake it up, the glue aspect I was referring to earlier. But once you get it going, it is really damb good. At lower levels the weaknesses v the 009 are more apparent. The speed and 3D aspect is obviously lower v the 009, as is the soundstage width and depth. But once my memory of the 009 fades a bit, it is entirely enjoyable in it's 'smaller head stage world'. Details are set back and have less edges, not digital edge, but the start and stopping of the notes type of edges, so clarity and decay are reduced. This is the price for the 007s forgiving nature and it's cosy leather chair character. It is acceptable in my system with a bit of EQuick EQ in A+ to compensate. With the EQ set to +3dB HF shelf from around 3K up to 20K it pretty much sorts out most the lazy treble aspect.
And here I am, enjoying the 007A immensely for 6 hours straight on lots of different music genders. Quite possibly one of the most easy to get on with Stax headphone ever made? I think it may be. It does need lots of juice and fails at lower listing levels somewhat, but as it gets a lot of things very right it is hard to not like it. I also like the look of it and the fit, even though it is an old design now.
If I had to choose I would still have my 009s as the go to HP. But the 007A has got enough of the best Stax has to offer to provide some serious listening pleasure. IMO the big fan base of the 007 could be driven by the above traits, but also it's forgiving nature especially on digital sources. Many DACs can sound dry and brittle, cold and sterile sounding, so the 007s slant to warming things up and it's recessed treble and smooth delivery will go part way to negating those 'problem' DACs brittle treble.
I had to spend some time finding a DAC to 'fix' my own 009s, to get everything to sound right for me, it can be a punishing HP with certain amps and DACs, and IMO has gained some blowback due to that against it's remarkable delivery. I believe it is not unlike when I heard some big Wilson speakers played loud with a poor front end, it sounded awful. But I heard the same speakers 2 years later with a great DAC and they sounded marvellous. Transparency comes at a price, and like too much sugar has negative effects. The rest of the chain need to improve with it IMO. I also believe both the 007 and 009 scale with better front ends and the amp used to drive them, but quite possibly the 009 is on a stepper curve, i.e. it really takes off somewhat once the rest of the chains gets up to scratch.
YMMV but hope this helps someone.
