Unboxed my CA1A and TI1B today. I'm really impressed in a few ways. The build quality feels like something NASA would send to Mars- very light and very sturdy simultaneously. The headband is reminiscent of DCA's nitinol headbands, though the leather here is a lot softer than my Aeons. My first...

L700 is already a very detailed headphone. If the recording of modern albums doesn't bother you on it as is, then I seriously doubt moving up the rest of the stax line would change that.

They sound way different from Orion, to the point where I don't even like comparing them directly. Orion is all mids, super rolled off in bass and treble. IO, is less smooth, but also significantly less rolled off.

I've never gotten to use the LS50 wireless, but I've own a pair of passive LS50s. One thing about them that you didn't seem to touch on in your post is how badly the bass is rolled off. A subwoofer is mandatory with them by virtue of the fact that a whole lot of information will just not be...

Why a soundbar? Asking for one in the high end audio forum is like asking for the best bluetooth headphones in here. You would get way better sound out of a pair of active speakers. If they need to fit below a TV, then just get some KEF LS50Ws and set them down sideways.

Comparing the two directly: I find the Orions a little bit more comfortable, I just like the shorter nozzles better but expect most people to feel opposite. Orion has a very flat frequency response, treble and subbass are both rolled off, but mid-bass through lower treble are all fairly even. Io...

I've had a nagging question at the back of my mind for a while now, hoping someone here can answer it. A lot of people here tend to think that KG amps are flat out better than Stax amps, citing specifically their higher power output. I listen to my L300LE/353X combo at a very low output level...

It's not rolled off, but the super low notes that you feel more than you hear won't be there because the bass doesn't really have any weight.

I got my IO today! I've only had ~2 hours listening to them, so don't put absolute faith in my words here or anything. Here's a short stream of consciousness: The first thing I want to talk about is the cable. It's *way* nicer than the older litz cable that came with my Orions. Not only is...

There's definitely some unit to unit variance. My pair came with a small scratch in the varnish on one of the cups, and when I remove the pads I can see a small ding in one of the magnets. That being said, as far as DIY products that I've purchased go, this one is pretty solid.

Yeah, iirc one of the more common complaints about older CA designs is the short nozzle. They've changed it up for the newer models- see https://campfireaudio.com/shop/polaris-2/ for another example of the newer nozzle design.

I did a search and got no results, so I guess I'll ask! Anyone tried the Hifiman Pali pads yet? I'm really curious how they compare with regular focus pads in terms of comfort and sound.

I tried doing a search and didn't come up with much. Does anyone know of any speakers that have stax-like detail, speed and transients? Right now I'm using a pair of Kef LS50s and they're damn good, but still not quite there. Should I be looking into Martin Logan? Magnepan? Any tips to the right...

I think the GS-X mini will be better sheerly by virtue of having a stepped attenuator (as an option). That being said, you're comparing a $350 amp to an $1800+ amp. As much of a giantkiller as the THX 789 is, that's one hell of a hill to climb.

Has there been any news about this headphone in the last several months? Usually hifiman will announce something and then the next week people seem to have their hands on it. This has been kicking around for months with just crickets. Is it even a real product?