[GendoIkari]

I have recently discovered the joys of low listening and have decided that this is a much better and safer way to enjoy my music. So I have a few questions about the Stax SR-001 MKII system, I have read what I could search for and would like a few more opinions. I already know about the comfort issues, so that need not be discussed.

How is this setup for low level listening - as in bass impact, detail, speed and soundstaging? I've found that the dynamics I have seem to prefer being driven a little harder to produce in these areas (I also do not currently own an amp).

At around $300 (depending if I go US or Japanese version), these seem like a good deal for a Electrostat and Amp combo. How do people feel that these compare to other headphones that can be found for around $300 (I.E. HD600, K701 etc.)

I have heard that these have fairly decent bass for being an electrostat, is this true? and do they suffer from lack of detail or muddiness because of it?

Thanks!

 

[MaloS]

They are good phones, especially for the price, very detailed. They will work fine at any volume, although obviously there will be less impact at lower volumes. Their main kick is that they have a treble roll-off, although I did not find it bothersome. Across the range that they deliver, its very high quality sound.

 

[Duggeh]

I absolutely loved my Babystax for quiet listening. Curled up with it and my ipod on the couch. They do not actually have the volume scale of a lager headphone anyway and theres no volume point where they suddenly start to drive like most headphones. They are good from zero right up to eleven.

Everyone should try them at least once imo.

 

[GendoIkari]

Very encouraging! I'm thinking that it's next stop electrostats for me!

 

[jinp6301]

the babystax are awesome. I only found the lack of bass impact a flaw, but I'm a grado lover so I guess I wont be satisfied with the bas unless its like an HP-2

 

[theBigD]

definently great for low volume listening. they are probably the best for detail in the midrange. ive been able to understand the lyrics in songs much better because that part of the music is so focused. mine are going up for sale as soon as i can get a camera cable to post a pic. let me know if your interested.

 

[mirumu]

I've found them very good for low level listening. Listening at these volumes is actually one area where their treble roll off isn't such a big problem as well since the ear tends to hear treble better at lower volumes.

 

[catscratch]

I have to disagree. The system is not good for low level listening. It begs to crank, and it's smooth treble and overall high frequency rolloff makes high-level listening more forgiving.

At low levels, the system has exactly the wrong tonal balance. Fletcher-Munson curves tell us that we perceive bass and treble as being lower in volume next to the midrange at low decibels; this proportion doesn't even out until you're close to 100dB. So, at low volumes, you persumably want a system with a bass and treble boost. The 001 has a very prominent midrange, a somewhat prominent bass but less forward than the midrange, and a recessed treble with the very upper frequencies being rolled off. That's basically the opposite of what you want.

I'd suggest the 2050 basic system instead. Lambdas have a much better FR for low-level listening.

 

[daveDerek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GendoIkari /img/forum/go_quote.gif At around $300 (depending if I go US or Japanese version), these seem like a good deal for a Electrostat and Amp combo. How do people feel that these compare to other headphones that can be found for around $300 (I.E. HD600, K701 etc.)

these are a great deal compared to the other fine phones you mention as they come with their own matched amp. they have a lovely sound with a wonderful clarity to the mids and are truly delighful. imo this rig represents one of the best buys you'll find in higher end phones.

 

[milkpowder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by catscratch /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have to disagree. The system is not good for low level listening. It begs to crank, and it's smooth treble and overall high frequency rolloff makes high-level listening more forgiving. At low levels, the system has exactly the wrong tonal balance. Fletcher-Munson curves tell us that we perceive bass and treble as being lower in volume next to the midrange at low decibels; this proportion doesn't even out until you're close to 100dB. So, at low volumes, you persumably want a system with a bass and treble boost. The 001 has a very prominent midrange, a somewhat prominent bass but less forward than the midrange, and a recessed treble with the very upper frequencies being rolled off. That's basically the opposite of what you want. I'd suggest the 2050 basic system instead. Lambdas have a much better FR for low-level listening.

This certainly makes sense, but isn't what my ears tell me. At low levels, they sounded just fine for music heavy on vocals. The midrange is indeed quite forward and very detailed. However, the highs are IMO pretty poor compared to other headphones so I didn't really like the Baby Stax for certain genres regardless of volume. It sounded just as rolled off loud as it did soft. Indeed, some EQ'ing might alleviate it, but I try to stay away from EQ'ing if possible. The bass I found sufficient even at lower volumes, but I'm no basshead. And even then, the Baby Stax has a better bass response than the Lambda series. It's surprisingly dynamic-like. Overall, I was surprised at the sound signature of the Baby Stax since it doesn't sound much like the Lambdas and Omega II (it's closer to the OII than the Lambdas).

When I had a listen to the SR-202, I didn't think it had much bass at all. The SR-003 (I didn't own the S-001) definitely has a bigger bass than the SR-202, but am I missing your point? Because most of music is in the midrange, might one be inclined to turn down the volume more listening to the Baby Stax than on the Lambda simply because of the former's more prominent midrange? Because as you said, the tonal balance is a bit off, the bass of the Baby Stax with its midrange (say 1kHz) at the same dB as the Lambda (also at 1kHz) would sound softer. You guys follow?

 

[webbie64]

As Milkpowder (and others) indicate, the highs are the weak point but, comparatively, I wouldn't go so far as to rate the highs as 'poor' - they're recessed/rolled off (but not as much as say the Westone UM2).

I too find the bass more than adequate and agree it's closer to the O2 than the Lambdas. And, yes, it is quite dynamic.

The SR-001s are the phones for my bedroom rig, great for low level listening that gives me a delightful Stax experience whilst not annoying my wife (who can go to sleep quite fine with me listening to them).

Like any system, they do appreciate better driving and the better your source and amping of them, the more they deliver. I used their supplied amp for a while and found it was slightly better when externally powered (4.5 Volt battery pack, rather than a power supply - they can develop a hum with a power supply). I then upgraded to an SRD-X and that certainly allows them to deliver at both low and higher levels.

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkpowder /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...At low levels, they sounded just fine for music heavy on vocals. The midrange is indeed quite forward and very detailed. However, the highs are IMO pretty poor compared to other headphones...some EQ'ing might alleviate it, but I try to stay away from EQ'ing if possible. The bass I found sufficient even at lower volumes, but I'm no basshead. And even then, the Baby Stax has a better bass response than the Lambda series. It's surprisingly dynamic-like. Overall, I was surprised at the sound signature of the Baby Stax since it doesn't sound much like the Lambdas and Omega II (it's closer to the OII than the Lambdas).

 

[GendoIkari]

I appreciate all of the great responses! It really helps to know what I am getting myself into. These will mostly be used at work, paired up with a portable DAC playing CDs out of my work PC or a PCDP / MP3 Player.

 

[milkpowder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by webbie64 /img/forum/go_quote.gif As Milkpowder (and others) indicate, the highs are the weak point but, comparatively, I wouldn't go so far as to rate the highs as 'poor' - they're recessed/rolled off (but not as much as say the Westone UM2).

Maybe "poor" is too strong a word after all. I generally don't like headphones that have, let's say relatively poor or recessed highs as most of what I listen to resides mainly in the upper-ish midrange with overtones that reach up into the heavens.

Quote:

The SR-001s are the phones for my bedroom rig, great for low level listening that gives me a delightful Stax experience whilst not annoying my wife (who can go to sleep quite fine with me listening to them).

They do leak much less than the higher-end Stax.

Quote:

Like any system, they do appreciate better driving and the better your source and amping of them, the more they deliver. I used their supplied amp for a while and found it was slightly better when externally powered (4.5 Volt battery pack, rather than a power supply - they can develop a hum with a power supply). I then upgraded to an SRD-X and that certainly allows them to deliver at both low and higher levels.

I've never tried the Baby Stax portable SR-001Mk2 system so I don't know what that sounds like. I did own the SR-003, the one with the 5-pin pro-bias plug and used it with my current Stax amp which I still found overall unsatisfactory for highly complex music. While it doesn't sound bad, I think I would be happier with something like the K701. All that said and done, the Baby Stax does rock music like no other electrostatic headphone can. It's a very unique and satisfying experience.

 

[Carl]

Get the version with the proper amp (SRS-005II) rather than the portable amp (SRS-001mk2), it's better when the volume is down low.

 

[GendoIkari]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl /img/forum/go_quote.gif Get the version with the proper amp (SRS-005II) rather than the portable amp (SRS-001mk2), it's better when the volume is down low.

I believe that the SRS-005II is a much more expensive combo, am I correct?

edit : I just checked on Elusive Disk's site and the SR-003 & SRM-252II combo is $574.99 as opposed to $300 for the SR-001 MKII and SRM-001

edit edit : which isn't even the one you mentioned Carl... who sells that model and what kind of price does it fetch?