SoundGoon
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2006
- Posts
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What is the difference between Electret and Electrostatic headphones?
Originally Posted by Duggeh An electrostatic requires its charge from an external source. An Electret is already charged in itself and so only requires the audio signal. Electrets do lose their charge over time though, eventually leaving them inoperable. |
Originally Posted by Audiofiler ..they almost never make it to another Opera anymore.. |
Originally Posted by wualta Finally, I've seen no evidence that electret 'stats "lose charge" and become "inoperable" over the course of a human lifetime. I have several electret 'phones that are going strong after 30 years. Consider also that the electret mics built into your parents' old landline telephone is likely to have been giving faithful service despite being spat into for at least a couple of decades. |
Originally Posted by philodox Good to hear. |
Originally Posted by philodox Good to hear. People always say that, but I've never actually come across anyone who has experienced it first hand. |
Originally Posted by SoundGoon X2!! ![]() |
Originally Posted by stewtheking They definately deteriorate with storage, mine took a while of use after I got them for the sound to improve. I guess it was re-burn-in. |
Originally Posted by wualta You really got me there, STK. A "normal" 'stat needs to charge up its diaphragms through a very high resistance after long storage, so it does take awhile in that specific case-- think of an old-fashioned under-the-tongue thermometer-- but I wouldn't expect a 'tret to have that problem, since its diaphragm isn't connected to anything and is fully charged 24/7/365. |
Originally Posted by Carl A balanced, high voltage signal being fed to two electrodes either side of a charged diaphram. |
Originally Posted by Carl The stators need to charge up, too. It's the same reason capacitors burn in. |