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Headphoneus Supremus
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ES Labs es-2a, es-R10 with B-21 Raider. DCA Corina on right behind.
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ES2a discussions \ reviews \ reasoning \ impressions
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ES Labs es-2a, es-R10 with B-21 Raider. DCA Corina on right behind.
You must be getting godtier bass with es-2a and B-21 Raider.
ES Labs es-2a, es-R10 with B-21 Raider.
Audio Addict
Headphoneus Supremus
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It is quite good 
mbrennwa
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I can't tell much about 007 (which I heard only once at a HiFi fair in a suboptimal setting, many moons ago).
Comparing the LS-2a to my X9000 (both running of a T2), I might agree on the "deeper" part. Not sure on "impact", because I can't really tell what that might be in terms of sound. "Definition" is better on the X9000 if you ask my ears.
I am currently not using the cloth filters, not sure how this would impact the bass performance.
icnaiwhimor1975
500+ Head-Fier
obviously - soon this wow effect will pass..
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mbrennwa
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Me neither. I was too lazy and impatient to install them...
WOW effect for the X9000 or the new LS-2a?
RogueCrusher
100+ Head-Fier
, from what I am experiencing sonically, granted only about 5 hours in, I foresee this honeymoon to last indefinitely for me 
But I understand you wanting the “dust to settle”, the novelty of sorts, and new purchase infatuation to fade, to gather opinions later.
icnaiwhimor1975
500+ Head-Fier
the best opinion would be to just buy it
But I understand you wanting the “dust to settle”, the novelty of sorts, and new purchase infatuation to fade, to gather opinions later.
I concur, Benson hit a home run with this headphone.
But I understand you wanting the “dust to settle”, the novelty of sorts, and new purchase infatuation to fade, to gather opinions later.
It's leagues better than the original.
RogueCrusher
100+ Head-Fier
I hope you have smooth and quick transactions for the gear you have listed for sale. But if you do just impulsively purchase the ES-2a right away, and you still possess the ES-1a, a direct comparison would be very enlightening.
Since I have been going by just memory, which is a poor comparison, I can’t make a worthwhile comparison between the two - other than me feeling it’s much improved on most fronts vs it’s predecessor (and I was quite impressed with the ES-1a to begin with. It punches way above it’s price point for sure trading blows with some TOTL sets)
Is there anywhere where you put together a written review of the true rarity in your possession - the Stax 4070 -mk1? If not, not to digress on this thread, but please expound on this rare closed back eStat (comfort, sound isolation, commonalities with open backs, sufferings, benefits, sound signature, any difficulties to drive, etc.)
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It's day 2 with the ES-2A. I've done some comparisons on how the bass performs on the Phantom vs Carbon CC. Whilst the bass is fantastic on Phantom and I dont even need xBass to push more bass, the Carbon brings out a punch and slam that I haven't heard from any other consumer based estat. It brings the bass performance very close to HE1 levels for me. The CRBN 2 has more sub-bass rumble however, the ES-2A goes as deep and it's very close to the sub rumble on CRBN 2. CRBN 2 doesn't have anywhere near the slam, impact or definition found with ES-2A.
I am also very impressed with the technical performance. I can hear the fine texturing of instruments and notes. It doesn't shove this detail down your throat though like something the 009 series can do. It's very cohesive and flowing through the midrange which keeps it sounding very musical. The imaging is second to none, it's very precise and fast to my ears and the large and airy soundstage helps convey a very realistic stage. The treble is also a star of the show, I don't think I've cringed from any harshness or peakyness yet. It's got great extension but stops just where you would like it to end before going overboard like something the 009 would do.
I am also very interested on how the cloth filters will change up the sound. If anyone elects themselves as a guineapig to test, I would very much appreciate it
I am also very impressed with the technical performance. I can hear the fine texturing of instruments and notes. It doesn't shove this detail down your throat though like something the 009 series can do. It's very cohesive and flowing through the midrange which keeps it sounding very musical. The imaging is second to none, it's very precise and fast to my ears and the large and airy soundstage helps convey a very realistic stage. The treble is also a star of the show, I don't think I've cringed from any harshness or peakyness yet. It's got great extension but stops just where you would like it to end before going overboard like something the 009 would do.
I am also very interested on how the cloth filters will change up the sound. If anyone elects themselves as a guineapig to test, I would very much appreciate it
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Chefguru
Headphoneus Supremus
A few unboxing photos and a few initial thoughts on the ES-2a
The ES-2a unboxing experience brough me a lot of nostalgia from 5 years ago when I got the the ES-1a in Dec 2020.
Very similar package design and the same old wooden box for ES-1a and ES-R10.
A lot of thought has been put into the details of the headphone and it has significantly evolved from its predecessor. Designs of the curved earpad, the need to insert the cloth filters by users themselves, the non-microphonic soft sleeving around the cables (so much softer than the ES-R10 cable sleeving!), the slightly tightened headband and machined alumicium L/R sliders are all evidences of how much thought the ES Lab team pours into the final product. It is hard to imagine how a small workshop is able to put together something that is so polished and mature.
Earpad looks custom-made, and is on the larger side. How the leather folds inwards reminds me of the original Omega pads, but the ES-2a pads are slightly concaved instead of being a linear slope with thicker side at the back and thinner side at the front.
Downside is that the earpad changing instructions seem quite complicated. I have not bothered to read the instructions yet. Pictorial illustrations would be a better idea.
It might be a bit early for me to share about how the ES-2a sounds, and how it compares to the ES-1a and the Stax Omega. My ES-2a has not been properly run-in yet.
My first impression of the sound is extremely positive though. Right off the bat, it is way smoother and less in-your-face than the ES-1a. It has a slightly warmer and more laid-back presentation than the Omega.
Gut feel tells me that the ES-2a will pair excellently with the Carbon too but I need to try that another night.
Great photos. Very eager to hear your impressions vs the sr-omega.
mbrennwa
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How easy or difficult is it to put them in, out, in, out, in,... ?
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