ES2a discussions \ reviews \ reasoning \ impressions

[alota]

Here is a shot with two of the black units with different cables on the same table. The Stax cable and the PC-Triple-C option. Both cables are 2.3M long.

I asked about spare pads and Benson said “the spare pads are not the same from the default pads. The spare pads are the same pad as in ES1A. The default pads are not sold separately and the es1a pads are sold as extra for people who like pad swapping and want to try a different tuning.”

I should have ordered a set of the ES-1a pads but I neglected to do so. I did, however, order my unit with a narrower and thicker headband frame to improve clamping force and seal. One thing that multiple reviewers noted about ES-1a was that it had a rather weak clamp force, and I experienced the same thing. I noticed with some added pressure creating a better seal, the bass response improved.

the Electra is still in production?

 

[RogueCrusher]

my complaint with ES-1a was a noticeable mid-range honk. Did you feel that when you had an ES-1a? and if so do you feel that is now not present in the ES-2a?

thanks

With respect to the honk - the report I got from ES-Lab was essentially…”The feedback we heard about the es1a was that it was a bit aggressive and treble happy. The es2a addressed this problem with smoothened treble and less "honk" in tone. This is better for long hours of listening while not compromising technical qualities. Also there is added benefit on better instruments imaging, separation and a big, spherical soundstage presentation that even exceeds the omega. However the es1a perhaps has a slight better kick in bass.”

This is why I asked another new owner specifically about the bass impact, “slam” and bass extension.

 

[Dingding123]

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.

Spoiler: unboxing photos

Spoiler: detail shots

 

[Audio Addict]

Mine arrived today. I can't say I was thrilled with putting the filters in under cups but ultimately got it done. I have it plugged into my B-21 with the Exogal Comet Plus to get it breaking in. I will move over to the AC front end in a few days or so. Sounds very decent out of the box. Looking forward to spending more time with it. I do like the brown es-2a version.

 

[RogueCrusher]

Mine arrived today. I can't say I was thrilled with putting the filters in under cups but ultimately got it done. I have it plugged into my B-21 with the Exogal Comet Plus to get it breaking in. I will move over to the AC front end in a few days or so. Sounds very decent out of the box. Looking forward to spending more time with it. I do like the brown es-2a version.

Can you elaborate about needing to put filters in under the cups. Do you need to disassemble anything? Would there be a preference by some not to have the mesh/filters? Is the mesh like the “dark pads” were for the ES-1a?

 

[Dingding123]

No disassembly needed to put in the mesh. Just need to fold the mesh like an inverted taco to slip it in between the inner grille and the earpad hole.

Sure if you insert a different mesh the sound will be different.

I wonder what is the rationale behind asking users to insert the mesh ourselves before the first use. The headphones could come with the mesh pre-installed. Maybe this exercise serves as a new user tutorial haha

 

[Audio Addict]

The instructions tell you to do it immediately but do give you an option not to but warn of the more potential damage. Therefore I did it.

 

[protoss]

I was one of the very first to rave about the the Es-1a over here , amazing estat, and sit right in the middle of 007-009, better than the 009 imo.

How good is the ES Labs ES2a? is it silky smooth, and huge soundstage? neutral with a touch of warmth. Hopefully its not dark.

 

[mbrennwa]

I can’t audition these yet despite the fact that they were delivered last Monday since I’m still on holiday.

I am in the same boat.

Here's a photo of my ES-2a waiting for me to get back home. Aaaargh!!!

 

[RogueCrusher]

The instructions tell you to do it immediately but do give you an option not to but warn of the more potential damage. Therefore I did it.

Mr. Wong mentioned that “The sound without the filter cloth will be more transparent. Using ES2a without the cloth does not necessarily cause damage in the future, For instance, the Orpheus HE90 also omitted filter cloth in driver design. But the headphone will need some extra care in handling to prevent hair or foreign objects from getting inside.”

I’m going to give them a long listen without the filters (like 20 different tracks from different genres) and then insert the filters and run through same songs to get a subjective (terrible “A/B” method) comparison.

I’m curious to see some graphs from same chain and same rig for the ES-1a vs the ES-2a (both with and without filter in place).

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

Mr. Wong mentioned that “The sound without the filter cloth will be more transparent. Using ES2a without the cloth does not necessarily cause damage in the future, For instance, the Orpheus HE90 also omitted filter cloth in driver design. But the headphone will need some extra care in handling to prevent hair or foreign objects from getting inside.”

I’m going to give them a long listen without the filters (like 20 different tracks from different genres) and then insert the filters and run through same songs to get a subjective (terrible “A/B” method).

I’m curious to see some graphs from same chain and same rig for the ES-1a vs the ES-2a (both with and without filter in place).

sound without filters will always be better
the question is reliability

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Mr. Wong mentioned that “The sound without the filter cloth will be more transparent. Using ES2a without the cloth does not necessarily cause damage in the future, For instance, the Orpheus HE90 also omitted filter cloth in driver design. But the headphone will need some extra care in handling to prevent hair or foreign objects from getting inside.”

I’m going to give them a long listen without the filters (like 20 different tracks from different genres) and then insert the filters and run through same songs to get a subjective (terrible “A/B” method).

I’m curious to see some graphs from same chain and same rig for the ES-1a vs the ES-2a (both with and without filter in place).

Thanks for the clarification on this.

Looking forward to your impressions with and without the cloth filters.

 

[genefruit]

More feedback - https://www.head-case.org/forums/topic/13683-es-labs-es1a/page/3/#comment-954130

 

[SolarCetacean]

While I find that I simply have different preferences than spritzer, I find his impressions encouraging. A large soundstage without the overly-forward mids or occasional bright edge to the treble on the X9000 seems like what I'd like.

 

[genefruit]

I’m encouraged enough to have placed an order. More impressions from those who have listened for a few days would be great.