[donunus]

I was planning on getting a brand new electrostatic system and was wondering whether I should start with the stax 2050 system or the koss esp950. Ive heard things about the bad amp of the 950, but the headphone itself being very capable. Problem is... Don't you lose the koss lifetime warranty if you mod the 950s in any way?

Where should I start?

 

[AudioCats]

If you are not sure whether stats are for you, it is easiest to cough up a bunch of $$, get a pair of O2 and a SRD-7pro. If the O2/SRD-7pro can't do it for you then sell the system and move to high-end dynamics.

I am almost all electrostatics now, but I do agree they are not for everybody (for example, the bass, the bass and the bass). Going directly to the O2 will save $ and time, in the long run.

 

[donunus]

I've had the esp950s before actually. This was around 1993 I think before I got my hd580s which i didn't like as much at the time... even though I was a basshead back then. The 580s although having more bass didn't satisfy me with my headroom amp at the time. The koss was nice and tight sounding. I was an idiot for selling them. I only have stereophile to blame hehehe.

Anyway, I only have money to buy either of the ones I mentioned... So based on that, what would you vote for. Which one sounds clearer without any peakiness with the included amps?

Also to the guys that vote... I would highly appreciate it if you stated why you voted for the one you did so that I can have a better grasp of what one does better than the other... Thanks

 

[donunus]

to add to the mix, ive heard good things about the stax 003 but dont like the portable form factor. On sq alone though feel free to comment about the 003 cause it will probably be a part of the candidates if it sounds better than the above cans

 

[powertoold]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioCats /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you are not sure whether stats are for you, it is easiest to cough up a bunch of $$, get a pair of O2 and a SRD-7pro. If the O2/SRD-7pro can't do it for you then sell the system and move to high-end dynamics.

This is why I love the high-end forum. If you're not sure whether something is good, go for the pinnacle of its technology and then make a decision

 

[donunus]

Anybody with a link comparing these cans by the way? Ive never seen a stock esp 950 review in the first place how much more a comparison between the 2050

 

[AudioCats]

I had the 252 amp before and was not impressed (it was driving a 003, in a SRS-005). Had the Lambda pro before and wasn't impressed either. so I'd guess 2050 can't be that good..... only guessing, guessing, you know....

The 950 is the way to go if you have to pick one of the two. Even if you end up getting better amps to drive the 950 later on, the E/90, though supposedly crappy, is still useful as transportable (just add a 12V li-ion battery pack). Of course the same can be said about the 252 amp but the 202 phones (supposedly) don't have as much potential as the 950.

 

[AudioCats]

Quote:

Originally Posted by powertoold /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is why I love the high-end forum. If you're not sure whether something is good, go for the pinnacle of its technology and then make a decision

hehe, this is the high-end forum, we can get away with doing that, no?

 

[donunus]

Thats ok but my wallet doesn't agree with you though hehehe

 

[donunus]

can anyone chime in telling us how bad the stock amp of the esp/950 is? Or is it just comparable to that of the 2050s amp.

 

[Duggeh]

Why don't you sit back and wait for comment. Its only been two hours and your jumping all over the shop.

 

[donunus]

I'll be patient

 

[Rednamalas1]

this is high-end forum so...

Go to the best in the market then move downwards in price.

 

[johnmatrix]

I own the ESP950 system and I would say the amp is passable, but not good. I switched to the KGSS and the phones improved tremendously in body and tone. The phones definitely have a higher headroom than the amp.

 

[donunus]

so the overall balance was the same or did it turn to a different headphone once powered by the kgss