How good are the Stax earspeakers?

[spritzer]

Some stat's do rock better then others and I personally can't stand the dynamic "slam" because it obscures so much of the bass information.

Most of the problems people have with electrostatic headphones have nothing to do with the phones but rather the amps are at fault. Good electrostatic amps will always be very expensive because of the huge voltage swing needed to wake the phones up so the cheaper ones are filled with compromises.

 

[facelvega]

I agree with spritzer. I prefer electrostatic bass to dynamic just because it lacks the big, sloppy slam that dynamic drivers inherently give (and which can only to a degree be corrected), and instead presents an eerily precise bass. But though the slam isn't there, that doesn't mean the bass isn't strong-- my SR-5 are actually just about as bass-heavy as a K340.

 

[Duggeh]

Once you go Stax you never go back. Or in my case to be more accurate, once you go planar you never go back. If you think that electrostatics dont have enough punch in the bass, try an ortho! Or if you can spring the cash, theres a radical alternative to both which bests them all.

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by facelvega /img/forum/go_quote.gif I agree with spritzer. I prefer electrostatic bass to dynamic just because it lacks the big, sloppy slam that dynamic drivers inherently give (and which can only to a degree be corrected), and instead presents an eerily precise bass. But though the slam isn't there, that doesn't mean the bass isn't strong-- my SR-5 are actually just about as bass-heavy as a K340.

If you think that the SR-5 has heavy bass you really need to try the SR-007 properly fitted and amped.

 

[krrm]

I can't make up my mind in DT880 + Corda Aria vs. Stax 2050II.

In the sq. category it depends on the record, more so than the genre imo.

DT 880 wins the comfort competition.

The bargain price goes to Stax 2050II, I paid about 2x as much for the Beyer + Meier combo (all new, but Stax from pricejapan).

Both are excellent imho.

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you think that the SR-5 has heavy bass you really need to try the SR-007 properly fitted and amped.

I wouldn't say bass-heavy-- just not bass-light, much like my K340 in that regard. I have no doubt the SR-007 would outperform them in that regard as in all others.

 

[edstrelow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krrm /img/forum/go_quote.gif I can't make up my mind in DT880 + Corda Aria vs. Stax 2050II. In the sq. category it depends on the record, more so than the genre imo. DT 880 wins the comfort competition. The bargain price goes to Stax 2050II, I paid about 2x as much for the Beyer + Meier combo (all new, but Stax from pricejapan). Both are excellent imho.

The problem with Pricejapan for Stax amps is that they may be sending you 100v rather than 117. It may come with an outboard step-up transformer but this is not as good a solution as a properly configured amp. EIFL used to be able to ship properly set-up amps from Japan. However Stax has been recently making it difficult to do the fuse swapping needed, so as to prevent gray market sales.

 

[J-Pak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggeh /img/forum/go_quote.gif Once you go Stax you never go back. Or in my case to be more accurate, once you go planar you never go back. If you think that electrostatics dont have enough punch in the bass, try an ortho! Or if you can spring the cash, theres a radical alternative to both which bests them all.

Hmm, I'd disagree. I had a Stax setup and sold it after I got the K1000.

I know what you guys mean when you say dynamics really "push" or "pump" bass, which makes them sound less detailed. In my experience that's when you have to step out of midfi and get into hifi for good textured dynamic bass.

 

[webbie64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Most of the problems people have with electrostatic headphones have nothing to do with the phones but rather the amps are at fault. Good electrostatic amps will always be very expensive because of the huge voltage swing needed to wake the phones up so the cheaper ones are filled with compromises.

Spritzer highlights the key - it's not about brand, or even, to some extent, the nature of the headphone (in this case electrostatic). It's about driving them cleanly with adequate power in reserve.

However, like krmathis, I'm totally electrostatic focussed for the last two decades (except for my IEMs). The speed and detail are something I cannot turn back from and, provided they are well driven they do provide solid clean bass with a driving punch (if not slam) to it.

And, of course, it's finding the right combination of amp and headphone for your preferences! (i.e. synergy)

 

[Snacks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Some stat's do rock better then others and I personally can't stand the dynamic "slam" because it obscures so much of the bass information. Most of the problems people have with electrostatic headphones have nothing to do with the phones but rather the amps are at fault. Good electrostatic amps will always be very expensive because of the huge voltage swing needed to wake the phones up so the cheaper ones are filled with compromises.

I agree; STAX do rock and other genres very well, but it depends on which STAX. Quality bass...I can say with confidence, STAX is no slouch in this department. At this juncture, I don't know much about electrostatic amplification, but I fear that this is my next endeavour, as I believe, that I have found the right pair of earspeakers.

Electrostatics earspeakers are good, very good!

 

[catscratch]

I guess the several hundred pages in both the Stax threads aren't any indication. I would wager that the outlandish prices on vintage Stax gear aren't a hint to their sound quality. I would imagine that the many gushing reviews in the featured reviews section don't really say all that much. I would suppose that the search function, which yields countless volumes of information on all things Stax related, isn't working.

But then again, I could be wrong.

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by webbie64 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Spritzer highlights the key - it's not about brand, or even, to some extent, the nature of the headphone (in this case electrostatic). It's about driving them cleanly with adequate power in reserve. However, like krmathis, I'm totally electrostatic focussed for the last two decades (except for my IEMs). The speed and detail are something I cannot turn back from and, provided they are well driven they do provide solid clean bass with a driving punch (if not slam) to it. And, of course, it's finding the right combination of amp and headphone for your preferences! (i.e. synergy)

For my tastes nothing comes close to a properly amped electrostatic headphones. I have only one dynamic in regular use and that is only for the computer. Even a 40 year old Stax will be much more musically satisfying then an expensive contemporary dynamic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snacks /img/forum/go_quote.gif I agree; STAX do rock and other genres very well, but it depends on which STAX. Quality bass...I can say with confidence, STAX is no slouch in this department. At this juncture, I don't know much about electrostatic amplication, but I fear that this is my next endeavour, as I believe, that I have found the right pair of earspeakers. Electrostatics earspeakers are good, very good!

Some of the Lambdas just suck while others fare much better. As a general rule the normal bias phones rock much harder due to their more mellow sound.

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by theBigD /img/forum/go_quote.gif i have akg 701s, stax sr-001 mk2, and stax 2050II basic system. i just got a go vibe that really brought the akg 701s to life! i really like the openess of the stax, they effortlessly reproduce everything i feed them. the mids are silky smooth and everything is very quick sounding and revealing with the stax. the stax just dont feel as punchy as the akgs do. i think it is just the nature of electrostics, they dont sound as dynamic. the akgs have a real depth to them with such a large soundstage, and a more extended bass response and and better high end reproduction. i like the akgs for jazz, (which i hardly listened to before getting these) and accoustic recordings. i like stax for heavy metal and some accoustic music, and pink floyd. but i think if you are attracted to beyers stax probably wouldnt suit your taste, not a lot of bass energy, the bass is there but it doesnt have the slam of dynamic headphones. i really do love having the choice between dynamic and electrostatic sound. sometimes when i listen to the stax for a long time and then switch to akgs i think the akgs are broken, because they dont reproduce sound as quickly and cleanly as the stax do. but the amp really helped akg to come up to speed.

Oh, Omega 2 is so much punchier than k701 will ever be. Also, a correctly driven electrostatic rocks dynamic headphones on... dynamics (except for R10 and Qualia, those two compete with fervor). In general electrostatic technology is superior if we do not worry about energy consumption, but alot of them won't shine unless you got the source on par with it. Frankly out of Rega Planet 2000 SR-404 delivers a pleasant tactile punch.

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by catscratch /img/forum/go_quote.gif I guess the several hundred pages in both the Stax threads aren't any indication. I would wager that the outlandish prices on vintage Stax gear aren't a hint to their sound quality. I would imagine that the many gushing reviews in the featured reviews section don't really say all that much. I would suppose that the search function, which yields countless volumes of information on all things Stax related, isn't working. But then again, I could be wrong.

I was waiting for EXACTLY THAT since the start of the thread (frankly I told him the same thing over aim).

 

[Duggeh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmm, I'd disagree. I had a Stax setup and sold it after I got the K1000. I know what you guys mean when you say dynamics really "push" or "pump" bass, which makes them sound less detailed. In my experience that's when you have to step out of midfi and get into hifi for good textured dynamic bass.

The K1000 is the only top end headphone left which I want to hear. I think it might be the only moving coil which can really to do it for me.