JMT
JMT Audio:PPA/META42 Amp Factory
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2001
- Posts
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Over the past few years, I have had a bit of experience listening to different headphones, sources, and amps. With one exception I have only owned dynamic cans (the exception being the AKG-K340), and have enjoyed them all for one reason or another. But the majority of them came and went to where I find myself with only 3 headphones remaining: The Sennheiser HD650/Cardas, the Joseph Grado HP-1000/HP-1, and the Etymotic ER-4S.
I had been intrigued by electrostats ever since I first listened to a Stax set up back in the early 1980s. Even then, relatively speaking, they were prohibitively expensive but the store that I used to buy gear from had a complete Stax display, with a listening station. I don't recall exactly which ones I listened to, but I know that my untrained ears liked what they heard.
Fast foward to June 7, 2003 when I hosted a meet at my home. Headroom sent a Stax Basic system along with all of the other cool toys for us to play with. I got to listen to it for a while prior to the meet. It sounded ok, but I was not not terribly impressed. I had asked Tyll (he was planning on attending the meet) if he could bring the Omega II/SRM-007t and his Meridian player, he did. Bless his heart. During the meet, as the host, I did not get to listen to much gear, but I made it a point to listen to the Omega II's. THAT is what my feeble little mind remembered from years back. The liquid, effortless sound.
Since then, I coveted the Omegas.
When a member/moderator decided to sell his Omega II/SRM-717 rig he contacted me, as he knew that I had a genuine interest in it. I couldn't say YES fast enough. I have been listening to the rig exclusively for the last week and wanted to post some initial impressions. It must also be noted that the day prior to receiving the Stax, I also received my Meridian 507 that I purchased from Todd. Life is funny that way.
Vertigo-1 told me to let the headphones charge for at least a half hour, they would sound their best after that. Of course I will (not), and I placed them on my head and listened. Sounds good, but there seems to be a channel imbalance. After figuring out how the volume control works (yes, I am an idiot and have been quasi chastised for my ineptitude around volume controls in another thread), I REALLY listened.
I read somewhere that the real strength of electrostatics is the reproduction of the midrange, specifically vocals. That they really demonstrate the timbre of the individuals voice. I put on a Manhattan Transfer CD, The Best of the Manhattan Transfer". Good Lord, I have never heard the harmony of this fine vocal group blend so well, but at the same time hear each and every voice in the harmonies. I could literally focus in on one voice and follow it thoughout the piece, and then toggle my focus back to the harmony, and then back to another individual. It was incredible.
I then listened to some Lee Ritenour and CSN, primarily to hear how the Omega's reproduced acoustic guitar. I recall when I owned the SRM-003 portable Stax, listening to Simon and Garfunkle, I was so impressed by the sound of acoustic guitar that it almost made me keep them....almost. If you like the sound of acoustic guitar and/or piano, I have not heard any dynamic that can deliver the tonal quality of a hammer or a pick striking a string like the Omegas can. Those two acoustic instruments sound so very natural through the Omegas. That is the best compliment that I can give the midrange reproduction of the Stax.
I have also read some impressions regarding the bottom end extension of the electrostats. While I don't think these would be ideal for DJing
, there is bass and then some. There is a portion of the soundtrack to "The Patriot" where cannons are firing off in the background. The Stax handles them without even breakng a sweat. During track #3, "The Battle" of The Soundtrack to the Motion Picture Gladiator there is a part where someone goes nuts with tympani, the Stax reacts to the different low end pitches nicely. If someone tells you that these can't go deep, tell them to bite you.
Where I was the most surprised was the treble extension. My experience as a Stax owner was limited to the Stax portable. I sold them because the top end roll off was just too apparent and too problematic for what I like to hear. While the Omegas do not give you that Grado-like treble, cymbals do sound "real" and triangles have just the right "ring" to them.
These are just impressions based on a week of listening. My usual disclaimers apply:
Source: Meridian 507, Sony SCD-555ES
Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference, Cardas Golden Cross
CDs:
I had been intrigued by electrostats ever since I first listened to a Stax set up back in the early 1980s. Even then, relatively speaking, they were prohibitively expensive but the store that I used to buy gear from had a complete Stax display, with a listening station. I don't recall exactly which ones I listened to, but I know that my untrained ears liked what they heard.
Fast foward to June 7, 2003 when I hosted a meet at my home. Headroom sent a Stax Basic system along with all of the other cool toys for us to play with. I got to listen to it for a while prior to the meet. It sounded ok, but I was not not terribly impressed. I had asked Tyll (he was planning on attending the meet) if he could bring the Omega II/SRM-007t and his Meridian player, he did. Bless his heart. During the meet, as the host, I did not get to listen to much gear, but I made it a point to listen to the Omega II's. THAT is what my feeble little mind remembered from years back. The liquid, effortless sound.
Since then, I coveted the Omegas.
When a member/moderator decided to sell his Omega II/SRM-717 rig he contacted me, as he knew that I had a genuine interest in it. I couldn't say YES fast enough. I have been listening to the rig exclusively for the last week and wanted to post some initial impressions. It must also be noted that the day prior to receiving the Stax, I also received my Meridian 507 that I purchased from Todd. Life is funny that way.
Vertigo-1 told me to let the headphones charge for at least a half hour, they would sound their best after that. Of course I will (not), and I placed them on my head and listened. Sounds good, but there seems to be a channel imbalance. After figuring out how the volume control works (yes, I am an idiot and have been quasi chastised for my ineptitude around volume controls in another thread), I REALLY listened.
I read somewhere that the real strength of electrostatics is the reproduction of the midrange, specifically vocals. That they really demonstrate the timbre of the individuals voice. I put on a Manhattan Transfer CD, The Best of the Manhattan Transfer". Good Lord, I have never heard the harmony of this fine vocal group blend so well, but at the same time hear each and every voice in the harmonies. I could literally focus in on one voice and follow it thoughout the piece, and then toggle my focus back to the harmony, and then back to another individual. It was incredible.
I then listened to some Lee Ritenour and CSN, primarily to hear how the Omega's reproduced acoustic guitar. I recall when I owned the SRM-003 portable Stax, listening to Simon and Garfunkle, I was so impressed by the sound of acoustic guitar that it almost made me keep them....almost. If you like the sound of acoustic guitar and/or piano, I have not heard any dynamic that can deliver the tonal quality of a hammer or a pick striking a string like the Omegas can. Those two acoustic instruments sound so very natural through the Omegas. That is the best compliment that I can give the midrange reproduction of the Stax.
I have also read some impressions regarding the bottom end extension of the electrostats. While I don't think these would be ideal for DJing
Where I was the most surprised was the treble extension. My experience as a Stax owner was limited to the Stax portable. I sold them because the top end roll off was just too apparent and too problematic for what I like to hear. While the Omegas do not give you that Grado-like treble, cymbals do sound "real" and triangles have just the right "ring" to them.
These are just impressions based on a week of listening. My usual disclaimers apply:
- Take my opinions with whatever grain of salt you would like.
- I don't write well, keep that in mind when reading this.
- I have thin skin and don't take criticism well.
- Have a nice day
Source: Meridian 507, Sony SCD-555ES
Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference, Cardas Golden Cross
CDs:
- Manhattan Transfer: The Best of
- Lee Ritenour: Collection, Live in LA
- Crosby, Stills, and Nash: CSN
- Fleetwood Mac: Rumors
- Soundtracks: Gladiator, The Patriot
