Is there a minimum amp needed to drive electrostats?

[moodyrn]

I have the numark version of these. They look idenical the only difference is the name. There were a few rebranded versions of the same thing. They were all made by the same oem that made the stax electret back in the 70s. I initially hooked mine up to my 50wpc hk receiver. I would get sound, but it was very low. Then I connected them to my pioneer elite receiver and they finally came to life. I have to push the volume knob to about 3/4 full volume but now they sing. I was surprised about how much power it took to push these to reference levels. As for as the sound? I was pleasently surprised. I bought these just to get a general idea if what the "electro" type of sound would be like. They are world class headphones by any means, but they are very fast, and clean. Very little bass, but it is well defined and don' t sound like a lot of notes running together. They remind me of a fast sextett with even less bass. So now a real pair of electrostats are on my early Christmas list. I'll probably be selling these to recover a little from just purchasing a pair a audio technica ad1000. I have enjoyed these though. But I like my senns better, and I just can't part with my sextetts.

 

[ourfpshero]

thx for that. i got a pioneer receiver but still get only quiet volume level. pushing the volume knob way up gives me a nice electrical burn smell from the headphones!! so i will be sending these back. wasted 20$ on a thrift store receiver too (yea yea the money goes to charity)

trade me yours! now i am curious about electros

 

[ourfpshero]

ok- ebay seller refunded me and told me to keep them (was a consignment seller)

any ideas?

 

[ourfpshero]

these have sat around for a few days. hooked them up to my receiver, got little sound, turned it up, the sound crackled and sparks were flashing in the left driver!!!!

afterwards the sound was clearer but still pretty quiet. what is happeening here?

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ourfpshero /img/forum/go_quote.gif these have sat around for a few days. hooked them up to my receiver, got little sound, turned it up, the sound crackled and sparks were flashing in the left driver!!!! afterwards the sound was clearer but still pretty quiet. what is happeening here?

Nothing good, I'm sure of that - sounds like you arc'd a driver = hole in driver.

 

[ourfpshero]

i think u r correct.
so is the low volume that these had indicative of a bad headphone? is the energizer still ok? i see occasional electrostats w/o energizers pop up on ebay