Noob Stax research

[Faust2D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif The sigmas are also anxiously fighting for the crown of "most ridiculous looking headphones ever" with the Jecklin Float. Not that anyone really cares about that at this point. You will certainly, certainly find more "air" with the Sigmas, but it is at the expense of realistic soundstage, treble and bass extension, and respect of your peers.

IMHO you are way wrong here. The realistic soundstage is what Sigma does best, as well as realistic bass slam. It might not go to the frequency extremes but it has adequate high and low extension for almost all rock or acoustic music and soundstage is to die for. They are a big step up from any Lambda for me, but as they say YMMV.

 

[Keithpgdrb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Differences: * Bias voltage. * Diaphragm thickness. * Sound. * Color. * Going price. * Age. * ...

so again, which one is which? is the signature pro bias only?

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Sigma line was the TOTL Stax model for 15 years but not like the Omega line as they were more about a different point of view and had a higher price due to the more elaborate chassis. The throw a huge soundstage but placing the drivers so far away from the ears means they gobble up power like the Omegas and you loose bass and treble extension. The Lambda line was born out of the Sigma research and the main agenda was to make a headphone that sounded like the SR-X Mk3 yet had more bass and treble extension with a more natural soundstage.

so would the normal bias lambdas be considered superior? maybe I should pose the question like this. If I had a lambda normal bias, a lambda signature, and a sigma something, all the same price, which one is preferred. if they are different in sound signature, how so?

I'm just trying to figure out what to look for, and all these model numbers, old and new, is confusing.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keithpgdrb /img/forum/go_quote.gif so again, which one is which? is the signature pro bias only? Signature is a Pro bias that brings the sound back in the right direction after messing up the Lambda Pro, but yet is still an upgrade to the normal bias Lambda. My main complaint with Lambda Pro was a midrange suckout that many other people enjoy. So, I think the Signature brings the sound back closer to the normal bias lambda but it is improved on in an evolutionary manner. so would the normal bias lambdas be considered superior? maybe I should pose the question like this. If I had a lambda normal bias, a lambda signature, and a sigma something, all the same price, which one is preferred. if they are different in sound signature, how so? Supposedly the Sigma Pro is better sounding than Sigma non-pro, and they are supposed to be better than any Lambda, which is why a Sigma Pro can fetch $600-800 depending on the condition and a normal Sigma may get $500. Some people have Sigmas with the SR-404 drivers transplanted into them and claim heavenly bliss. I can't compare Sigma to Lambda because I haven't heard a Sigma - I can't get over the ugly factor. I think the SR-Lambda and Lambda Signature are better than Lambda Pro. I also like my Gamma Pro and SR-5NB gold edition more than Lambda Pro, unless I apply EQ to the Lambda Pro to bump the lower mids a bit. In dynamics the Darth Beyer had the same midrange suckout for me, Proline 2500 or Grado HF-1 with bowls have a little suckout but not near as bad. Again, if you can apply EQ to the sound, the Lambda Pro is an option and the highs can be a little smoother than the Signature (which is smoother than current models). I'm just trying to figure out what to look for, and all these model numbers, old and new, is confusing.

See answers in red above.

 

[Keithpgdrb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif See answers in red above.

I'm really showing my noob status here. I was not aware that there are so many versions of the lambda. is this a correct breakdown?

lambda normal bias - these are the older versions of the phone
lambda signature - a pro bias version of the lambda normal bias, improved.
lambda pro - a pro version of the lambda, thats not so good?

any sigma - theoretically superior to the lambda line, but has a hole in the mids in your opinon.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keithpgdrb /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm really showing my noob status here. I was not aware that there are so many versions of the lambda. is this a correct breakdown? lambda normal bias - these are the oldest versions of the Lambda phone lambda pro - a pro bias version of the lambda, thats not so good even though it was to supercede the normal bias Lambda, but didn't due to a hole in the mids lambda signature - a pro bias version of the lambda that came out after the Lambda Pro, improved. any sigma - theoretically superior to the lambda line, but has a no hole in the mids according to others, since I never heard them.

see corrections in red

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keithpgdrb /img/forum/go_quote.gif so again, which one is which? is the signature pro bias only?

Let me see:

* Bias voltage.
SR-Lambda => Normal bias. SR-Lambda Signature => Pro bias.

* Diaphragm thickness.
SR-Lambda => 2um. SR-Lambda Signature => 1um. If I am not wrong...

* Sound.
Someone else describe this one, as I have heard neither of them.

* Color.
SR-Lambda => Black. SR-Lambda Signature => Dark brown.

* Going price.
SR-Lambda => $2-300. SR-Lambda Signature => $5-700.

* Age.
SR-Lambda => Introduced 1979. SR-Lambda Signature => Introduced 1987.

 

[Oublie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Let me see: * Bias voltage. SR-Lambda => Normal bias. SR-Lambda Signature => Pro bias. * Diaphragm thickness. SR-Lambda => 2um. SR-Lambda Signature => 1um. If I am not wrong... * Sound. Someone else describe this one, as I have heard neither of them. * Color. SR-Lambda => Black. SR-Lambda Signature => Dark brown. * Going price. SR-Lambda => $2-300. SR-Lambda Signature => $5-700. * Age. SR-Lambda => Introduced 1979. SR-Lambda Signature => Introduced 1987.

That sounds about right. As for sound i can only compare the SR-Lambda with the SR-Lambda Pro. The easiest description of the sound is that the normal bias SR-Lambda have better midrange i.e. listening to vocals etc whilst the bass on the Lambda pro's is superior to that of the normal bias ones -from my understanding this is a lot to do with the distance between the diapham and stator and the doubling of the bias voltage which allows for more lower end oomph. From what i have read the SR-Lambda Signature is the best of both phones however, I can't see a 1 micron difference in diaphram thickness making much of a difference as all the stax are very very fast.

I'm currently only listening to my pro's bought from Spritzer a week ago (thanks spritzer!) the is the new toy factor coming into play. I have a-b'd them on exactly the same rig and there are distinct differences in the sound.

 

[plaidplatypus]

I'd like to add my two cents to what Larry had to say. I've owned the SR-Lambda, SR-Lambda Professional, SR-Lambda Signature, and SR-Sigma Professional at the same time. The amps I have tried them with are the HeadAmp KGSS and STAX SRM-007t.

I would not reccomend Sigmas for the Stax noob. With the KGSS I think the Sigma Pro is the most natural sounding. It lacks mids compared to the HE-60 or Omega II but it's all relative. If you love vocals the SR-007 (Omega II) is a better choice. Somehow though, classical sounds more real on the Sigma Pro/KGSS combo. On the the SRM-007t the Sigma Pro sounds very dull, that was an awful match.

As for the Lambdas: To me the KGSS is too revealing with the Lambdas but was great for the Sigma Pro and OII. I thought that the STAX SRM-007t was a good match for all the Lambdas. I liked the Lambda Pro the best out of the Lambdas with the SRM-007t but it was my least favorite Lambda with the KGSS.

In general all of the Lambdas have similar sound signatures but here's what I thought stood out about each one:

The SR-Lambda was the least picky of the bunch from one song to the next. I would call them the Sennheiser of the bunch but they are so much more exciting than the HD- series and not as refined as the HE- series.

The SR-Lambda Pro has some quality that was special to me. I could never define it and it wasn't something that stood out to me on every recording.

The Lambda Signature has highs that I found varying on the recording simply amazing or a bit annoying.


In the grand scheme of things I think the differences are just nit picking. I loved owning the Lambdas but I don't plan on going back. If I ever get to hear a SR-4070 it may change my mind but is it really a "Lambda"?

 

[Keithpgdrb]

man, these posts have been fantastic, and extremely helpful. I believe I have finally decided that my best move as a stax noob is to go for a lambda setup. it seems like the best bang for my buck. I have been trying to find out what the difference is between the different lambda phones, (with some fantastic help from Sherwood in particular) and what models are out there. I was pretty daunted by the numbering system, but I think I am getting a grasp of it. so, I have gotten some of this help already, but if anyone would like to "rate" the different lambda phones, or express particular differences, I would be very interested in your opinions. again, some of you, (headphone addict, spritzer etc.) have already laid some of this out, and I thank you for that! I figure an informed decision is the wise one in my case. It is truly a pleasure speaking with you guys. thanks in advance for any interest or help.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

I agree that there are some songs where the highs on the Lambda Signature can be annoying with some amps - but they are much better with the Woo GES than SRM-1 Mk2 pro, and also good with the SRD-7 Pro and a Travagans Red speaker amp with OPA627 opamps inside.

Lately I have been recommending the SR-Lambda to the Stax newbies above the others. The Lambda Pro with some EQ off my Macbook were great, but at the time I owned both pairs I was listening to CD's more than Macbook, and so no EQ was available to boost the mids.

 

[mothra]

well all i have is the sigma's and the sr-3's (as well as some non stax phones). I have the st-1 amp. The sigmas seem rolled off but the speaker displacement thing is kind of cool because it doesn't sound as much like the sanre drum is in your head. The 3's and the 5's i had have a flatter freq response but maybe don't approach the natural sound i think of from electrostatic speakers. I am a novice with headphones just using them in the context of recording usually where durability is everything. Now i'd like some nice listening ones but i am not sure where to move from here without spending a fortune.

Interesting posts here.

 

[-=Germania=-]

Keith,

The Lambda's are great headphones. I really want to get a pair and these SR-5's make it that much more tempting....
I would stress getting a good source though. The Auzen card and the Marantz CDP with the normal lines seem to have a bit of noise to them (to my ears YMMV).

I would look into a good DAC or nice CDP to go with those Lambdas. Maybe Vinyl?

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Everyone should have an SR-Lambda normal bias.

Then I think the next step is a pair of Koss ESP950 either re-terminated for a Stax pro-bias amp, or send them to APureSound to be modifed and re-cabled with the Stax PC-OCC cable like mine. My SR-007 Mk2 arrived today, but I am not sure about them yet - doing burn-in now...

 

[Oublie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif Everyone should have an SR-Lambda normal bias. Then I think the next step is a pair of Koss ESP950 either re-terminated for a Stax pro-bias amp, or send them to APureSound to be modifed and re-cabled with the Stax PC-OCC cable like mine. My SR-007 Mk2 arrived today, but I am not sure about them yet - doing burn-in now...

I think that depends on how much your willing to spend to try out a stax system. Personally my first was a set of electrets which although uncomfortable to wear for long periods got me hooked - this was very cheap so there was no concern about ending up with something i don't like as i could easily resell them.

 

[Keithpgdrb]

Since I've decided to start a search for lambda normal bias, I was looking for amp recommendations. also, if for some reason, I find an affordable lambda signature, what pro bias amps would you guys recommend?