Portable Electrostatic Headphone assembly - Please your help !

[rpeebles]

Dear Sirs,

I would like to purchase/assemble a high quality portable electrostatic set.

What is the STAX SRS-002 like ? Saw this is portable but do not really fancy in-ear.

I would really like to use the STAX SR-L700 ...or at least the L300...but with what STAX portable amplifier could I use it ? Is the STAX SRM-353x Driver Unit portable ?

I have even looked into the KingSound KS-04 and M-03 - Any good ?

Could this combo work; STAX SR-L700 and KS M-03 ? Or better in that case stick to the KingSound assembly ?

Could the music source in these cases be TIDAL coming from an IPHONE -7 ? Can the IPHONE-7 be connected to these amplifiers ?

Thank you very much for your help !

 

[cossix]

Do you mean portable as in walking around town with Stax on your head or portable as in being able to transport it somewhat easily? I can't imagine a situation where it's worth worrying about electrostats if all you need is a headphone for public use

 

[rpeebles]

Dear Cossix than you for the clarification request. I mean as in being able to transport it somewhat easily.. From study room to patio, for example. No in public use.

 

[cossix]

Dear Cossix than you for the clarification request. I mean as in being able to transport it somewhat easily.. From study room to patio, for example. No in public use.

Haha just making sure! I think @Music Alchemist is knowledgeable about Stax units.

 

[buke9]

Koss ESP-950’s is something to look at. It has a a battery pack so you don’t need ac power for it either.

 

[Music Alchemist]

If all you want to do is move your system from one room to another, I wouldn't call that portable per se.

Most of the amps are not battery-powered and would require unplugging and replugging, at the least. As long as you don't mind that, you'd be better off going with an in-production STAX amp with standard 5 pin PRO bias output such as the SRM-252S. It's smaller than the SRM-353X, so in that sense it's more portable.

You wouldn't be able to use most of the portable STAX amps with Lambdas (which include the SR-L300 and SR-L700) because they have a different connector.

Here are reference photos of what everything looks like.

If you want to use full-size STAX headphones with a battery-powered STAX amp, get your hands on the SRM-X Pro. (Look for it on eBay and other used market sites.)

Here are its specs: Released in 1990. 280V RMS output voltage. Inputs: 1x miniplug, 1x RCA. Outputs: 1x PRO bias, 1x Normal bias. Can be powered from a battery pack or from mains via an AC adapter.

Yes, you can use the King Sound M03 with any modern 5 pin PRO bias STAX headphone. That would be a simpler solution, though I wouldn't be able to tell you how it sounds.

You'll need to output an analog signal from your source to connect to the amp. How you do that is up to you.

And yes, the ESP950 is another option. (But I prefer the sound of the SR-L300.)

 

[rpeebles]

If all you want to do is move your system from one room to another, I wouldn't call that portable per se.

Most of the amps are not battery-powered and would require unplugging and replugging, at the least. As long as you don't mind that, you'd be better off going with an in-production STAX amp with standard 5 pin PRO bias output such as the SRM-252S. It's smaller than the SRM-353X, so in that sense it's more portable.

You wouldn't be able to use most of the portable STAX amps with Lambdas (which include the SR-L300 and SR-L700) because they have a different connector.

Here are reference photos of what everything looks like.

If you want to use full-size STAX headphones with a battery-powered STAX amp, get your hands on the SRM-X Pro. (Look for it on eBay and other used market sites.)

Here are its specs: Released in 1990. 280V RMS output voltage. Inputs: 1x miniplug, 1x RCA. Outputs: 1x PRO bias, 1x Normal bias. Can be powered from a battery pack or from mains via an AC adapter.

Yes, you can use the King Sound M03 with any modern 5 pin PRO bias STAX headphone. That would be a simpler solution, though I wouldn't be able to tell you how it sounds.

You'll need to output an analog signal from your source to connect to the amp. How you do that is up to you.

And yes, the ESP950 is another option. (But I prefer the sound of the SR-L300.)

Dear Music Alchemist a big thank you for such valuable and complete response - even including pics !

A couple of questions:

This got me a bit worried: "You wouldn't be able to use most of the portable STAX amps with Lambdas (which include the SR-L300 and SR-L700) because they have a different connector."

I could not find any available: SRM-X Pro in e-bay or other. Suppose it is a question of time and patience.

"you can use the King Sound M03 with any modern 5 pin PRO bias STAX headphone. Is the L-700 and or L500 5 pin PRO bias ? Any other Headphone alternative you recommend ?

That would be a simpler solution, Super ! though I wouldn't be able to tell you how it sounds" Anybody in the Forum knows how it would sound ?

You'll need to output an analog signal from your source to connect to the amp. That means a lightning connector to the IPHONE 7 and RCA connectors to the amp. Or 3.5 plug connector ? Sorry I am a beginner !

The ESP950 includes a battery in the standard kit ?

Thank you one again !!

 

[rpeebles]

Koss ESP-950’s is something to look at. It has a a battery pack so you don’t need ac power for it either.

Dear buke9...Thank you !

Does the Koss ESP-950 include the battery pack as a standard - not necessary to purchase it separately ?

What is the sound of the Koss like ? How much should it cost ?

Thanks for your help !

 

[buke9]

The 950's have a battery pack that uses C cell batteries.

 

[Music Alchemist]

I could not find any available: SRM-X Pro in e-bay or other. Suppose it is a question of time and patience.

These could work:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/STAX-SRD-X-professional-portable-adapter-vintage/132425919021

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stax-SRD-X...ctrostatic-headphones-earspeaker/332481768665

Is the L-700 and or L500 5 pin PRO bias ?

Yes, all in-production full-size STAX headphones are.

Any other Headphone alternative you recommend ?

I owned and loved the SR-L300. Haven't heard the two mentioned above yet.

That means a lightning connector to the IPHONE 7 and RCA connectors to the amp. Or 3.5 plug connector ? Sorry I am a beginner !

I don't use the iPhone and am not sure. You'd have to look into it. But you would connect to the amp via RCA. You may need an adapter cable, depending on what you do.

The ESP950 includes a battery in the standard kit ?

It includes a battery pack.

 

[rpeebles]

The 950's have a battery pack that uses C cell batteries.

Thank you.! Does the battery pack come included in the standard/base product configuration ?

 

[Music Alchemist]

Does the battery pack come included in the standard/base product configuration ?

As I said above, it includes the battery pack as long as you buy the official complete product. (Rather than, say, the headphones by themselves from the used market.)

 

[rpeebles]

These could work:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/STAX-SRD-X-professional-portable-adapter-vintage/132425919021

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stax-SRD-X...ctrostatic-headphones-earspeaker/332481768665



Yes, all in-production full-size STAX headphones are.



I owned and loved the SR-L300. Haven't heard the two mentioned above yet.



I don't use the iPhone and am not sure. You'd have to look into it. But you would connect to the amp via RCA. You may need an adapter cable, depending on what you do.



It includes a battery pack.

Thank You, Much appreciated !!

 

[rpeebles]

As I said above, it includes the battery pack as long as you buy the official complete product. (Rather than, say, the headphones by themselves from the used market.)

Ok Super, thanks for the clarification !

Much appreciated !

 

[rpeebles]

Hello there !

I did finally get the King Sound KS-04 and portable M3. Sounds awesome ! Very neutral, not bright and not very high volume.

But as always...I am now looking into a STAX combo. Looking into the SRD - X Pro portable amplifier - from ebay or the SRM T1 - from ebay. On the earspeaker side the L-700 or SR-007A.

I would like a relatively Bright and Detailed sound, as a complement to my KingSound arrangement.

Please your help - recommendations much appreciated !