Sonoma Model One electrostatic headphone system

[Music Alchemist]

Are you considering making the purchase?

As I mentioned above, I have moved on to speakers, so probably not. Maybe I'll start collecting headphones again once I have a really nice five figure speaker system.

 

[joseph69]

As I mentioned above, I have moved on to speakers, so probably not. Maybe I'll start collecting headphones again once I have a really nice five figure speaker system.

Yes, I had seen you've moved on to speakers, congratulations. I thought maybe you were interested in the Sonoma as an "all in one" alternative.

 

[Music Alchemist]

I thought maybe you were interested in the Sonoma as an "all in one" alternative.

Normally I just buy stuff under $2,000 without hearing it first...but at this price point, I think each person really needs to go out and audition everything they can before making a decision.

The "all in one" aspect can be a convenience or a downside depending on one's priorities. Going from reports, it looks like the amp isn't able to drive these headphones nearly as loudly as most amps can (even in the electrostatic sector), and that alone could be a deal-breaker for some.

 

[joseph69]

Normally I just buy stuff under $2,000 without hearing it first...but at this price point, I think each person really needs to go out and audition everything they can before making a decision.

The "all in one" aspect can be a convenience or a downside depending on one's priorities. Going from reports, it looks like the amp isn't able to drive these headphones nearly as loudly as most amps can (even in the electrostatic sector), and that alone could be a deal-breaker for some.

Yes, I agree with you saying one should try to listen before buying. Unfortunately for most as well as me, this was very hard to do, so I had to buy and try. I've been following, so I have read the negative amp comments for those who listen on the louder side.

 

[Matez]

As I mentioned above, I have moved on to speakers, so probably not. Maybe I'll start collecting headphones again once I have a really nice five figure speaker system.

Ha, I did the very same thing. It's surprising how severe is the transition once one has really good stereo, at least that's my case. When I can, I listen to speakers fronted by valves/transistors. On the other hand, that Sonoma product is constantly somewhere in the back of my head. Presumably because of its form, it is that well-made to me.

 

[ScareDe2]

I saw on innerfidelity this new headphone on the Wall of Fame. That is an interesting setup. Could probably be a natural upgrade from a 3k planar magnetic set up to a 5k electrostatic.

Does that sound better than an LCD2, 3 or 4?

 

[SomeGuyDude]

What concerns me more than anything is his mention of distortion at high volumes. A $5k system should not have *any* distortion at *any* volume. I am very curious about these but there is no excuse for something this expensive to start distorting with bass heavy or loud music.

 

[Music Alchemist]

It's entirely possible that it's distorting due to the amp lacking the necessary output voltage. (Electrostats distort badly when they're pushed too loud and/or there's heavy bass and the amp can't handle it.) But since you can't normally upgrade to a different amp, you'd be stuck with the stock one unless you get into DIY.

 

[JimL11]

It's entirely possible that it's distorting due to the amp lacking the necessary output voltage. (Electrostats distort badly when they're pushed too loud and/or there's heavy bass and the amp can't handle it.) But since you can't normally upgrade to a different amp, you'd be stuck with the stock one unless you get into DIY.

Or it could be current limiting. Remember that this has a single-ended amp, which means that it is 25% efficient at most, and given its form factor, no room for big heat sinks. Compare that with, say the heat sinks in a BHSE, which is push-pull, so up to twice as efficient. With limited power handling, since standing power = PS voltage x standing current, the question is, what limits first, voltage or current. If someone can measure the amount of power the amp draws, you can easily interpolate how much power is available to the drivers. Presumably, the maximum voltage swing is going to be less than double the bias voltage, so that will also give you an idea of the current available.

Moreover, you can't easily build a DIY amp that is "better" as the dedicated amp has digital processing built in to compensate for any transducer shortcomings, and so any DIY amp is going to sound worse unless you can supply the needed digital processing of the input signal.

 

[mtoc]

It ain't no typical estats, it's Electret, man

 

[Music Alchemist]

It ain't no typical estats, it's Electret, man

The M1 is electrostatic, not electret. Read the information on their website.

https://www.sonomaacoustics.com/US/technology/#detail_item--amp1

Like all electrostatic transducers, the HPEL requires a high-voltage drive amplifier in order to function.

I owned a vintage electret system (STAX SR-30 & SRD-4) a few years back.

For those not aware:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphones#Electret

An electret driver functions along the same electromechanical means as an electrostatic driver. However the electret driver has a permanent charge built into it, where electrostatics have the charge applied to the driver by an external generator.

 

[Music Alchemist]

New review.

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/sonoma-acoustics-model-one-electrostatic-headphone

 

[joseph69]

New review.

Are you selling and saving for the Model One?

 

[Music Alchemist]

Are you selling and saving for the Model One?

No. And you already asked months ago.

 

[joseph69]

Things change which is why I asked you...excuse me for asking again.