STAX Lambdas "The legendary Lambdas"

[protoss]

Legendary STAX started in 1959, and in 1979, they created the flagship electrostatic sound, which is where all electrostatic sound comes from. Let's strictly only talk about the legendary Lambdas.


SR-Lambda 1979 N, 6-pin Lambda series

SR-Lambda Pro 1982 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-Lambda Signature 1987 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-Lambda Spirit 1992 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series, Japan version of the classic

SR-Lambda Pro Classic 1993 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series, 10th-anniversary edition

SR-Lambda Nova Basic 1994 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-Lambda Nova Classic 1994 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-Lambda Nova Signature 1994 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-202 Basic 1999 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-303 Classic 1999 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-404 Signature 1999 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-404 Limited 2009 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series, Limited Edition, 1,000 units

SR-207 2010 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-307 2010 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-407 2010 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-507 2010 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-L700 2015 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-L500 2015 Pro, 5 Pin Lambda series

SR-L300 2016 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-L300 Limited 2018 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series, Limited Edition, 800 units

SR-L500MK2 2019 Pro, 5 Pin Lambda series

SR-L700MK2 2019 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series



SR-Lambda

In 1979 STAX released their Lambda flagship called, SR-Lambda (Normal bias) at 230V instead of the 580V of today. This is one of the best-sounding headphones ever made. A perfect representation of a vintage sound that holds its own. A smooth, balanced, neutral sound that marks the beginning of a perfect headphone.

SR-Lambda Pro

In 1982, STAX released their 2nd Lambda flagship called, SR-Lambda Pro. This model quickly changed their bias voltage to 580V. A standard across all electrostatic earspeakers. This headphone sounds similar to the normal bias version but has more dynamics, punch, and bass. It lost somewhat of the gentle touch of the original, producing more of a V shape, but nonetheless an amazing headphone.

SR-Lambda Signature

In 1987, STAX released their 3rd Lambda flagship called, SR-Lambda Signature—a unique analtyical headphone.

SR-Lambda Nova Signature

In 1994, STAX released their 4th Lambda flagship called, SR-Lambda Nova Signature—one of the best headphones ever made. In rank it is actually 4th in place because of the above mention.

SR-404 Signature

In 1999, STAX released their 5th Lambda flagship called, SR-404 Signature—another great headphone.

SR-507

In 2010, STAX released their 6th Lambda flagship called, SR-507—the beginning of modern sounding heaphones (HD800, Hifiman, Utopia, LCD, Abyss 1066, etch…)

SR-L700 and L700MK2

From 2015 to 2020, STAX released their latest lambda flagship called L700.



Flagship Lambdas

SR-Lambda 1979 N, 6-pin Lambda series

SR-Lambda Pro 1982 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-Lambda Signature 1987 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-Lambda Nova Signature 1994 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-404 Signature 1999 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-507 2010 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-L700MK1 2015 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-L700MK2 2019 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-404 Limited 2009 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series

SR-L300 Limited 2018 Pro, 5-pin Lambda series


With these headphones, you are supposed to get lightning-fast speed and excellent resolution with a well-balanced, open wide soundstage with accurate imaging sound, with the trade-off of lacking bass, being dry/cold (older models are warm), lack of timbre, and sometimes treble issues.

 

[protoss]

STAX L700MK2
Using the L700Mk2 alot these days. It is a great headphone. One of the best. It is surprisingly warm and balanced for a 2019 headphone! This headphone is very nice with the 313/717 and an R2R Dac. As long you can use your gear to warm up the headphones and still have their quality shine without distortion, it is the key. With that, the 307 and 404 are other prime examples.

The 404 very nice. Bigger earcups made it a nice features.

 

[protoss]

STAX L300
STAX L500MK2
STAX L700MK2

L300 is an entry level with thin pleather pads and blue cable stripes. The sound is very similar to L500. A bit more gentle, thin, and intimate
L500MK2 is a mid-tier level with thicker pleather pads and silver cable stripes. The sound is more forward and punchy.
L700MK2 is the flagship of today's current (2023) lambdas. It has leather pads and gold cable stripes and is better all around. The sound is dark/warm. It is more gentle than L500 and has more depth.

The L700MK2 is the most comfortable, and the L300 is the least comfortable. The L300 has very thin pads and is too tight.

Sound:
They all have a clear, smooth, transparent, balanced, detailed, intimate sound. There is no doubt about this—all lack bass, and thin, and small soundstage.
The differences:
The L300 is indeed a Harman curve headphone.
The L700Mk2 is warm, a dark headphone. I am blown away by how it is tuned.
The L500MK2 is more punchy and forward.

Because the L300 has a Harman curve target, it can easily be the best lambda today. It is not shocking to me, but for others, yes. It is very balanced and musical. It is not dark/warm like the L700, and it is not forward like the L500.

 

[Markus9229]

I think the Lambda Signature from a proper amp is probably one of the best headphones I've ever heard.

Using them with an iFi iESL as the energizer and a pair of Stax class A monoblock speaker amplifiers from the same era.

 

[StradivariusViolin]

STAX L300
STAX L500MK2
STAX L700MK2



L300 is an entry level with thin pleather pads and blue cable stripes. The sound is very similar to L500. A bit more gentle, thin, and intimate
L500MK2 is a mid-tier level with thicker pleather pads and silver cable stripes. The sound is more forward and punchy.
L700MK2 is the flagship of today's current (2023) lambdas. It has leather pads and gold cable stripes and is better all around. The sound is dark/warm. It is more gentle than L500 and has more depth.

The L700MK2 is the most comfortable, and the L300 is the least comfortable. The L300 has very thin pads and is too tight.

Sound:
They all have a clear, smooth, transparent, balanced, detailed, intimate sound. There is no doubt about this—all lack bass, and thin, and small soundstage.
The differences:
The L300 is indeed a Harman curve headphone.
The L700Mk2 is warm, a dark headphone. I am blown away by how it is tuned.
The L500MK2 is more punchy and forward.

Because the L300 has a Harman curve target, it can easily be the best lambda today. It is not shocking to me, but for others, yes. It is very balanced and musical. It is not dark/warm like the L700, and it is not forward like the L500.

Love 'em!