Stax Omega II vs Stax SR404, the second installment

[Vertigo-1]

Quote:

Originally posted by ServinginEcuador Compared to any other cans I have used with the music I have the Omegas are a bit dark in their presentation. The highs on the Grado HP-1000s was a little more emphasized, and to my year in this system more neutral. It could have to do with my ICs, so I am doing a LOT of experimenting with them to find out if I can either rid or lessen the dark quality to them. I tend to think it is more in the cans since the same music is a bit brighter and not dark at all thru the 404s. I have both of them connected at the same time, so all I have to do is swap them off my gourd to verify what I am hearing. No time lag at all involved to trick my mind.

I will agree that the Omega IIs are inherently a bit soft on the highs. You can play around with the "darkness" through cabling, but you could probably use the brightest cables in the world and the Omega IIs will still sound soft on the highs.

It's particularly noticeable if you switch over from a headphone that inherently has a good dosage of highs, like the 404. One thing I notice though is my adjustment time tends to be very quick with the Omega IIs. That is, no matter what headphone I come off of, I will find myself cozying into the Omega II's presentation within minutes of putting them on. So what sounds dark at first will eventually sound quite even and natural, and will remain so throughout the listening session. This is vastly different from past experiences I've had with dynamic headphones where if I notice something wrong or "missing" from a headphone, it will bug me till the day I sell the headphone. In fact I'd say I experience that even with the 404. But not with the Omega I or II.

The Omega IIs are absolutely missing no highs however, so the highs are not rolled off in any way. In fact with my current set of cabling, the extension and decay of the treble is absolutely insane, while simultaneously sounding quite wholesome.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Vert,

I was beginning to think about what you said in how the Oemgas are not rolled off or dark, but do the highs exceptionally well. I have been listening to some classical recordings and must admit that if there is any roll-off at all is is at the far extreme of highs. Every instrument I am hearing seems to sound just right, without anything lacking at all. I would call the RKV rolled-off on the highs, but this definitely has a LOT more extension in the highs than that amp did. These Omegas sure do get classical music sounding quite incredible. I just got these discs so I don't know how they sound thru anything else, but will do some fun testing with the CD3Ks and the SR404s as time progresses.

So much fun, so little time.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Quote:

Originally posted by HighwayStar I think that's what Doug was referring to with "Some, like Srajan at 6Moons thinks that the SR303 and SR404 are identical sound wise."...

Yes, it was. Thanks Ken and Tom. I should have linked Srajan's review but didn't think about it. Thanks for the link Tom

Quote:

And Doug, very well done !

Thanks for the kind words. They are greatly appreciated.

 

[Sovkiller]

Well I think that this is must, anyway I think you still have them around, right? Com'on man don't make me tell you.....you know....how about a comparison of the Omegas and the CD3000 with the best amp you have heard it....especially with dynamic and fast music like rock, metal, jazz/rock, fussion, etc....???

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Alberto,

The only amp I have on hand is the team dinky amp Creek OBH-11. I had to sell everything else off, including a couple of organs I had spares of, in order to afford the KGSS and Omegas. I would love to get ahold of a really decent amp and compare them, but, if you still want I will break out the Creek, dust it off, and let you know how they compare. In fact, it's your birthday, I'll just do it.

 

[Sovkiller]

The Creek was never my cup of tea, BTW if you mod it the sound improves a lot according to Pink Floyd, is only a couple of filters and a few other minor things....I will be pleased if just by memory you could tell us.....

BTW Serving if you want a cheap amp for the CD3000 and keep both setups, dynamic and Electrostatic without giving an arm and ea leg, just sell the Creek, and get the Perreaux, is a hell of a little amp with the CD3000, IMO the cheapest acceptable for it, without going DIY...

 

[grinch]

i agree with all of vert's points.

i had a similar experience this weekend at the ct meet when i switched from ms pro to my hp-1's. the hp-1's actually sounded dark and bassy. it took me a minute or two of thinking to realize that the ms pro is just a brighter 'phone though, but the direct comparison really threw me off for a minute there.

 

[dparrish]

Regarding the Omega IIs presentation of the highs, my perception is that, compared to the 404s, the Omegas emphasize the mid to low end a bit more--they're more solid down low. It's this low end emphasis in relation to the 404s, I believe, which accounts for the Omega IIs less bright sound on top. I don't believe there is any LESS information there, but the highs stand out less, due to the overall balance of sound.

However one wants to characterize this difference, I'm in love with it

David

 

[Matt]

...team "KGSS/Stax"...I am a permanent, jingoistic member of "Team Stax/Vinyl." HEEEAAAAAVVVVEEEEENNNNNN!!! (Plus, it's a team more generally affordable to join)

I can wait to hear some vinyl through my (fixed and revamped) KGSS and 404's. Judging by ServinginEcuador's review (and my wallet), I would love the Omega II's, but feel no great need to have them right now, as the 404's seem to deliver a lot of bang for the buck, and I am all about value.

As far as the 404 squeaks, Nik, they no longer exist: I got a 2003 pair of 404's which are dead silent AND have a far more solid, "integrated" feel (vs. my 2002 303's, which sqeaked right from the start and felt like they had more "play" in between joints and throughout the whole construction...the 404's are comfotable, tight and "out of sight").

You do look like a GIGANTIC ROBOT NERDBOMBER with them on, though. .

- Matt

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Matt,

Good for you. I am glad to hear you like the 404s. I was perfectly happy with mine and was enamoured with them from the moment I got 'em. They are simply a very high price/performance set of cans, and it takes a rather hefty investment to surpass them. Really hefty!

Let us know how you like the vinyl coming thru the Stax.

PS. Thanks for the idea for the new signature. I liked your statement so much I had to incorporate it. Thanks.

 

[Matt]

...from one friend to another, I must say that even if you have to beg, steal and borrow (or at least just borrow someone else's stuff), hook a turntable up to your rig. Make sure you're sitting down.


- Matt

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Matt,

If all goes well I will be bringing my KGSS and 404/Omegas to the states next year. I may just take you up on that and check into a turntable while I am there. A cheap one would be nice to have, but getting it and the LPs to Ecuador again will be a TOTAL pain. Things made out of solid metal often don't survive the trip and airline handling, so I am not sure how a turntable and a bunch of LPs would fare.

Have fun on the 14th. I will be celebrating my 7th anniversary that night at some decent restaurant here in Quito, so no headphone listening until I get home with a full stomach. At Rincon de Gaucho here we can get a filet mignon for about $8. I mean a BIG filet for $8. Boy, I'm getting hungry already just thinking about that beef.

 

[Matt]

...I can pretty much guarantee you bliss with records.

Look, man, we have a record store in town that sells used records for $1 (mostly) up to $3, $4 - $8 (for desireable jazz titles). Mostly rock and roll, lots of easy listening, jazz, a good selection of classical masterworks (you only find adventurous stuff once in a while), lots of exotic/foreign stuff. Fun, cheap, somewhat damaged, but wonderful.

If you're interested, I could get you in on some shopping trips...during holidays they cut prices by 50 - 75%...a great time to acquire damn decent records for a quarter each. Plus, they sound better than SACD's (if you can get over a little surface noise...believe me, you'll more than likely be able to).

The bottom line is this: Stax was made for vinyl playback. Period. Redbook, DVD-A and SACD all sound fine on Stax, but DAMNIT vinyl sounds way better.

Regards,
Matt

 

[marios_mar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt ...I can pretty much guarantee you bliss with records. Look, man, we have a record store in town that sells used records for $1 (mostly) up to $3, $4 - $8 (for desireable jazz titles). Mostly rock and roll, lots of easy listening, jazz, a good selection of classical masterworks (you only find adventurous stuff once in a while), lots of exotic/foreign stuff. Fun, cheap, somewhat damaged, but wonderful. If you're interested, I could get you in on some shopping trips...during holidays they cut prices by 50 - 75%...a great time to acquire damn decent records for a quarter each. Plus, they sound better than SACD's (if you can get over a little surface noise...believe me, you'll more than likely be able to). The bottom line is this: Stax was made for vinyl playback. Period. Redbook, DVD-A and SACD all sound fine on Stax, but DAMNIT vinyl sounds way better. Regards, Matt

probably because the forward treble of the electrostatics kind of works well with the recessed treble of vinyl.

 

[gsferrari]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marios_mar probably because the forward treble of the electrostatics kind of works well with the recessed treble of vinyl.

Woah!! Dude!!

Blast from the past!! This thread has been dead for a year and you wake it up again

LOL