Stax: SR 002 + Srm 002 and Srm 003 mk2 + Srm 003 impression and appreciation thread

[fidgeraldo]

The CES-A1 worked great, reducing outside noise. Ear wings also worked as well.

For my liking, Stax SR-003MK2 are already Hall of Fame IEMs. Does CES-A1 make 003 sound even better, and if it does, how?

Cheers!

 

[timb5881]

For my liking, Stax SR-003MK2 are already Hall of Fame IEMs. Does CES-A1 make 003 sound even better, and if it does, how?

Cheers!

It does change the sound. I use a little cotton inside of the cups, and it helps. The cups enhance the bass and the soundstage is smaller.

 

[pokrog]

It does change the sound. I use a little cotton inside of the cups, and it helps. The cups enhance the bass and the soundstage is smaller.

The Oratory1990 preset for the CES-A1 in PEACE APO helps SOOOO much with the tuning and brings all the stage back. With the cotton mod and that EQ (and I throw a little extra bass in), they're easily better than any IEM at any price that I've ever heard in every possible metric. Stage size, separation, detail, timbre, crazy bass slam, you name it. I really wish there was better eartips available...

 

[fidgeraldo]

I really wish there was better eartips available...

Next-gen 004, perfect fit and Magnesium shells...and I am all in.
I am visiting a couple of IEM threads, and it's really interesting how unknown these are to the vast majority of people.
I know it depends on its own amplification, but still, to let go of these under your nose and go unnoticed is a loss!
I have a bunch of pretty good IEMs, but these are really closest to headphones-like experience.

Cheers!

 

[comzee]

For the past 8yr I've owned an SRM-002/SR-002 system. How much of an upgrade would getting the STAX SR-003MK2 and SRM-D10 II System be?

Also I use the CES-A1 for my SR-002, do people also recommend that for the SR003mk2 ?

 

[timb5881]

For the past 8yr I've owned an SRM-002/SR-002 system. How much of an upgrade would getting the STAX SR-003MK2 and SRM-D10 II System be?

Also I use the CES-A1 for my SR-002, do people also recommend that for the SR003mk2 ?

The SR-002 and SR-003 are identical except for cable. I am going to go out on a limb and say the SRM-002 is better. The big difference is the voltage to the plates is 280 volts on the 002 and the D-10 is only 200 volts.
The D10 also hosts a built in DAC which has not been highly regarded. If you want an upgrade in a portable amp, look at the Kingsound M-03. It is rechargeable and has a 300 volt to plate voltage.
If you are not looking for a portable amp, the sky is the limit well almost. Skip the low power/cost SRM-212 252 a the Xh, as they are in the same vein as the SRM-002. The SRM-313 and the 323 have a little over 4 db more volume. After these you can read up on the upper tier Stax and other amps.
Unless your SRS-002 is acting up or needs repair, I would be content with what you have.

 

[timb5881]

Having fun today trying different ear tips. So far I am not impressed with with the plain tips. Every earwing version sound better to me. The plain tips had great detail but low bass was much leaner and not as full. The earwings could fit farther into the ear canal, so adjusting insertion can tune them.

 

[timb5881]

I’m begging to think that I am the only one posting!

 

[astromaddie]

I’m begging to think that I am the only one posting!

Not much to add, I’m afraid! I could say that I love the CES tips that @comzee was asking about, and I actually do prefer the D10 over the 002 amp, though the 002 amp is much more pocketable. I happen to have an 002 to 003 adapter so I’m able to get the best of both worlds— not sure it would be worth replacing the 002 for a 003 outright as the D10 is much more bulky.

 

[whitemouse]

This is older thread and reviews sre from years ago, but every point made still stands. Nothing comes close to Electroststics, the initial wow effect may be missing, because they do not sound like anything else, the only ones close to almost lack of distortion are top Planars. But there are very few Planar Magnetic IEM, I can only think of Audeze LCDi4, which I have used 3 years now. But still, in ear electroststics blow them away, even the very best portable sources, Audeze LCDi4 simply can not keep up with Stax and with Shure KSE1200 and 1500 electroststics. They simply can't, because moving mass of electroststics is lower, and therefore distortion is lower. When people say 'clarity', 'transparency', what these terms mean is low distortion.

All IEM need best fitting ear tips, the rubber buds, but with electroststics, with Stax and especially Shure KSE, the rubber tips make them or break them, rubber tips give us the isolation, and because of isolation we get bass. I have tried pretty much everything that are highly recommended, with Shure I go with Azla Crystal. Not the Xeastec, oddly enough, with many IEM Azla Xelastec offer best fit, and isolation.

To me, portability is the main importance, I travel and gear needs to be portable, and not bricks of the size of iBasso Max series at 700 grams. It has to be truly portable and Stax SR 002 + Srm 002 are truly portable, you just need a good source, as good as possible. I use Sony A1, cousin of the famous gold Z1 and I use Fiio M15, a really good DAP, with manageable size and weight.

Do yourself a favour, get some electroststics in your life. You'll stop using everything else.

 

[astromaddie]

This is older thread and reviews sre from years ago, but every point made still stands. Nothing comes close to Electroststics, the initial wow effect may be missing, because they do not sound like anything else, the only ones close to almost lack of distortion are top Planars. But there are very few Planar Magnetic IEM, I can only think of Audeze LCDi4, which I have used 3 years now. But still, in ear electroststics blow them away, even the very best portable sources, Audeze LCDi4 simply can not keep up with Stax and with Shure KSE1200 and 1500 electroststics. They simply can't, because moving mass of electroststics is lower, and therefore distortion is lower. When people say 'clarity', 'transparency', what these terms mean is low distortion.

All IEM need best fitting ear tips, the rubber buds, but with electroststics, with Stax and especially Shure KSE, the rubber tips make them or break them, rubber tips give us the isolation, and because of isolation we get bass. I have tried pretty much everything that are highly recommended, with Shure I go with Azla Crystal. Not the Xeastec, oddly enough, with many IEM Azla Xelastec offer best fit, and isolation.

To me, portability is the main importance, I travel and gear needs to be portable, and not bricks of the size of iBasso Max series at 700 grams. It has to be truly portable and Stax SR 002 + Srm 002 are truly portable, you just need a good source, as good as possible. I use Sony A1, cousin of the famous gold Z1 and I use Fiio M15, a really good DAP, with manageable size and weight.

Do yourself a favour, get some electroststics in your life. You'll stop using everything else.

Sooo agreed! I personally prefer using the SR 002 with the CES closed back and wing tips, the with some cotton added in the closed back, as the added depth feels impossible to go back from. What tips do you use?

 

[whitemouse]

Sooo agreed! I personally prefer using the SR 002 with the CES closed back and wing tips, the with some cotton added in the closed back, as the added depth feels impossible to go back from. What tips do you use?

Factory tips.
To be completely clear, I tend to use Shure KSE1500 electrostatic IRM more often, and the reason is sound isolation, South East Asia streets are noisy, Bangkok is not a quiet place and Shure act like ear plugs, but plugs that give you sound.

Stax are just as good sound quality, but in noisy environment Shure electroststics have simple advantage of noise isolation.

Everything else with Stax and Shure is equal, both offer the best audio reproduction in portable setup.


I read endless threads at head-fi about Balanced Armature design IEMs, 10 armatures in casing, 12... I think some use 16 drivers inside one earpiece. But no matter how many Armature elements are stacked together, Stax blows them away half trying. Peole just do not try them out, many if not most audio people do not give electroststics a chance.
Here in Bangkok you can walk in audio shops and audition pretty much everything made on the planet, I often go and listen to newest stuff. Nothing comes close to electrostatics.

 

[astromaddie]

Factory tips.
To be completely clear, I tend to use Shure KSE1500 electrostatic IRM more often, and the reason is sound isolation, South East Asia streets are noisy, Bangkok is not a quiet place and Shure act like ear plugs, but plugs that give you sound.

Stax are just as good sound quality, but in noisy environment Shure electroststics have simple advantage of noise isolation.

Everything else with Stax and Shure is equal, both offer the best audio reproduction in portable setup.


I read endless threads at head-fi about Balanced Armature design IEMs, 10 armatures in casing, 12... I think some use 16 drivers inside one earpiece. But no matter how many Armature elements are stacked together, Stax blows them away half trying. Peole just do not try them out, many if not most audio people do not give electroststics a chance.
Here in Bangkok you can walk in audio shops and audition pretty much everything made on the planet, I often go and listen to newest stuff. Nothing comes close to electrostatics.

Bangkok sure is noisy! I live in Tokyo, which has the same perk of audio shops containing everything you could want to try out, but the city is quite a bit more quiet

I got my start in audiophilia with balanced armature IEMs, and still have my originals (Etymotics) and still feel there are massive diminishing returns with adding additional drivers to the design… but you’re spot on that they still don’t come close to the low distortion and sound signature of electrostats.

Have you tried the CES backs? They really do wonders at noise isolation, though probably not Bangkok-street-level isolation the wing tips also fit my ears a lot better than the stock tips.

I haven’t tried the Shures, despite interest, just because I don’t want to tempt myself to buy a second set of electrostatic IEMs!

 

[whitemouse]

Have you tried the CES backs? They really do wonders at noise isolation, though probably not Bangkok-street-level isolation the wing tips also fit my ears a lot better than the stock tips.

I haven’t tried the Shures, despite interest, just because I don’t want to tempt myself to buy a second set of electrostatic IEMs!

No, haven't, but now think I should!

 

[whitemouse]

I haven’t tried the Shures, despite interest, just because I don’t want to tempt myself to buy a second set of electrostatic IEMs!

Understood.

Needs to be pointed out, Shure has characteristics that should be considered before committing, they sound better with every ear tip upgrade, the goal is to get the most sound isolation, that's when the very deep bass appears, the very common prejudice against all electroststics is lack of bass. Bass is there, with IEMs you have to find the best tips for your ears, there is no universal fit, no one can claim a certain manufacturer is better than rest. I have tried all Spinfits, Comply P, Comply 100, s s finally Azla, for my ear canal the L size Azla Crystal is perfect ear plug.
Azla Xelastec, often sited as the favourite silicon tip is too sticky, I pull out the Shure, the silicon tips stays inside the esr canal, the silicon material of Xelastec almost like a glue, it offers amazing isolation, can't argue.

With Shures you are almost completely isolated from the outside world. This has its penalties, walking, you have to watch out carefully, because you do not hear cars, motorcycles, and these are all over the place in Bangkok, motorcycles taking shortcuts and often riding against incoming traffic lane, you have to be very aware of surroundings all the time while Shires are inside the esr canal.
Also, ear canal does not breath, wearing these rubber tips can get tiring, even painful especially with factory memory foam tipd, but to my ears it would take hours to feel any discomfort.
Anyone familiar with Shure SE series Balanced Armatures is familiar with all this, the KSE are exactly like SE846, SE535 in that sense, they even share the same 2 mm bore, the nozzle and supplied factory rubber tips are identical package with all SE series IEM.

So, something to consider.

Then there is price. The KSE 1500 retail in USA is $3000, i Thailand retail is $4000 USD. That's sobering

I got mine at 70 percent off.

Here is screen cap of Bangkok retailer, showing Thai pricing. Considering salaries of most workers here, restaurant waiters, hotel employees, KSE1500 cost is more than 1 year salary.

No wonder that retailers do not stock the Shure KSE 1500.
But Stax 009S is stocked, and can be auditioned in Bangkok, double the price of Shure.