Plenty of pad modding done on other Stax and no reports of subsequent driver issues, at least that I've seen, most likely you'll be fine. But if any of the pads you use result in increase in "Stax fart", the crinkling you've heard, those I'd suggest avoiding. Stands to reason whatever associated pressure increase may also unduly stress the dust cover membranes, and job number one for any Stax owner is protecting the integrity of that driver assembly seal.
Stax SR-X1 (new entry model)
- Thread starter Chefguru
- Start date
RogueCrusher
100+ Head-Fier
Have you heard if new production units (like 3rd quarter 4th quarter) have had this issue remedied?
Just ordered mine today from Stax. I will be storing them in a drawer with other headphones. Should I store them in an ESD bag that seals via ziplock?
orcawithabat
Head-Fier
When it comes to any electrostatic headphone, having a non static cover, when not in use, is always recommended.stax does sell their version for like 25 bucks as well
catscratch
Headphoneus Supremus
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I haven't heard anything, but I also have no official sources so all I can do is read the same places everybody else does.
As far as storage, you don't need to go overboard. The drivers have dust covers and unless they're messed with dust shouldn't get in. Just keep them away from wet hair or other sources of moisture and out of direct sunlight. But if you want to go the extra step it won't hurt.
antonyfirst
Headphoneus Supremus
I have got a pair of these and I agree that they sound great. Wonderful balance. Currently I use them more than my nb Lambda (could be new toy syndrome, though). These have a few months of life and have never shown any imbalance (yet!), so there seem to be healthy pairs around.
ludoo
1000+ Head-Fier
Glad you like my old pair.
I never warmed up to their recessed upper mids, YMMV of course.
The semi-perforated (inner ear chamber is only part perforated) lamb pads are nice!
Minidsp EARS, SRD7
^ First impressions:
- tone is good, seems pretty seemless so far
- will try a/b later to attempt to parse subjective differences in tone and technicalities. Bass and treble quality comparison to HFM HE500 will be most interesting i think.
I have a few more pads Ive tried but these semi-perf lambs sound best so far. Ive a couple more from Aliexpress incoming and will update if any of those are winners.
Link to semi-perf lamb. I purchased 100mm, but that’s because I have an adapter. Without the adapter the pad wouldnt fit snugly and would leak…Anyways, Ill order another set of both except this time in 90mm to see if its preferable.
100mm full-perf vs semi-perf:
Minidsp EARS, SRD7
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A couple of questions for those with the complete system with the SRM-270S:
1) Does it get very hot?
2) Does it have enough power to drive the SR-X1 with moderate EQ and achieve a decent medium volume?
I'm thinking of buying the SRS-X1000 system and using my Qudelix-T71 as a DAC (to take advantage of its PEQ and multi-channel capabilities), but to avoid constantly plugging and unplugging it, my idea is to place it permanently on top of the SRM-270S. So, temperature is a crucial factor (the Qudelix doesn’t heat up at all, and I have it in a Dignis case).
Also, I'd like to know how many of you here have issues with channel imbalance with the SR-X1, as I've read this is a recurring problem with many Stax models.
Thanks in advance.
1) Does it get very hot?
2) Does it have enough power to drive the SR-X1 with moderate EQ and achieve a decent medium volume?
I'm thinking of buying the SRS-X1000 system and using my Qudelix-T71 as a DAC (to take advantage of its PEQ and multi-channel capabilities), but to avoid constantly plugging and unplugging it, my idea is to place it permanently on top of the SRM-270S. So, temperature is a crucial factor (the Qudelix doesn’t heat up at all, and I have it in a Dignis case).
Also, I'd like to know how many of you here have issues with channel imbalance with the SR-X1, as I've read this is a recurring problem with many Stax models.
Thanks in advance.
orcawithabat
Head-Fier
The 270s and the 252s are basically the same with no difference in power as far as I know. And having owned the 252s I will say if you plan on eq’ing, I’d probably get a 323s at the least. It depends how much you’ll be eq’ing. If you want to get to a harman level of bass it may require +6db or more and that’s when I’d say the 270 starts to show its weaknesses.
In terms of heat, again the 252s never got hot and since the 270s is basically the same thing I’d say no it doesn’t get very hot. Tube amps get very hot though. I have a modified T1s and that thing gets extremely hot haha
^ jersey pads vs stock
These pads are approximately the same dimensions (a tad thicker) as stock pads but made of a fabric material. The foam inside is effectively closed-cell. I havent tried yet because I imagine theyll sound mostly like stock pads. I was hoping these jersey pads would have slightly breathable foam for some ventilation. Sharing info on them as they may be a good alternative for some but must warn again that padrolling can be risky to drivers and probably nulls warranty.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNXlDxH
(also available in lamb)
- My padroll experiments seem to pattern my thoughts when padrolling Lambdas including L500 vs SR507 which used the same driver but different front-side venting (sealed vs not sealed).
— With stock pads (sealed and small ear chamber), I get the sensation of “slam” but I perceive this as pressurization, unnatural, and fatiguing.
— With velour pads, bass loses sense of weight and quantity despite measurements such as bass guitar seems more obscured within a track’s mix. Seal can compensate for bass with pressurization and reverb...
— With semi-sealed pads Im getting a preferable compromise subjectively: quantity, weight, and satisfactorily quick bass release. Optionally, I may yet try to make a 3DP pad adapter with vents built-in so can use any pad.
—— For example, Athena pads: still seals too much as detected by slightest diaphragm crinkle and slightest pressurization fatigue, besides the top end (8kHz+) is too bright however that can be mitigated with EQ or different amp. Otherwise an overall improvement over stock in terms of frequency response, comfort, listening fatigue, and crinkle.
— With stock pads (sealed and small ear chamber), I get the sensation of “slam” but I perceive this as pressurization, unnatural, and fatiguing.
— With velour pads, bass loses sense of weight and quantity despite measurements such as bass guitar seems more obscured within a track’s mix. Seal can compensate for bass with pressurization and reverb...
— With semi-sealed pads Im getting a preferable compromise subjectively: quantity, weight, and satisfactorily quick bass release. Optionally, I may yet try to make a 3DP pad adapter with vents built-in so can use any pad.
—— For example, Athena pads: still seals too much as detected by slightest diaphragm crinkle and slightest pressurization fatigue, besides the top end (8kHz+) is too bright however that can be mitigated with EQ or different amp. Otherwise an overall improvement over stock in terms of frequency response, comfort, listening fatigue, and crinkle.
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focysrite2
Head-Fier
what is your target for your measurements? shows your hd600 as flat. is hd600 your target?So first impressions from yesterday was right straight out of the box and brief after having not used any Stax in awhile... Now Ive let the SR-X1 play overnight for breaking-in despite not believing in break-in because I wanted to claim I had warmed up all the gear prior to a/b comparisons. Anyways, this morning SR-X1 sounds much better than recall from yesterday but is that gear break-in or brain break-in (adjusting expectations and memory).
Some mehsurements:
^ greater seal = decreased mid-bass quantity and increased bass extension
1kHz peak is not as bad as described earlier and this morning I agree subjectively. I think what threw me off yesterday was I havent listened to such (relatively) bass-light headphones in awhile including L500 because normally stays in storage so SR-X1 sounded heavy mid-forward compared to what Im used to. Sense of any sibilance gone too, perhaps that was an issue with my yesterday’s equalization (Lokius wiiide Q) which I am using none now.
^ pad seal was difficult to achieve on Minidsp EARS so used a velcro strap to hold in place.
Too lazy atm to get external hard drive with past measurements for overlaying graphs so for now here are links to some other of my headphone measurements for reference.
2023 HD600 and HD650 link
Various Stax Lambda link
weird 1.5khz lump overall better than i expected from stax
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- Custom target.what is your target for your measurements? shows your hd600 as flat. is hd600 your target?
weird 1.5khz lump overall better than i expected from stax
- Ill overlay HD6X0 for reference later today.
- According to some sources, SRD7 increases spl at ~ 6-10kHz. Ive not tried measuring the difference myself as Ive no energizer to compare to my SRD7 (modded). [Lend me your energizer and Ill try comparing frequency response]. Im fine with the apparent coloration because Im too cheap to buy an energizer and perhaps the SRD7 coloration can be synergistic.
Minidsp EARS, SRD7
Minidsp EARS, SRD7
^ curves aligned at 200Hz, measurements are of a new 2023 HD600 which should measure a little differently from an old used pair because of variations in production and wear n' tear.
^ curves aligned at 200Hz, measurements are of a new 2023 HD600 which should measure a little differently from an old used pair because of variations in production and wear n' tear.
edit:
^ jersey had smaller variance than stock pads due to slightly thicker pads sealing better
edit2: btw, the semi-perf lamb pads pressurization (not sure if correct terminology but that's what the sensation reminds me of, i seem to be extra sensitive to this compared to others i think) bothered me after awhile so prefer the compromise of the full-perforated lamb pads which have worse tonal response but none of the pressurization / slow bass release. 90mm variants on their way...
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BURNART
Head-Fier
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@Philimon , wouldn't it be better to use a 50db scale?
I genuinely dont know. Please explain why? I think its a matter of conversion by the reader, and that 50dB or 100dB would be a matter of preference per the reader.
My reasoning:
Ive stuck to 100dB out of habit so have become more familiar with interpreting. My “mehsurements” are not perfect so a zoomed-out view forces a vagueness much like how I use dB smoothing @(1/12) that demands readers to accept the data as less than perfect without having to explain why.
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