Stax SR-X1 (new entry model)

May 27, 2024 at 6:34 AM Post #121 of 242
Imbalance issues weren't a thing back in the day, or at least they were rare, and on headphones where the coating started to deteriorate. But starting with the 009, Stax made some changes to their drivers, and that's where they became more frequent out of the box.

I certainly wouldn't compare Stax to Hifiman, but they could stand to improve some things.
 
May 27, 2024 at 3:44 PM Post #122 of 242
Unfortunate to see two such cases. I wonder if it is a mechanical (wiring) issue or coating...
Either of you try, er, "percussive maintenance" (giving it a firm smack)?

Haven't heard about Stax pro bias sets commonly developing imbalance before, but maybe I haven't looked much.
As far as I'm aware coating problems are mostly NB issue..
!

I'd avoid doing that, especially if against the face of the driver. This taken from the X9000 manual:

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Yeah, anecdotally ever since the 009 with every release there would be a spate of new units developing channel imbalance after a bit of use. Reports of such seem to taper off after the first year or so. Maybe improving consistency as they build manufacturing know-how with each production run, or simply because less units sold, any number of possible reasons or a combination thereof, who knows. Of new models I personally have had imbalance problems with the L700MK2 and X9000...
 
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May 27, 2024 at 4:01 PM Post #123 of 242
!

I'd avoid doing that, especially if against the face of the driver. This taken from the X9000 manual:



Yeah, anecdotally ever since the 009 with every release there would be a spate of new units developing channel imbalance after a bit of use. Reports of such seem to taper off after the first year or so. Maybe improving consistency as they build manufacturing know-how with each production run, or simply because less units sold, any number of possible reasons or a combination thereof, who knows. Of new models I personally have had imbalance problems with the L700MK2 and X9000...
I think that is referring to impact when sealed (e.g. on head) , which will indeed stretch and potentially rupture it if a lot of pressure is applied. Mine is merely a crude suggestion to check for electrical contact coming loose, which should only cause damage if the build quality is exceptionally poor..

One would think that they would learn to do it consistently after the first time with the imbalance.
 
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May 30, 2024 at 12:31 AM Post #125 of 242
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Stax SR-X1 first impressions.
  • Whoah these are light. They almost feel like a toy. By contrast, the cable is comically wide and weighs more than the headphone itself.
  • Small but comfy. I have relatively large ears but they are able to fit and seal fine without any pressure points.
    I sorta agree with the "half on-ear" description some have mentioned, but it's not to the same extent as, say, a Creative Aurvana Live.
  • Build doesn't feel durable, but I do feel more confident handling them than any Lambda I've owned.
On to sound..
  • Flat, maybe a bit warm tuning. "Laid back" comes to mind.
  • Veeery gentle 1k lift I think, but not something anyone should need to EQ.
  • Treble is smooth, very clean. There's good air without noticeable peaks.
  • Bass extends well. I can play Lorn without missing notes or presence.
    YMMV with seal, but it's not inherently compromised here like some other models.
"Un-measurables":
  • Staging is not very large. However, there is that sense of transparency inherent to good estats which makes it sound more open than planars.
  • Imaging is very precise, more than you expect for this stage width.

  • Detail is at least on par with Lambda Pro. The warmer tuning makes it a little difficult to compare specifics in midrange.
    What does stand out is the X1 is more consistent in its treble presentation across different tracks due to the smoother response.
    For reference, I usually listen to Lambda with EQ: -5db 1.8k Q1.5; -2.5db 10k Q1.0.

  • Lambda Pro has a more pronounced sense of texture than X1. I would say that the X1 is closer to the more restrained presentation of Lambda Signature, just without as much bass impact.
Chain: STAX DAC Talent -> Schiit Rekkr -> Pro-modded Stax SRD-7

Overall, very much enjoying the X1. It's a proper estat, and worth having.
That said, I will be keeping both ears out for the channel imbalance issue some have had.

Tomorrow I will see if I can take some GRAS 45CA measurements at work.
 
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May 30, 2024 at 9:48 AM Post #126 of 242
i got the SRS-X1000 set during my tokyo run away last weekend. the price is so attractive it's a no brainer. the whole set, even the transformer is made in japan! despite that, the built is quite flimsy - i got the pin joint between the yoke and the cups loosen when i was demoing it in e-earphone. but it's just took a simple push to fix this. the lightness makes it feels like a toy. the srm-270s on the other hand is way heavier and built like a tank!

the sound is warmish with enjoyable mid-bass like my beloved kse1200.
 

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May 30, 2024 at 4:59 PM Post #129 of 242
As expected, making these seal on the GRAS 45CA was very difficult. I had to physically press the headphone down.
Here are both "unsealed" measurements just resting on the rig, and pressed down by hand. FR only, since I cannot produce reliable distortion measurements this way.

Chain used is MOTU M4 -> Stax SRD-P.
Measurement rig is GRAS 45CA with KB50xx pinna and RA0402 couplers.

Note that SRD-P's transformers are somewhat rolled off in the low subbass.
I was able to get better extension on SRD-7 at home using in-ear mics on my own head. (no additional pressure required)
Ignore the "sealed" rolloff and assume that it goes flat all the way down more like @Kabeer 's measurement.

As with any measurements, take them with a grain of salt. Transformer adapters aren't ideal for measurements, but it's what I have on hand.
I'll leave it to others to take more comprehensive data.

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Side note, I was also able to catch an assembly issue with the left side, which resulted in very slight buzzing and elevated upper harmonics at 1.5khz. I backed out the screws a little and tightened them back down a little more gently, and the issue disappeared.

EDIT: Attached txt's you can import to squig.link or REW and play with the data yourself.
 

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May 30, 2024 at 11:15 PM Post #131 of 242
@Degru Do you have any other headphone measurements to overlay as reference? Thanks!
Here is the Hifiman Edition XS which I normally use at work overlayed. This is an industry standard rig though, so you can compare against a variety of different measurements online. One such database is https://sai.squig.link . You can import the txt file from my post under the Equalizer section. My XS measurement lines up very closely with the one there.

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May 31, 2024 at 1:49 AM Post #132 of 242
Yes. Moar squiggles!

The pressed-against-the-head measurement is a bit like how I hear them, slightly upturned FR through the mids hence the somewhat cold tonality, smooth FR in general with well-behaved highs, and a bit light in the bass, but it's all there. I'm guessing I get a good seal, though whether or not that's the intended response, or if they meant it to be at least slightly lossy, who knows.
 
May 31, 2024 at 2:55 AM Post #134 of 242
Unfortunate news. Got back home, and the right driver has developed a very quiet intermittent squeal.

I'm hoping it goes away, really like this thing :frowning2:
Symptom sounds familiar to me, preceded channel imbalance I encountered on the two models I mentioned a few posts back. You'll probably want to get it sorted by your dealer before long no matter what.
 
May 31, 2024 at 11:08 AM Post #135 of 242
Symptom sounds familiar to me, preceded channel imbalance I encountered on the two models I mentioned a few posts back. You'll probably want to get it sorted by your dealer before long no matter what.
Seems more like some contamination shook loose to me. If it occurs, I can make it stop sometimes by lightly tapping on the headphone.
I haven't heard it again since last night, so I'll wait and see if perhaps the particulate has settled somewhere out of the way.
 

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