The Lambdas (SRS-3170 = SR-307 + 323, SR-2170 = SR-207 + 252) and the ESP/950 measure better than the bulk majority of headphones ever made. Yes, they are very, very good. You do not need to replace the E/90 that comes with the ESP/950 unless you feel that tons of aluminum does anything for the performance. It's a very solid performer, and with Koss there is no reason to even talk about reliability - they do mean lifetime. STAX it's another story, but I've yet to hear about issues with any of the modern SRMs blowing up (or even old ones for that matter; the only ones I'd avoid would be the old Koss energizers (which can't drive any modern 'stats anyways and are super rare)).
The ESP/950s have bigger panels than the Lambdas, so they will produce more bass (it's physics, but 'stat bass is very different from anything else - I like the "ethereal" descriptor myself ), and this is reflected in subjective listening and measurements.
If "accurate" or "balanced" is the goal, you will not do better than STAX or Koss ESP. The HD 800 is one of the few dynamics that's able to "keep up" (the other dynamics that would make this list would include the Sony SA5000 and Qualia, and Audio-Technica AD2000, the Sonys are both discontinued, and the AD2000 is around $700 and JDM; I'm not saying they're all equivalent to the HD 800, they're all very "quick" and have the CSDs to prove it).
The bass deserves some more mention though:
Bass on a 'stat does not "impact" or "slam" like it will on a dynamic headphone. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist, it's just a different experience. With the ESP/950s, for example, you get all of the extension and texture that a recording affords. However it will not rattle on your head (or rattle your head), it's just there, with the rest of the music, hanging out in space. Some people don't like that presentation, I suspect it's partly because it's a very dramatic departure from conventional listening, and it's partly because it's "weird" in it's own right.
Going from a closed-back dynamic to an open-back stat is a pretty dramatic change, and I would not at all be surprised if you, like many users, found them "thin" out of the box. But like all accurate/balanced headphones (or speakers), it's something you either give time or pass on immediately. There is no "wow" factor (unless you're just a detail/balance nut). With electronic music, they're (imho) absolutely perfect - hard transients and quick attack/decay notes are done just perfectly. Things like synths, arps, distortion waves, all of that stuff just cuts through razor sharp.
If you want something that will slam and pow and put pressure on your head when it kicks, something really "nasty," I'd look elsewhere. I'd probably look at Ultrasone (I'm a big fan of all-or-nothing) - lots of bass (from what I suspect is a high-Q enclosure) and they still manage great imaging and decent fidelity (all of that wonderful electronic distortion will still come through razor sharp). Not quite as fast, not quite as accurate, but they can still be plenty fun.
Everything above the bass is just spot-on - vocals, mid-range instruments (keys, strings, arps, etc), and treble - it's all just right there. Never strained either. There are a few dynamics that can do vocals and the mid-range just as good imho (but that's all they've got), the treble is hard to compete with for a dynamic, most of them end up at least a touch harsh.
Used STAX - yeah, very possible, depending on what you find. Do your homework though.
Regarding the HD 650 - you can put a whole bucket of money into an amplifier, sure, but it won't fundamentally change the HD 650. Again, physics at work. Don't get me wrong, it's been a great headphone for the 20-some odd years it's been out, and it's a better choice than lots and lots of other headphones, but I don't think it's a better choice than a 'stat if you're after accuracy and balance. However, for less money, it's a very solid choice (okay well, it *was* less money before the price fix) - an HD 600 or 650 with a reasonable amplifier (you'd die if I told you how much that *should* cost) can easily come in well under your budget, leaving you more money for music (or whatever else you buy). I'd consider it if you're not really married to spending a grand or more at this point. Oh, and they're comfortable like nothing you can imagine (I know, I know, there's lots of headphones that are "comfortable" (like the MDR-F1, various Bose and AT models, the Denons, etc), but can you SLEEP in those headphones? That's where the HD 650 is coming from).
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Electrostats
"Cheap" stats like SRS - 3170 or even ESP-950 (with a different amp?). Are these any good?
Most stax talk I hear about is either the SR-007 or SR-009.
Is a used stax even possible in this budget?
And, not one mention of the HD 700?
