[Tugbars]

007 mkII's are super recessed in 2-10khz range(about -5db) compared to what harman curve suggests. Besides the harman curve, as I said before, headphones need certain amount of boost in their midrange response to reach to *neutrality,* *flatness.* 007's midrange response isn't boosted enough. (007's have recessed mids even relative to DF neutrality response curve) They have quite laid back, quite smooth presentation. Some like smooth, laid back presentation with laid back mids(LCD4 also shares similar traits with 007). Some don't.

I am mostly skeptical about the audible differences between amps. However, when I compared 727 to Carbon, I realized that 007's treble out of Carbon was much more *sparkly* compared to 727. Without sparkly, bite-y treble, 007's do only sound dark & boring.(to me at least). 007's excited 8-12khz response kind of balances out the recessed mids for me. If the dac/amp doesn't let 007 to deliver that, they may sound boring. Even with Carbon you might not like them though. An amp can't change the tuning of headphones, a better amp can only clear out the unwanted artifacts from the sound without adding new.

In short, there is nothing exciting going on in 007's presentation if you are looking for excitement, or wow factor... I like the way they sound but they are not for everyone.

 

[joseph69]

I want to get earspeakers first. Maybe even 009. Are they better then 007 or just different?

They're different.
Depends on your personal preference.

 

[BenF]

HeadAmp is an online store.

You can call Justin and arrange a visit. I auditioned 009 vs 009S vs 007MK2 vs Shangrila Jr through Blue Hawaii SE + Holospring DAC + SU1 interface.
Also tried D10 and D50.
He is a really nice guy, pleasure doing business with him.

 

[protoss]

auditioned 009 vs 009S vs 007MK2 vs Shangrila Jr through Blue Hawaii SE

What's your quick take on all those? Which one you like the most?

 

[BenF]

But 007 has better bass then 009?

007 has a more full bodied bass, but it sounds quite dark and the timbre in female vocals is off - can't imagine a non-basshead choosing 007 over 009.

Why would somebody prefer Susvara over 009?

Never auditioned Susvara, so can't comment.

I have some money saved and I don't know which direction to go: standard headphones or electrostats? I love my L300 LTD and 007 or 009 make more sense for me to buy. But everybody tells me to get Utopia or Susvara.

Don't listen to "everybody". You must audition the headphones yourself, preferably on the chain you will use at home.
Electrostatic vs Planar vs Dynamic makes no difference, all of these technologies have dramatically different sounding headphones within their field.

 

[BenF]

What's your quick take on all those? Which one you like the most?

I liked 009 the most, so I bought it.

Female voices sound too thin on 009S, perfect on 009 ("Hold my hand" by Brandy Clark)
Bass on 009 sounds a bit fuller than on 009S ("Falling" by Haim)

007 Mk is warmer and less transparent than 009, timbre is off.
Bass on 007 is fuller than on both 009 and 009S.

Shangrila Jr - harder to drive than 009, need to go 2-3 settings above 009 for the same volume
Shangrila Jr sounds like a less "live" version of 009, bass is as good as 009 though

 

[Menkau-ra]

I liked 009 the most, so I bought it.

Female voices sound too thin on 009S, perfect on 009 ("Hold my hand" by Brandy Clark)
Bass on 009 sounds a bit fuller than on 009S ("Falling" by Haim)

007 Mk is warmer and less transparent than 009, timbre is off.
Bass on 007 is fuller than on both 009 and 009S.

Shangrila Jr - harder to drive than 009, need to go 2-3 settings above 009 for the same volume
Shangrila Jr sounds like a less "live" version of 009, bass is as good as 009 though

Do you think that I can drive 009 or 009S on SRM-252S till I get a better amp?
They sell 009S bundled with D10 which should be almost like 252S.

 

[BenF]

Do you think that I can drive 009 or 009S on SRM-252S till I get a better amp?
They sell 009S bundled with D10 which should be almost like 252S.

Don't buy 009S without auditioning it vs 009 - Stax tried to improve a perfection, and I think they failed.

252S will drive 009(s) properly, D10 won't.

 

[Menkau-ra]

Don't buy 009S without auditioning it vs 009 - Stax tried to improve a perfection, and I think they failed.

252S will drive 009(s) properly, D10 won't.

There are used 009 for $2400 now. Should I buy it?
I know, the perfect driver in L300 LTD is way better then new L700Mk2.

 

[BenF]

There are used 009 for $2400 now. Should I buy it?
I know, the perfect driver in L300 LTD is way better then new L700Mk2.

It's a great price for 009, but I still wouldn't buy it without auditioning first.
Also pay attention to the state of the pads - replacement pads are 180$ https://www.headamp.com/products/stax-ep-009-replacement-earpads-for-sr-009-series-earspeakers

 

[Menkau-ra]

It's a great price for 009, but I still wouldn't buy it without auditioning first.
Also pay attention to the state of the pads - replacement pads are 180$ https://www.headamp.com/products/stax-ep-009-replacement-earpads-for-sr-009-series-earspeakers

If the price is good I should be able to re-sell it if I don't like it. Pads seems to be ok.
How does 009 sound compared to L300 LTD?

 

[BenF]

If the price is good I should be able to re-sell it if I don't like it. Pads seems to be ok.
How does 009 sound compared to L300 LTD?

No comparison, 009 is on another level.

 

[joseph69]

You can call Justin and arrange a visit. I auditioned 009 vs 009S vs 007MK2 vs Shangrila Jr through Blue Hawaii SE + Holospring DAC + SU1 interface.
Also tried D10 and D50.
He is a really nice guy, pleasure doing business with him.

Don't listen to "everybody". You must audition the headphones yourself, preferably on the chain you will use at home.

Thanks for the info.
I didn't know Justin allowed demos which is really nice of him and a great way to do business being he isn't an actual storefront open to the public to come and go as they please..

I couldn't agree with you more about trying headphones (or gear) on your own chain (in home) to hear if they're a match for your preferences and your chain, even if it means buying blind (which I've done in almost all cases) to do so. If you're not satisfied, it's worth it to take a slight loss and move on, at least in my experiences.

 

[dukeskd]

Justin and HeadAmp are awesome, the fact that he has been in business for the last decade or so speaks volumes about him.

I would also highly advise auditioning the phones.

My preference is 009. Again, I feel like they are super underrated today in the world of TOTL. It can be #1 for many folks.

 

[Menkau-ra]

No comparison, 009 is on another level.

OK, I am purchasing 009 then