The Stax Thread III

[Tugbars]

I have both 404LE and 507. 507 is a bit shouty and tends to get sibilant even though the music isn't calling for it. Both have wonky, tall soundstage with no width and L-R channel soundstages do not seem to be connected to each other.

First of all, on my system 507 and 007 sounds almost equally detailed, that said,

There are 4 things, Omega II does better
1- Full round soundstage all around my head with surprisingly deep soundstage.(for such intimate sounding presentation). All lambdas except L700 have very tiny soundstage from my experience. Excellent top level imaging. Both 007 and 009 are still kings of imaging in my opinion.
2- Bass resolution, texture. This becomes very apparent when I'm comparing 507 to 007. 507's bass is quite good relatively to other lambdas, however it still doesn't offer clean sub bass with texture like Omega II can do.
3- Treble. I think this doesn't even need explanation, both 007 and 009 have fantastic treble performance especially with Carbon. Lambdas? Unfortunately no. This has something to do with the driver shape. Oval/Round shaped drivers do have less modes in treble range.
4- Mid texture. This is what 007 does better than anything else. I think that's what make some people still rave about 007.

What lambdas do better,

1- Energetic, funky mids. Some may call it shouty. That is not the case for 404LE in my opinion, sometimes I reach to my 404LE to listen fun & happy songs.
2- Lambdas sound like studio headphones. (Talking from my experiences and intuition)Instead of giving a proper image of the source, they present, image, position every detail in a way to make them more accessible to the listener. With top amps & dacs, 007 and ES-1A do not have to do such tricks to make all detail accessible to the listener.
3- 404LE's bass has better dynamics than 007's. 404LE has better dynamics overall.

I listened to 007's through 727 once and they sounded very boring. They sounded like an average planar actually. I keep hearing that 007 is laid back, thick etc, I don't know really, with Carbon they sound fast and actually even a bit aggressive to my ears.

I'll get my 009S this week. It's gonna be interesting to compare all to each other.

 

[DesignTaylor]

Interesting debate. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. As with all things in audio it likely comes down to raw technical ability, system synergy, and personal preference. But again, I do appreciate all the input as it is really informative.

 

[chocolates]

I'm pretty interested in the OG lambdas but can't seem to find any on the used market that don't look heavily abused, so haven't actually gone out on a limb to get one...

 

[catscratch]

007 is much more technically capable than any Lambda, including the L700. It is noticeably more resolving, it has a more 3-dimensional soundstage and is better at portraying depth, with a layering ability that I haven't heard in other headphones. It is also consistently resolving top to bottom whereas Lambdas tend to be fuzzy in the bass. However the 007 has a more laidback presentation, the presence region tends to be recessed and upper treble can be recessed in the Mk1 versions. Mk2 versions can also suffer from a wonky midrange tonality which you can see in the measurements, the bumps at 900hz and 1.something khz are audible. Lambdas also suffer from a wonky tonality with shoutiness between 1-2khz depending on the model. Lambdas are generally more forward and exciting sounding, though also thinner and less refined.

From a technical standpoint, there is no competition, the 007 wins, not just over lambdas but over most other headphones period. But I can see someone preferring the more forward signature of the Lambdas and the brighter tonality. And if you don't have a powerful enough amp, then don't bother with the 007.

For me, I just EQ both and make them sound at least a bit more neutral. My EQ'd and modded L700 gets most of the electrostatic listening time right now but it might change if I get the Blue Hawaii up and running again. The L700, at least in this system, sounds a bit like Focal headphones with its forward presentation and excellent clarity and dynamics, though it trades away the bass impact for a much more natural tembre to the highs. The midrange shoutiness does EQ out quite well and the mids become far more natural.

 

[Tugbars]

007mkI has the least 1khz shout(almost none), mk2.9 has about +5.5db 1khz shout. With spritzer spring mod it drops down to +2db which is acceptable, I guess.

 

[catscratch]

Yes the mk1 is more balanced, and reducing the driver/ear distance on the mk2 seems to improve things. Since I have a minidsp ears now I might as well measure mine stock, then port/spring mod it and measure again. Then again the 007 is very hard to measure accurately, pretty much no single measurement I've seen reflects how it sounds and mine won't mean much either. At least it'll be interesting.

 

[tkddans]

I just got into STAX with a L300. I think I’m a STAX fan now. Loving it so much. I’ve had the sennheiser HD800S for years now, and the L300 clarity was mind opening on first impressions.

I find myself not getting the same joy the next day today, trying them on again. Maybe I was up too late listening to them last night! Or is there something with the system I should know?

Do these electrostatic ear speakers require any particular operation to perform their best? Do I want to keep the energizer on? Do I want to keep the STAX plugged in with the power turned on for some time first before listening, to build a charge or something? I’ve currently just plugged it in, turned it on from cold, and started listening.I don’t remember how I did things last night.

Or do I just need to listen to them more?

 

[elton7033]

I just got into STAX with a L300. I think I’m a STAX fan now. Loving it so much. I’ve had the sennheiser HD800S for years now, and the L300 clarity was mind opening on first impressions.

I find myself not getting the same joy the next day today, trying them on again. Maybe I was up too late listening to them last night! Or is there something with the system I should know?

Do these electrostatic ear speakers require any particular operation to perform their best? Do I want to keep the energizer on? Do I want to keep the STAX plugged in with the power turned on for some time first before listening, to build a charge or something? I’ve currently just plugged it in, turned it on from cold, and started listening.I don’t remember how I did things last night.

Or do I just need to listen to them more?

I am going to say some stax myths as some might disagree
1.) all energizer / amp require warm up no matter is SS or tube
2.) with the SR009 unplug it from an amp even its off from time to time will discharge the driver build up electrostatic and make it sound great again
3.) touch the 5 pin connector with your hand and you will hear the driver and sometimes that fixes problem like noise and channel imbalances
4.) do not use your stax when humidity is high
5.) put a air purifier (ionizer) around to lower dust level
6.) cover your stax when its not being use
7.) put it back in the box with some dehumidifier pack if you are not going to touch it for more than 2-3 weeks
believe me or not lol

 

[chocolates]

I just got into STAX with a L300. I think I’m a STAX fan now. Loving it so much. I’ve had the sennheiser HD800S for years now, and the L300 clarity was mind opening on first impressions.

I find myself not getting the same joy the next day today, trying them on again. Maybe I was up too late listening to them last night! Or is there something with the system I should know?

Do these electrostatic ear speakers require any particular operation to perform their best? Do I want to keep the energizer on? Do I want to keep the STAX plugged in with the power turned on for some time first before listening, to build a charge or something? I’ve currently just plugged it in, turned it on from cold, and started listening.I don’t remember how I did things last night.

Or do I just need to listen to them more?

might just be the difference from hd800s that gave you that magic and you're getting used to the sound now, but it doesn't hurt to just listen to them more

 

[118900]

I just got into STAX with a L300. I think I’m a STAX fan now. Loving it so much. I’ve had the sennheiser HD800S for years now, and the L300 clarity was mind opening on first impressions.

I find myself not getting the same joy the next day today, trying them on again. Maybe I was up too late listening to them last night! Or is there something with the system I should know?

Do these electrostatic ear speakers require any particular operation to perform their best? Do I want to keep the energizer on? Do I want to keep the STAX plugged in with the power turned on for some time first before listening, to build a charge or something? I’ve currently just plugged it in, turned it on from cold, and started listening.I don’t remember how I did things last night.

Or do I just need to listen to them more?

Almost certainly just the mood you are in right now, unless something major had happened to your environment/equipment.

 

[batfier]

Hello,

Newcomer here. I got an opened box SRM-D50 for and a new L700MK2. The left channel seems to have a faint buzzing/humming noise. Not noticeable when playing music but audible when nothing is playing. The noise is there without USB connection and when the amp is turned on. I left it on for an hour and it was hot to the touch and the noise was still there. I tried plugging the AC to different wall outlets and it didn't make a difference.

Is this normal?

Hi,

it's not normal, but unfortunately known!

i had returned 2 units some time ago. both had this same noise problem.

i was not the only one experiencing it and it looks to me like a common problem of the D50. i had hoped the stax will fix it.

in my units the noise even increased after unit was warm/hot.

i really liked the D50. its small and it seems to have more Bass than my BHSE. otherwise I'm not sure if this more Bass comes from sound tuning or distortion.

 

[batfier]

i have a question about sr009. is the 009 capable of delivering energetic, punchy bass if I adjusted it to the Harman curve?

for me absolutely.

- Using 009 with BHSE.
- harman curved applied by Roon convolver.
- setting from autoeq, based on oratory measurements.

bass is deeeep, energetic and punchy, but the main point for me is the better tonal balance which even make the stage more real.

 

[6PANDEMONIUM6]

007mkI has the least 1khz shout(almost none), mk2.9 has about +5.5db 1khz shout. With spritzer spring mod it drops down to +2db which is acceptable, I guess.

I've noticed that other people often say that lambdas are "studio-like." Forward and very energetic. With an extreme overemphasis on instrument separation and positioning. "Left-Brained". "Not suitable for relaxation." They just make every single instrument immediately accessible to my ear. I don't have to listen very closely, they throw everything directly at me. It seems that others see this as a bad thing.

However, this is actually what I love about lambdas and the lack of it in the 007s is why I can't stand them. So, while the things that you say are correct I see them as pros, not cons. What you see as pros in the 007s I see as boring and laid-back. Not my cup of tea at all. Which is why Stax sells Omegas and Lambdas, you can't please everyone with the same headphone.

As for the fr anomalies and small soundstage of lambdas. This is why Stax used to make the ed-1 diffuse field equalizer, which I own. It tames the lambda shout and increases soundstage and improves imaging further still. It even brings the bass level up a bit.

Unfortunately, they no longer manufacture it and it is tuned specifically for the Lambda Professionals and the Lambda Signatures. Which is why I say that those 2, along with the equalizer, are still the best lambdas that Stax have ever made.

*edit-Also, I'm not sure how to explain it but 007s aren't as "open" as lambdas. There is physically more shutting my ear away from the outside air. The only other headphone that I have tried which is as "open" as lambdas is the Focal Utopia. In the sense that they just don't isolate you from the outside world at all. However, the focal Utopias have their own set problems.

 

[chocolates]

man, i'm jealous - i really want an ed-1, if only to hear what it sounds like.

also would agree with all your points though it just ends up that personally i enjoy the omega more (and it seats a little better on my head). i still keep my lambda around for when i want that particular sound signature and the retro look haha

 

[118900]

I've noticed that other people often say that lambdas are "studio-like." Forward and very energetic. With an extreme overemphasis on instrument separation and positioning. "Left-Brained". "Not suitable for relaxation." They just make every single instrument immediately accessible to my ear. I don't have to listen very closely, they throw everything directly at me. It seems that others see this as a bad thing.

However, this is actually what I love about lambdas and the lack of it in the 007s is why I can't stand them. So, while the things that you say are correct I see them as pros, not cons. What you see as pros in the 007s I see as boring and laid-back. Not my cup of tea at all. Which is why Stax sells Omegas and Lambdas, you can't please everyone with the same headphone.

As for the fr anomalies and small soundstage of lambdas. This is why Stax used to make the ed-1 diffuse field equalizer, which I own. It tames the lambda shout and increases soundstage and improves imaging further still. It even brings the bass level up a bit.

Unfortunately, they no longer manufacture it and it is tuned specifically for the Lambda Professionals and the Lambda Signatures. Which is why I say that those 2, along with the equalizer, are still the best lambdas that Stax have ever made.

*edit-Also, I'm not sure how to explain it but 007s aren't as "open" as lambdas. There is physically more shutting my ear away from the outside air. The only other headphone that I have tried which is as "open" as lambdas is the Focal Utopias. In the sense that they just don't isolate you from the outside world at all. However, the focal Utopias have their own set problems.

A lot depends on what you are using to power the 007s though. Most if not all Stax amps in their standard form aren’t adequate for the 007s which results in them not playing anywhere near their bests.

but definitely agree it’s a question of taste, once you know you have auditioned each HP to its best performance