The Stax Thread III

[icnaiwhimor1975]

I have had a pair of ES Lab EX-1a in my hands for a couple of days: I pinged Benson a while ago to inquire about a potential European loaner tour, and ended up buying a pair. It's too early to form a definite impression but so far they are exceeding my expectations, with very nice tuning and gobs of details.

These might be the best price/performance electrostatic currently available. They are in a completely different class versus the Stax SR-X1 (which I had and disliked), and L300/L500 (which I also have).

just like es2a is much better than anything except x9000 probably

 

[jody2k]

just like es2a is much better than anything except x9000 probably

Read that es2a has some nasty peak in high mids's and high-treble area though wich doesn't make it very refined imo.
Unsure I would call es2a better than a SR-009 for example, certainly not X9000.

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

Read that es2a has some nasty peak in high mids's and high-treble area though wich doesn't make it very refined imo.
Unsure I would call es2a better than a SR-009 for example, certainly not X9000.

es1a leaves 009 far behind, not even mention es2a

 

[ludoo]

No nasty peaks on the ex1a. I measured them as soon as I unboxed and my impression is the drivers loosened up a bit by now, so I will re-measure soon. Flat plate rig, so don't use these as absolute measurements.

 

[jody2k]

es1a leaves 009 far behind, not even mention es2a

Owned both es1a and 009 at same time, have to disagree here
Technically the sr 009 was still the more resolving one.
Es1a had a more romantic / warmer tuning and maybe a bit better bass.
Soundstage wise the SR 009 took the crown, especially it's soundstage depth capabilities.
Sold the es1a short after

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

Owned both es1a and 009 at same time, have to disagree here
Technically the sr 009 was still the more resolving one.
Es1a had a more romantic / warmer tuning and maybe a bit better bass.
Soundstage wise the SR 009 took the crown, especially it's soundstage depth capabilities.
Sold the es1a short after

the soundstage is much better in es1a
technically 009s is only better in some ways
but still es1a is better than both of them
not to mention es2a

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Read that es2a has some nasty peak in high mids's and high-treble area though wich doesn't make it very refined imo.
Unsure I would call es2a better than a SR-009 for example, certainly not X9000.

I had both 009 & 009S which I recently sold but I can say that ES-2A easily out resolves both these headphones. The soundstage is also larger than the 009 with greater bass impact and less peaks in the treble.

X9000 has a weird soundstage and presentation to it that I do not like so I would personally choose the 2a over it.

 

[jody2k]

the soundstage is much better in es1a
technically 009s is only better in some ways
but still es1a is better than both of them
not to mention es2a

Can't speak of es2a but I decided to skip the hypetrain for now.
Will wait how impressions evolve over time

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

I had both 009 & 009S which I recently sold but I can say that ES-2A easily out resolves both these headphones. The soundstage is also larger than the 009 with greater bass impact and less peaks in the treble.

X9000 has a weird soundstage and presentation to it that I do not like so I would personally choose the 2a over it.

I subscribe to every word

 

[Svperstar]

Can't speak of es2a but I decided to skip the hypetrain for now.
Will wait how impressions evolve over time

Same, I would like to hear the es2a but not buying it unless I sell the X9000

 

[ludoo]

A few pics of my EX1a.

They are *a lot* larger than the Stax SR-X, it's hard to appreciate how much from pictures.

I went with the cheaper cable option, it does not make a lot of sense to me to go for the lesser model and then splurge on the Stax cable. The wooden box they come in is slightly visible below the actual headphones.

Pads are very nice and comfortable.

 

[WILLJS]

Unfortunately, after trying the SR-30 on my newer (proven) energiser I can confirm the imbalance is in the headphones and not the SRD-4 adapter.

 

[ericj]

Unfortunately, after trying the SR-30 on my newer (proven) energiser I can confirm the imbalance is in the headphones and not the SRD-4 adapter.

Sorry to hear.

After all these years, i ordered a set of replacement pads for my SR-80, so when they finally show up I'll get my electrets out of storage and test stuff, and I'll see if i can find my spare driver, provided that i still don't have a use for it.

 

[Rob80b]

Mine snapped on the first day I got my pair. It was used; and had aftermarket thick pads.
...........

Luckily I already knew that people modeled adapters, so I got a pair printed; meant for audeze headband.
Sourced not-audeze headband from ali.

Ok!
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/pic...ne-pic-no-words.212768/page-941#post-18665882

Nice....

Now if I had discovered this earlier....
https://www.reddit.com/r/Headphoneporn/comments/dgy2ey/stax_l300_with_audeze_steel_headband_using_3d

If we could get machined aluminum arms we'd be all set.

 

[honse]

Ok!
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/pic...ne-pic-no-words.212768/page-941#post-18665882

Nice....

Now if I had discovered this earlier....
https://www.reddit.com/r/Headphoneporn/comments/dgy2ey/stax_l300_with_audeze_steel_headband_using_3d

If we could get machined aluminum arms we'd be all set.

The pic from reddit shows, from what I get, is the original adapter. There is also a version for thicker pads and one with an thicker, more durable attachment point.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3879692

Adapter I'm currently using is a further modification to the last one.
- The attachment point is thicker, wider and longer;
- The rectangle hole has been turned down into a square and moved closer to the inside;
- The pins have been elongated. The gap in the original file is 7cm, while the oem bracket has a 6.9cm spacing; Went with 6.97, which was still too little.

As for making one in metal. Could always 3d print them in steel.