The Stax thread (New)

[Fungi]

http://avic.livedoor.biz/archives/50827937.html

"Stax Earspeakers' top of the line STAX SR-007 gets a model change after 9 years!
The new SR-007A is planned for release the end of this year or early next year, with a price tag of 210,000 yen (approx $1800) (stand sold separately).
The biggest change is the earpad: the use of Spanish Lambskin enhances the bass clarity greatly. The outside is also changed to black from the original brown.
The driver's specs are the same as the original.
We are now accepting preorders, including trade-ins of headphone(s) you own. (This is a Fujiya offering, not STAX)"

So there you have it folks. A change to the legendary Omega2 earspeaker.

 

[spritzer]

You can go here for some good pictures of the the new Mk2. The price is insane though...

 

[pdennis]

Disclaimer: I have never heard an electrostatic headphone, vintage or otherwise. I'm trying to figure out how to get the most bang for the buck out of an initial foray.

Basically, I'm trying to decide whether I want to bother decoding the vintage Stax world. My default choice is the SRS-2050a, but since there's no US warranty on these (right?), that evens out the playing field a bit between the new and used equipment.

Please help correct some of the observations I've made so far: electrostatic folks seem to be much more inclined than other audio subcultures to embrace vintage equipment. Perhaps well cared for 'stats don't degrade in the same way that cone speakers do? A certain percentage of 'stat users feel that Stax designers just "got it right" in the earlier years, in that some characteristics of vintage 'stats help to mitigate what some might seem as flaws in the character of Stax headphones in general (treble emphasis in some new models for example, anything else?). Pro bias models are considered to be much more desirable, with a few models particularly preferred (Lambda Sig, any others?).

If that's in the ballpark, then my question is: where does the SR-202 fall on the spectra of a) clarity/detail, b) balanced frequency response, and c) soundstage characteristics, versus pro-bias vintage Stax in general? Are any of the pro-bias vintage phones considered "worse" than the modern Basic?

Are the middle-of-the-line vintage Stax amplifiers considered to be comparable to their modern equivalents?

Lastly, is the wikipedia table of Stax speakers close to accurate?

Thanks in advance for your input, and for humoring a 'stat novice (Nova?) for asking a few questions that I know to be broad and controversial.

 

[spritzer]

We like the vintage stuff as most hi-fi gear was better made in the old days. The general sound signature took a turn for the worse about 20-25 years ago and most main stream hi-fi still sounds bad. The vintage Stax provides a different perspective but the SR-007 and 4070 in the top 3 of the best phones to have ever bore the Stax logo, the other is the SR-Omega.

The 202 is mostly different from the other phones as each has its own strengths. The only lemon of the Lambda range IMO are the Pro's as they could have been so much better and the recessed midrange drives me nuts.

The T1 and the SRM-1 mk2 are both great amps and are comparable to the current stuff or even better.

The Wikipedia article is accurate as it was made by one of our own with feedback from the rest of us.

 

[dvse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif The 202 is mostly different from the other phones as each has its own strengths. The only lemon of the Lambda range IMO are the Pro's as they could have been so much better and the recessed midrange drives me nuts.

I've recently acquired a pair of Lambda Pros and I must say I agree with spritzer on this - definitely recessed midrange and somewhat metallic highs - I prefer the Signatures by a large margin (which, I think, are on par with HE60 and show significant improvement with better aplification)

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvse /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've recently acquired a pair of Lambda Pros and I must say I agree with spritzer on this - definitely recessed midrange and somewhat metallic highs - I prefer the Signatures by a large margin (which, I think, are on par with HE60 and show significant improvement with better aplification)

The Signature is a much better headphone and most of it's flaws are due to inadequate amplification.

Btw. I'm listening to the 4070 now out of a SRM-Xh... doesn't sound all that bad...

 

[dvse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Signature is a much better headphone and most of it's flaws are due to inadequate amplification. Btw. I'm listening to the 4070 now out of a SRM-Xh... doesn't sound all that bad...

I dare you to wear it outside one day! ; p

The collapsed soundstage and the weight made it pretty difficult for me to enjoy them as computer headphones - now I am on the rather challenging path of making my system quiet without completely replacing everything (as tempting as that might be).

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvse /img/forum/go_quote.gif I dare you to wear it outside one day! ; p The collapsed soundstage and the weight made it pretty difficult for me to enjoy them as computer headphones - now I am on the rather challenging path of making my system quiet without completely replacing everything (as tempting as that might be).

They don't really look all that odd on me but I'm over 2m tall so not exactly small. Still I'd never take them outside as there is so much salt in the air here where I live with the sea less then 500m away on three sides.

The weight is pretty severe after you've tried the ESP6 it's a walk in the park. I kind of like the small soundstage as it reminds me of the older Stax phones like the SR-X and SR-3.

 

[dvse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif They don't really look all that odd on me but I'm over 2m tall so not exactly small. Still I'd never take them outside as there is so much salt in the air here where I live with the sea less then 500m away on three sides.

I don't think it's a good choice of words - a 2m tall guy wearing huge electrostatic headphones? They may not look bad on you, but the scene would be quite odd indeed! ;p

In any case, I was joking - the only reason I mentioned this in the first place was that I thought SRM-X driver units had battery power - but seems it's only SRM-X Pro?

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvse /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't think it's a good choice of words - a 2m tall guy wearing huge electrostatic headphones? They may not look bad on you, but the scene would be quite odd indeed! ;p In any case, I was joking - the only reason I mentioned this in the first place was that I thought SRM-X driver units had battery power - but seems it's only SRM-X Pro?

People that know me wouldn't find it that odd. I've been known to put on a set of Sigmas to lighten the mood...

It's not like the He90 and the SR-Omega are small either.

The SRM-X Pro did have an add on battery supply but the SRD-p and SRD-X had internal battery compartments. I have an SRD-X on the way and it will be fun to try out.

 

[no1likesme]

I just started to notice a quiet buzzing/clicking noise with my lambdas. It has been coming and going for about an hour. Is this a sign that they are at the end of their life? Or is this my amp? Or could it be something like power surges? I have my amp plugged into a surge protector but the wiring in my house is so horrible that the place should be condemned.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif You can go here for some good pictures of the the new Mk2. The price is insane though...

Really nice pictures! *saved*
But the price is insane though, at €2,621 (€3,795).

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Btw. I'm listening to the 4070 now out of a SRM-Xh... doesn't sound all that bad...

He he he

But, for all I know I might have used the 4070 in public if I had a portable amplifier to drive them. Example on the train back to my parents place...

 

[spritzer]

If the buzz is in both earpieces at the same time then it is most likely something upstream. Try a different amp and source if you can and a different outlet that is connected to a separate breaker.

 

[Michgelsen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Really nice pictures! *saved*

Yeah except the one where that guy is supposed to be enjoying them, but they are not plugged in.

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michgelsen /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah except the one where that guy is supposed to be enjoying them, but they are not plugged in.

Minor detail....