The Stax thread

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fierce_freak Is that the SR-005a? I had that for a while...absolutely stunning and didn't leave me wanting for much. I got a chance to try out the SR-404 with SM-313 today and that was quite nice, too. Still not sure if I preferred the SR-404 or the SR-003 out of the SM-313 better.

Yes

Did anyone try the SR-404 with the SRM-252A?

 

[J-Pak]

How comfortable is the SR-001 or SR-005? Where does the driver sit in the ear? I'm guessing it's just inside the pinna, but not quite in the ear canal?

 

[Carl]

Hi, I'm Carl and I'm a Staxaholic.


...no, wait...

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Do a search, there's been a fair bit of discussion, it's just been a light couple of weeks recently.

Yes, I have previously searched and found lots of great threads.
What I mean is that there have been very little electrostatic related discussions the last weeks/months. And 'Meyvn' nicely explained why.

The Omega II and HE90 are mentioned when we talk about the "best" headphones. But there are very little general electrostatic discussion. Ex. How the older models stand up to the new ones, about the other Stax models (4070, 404, 303, etc.), and how they compare against dynamic headphones.

 

[Carl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis The Omega II and HE90 are mentioned when we talk about the "best" headphones. But there are very little general electrostatic discussion. Ex. How the older models stand up to the new ones, about the other Stax models (4070, 404, 303, etc.), and how they compare against dynamic headphones.

The problem with the "cheaper" stats is they still need a dedicated amp, which drives the price up. If the amp wasn't an issue, the 303 would be just about the best value for money someone could get in a headphone.

Unfortunately, most cheap (<$300) ESH amps could be better, so much so in fact, that I'm tempted to dust off the soldering iron and make my own ones. Alas, laziness is a killer.

As for the 4070, it's rare, has fit issues, got a lot of (predominantly undeserved) negitive press when it was released, and Stax isn't pushing them hard enough. Same story as with the SR-X series way back when, I guess. Still, I'm getting one, so I'll give you the goss about it soon (I hope).

 

[krmathis]

I agree. The SR-303 headspeaker itself are very good value for money.
But since you need a dedicated amplifier, which almost doubles the price, then they are no "bargain" any longer. If someone decide to build a good amplifier for ~$300, then the case might be different.

I understand that the 4070 are rare, and hence there are very little user feedback. They have catched my interest as well, so I might end up buying a set.
Too bad my local distributor don't have have the 4070 on display. "Only" the 007, 404, 302 and 202 Systems. So I have so far not seen them in real life...


A more portable amplifier for Stax Pro would be great as well. Not that I would go public with my Omega II's, but it would make it a lot easier to bring them to a friend, meeting, etc... Any news?

 

[Carl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis A more portable amplifier for Stax Pro would be great as well. Not that I would go public with my Omega II's, but it would make it a lot easier to bring them to a friend, meeting, etc... Any news?

I don't have the same qualms. I haven't decided if I'm going to use an SR50 or the 4070 for the task, but I'm certainly going to going portible with them.

 

[Sugano-san]

Oliver,

how does the XIN amp contribute to this setp. It does not appear self explanatory.

Received my SMacroIV today. Can't wait to try it.

 

[Tachikoma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugano-san Oliver, how does the XIN amp contribute to this setp. It does not appear self explanatory. Received my SMacroIV today. Can't wait to try it.

Lol, I suppose you could wire up a headphone amp as a power amp, then run it through a transformer

 

[ken36]

I have both the 02 and the 404 and love them both. I expect to receive the ES-1 soon and expect both the headphones to shine.

 

[FalconP]

The 4070 phone itself is almost expensive as the Omega II phone. Considering that it uses the same driver as the 404, that's an awful lot to pay for the insulation. No wonder that dealers are not keen on stocking them.

 

[Carl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalconP The 4070 phone itself is almost expensive as the Omega II phone. Considering that it uses the same driver as the 404, that's an awful lot to pay for the insulation. No wonder that dealers are not keen on stocking them.

The sigma series also used the same drivers as the lambdas, but sound way different. The housing is as important a part of headphone design as the transducer is. Same with speakers, you pay for the housing, not the transducer.

Stax make the 4070 for monitoring and don't think it's suitable for music. Just like they made the SR-X series for monitoring and didn't think it was suitable for music.

 

[paulllaser]

I have 3 different Stax phones, the OII's, Lambda Pro, and SRX/MkIII. All amazing and "different" sound signatures from dynamic cans. Listening mostly through SRM1/Mk2, sometimes trrough dedicated McIntosh power amp SRD7/Mk2 adapter. Soon a McAlister EA-4 and after that, well you know what happens with this hoby, the KGBH and ES-1 can't be that far down the road. All three of the above Stax phones are delightfully comfortable and non fatiguing to listen to for hours.

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak How comfortable is the SR-001 or SR-005? Where does the driver sit in the ear? I'm guessing it's just inside the pinna, but not quite in the ear canal?

The plugs of the 003 sit outside the canal and loosly seal it, they are in your ear, but "in-ear". A perfect seal is not required. While they look incredibly uncomfortable, they are quite the opposite if you bother to adjust the headband properly. If it is too tight there will be quite some pressure and your ears may hurt after a while. The band is relatively thin and easily widened though. You pretty much forget that they are there as they are also very very lightweight. You may also detach the drivers from the headband completely and use them in earbud-style, which is even more comfortable. I do not do it though as the seal can become an issue then (or you just live with a little less bass) and my left driver tends to be a bit noisy if moved to much. (See my initial review 56k people stay away!)

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugano-san how does the XIN amp contribute to this setp. It does not appear self explanatory.

The SRM-252A has a signal pass-through. As sad as it is, the 003 do not do Hip Hop very well. They are just too smooth. So when I feel like that, or when I need some isolation, I just turn on the SMIII V6 and hook up my HD-25s - which apparently were made for rap music.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugano-san Received my SMacroIV today. Can't wait to try it.

Nice, enjoy! Took my III on the road today, with my CX 300s. Overkill, but someone has to do it