Why Stax is the best headphone I have ever heard.

Apr 19, 2008 at 1:54 AM Post #76 of 120
Quote:

Originally Posted by PiccoloNamek /img/forum/go_quote.gif
It is official: I've gone STAX.

I got my pair of STAX SR-Lambda hybrid earspeakers from spritzer two days ago, and they generate the highest fidelity sound I've ever heard. Ever since I first heard the Lambdas about a year and a half ago, I knew I had to have a pair. They possess a level of clarity and articulation that no dynamic headphone (or speaker) can ever touch. Every last detail of the music is laid bare: the buzzing of a guitar string, the texture of a bassline, the overtones of a violin, the hard attack of a drum, the spittle in the back of a singer's throat. Where a dynamic headphone would have trouble "keeping up" with the music, the electrostatic headphone never trips up.

The weird thing is that the headphone actually moves only a small amount of air, and you cannot feel the impact of the sound on your head; it is as if the sound is coming out of thin air, just like everyone says.

The most noticeable difference is the sheer speed of the headphone's attack. A dynamic headphone has a relatively much larger amount of "lead-in" to a sudden transient like a string being plucked, for example. This headphone has none that I can hear, giving a very lifelike impact and hardness to these kinds of sounds. Sudden bass impacts are like getting hit in the face with a sack of concrete. Ghostly concrete that appears out of thin air.
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Another plus is the headphone's ability to render great detail in both the bass and treble regions at the same time. Any normal headphone begins to suffer from severe intermodulation distortion in such a situation. The bass causes a large driver excursion which hinders the proper rendering of treble frequencies. But this driver is so thin and light that IMD is no longer noticeable.

Yes. Yes, STAX is awesome. We need more STAX threads.

P.S. Who says electrostatic headphones don't have bass? These things are bassy. The tactile impact isn't quite as big (but it is there), but they have at least as much audible bass an HD650. Unfortunately, the HD650s can't even touch them when it comes to delicate articulation.



I wish electro's were made in the states, & sold in a lot of audio stores.. Only STAX makes electro's today that are still in production.. The Sonys, Mag's, Koss.. Are basically relics.. I don't like the idea of having to buy them from japan..Audio cables.. Buying used is good if you know what you want.. I don't think I'm ready to sell my entire Dynamic set up in hopes I will like electro more.. I really need to hear them.. If I sold all my gear I could make over 2,000 easy..
 
Apr 19, 2008 at 2:06 AM Post #77 of 120
Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I wish electro's were made in the states, & sold in a lot of audio stores.. Only STAX makes electro's today that are still in production.. The Sonys, Mag's, Koss.. Are basically relics.. I don't like the idea of having to buy them from japan..Audio cables.. Buying used is good if you know what you want.. I don't think I'm ready to sell my entire Dynamic set up in hopes I will like electro more.. I really need to hear them.. If I sold all my gear I could make over 2,000 easy..


The Koss ESP-950 is still in production, or at least it's still available new. Also, don't forget the HeAudio electrostat. Both are often held to be at least as good as any Stax but the Omegas.

I don't think you need to sell your gear to try out some Stax, though, even if you insist on new. I'm sure you've noticed how the Stax mafia always push the 2050 combo as a good entry point, getting you quite respectably in the door for under $500. It should suffice to tell you whether you're a stat man, and come up to the level of your many fine dynamics.
 
Apr 19, 2008 at 4:24 AM Post #82 of 120
Quote:

Originally Posted by d-cee /img/forum/go_quote.gif
In loving memory of Carl




In absentia certainly. Cheers too.
 
Apr 19, 2008 at 7:02 AM Post #83 of 120
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuze /img/forum/go_quote.gif
People i am demanding some Hi res Stax pictures....much appreciated.


stacks.jpg
 
Apr 19, 2008 at 7:07 AM Post #84 of 120
Are the Stax phones of the shape above comfortable? Do they clamp or do they just kind of sit there?

I can't imagine what those would feel like.
 
Apr 19, 2008 at 7:10 AM Post #85 of 120
Pretty comfortable, I'd say. The clamping force is less than a Grado or HDXXX, and the headband is quite flexible and is easily adjusted. It's difficult to see in the picture, but the pads are slightly contoured to better sit on the face and ears.
 
Apr 19, 2008 at 7:22 AM Post #86 of 120
Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I wish electro's were made in the states, & sold in a lot of audio stores.. Only STAX makes electro's today that are still in production.. The Sonys, Mag's, Koss.. Are basically relics.


Not true!
Apart from Stax there are two vendors making electrostatic headphones.
* Koss ESP950
* HE Audio EH-1.2b

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuze /img/forum/go_quote.gif
People i am demanding some Hi res Stax pictures....much appreciated.


Ok, here are some...







 
Apr 19, 2008 at 1:36 PM Post #89 of 120
F-U Spritzer!!!!!!

Too early for headphone ****! My eyes!

I wish I had the $$ lol. Getting a decent job in the USA atm = difficult. Thanks George! ******
 
Apr 19, 2008 at 2:56 PM Post #90 of 120
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuze /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Wow, thanks.


You're welcome!
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