Stax Headphones

Thanks mate, anyone else?

NB

I've got the Lambda Basic 2 - it was about £550 - it sounds really good in my system, very musical, unbox like and open. The bass is quite fast and keeps up with the music. The only problem is that you cant go really really loud, but if that's not a problem it's a good buy. The Naim headline is a good choice in it's basic form with grados not as open/fast as the stax but it does go louder. I woudl imagine with a hicap and serious headphones the headline woudl be quite a contender. However I recently heard the two models above it basic stax and as you spend more they sound more richer and fuller and more open. The most expemsive STax was something else.

Dev

I have been on the Stax website and it appears that the Lambada 2 is no longe available. Whether its available in hi-fi shops I don't know.

I am not too concearned about really high sound levels as I would like to be able to enjoy my hi-fi for many years to come.

What is important to me is an open clear sound which is deep and powerful when needed yet soft and delicate when not.

I have heard the sennheiser orphyus (not sure that is spelt right!) and it was the greatest sound I have ever heard. Unfortunately the price tag of £9,000 put me of!!

I would be prepared to pay up to £1,000 for a once in a lifetime headphone purchase but they would have to be worth it!!



Regards

NB

I fancied some headphones back end of last year and tried the £450 Stax SRS2020 with energizer,

Whilst they were amazingly open and detailed they just had no dynamics to them, they were soooooo laid back. Didnt try any others

I agree that the Stax phones have no dynamics or exitement of any kind. I have a pair of lambda pros which never get used for this reason.

Interesting that some of you consider the Stax's to lack dynamics and bass extention.

I appreciate that this is difficult with headphones and no headphone can re-create the bass of a good loudspeaker. However good bass extention and dynamics are important to me.

What would you recommend instead of the Stax's?

Regards

NB

quote:

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Originally posted by NB:
Interesting that some of you consider the Stax's to lack dynamics and bass extention.

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I really can't agree with this, but my only dynamic problem with them is limited ultimate loudness, in every other aspect they are pretty good.

NB, do the dem, remember Stax need to be warmed up for a while to sound their best.

The problem is, I am struggling to find a dealer locally where I can go and dem a pair of stax.

I am therefore relying on the forum and magazines which isn't the best way. I know that listening for myself is the best way of deciding.

Regards

NB

IMHO any decent dynamic design like the HD600 or better Grados is more fun to listen to than a Stax. I must confess to not having tried different electrostatic energisers, so the fault may not lie with the phones themselves.

I listened to the Stax srs 2020(£450ish), 3030(£750ish), and 4040(£1200)

Packages contain energiser and headphones both the 3030 and 4040 sounded fantastic via a CD5.
I've listened to them on MF and Meridian 588 where i got chance to compare to the Grado R1's?
£750 anyhow (I don't believe they had been run in fully) . The Stax would be where i put my money, fuller, more detailed, better at the frequency extremes and a more natural sound. But you really should try and get to hear them. For a grands worth of speakers would you travel?

Good luck
Martin

What are the Senheiser 580s like compared to the 600s?


NB - I borrowed the Stax 2020s from Audio images (Naim dealer) in Sheffield (01142 737893) a mere stroll up the M1 for you