Stax vs. HD800?

[Deleted member 4708]

I think the DT 1990 are the dynamic headphones I've been looking for. I understand the signature they're going for but it needs a bit of EQ still.

Yes, technically there are headphones that have more "detail" or rather some superior refinements in sound in some areas but they usually come with a lot of drawbacks too like even wonkier FR that can't be fixed with EQ (like strong dips that ruin imaging).

For me the Senny HD650 is the ultimate dynamic headphone. No need for EQ and really low distortion. Plus I can use my iPhone to drive them.

 

[Deleted member 4708]

Here is one of things I like about Stax SR-009. If you look at measurements, THD + N is getting lower with higher volume. They can play very loud. Nothing like watching an action movie on Stax or listening to rock or full orchestra.
All my dynamic headphones will have low THD+N at lower volume but the THD+N starts degrading in the bass with louder input and the distortion creeps across the spectrum when increasing level.
I guess you cannot beat the large diaphragm surface of stats.

 

[Alan James]

How is Stax SR-007 MK2 + Stax SRM-D50? A good option?

 

[Deleted member 4708]

How is Stax SR-007 MK2 + Stax SRM-D50? A good option?

I have listened to SR-007 - very good. In fact quite a few people like it better than SR-009. Now the SRM-D50 - no clue. It is my personal belief that amps are overrated in their interaction with e-stats. I think the headphone will always have higher distortion than a decent amp. In other words SRM-D50 "should be just fine". And that Volt Meter in D50 is audio porn. Also very practical to have DAC + Amp in one.

 

[Alan James]

Also very practical to have DAC + Amp in one.

This + its price (compared to others Stax) is the reason why I chose this model.

 

[Dealux]

For me the Senny HD650 is the ultimate dynamic headphone. No need for EQ and really low distortion. Plus I can use my iPhone to drive them.

I don't like the bass on the Sennheisers as much and I had the 600 myself but found it kinda harsh still and lacked the realistic imaging of even the cheap DT 990.

 

[BrokenEnglishGuy]

I don't like the bass on the Sennheisers as much and I had the 600 myself but found it kinda harsh still and lacked the realistic imaging of even the cheap DT 990.

For me the dynamics en these headphone are terrible, lack of distortion yes (is not that low as dan clark), but dynamics are terrible.
You just cant feel the sound.

 

[Dealux]

For me the dynamics en these headphone are terrible, lack of distortion yes (is not that low as dan clark), but dynamics are terrible.
You just cant feel the sound.

I actually think the DT-990 is more dynamic than the HD800 even, slightly more bass and punchier bass plus extra clarity in the upper treble. They do better on those Hans Zimmer tracks everyone tests headphones with. The harshness that comes from those treble peaks does bother me but EQ fixes that somewhat. Although I do want to get the 1990 eventually since that has a better tuning and is a better candidate for EQ.

 

[Maki]

How is Stax SR-007 MK2 + Stax SRM-D50? A good option?

007s are amazing headphones but they're also kind of dark. Also, if you care about extension to 20hz you have to mod them to get them to seal properly. Also, the headband is really, really stupid. No swivel/tilt adjustment at all. Seems like most people don't have fitment issues but if your head is the wrong shape you'll have to forcibly bend it to make it fit. I'd consider the ES Labs ES1A if you're looking at the 007 - it's just a bit brighter, more neutral to my ear, and doesn't have any fitment or seal problems. It's an Omega clone/homage though, so it comes with the not so great feeling plastic headband that the originals came with. The amp shouldn't have any issues but I'd recommend DIYing something yourself if you have the time and tools, or buying used. Cheaper that way.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

I heard that the 007s have a problem with keeping up when lots of instruments play or many things go on. Is this correct?

 

[Moonhead]

Yes I think its one of the fundamental flaws og owning Stax, the lack og soundstage and that mild blooming bass also, actually the main reason I sold mine.

- It is notarius bad at separating instruments because of the 1D soundstage, try some NiN and you will agree.

 

[Maki]

I heard that the 007s have a problem with keeping up when lots of instruments play or many things go on. Is this correct?

Nope. No issues with that.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

Nope. No issues with that.

If this is true, I see little advantage of getting the 009s. I'll stick with the 007s then

 

[Maki]

If this is true, I see little advantage of getting the 009s. I'll stick with the 007s then

The real advantage of the 009 is that it's the only modern STAX that doesn't require the user to put in effort to "fix" - though none of the other models are what I'd call bad in their stock forms. They're just not operating at 100% of their potential, unlike the 009. Take it out of the box and it's as perfect it will ever be. It's also brighter than the 007 with strange tonality quirks, too bright in my opinion. Without EQ it's a downgrade to my ears, though even then it does do certain things marginally better.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

The real advantage of the 009 is that it's the only modern STAX that doesn't require the user to put in effort to "fix" - though none of the other models are what I'd call bad in their stock forms. They're just not operating at 100% of their potential, unlike the 009. Take it out of the box and it's as perfect it will ever be. It's also brighter than the 007 with strange tonality quirks, too bright in my opinion. Without EQ it's a downgrade to my ears, though even then it does do certain things marginally better.

Hi, thanks for the interesting reply. Did you mean by chance "007" in the first line? I got a bit confused. I mainly decided for the 007 instead of the 009 mainly because of supposedly better bass response, money, and also a great signature (if I follow Crinnacle's measurements) . But I also want to get it right and not secretly longing for the 009 ...

 

[Maki]

Hi, thanks for the interesting reply. Did you mean by chance "007" in the first line? I got a bit confused. I mainly decided for the 007 instead of the 009 mainly because of supposedly better bass response, money, and also a great signature (if I follow Crinacle's measurements) . But I also want to get it right and not secretly longing for the 009 ...

Nope, I meant the 009. The 007 is vented by default, which results in a bit of a bass hump followed by roll-off in the sub-bass region. You can do the blu-tack mod to fix it. You can see what I'm talking about in Crin's graph from 20-80hz. When you do the mod, it's a straight line from 150hz to 20hz. It's not strictly a necessity, and everything you mention applies in its stock form. I haven't modded mine yet (previously owned a modded pair). I'll get around to it sometime I guess.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

Nope, I meant the 009. The 007 is vented by default, which results in a bit of a bass hump followed by roll-off in the sub-bass region. You can do the blu-tack mod to fix it. You can see what I'm talking about in Crin's graph from 20-80hz. When you do the mod, it's a straight line from 150hz to 20hz. It's not strictly a necessity, and everything you mention applies in its stock form. I haven't modded mine yet (previously owned a modded pair). I'll get around to it sometime I guess.

Thanks Maki - I am not sure if the modding is necessary for the "latest" version, but I'll see. But overall, do you prefer the 007 to the 009? You wrote about the 009 "without EQ it's a downgrade to my ears, though even then it does do certain things marginally better". So, given one puts as much effort as necessary (eq, blue tac mod etc), is there are clear decision possible (or even necessary) between 007 and 009? Sorry for asking so much ...

 

[Maki]

Thanks Maki - I am not sure if the modding is necessary for the "latest" version, but I'll see. But overall, do you prefer the 007 to the 009? You wrote about the 009 "without EQ it's a downgrade to my ears, though even then it does do certain things marginally better". So, given one puts as much effort as necessary (eq, blue tac mod etc), is there are clear decision possible (or even necessary) between 007 and 009? Sorry for asking so much ...

You might find the stock bass response to be perfectly acceptable - I find it amazing for 99% of my music. Maybe its audiophile nervosa that is compelling me to mod it but I digress. If you were to put a gun to my head and say I could only keep one of the omegas based on sound quality alone, it would probably be the 007. It doesn't work as well the 009 with a few songs, but it is overall the most versatile. 009 wins on stage and very slightly on detail, but loses in versatility because it's sharp by nature and the bass isn't as fun. 007 performs on everything. If you add comfort into the mix - the 009 fits my head much better, so I'd choose that.

 

[Hoegaardener70]

You might find the stock bass response to be perfectly acceptable - I find it amazing for 99% of my music. Maybe its audiophile nervosa that is compelling me to mod it but I digress. If you were to put a gun to my head and say I could only keep one of the omegas based on sound quality alone, it would probably be the 007. It doesn't work as well the 009 with a few songs, but it is overall the most versatile. 009 wins on stage and very slightly on detail, but loses in versatility because it's sharp by nature and the bass isn't as fun. 007 performs on everything. If you add comfort into the mix - the 009 fits my head much better, so I'd choose that.

Maki- thank you for your perspective, highly appreciated. The comfort of the 007 seems to be very divisive indeed, I guess it depends on head shapes. I auditioned the 009s many times and found them very comfortable as well, but I think I'll go for the 007 (which I cannot try) and hope for the best.

 

[roog]

I have the L700 having listened to most in the Stax range. I felt that the L700 just managed to bring a little more bass to the sound. Compared to the planar and dynamic headsets that I tried in the same session, I liked the detail that the Stax offered, the bass lacks the weight of the others, but the bass they deliver has a clear percussive sound. I totally see why others like the sound of the LCD 3 and 4, Focal Eutopia, HD800, Fostex TH900 (my favourite closed-back design), but I preferred the detail and sound balance of the Stax. I suspect that the Stax headsets and energisers are not the last word when it comes to testing!