vintage electrostatic headphone longevity

[lostrockets]

was considering buying some older stax headphones, but concerned about how long theyll last... i know speakers for example, might require replacement of the foam edge around a woofer. so not sure if its worth trying, or if i should just buy new models and avoid the headache.

are there components in the stax headphones that might also require replacement after a certain amount of time? if so how long before that might be needed?

 

[dlaloum]

I have 40 year old STAX headphones - they still work perfectly.

I also have had vintage electrostatic speakers - they do not tend to age the way normal speakers do.

They can be sensitive to humidity / mold.... but under normal circumstances, have unlimited lifetime

Things that WILL cause damage, is over driving them - causing arcing which will punch holes in the membrane - ultimately leading to needing to replace the membrane.... - this is not so much a problem with headphones that have their own dedicated specialised amp - with speakers, where the amps are not always well matched (ie: overpowered) - careless handling can cause issues... (teenager or guest "cranking them up" to see how loud they will go, can cause $$$$ of damage!!)

 

[maverickronin]

'Stats are delicate, but only while they are energized. Sitting unused they won't really degrade.

Besides that, they just have the normal wear parts that normal headphones do like the pads and the headband strap.

There's also the cables as well. I don't know if it's just terrible luck on my part or not, but I've had two pairs of Lambdas (One original normal bias and one new SR-202) develop such extensive strand fracturing above the Y split that one one channel would cut in and out. I had to cut off the Y split, split it down another foot or so, and reterminate it to the drivers.