The Headcase Stax thread

[spritzer]

I knew about that site but I've never seen phones with the stock drivers that had the aluminum cartwheels. Those pictured there are replacement drivers from Stax not that they are available any more... It's a shame that the site isn't there in its original form as it had loads more info and comparisons.

If they are brown then they are from the original run. Stax had the new black pads made in 2003 when the old stock ran out. They they are black I don't know. You can also get a new cable for them but it's light brown like the current cable and not dark like the original.

If you remove the pads then you can see the date of manufacture or if they were repaired. Here is the sticker on mine:


They are comfortable but the pads are too stiff and the vinyl/leather combo isn't all that great.

[Elephas]

The earpads are dark brown. They look to be in good condition, I would've assumed they were replacements from just a few years ago. Comfort is actually not bad, despite the earpads' relative stiffness overall.

Lifting up the bottom part of the right-side earpad, I see the same type of label.

It looks like:

94 * 11 * 4

HH

[spritzer]

So our sets weren't made that far apart. Pretty cool!

The comfort is pretty good but they are always a bit loose on the head even with the headband as low as possible.

[Elephas]

I'm trying the SR-Omega with the SRM-T1W now. It's not bad.

The Omega has a superb 3D soundstage, very large and encompassing. Playing "audiophile-type" recordings, it seems like sound is coming from all directions.

Imaging isn't as pinpoint precise as the O2's, though. I think the O2 has the best imaging and separation among the Big 4 (HE90, HE60, Omega, O2), which basically means it's also better than all other headphones I've heard. The K1000 might be an exception.

[Elephas]

Hehe, mine fits perfectly, with just-right clamping force.

I can shake my head vigorously and it won't slide off.

The secret: brand-new plastic headband piece

[spritzer]

Originally Posted by Elephas

I'm trying the SR-Omega with the SRM-T1W now. It's not bad.

The Omega has a superb 3D soundstage, very large and encompassing. Playing "audiophile-type" recordings, it seems like sound is coming from all directions.

Imaging isn't as pinpoint precise as the O2's, though. I think the O2 has the best imaging and separation among the Big 4 (HE90, HE60, Omega, O2), which basically means it's also better than all other headphones I've heard. The K1000 might be an exception.

I call them atmospheric as they don't have the fake and diffused soundstage of the HE90. They are very "audiophile" sounding a point which darth nut made in his epic comparison. If you haven't read it it is here:
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?...4&&r=&session=

Originally Posted by Elephas

Hehe, mine fits perfectly, with just-right clamping force.

I can shake my head vigorously and it won't slide off.

The secret: brand-new plastic headband piece

Ahhh so you bought that one... Mine were forced over the box for the photos but the arc is in pretty good shape.

[dvse]

I wonder how many owners that pair has changed over the last 2 years - I think at least 4?

[spritzer]

I don't think he bought the nr.249 that did the rounds on HF and ebay but the broken set that was on Y!JP. I'm not sure though...

[postjack]

In more current news, the initial results of this first batch of 007MK2s are disturbing. I thought it might just be a bad pair until Stax USA said they were having the same problems with all of them. I've been tempted to buy an MK1 from pricejapan before the silver mk2 replace it next month.

[spritzer]

Originally Posted by postjack

In more current news, the initial results of this first batch of 007MK2s are disturbing. I thought it might just be a bad pair until Stax USA said they were having the same problems with all of them. I've been tempted to buy an MK1 from pricejapan before the silver mk2 replace it next month.

It's bad news indeed but I can't believe they are supposed to sound like that. The drivers are identical so this shouldn't happen.

[postjack]

Originally Posted by spritzer

It's bad news indeed but I can't believe they are supposed to sound like that. The drivers are identical so this shouldn't happen.

Yeah, it really doesn't make sense.

[Elephas]

Originally Posted by spritzer

Ahhh so you bought that one...

Gaaah, exposed by my own blabbing!

I thought you might've missed that one, because it wasn't listed in the Stax or headphone categories. Should've known better.

[spritzer]

Originally Posted by Elephas

Gaaah, exposed by my own blabbing!

I thought you might've missed that one, because it wasn't listed in the Stax or headphone categories. Should've known better.

I saw it but I decided to give somebody else a chance as I need a new source more then a second SR-Ω. Now if I only could find a used UX-1...

[pabbi1]

Originally Posted by Nanoha

Edit: By the way pabbi, do you have an idea of how much Lambda Signatures go for these days?

I paid $350 for mine this summer, and was offered another pair last week for $375 (just didn't need another pair). Sould be in the $325-400 range, depending on condition, though I have seen eBay range much higher.

[Nanoha]

Originally Posted by pabbi1

I paid $350 for mine this summer, and was offered another pair last week for $375 (just didn't need another pair). Sould be in the $325-400 range, depending on condition, though I have seen eBay range much higher.

Do you know if prices for the Lambda Signature and Lambda Nova Signature are similar? I was under the impression that the Lambda Signatures ran for quite a bit more than the Nova Lambda Signatures. (~$100 or more)

[granodemostasa]

thought, one of you stax heads might be interested in this: http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/fsb.pl?0&1&t

[Nanoha]

Originally Posted by granodemostasa

thought, one of you stax heads might be interested in this: http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/fsb.pl?0&1&t

Link not working, but I'm guessing I know what you're referring to. :P

[spritzer]

Originally Posted by Nanoha

Do you know if prices for the Lambda Signature and Lambda Nova Signature are similar? I was under the impression that the Lambda Signatures ran for quite a bit more than the Nova Lambda Signatures. (~$100 or more)

They are about 100$ more or that's how I'm pricing the stuff I'm selling.

[tom_hankins]

Well I never thought I would hear a stax I could live with(let alone like). But did some listening to Purks Lambda pros with his ES-1 last night and they were very nice.

[spritzer]

The Pro's are some of the worst phones Stax has ever made so you should hear the good ones... I can only listen to them for a few minutes before getting some other set that actually isn't so alarmingly flawed.