Head-Case exclusive!

The result of Round 1 of the Stax vs. Senn battle is not pretty. The HD600 lies wounded, in two pieces and sans cable.

To add insult to injury, the Airbow SR-SC1 and Lambda Pro have taken the HD600 and HD650 boxes for their own use.

How is the Airbow SR-SC1? I've always wondered about them ever since I read about them couple of years back.

T-T

The SR-SC1 is very clear and detailed. Open-sounding with plenty of air and excellent notes separation. Brighter than the SR-007, it seems more neutral and accurate and less "euphonic" to me. It's actually very similar to the 4070. Both lack some refinement, bass quantity and bass quality vs. the O2, though.

Interesting - any idea how they compare to 404's?

Interesting - any idea how they compare to 404's?

The 404 is much rougher around the edges with a bit of bass boom, upper midrange coloration and a soundstage that is too large for it's own good. The SC1 is much smoother and civilized and the midrange coloration is reduced by quite a bit. It's basically what the SR-404 should have been to begin with.

Btw. Congrats on the HE90 Michael.

The 404 is much rougher around the edges with a bit of bass boom, upper midrange coloration and a soundstage that is too large for it's own good. The SC1 is much smoother and civilized and the midrange coloration is reduced by quite a bit. It's basically what the SR-404 should have been to begin with.

Interesting that cryo'ing each parts before assembly makes that much difference. Priced right in between 007 and 404, too.

What the heck happened to the poor 600? A moment of violence? I've got 600s on my head right now. That's doesn't seem easy to do by accident.

Interesting that cryo'ing each parts before assembly makes that much difference. Priced right in between 007 and 404, too.

They cost about YJP70000 so it's a hefty premium over the 404 but the difference isn't subtle. It's amazing that the same driver can sound so different in the 404, SC1 and the 4070.

Interesting that they based their driver unit on SRM-212 - you'd think they'd pick something higher up on the chain.

The 212 is actually quite a good amp if fitted with a better PSU. I like it a bit more then the old 313.

The SR-SC1, and presumably the 404, is very lightweight and comfortable. There's some clamping force and the earpads do get a bit warm, though.

What the heck happened to the poor 600? A moment of violence? I've got 600s on my head right now. That's doesn't seem easy to do by accident.

I can't lie to you, it was very easy to do, for one whose stupidity is combined with a fat head.

I just finished watching The Transformers on DVD and thought I might listen to some Rihanna - Umbrella... ella, ella, eh eh eh.

I grabbed the HD600, the Raptor (uh, oh, dangerzone) was switched on and I hit R on the keyboard, scrolled, and hit play.

After about 30 seconds of bopping my head around, the blasted clamping force felt uncomfortable! I ripped off the HD600 and unthinkingly bent the headband the same way I usually bend the W5000 headband, except outward this time. Snap!

The SR-SC1, and presumably the 404, is very lightweight and comfortable. There's some clamping force and the earpads do get a bit warm, though.

The 404 and SC1 are identical except for the label on the plug. The newer Lambda arc design is much worse then the original Sigma design that the Lambda borrowed. The clamp is too tight and it doesn't extend enough.

The SR-SC1, and presumably the 404, is very lightweight and comfortable. There's some clamping force and the earpads do get a bit warm, though.

I can't lie to you, it was very easy to do, for one whose stupidity is combined with a fat head.

I just finished watching The Transformers on DVD and thought I might listen to some Rihanna - Umbrella... ella, ella, eh eh eh.

I grabbed the HD600, the Raptor (uh, oh, dangerzone) was switched on and I hit R on the keyboard, scrolled, and hit play.

After about 30 seconds of bopping my head around, the blasted clamping force felt uncomfortable! I ripped off the HD600 and unthinkingly bent the headband the same way I usually bend the W5000 headband, except outward this time. Snap!

well if you wanna get rid of the broken 600s, you know where to send them to. (ME, send them to ME, i dont want to be subtle and kick myself in the ass later because you didnt understand )

btw you live in mon-tree pahk?! visit time...

prepares to avenge the poor senns

I ripped off the HD600 and unthinkingly bent the headband the same way I usually bend the W5000 headband, except outward this time. Snap!

The difference is the W5000 headband is made of metal, while the Senn is plasticke.

The key to loosening the Senn headband is steady pressure over a long period. Stretching over a row of books overnight does the trick for me, though this results in chipped paint in the center of the headband on the HD650.

I, for one, applaud the timely euthanizing of the Senn 600. Sorry, I just had to say that.

You know, I didn't even realize the fate of HD600 until just now. Shows you how much I was paying attention when I was looking at the pic.

Thats pretty hard to miss man. Macular degeneration?

All this talk of the SR-SC1 has me intrigued. I think I need to borrow a listen on Carl's pair sometime. I like the 404s reasonably but they certainly have their share of faults.

All this talk of the SR-SC1 has me intrigued. I think I need to borrow a listen on Carl's pair sometime. I like the 404s reasonably but they certainly have their share of faults.

Go for it. He has enough headphones to go around...

Thats pretty hard to miss man. Macular degeneration?

I was too busy paying attention to the stats surrounding the mangled one.

I was too busy paying attention to the stats surrounding the mangled one.

Huh... there are not only electrostatic headphones in that picture? My brain must be blocking them out...

I need to get myself a Stax again. I sold off all my electrostatic headphones but still have my amplifiers. Blasphemy right?

Criminal is more like it but you've got the general idea...

Collecting electrostatic headphones is a serious business and the more you have the greater the need for more...