Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

The_Incredible_Rook OP t1_j68lxtf wrote

So yesterday I discovered there is a Hi-Fi store near me that actually does have Stax models available for purchase and demo. Was right under my nose this whole time. So I quick booked a demo to try out some of the infamous advanced-lambda series. Unfortunately, they did not have the SR-L700, only L500 and L300. Kinda had already decided I was gonna buy the L500 with a good energizer, but I demoed them for a little while to be sure. I also tried the SR 007, however I did not like it as much as either of the lambda series, it was a little ‘too dark’ for me. From quick listens, I did not find a whole bunch of difference between L300 and L500, but I did think the 500 had just a little bit more soundstage and ‘emphasis’ on the sounds.

Anyways, little did I know by that point, it was my lucky day!! They were out of stock on the L500, so instead, they offered to sell me the demo version for an slightly used price. I pointed out that the demo one was the mk1, and he reduced the price even more! Only paid around 300 euros for it. Not only that, but they also had one used energizer, SRM 353x, in great condition, which was selling for like 600 euros. So I left the store with a SR-L500mk1 + SRM-353x combo for 1000 euros.

Been listening to it since then, and holy crap! Here are my preliminary opinions:

Compared to the 800S and Aryas, it has a sound with so much more well defined “body”, it feels much more natural. It feels like these headphones have the ‘reference sound’ that every other headphone is desperately trying to reach, but failing.

It’s incredibly detailed, instruments are very well separated from each other, and the sound is VERY punchy. For me, its basically the 800S details and definition (even better, probably) but you don’t have to sacrifice the bass. Instead, I’m met with the most amazing bass i’ve ever heard, its probably what impressed me the most with this earspeaker. This may be related to the fact I’m quite used to the 800S and Arya, which aren’t known for having a very punchy bass. But anyways, its so accurate, so powerful and punchy, I’ve been comparing drums focused music on the L500 vs the 800S, and the L500 make the 800S look like a joke in that aspect. They can be easily EQed, too. While the 800S can also be easily EQed, it can only improve the bass quality to a certain degree. The aryas, in my experience, cant be bass boosted at all, it distorts very easily. The L500 tho, can achieve bass so powerful with EQ you feel the tremor it causes.

The treble and mids on it are also great, everything is emphasized equally, every single detail is delivered to you on a silver plate, and it does so without a hint of harshness. It brings tears to my eyes...

They can get insanely loud before any hint of distortion. They share that with the 800S, but the Aryas however will distort the bass if you try to listen to higher volumes. So if you like listening to loud music, you will love these.

The only aspect where they fall behind the 800S and Arya are soundstage, comfort and build. The 800S and Arya are both soundstage monsters, fully surpassing much more expensive headphones, such as the Susvara, so this is not surprising. The L500 soundstage resembles the Aryas, while being a little smaller. The 800S has the ability of making sounds feel more far away from you and gives a better sense of direction to the sound. The Arya also has better layering, giving it a more “fun” presentation.

While not uncomfortable, L500 cannot compare to the 800s, and is a little bit worst than the Aryas. They have a very plasticly build, which do makes them very lightweight, but also introduce quite a bit of creaking, which can be quite annoying at times.

But despise of those things, they are insanely great headphones. The electrostatic sound is simply beyond my wildest dreams, I’m very impressed.

Its really a shame they require such expensive exclusive amps to work, but damn, once you hear them, it is very clear why they do.

10/10, I cannot live without it anymore.

31

pinkcunt123 t1_j68paju wrote

You like the bass on these? I found the early roll off to be quite disappointing. Since the front volume aint sealed, bass rolls off at 50Hz and the roll of is rather steep.

Blue tack can fix that, but I could hardly modify a store demo.

I found even the Sundaras and Anandas bass to be better due to proper extension. I would have thought that the Arya was similar in that regard.

4

The_Incredible_Rook OP t1_j68pv7y wrote

Replying to pinkcunt123 (#1,554,113)

I have the Sundaras, the Arya definitely has better bass than it.

But I'm enjoying the L500s more than the Aryas, by quite a bit.

But yeah, people have different experiences with headphones, this is just my experience.

7

DonGately888 t1_j68rleg wrote

Wow maybe but a lotto ticket also! Always wanted to try these, might have to venture into the city now for a demo myself

7

isitwrongtoeatsand t1_j68vt3y wrote

Replying to pinkcunt123 (#1,554,113)

OP gets it! Glad you enjoyed the switch, hard to go back, right? :D

Look into the blutac mod as mentioned if you want more bass and check it works on your model, I'm sure it does but I have a different model, makes a lot of difference.

1

Spyronight t1_j693lni wrote

Stax are the best bang for your buck but they do have their quirks, I adore my L300, got it with the 252 energizer for $420. Happy to see their isnt too much of a difference between the L300 and L500.

1

covertash t1_j697jdb wrote

Replying to The_Incredible_Rook (#1,553,536)

> It brings tears to my eyes...

First things first - congrats! It's a really confouding, yet rewarding, feeling to find a setup that moves you deeply. :)

One quick note about the comments on the Arya's:

> The aryas, in my experience, cant be bass boosted at all, it distorts very easily. > > the Aryas however will distort the bass if you try to listen to higher volumes.

Are they the older non-Stealth versions? And more to the point, are you exclusively listening to them through the Valhalla 2? If so, it's possible that you may be current limited, and switching to a different, more suitable, amp can alleviate the issues above.

15

The_Incredible_Rook OP t1_j69e0ws wrote

Replying to covertash (#1,557,294)

Is it the stealth version, but you are indeed correct!

I just tried listening to it with my Onkyo power amp instead, and it was indeed possible to boost it and crank the volume up better. Had not though about that before.

Thank you so much for pointing it out! :)

9

The_D0lph1n t1_j69ej1j wrote

That combo is one of the best deals I've seen in the modern Stax world. A neat trick with the L series is that you can buy the L700's earpads and swap them onto the L500 to get something more similar to the L700 sound. Not required by any means, but it's an interesting flavor change that's also wayyy cheaper than getting the L700 itself. That was the route I originally wanted to go with, but the store was also out of the L500, so they offered me a used L700 at an incredible price, so how could I refuse? If you ever want to mix it up, perhaps look into swapping the earpads. Otherwise, enjoy the setup!

4

bolhoo t1_j69gidl wrote

Cool! Stax is probably my next upgrade though it will take me a few years to get there. Here it costs 4 Anandas lol

5

The_Incredible_Rook OP t1_j69h0q5 wrote

Replying to The_D0lph1n (#1,558,431)

Yes, I was already planning on doing that! I've actually read your comment on another post from a year ago about it when I was looking into it, right after I booked the demo.

Will probably order it soon :)

​

Edit: What's the best place to get them from? Offical Stax website, or are there good alternatives?

2

The_D0lph1n t1_j69iehd wrote

Replying to The_Incredible_Rook (#1,558,790)

You can get it from your local/regional Stax dealer, depending on availability. I just bought a pair of new L700 earpads from HeadAmp, but I'm in the US, so it's an easy option for me. I couldn't find a list of Stax dealers in Europe, but you're probably more familiar with the dealer landscape there than I am.

2

Miniblasan t1_j6a8x6h wrote

I thought the Stax word was Strax which in Swedish means Soon in English. 😅😂

1

Yodamanjaro t1_j6acc8f wrote

Replying to The_Incredible_Rook (#1,563,592)

Provides better sub bass response due to a better seal around the ears. Doesn't really change anything else sound-wise.

What this does is give you ability to use other earpads that don't cost a fortune to replace a year or two down the road.

The other thing is knowing you won't be snapping the original headband due to the cheap plastic.

2

The_Incredible_Rook OP t1_j6adk92 wrote

Replying to Yodamanjaro (#1,563,696)

Hmm, I do already have a set of oval brainwavz pads, those will work with it, right?

May be worthy a try in the future then

The aluminium frame is definitely something I would like to get too, do they decrease the creaking noises?

2

the_salivation_army t1_j6bi243 wrote

It’s amazing how different they sound. I had some new version of Lambdas, SR507 they were, with an old T1 amp about ten year ago. Even these dinky old SR5 ones I had blew away dynamics, it sounds like the music is coming from outer space. And they’re expensive, I bloody sold em to put towards the deposit on a house.

2

the_salivation_army t1_j6bjb1r wrote

Replying to The_Incredible_Rook (#1,570,868)

Yeh I really do cos I’ve never just been able to plop that much money on headphones ever again. There’s a set of HD580 and this Heed Audio Can Amp at home still so I’m not completely out of the game. It was a solid sacrifice, but man those Stax headphones are in a different world.

2

the_salivation_army t1_j6blbal wrote

Replying to The_Incredible_Rook (#1,571,047)

Yeh I’m jealous, they’re just so different to any dynamic set I’ve heard. First ones I ever heard were the SR5 ones I mentioned and they’re nearly 50 year old headphones but the music coming from them was just effortless. I had some really really old set of non-Pro lambda as well. That T1 amp had two Pro holes and one non-Pro hole and ya didn’t have to hook em up through the speakers.

Ah man I really wish I had my Stax stuff still!

2