I’m more talking along the lines of treble in your face where it’s the main focus of the hp. Most of the cans you mentioned i don’t find them bright in general, more can be energetic than bright, if that makes sense.
I would say all of the cans I listed can get that way depending on chain. Sus and d8kp especially. D8KP + LPGT + mass kobo is maybe even the best example of this Ive seen, but I could see mysphere taking that cake (just havent heard it on mass kobo or hell, even a vaguely bright chain yet)
Has anyone tried Natural latex foam for headphone pads or just as a sound absorption material in general before?
Just been googling a lot of stuff recently. Came across this headphone Victor HA-WM90-B. Whenever i see people talk about this headphone, the keyword has been “bass-rumble” and “100 Year old wood”. Has anyone ever heard of them?
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For someone like me who has somewhat clear what I want for my system… I sometimes wonder, are estats woth gettun into?
The brand stax seems to be the most popular and also do a lot of amps (energizers?) I have read a lot of people claiming theyre endgame material by far
Arent they like old and easy break?
Is what other what brands doing really enough for an estat enjoyer?
That depends on what you want 
Stax sells a few models currently brand new so even though some models around are very old you can get new very good gear with warranty today.
Some models for some people for sure.
I don’t have a lot of estat experience but only enjoyed very specific models so far but the Stax X9000 was above all of them… Shang Sr was second. I did not hear the classic senns or Omega though
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Is it true that the newer models “lost the magic” or are just a bit off?
Anyway I feel and believe (might be completely wrong) that getting a good estat system is kind of like buying headphones plus an amplifier that was designed for that headphone by the company like the hd800 plus hdvd or w5000 plus ha5005 which means you end up spending in multiple products as far as I think this works
Im also told the dac and energy conditions of the mains, regen, filter etc will alter the sound more than regular hps
Are they even comparable? Because of the earspeakers catchphrase as if they are really something else entirely
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I haven’t, but I did like some of victor iems of that time period also woodies but not really comparable lol
Worth trying if you can either through a friend or dealer or something, but I don’t know if I’d suggest going in blind fully if you’re currently happy with your setups now
In terms of what headphones to try, I’d suggest trying something from stax, 007 or 009 if you can (or the new one) but a L700 is also an interesting demo and some prefer it over the aforementioned (although I personally don’t get why). Hifiman is worth checking out as both the shangri la jr and sr are great. If you can try a sennheiser he60 or he90 also worth for sure. On the more obscure side an es labs es1a is very cool. There’s other vintage stats that are worthwhile but my personal experience is limited there so can’t say
When it comes to energizers it’s somewhat equally limited to options, I guess demo with whatever you can, but there’s a few older stax branded energizers that are decent (their new stuff is middle of the road for the money), a kgsshv or carbon are great solid state options and a t2 for tube when it comes to the more diy side of things, woo energizers can be good but pretty colored aside from their newer ones, and some of the more rare options like cavalli liquid lightning 2 or trilogy h1 or rsa a-10 are great if you can find them, lta z10e is awesome, and I’d assume the viva stx is as well given how the egoista 845 is. Obligatory nod to the blue hawaii special edition but I’m not the biggest fan personally
I don’t think so personally, but I’m also not deeply experienced with the vintage stax land so ymmv. I do think it’s easy to get that impression depending on if you’ve heard the newer stuff with energizers that limit what they can do or are a more poor match, older energizers do also go a different more sterile direction than older from my experience
You basically invest into a system, and there’s limited options with the system overall. Makes pairing semi easy semi not, but you financially lock yourself in a bit by doing so. You basically have your setup for all other headphones and then your only estat setups
Eh, I think if you’re comparing at adequate levels I don’t think it’s really all that different, a totl headphone like let’s say a utopia is going to be not too far off on the picky scale to a 009 (perhaps the 009 can scale more and is a bit more picky), sometimes it might be easier to tell with estats since (imo) they naturally have a bit more forward and compressed sound typically, but I don’t know if I’d catch all say that they’re a whole lot more picky than other totl headphones. But comparing even more entry level estats to entry level headphones, yeah, but that’s also because the most entry level estats are basically going to be competing with midrange headphones lol, so a bit of lack of balance there and not as apples for apples tier wise.
I do think people tend to overexaggerate the “specialness” of estats, and I think that’s likely due to them having a much more polarizing community that pushes that narrative, alongside basically forcing people to actually care and build out special chains for them (something they might not be doing with their traditional headphones in comparison). Not a knock against stats themselves, but I personally take what I read about estats with more of a grain of salt than I do normal headphones because of that
The earspeaker phrase is just branding by stax that stuck around since that’s what they used to be called back in the day and they’ve remained a prominent mfg of estats since. But really I only think the “earspeaker” phrase from a technical standpoint either describes all headphones, or only stuff like akg k1000 or raal sr1a or something. But the phrase itself is just marketing. Old headphones used to be called by a bunch of stuff before the term “headphone” was really universal. I mean also take DACs before that became universal, being called things like digital decoders, decoding computer, digital processors, converters, etc, all dacs in the end just before people tended to universally settle on the name “dac”
They do operate in a different way in comparison to traditional orthodynamic or dynamic, you need different amps to drive them, and they do have their own distinct sound, but I don’t really think they sound different enough to no longer be comparable to the traditional headphones. I just view it as another driver tech, dynamics have their own common sound and characteristics, so do planar, and so do estats, I don’t think estats lie in this different category where they can’t or shouldn’t be compared.
I do think especially in the high end comparing totl dynamics and planar vs totl estats ends up being more difficult simply because it’s a different playing field with different options when it comes to the energizers vs amps and that can sometimes give people that impression that they’re in a different league (people tend to skimp on source gear for totl traditional headphones in comparison when buying for estats likely due to the estat amp market basically going from more affordable options right to the few top overly hyped options without many steps in the middle and most of the community encouraging the jump to the top, whereas there’s a lot more middleground step amps for totl traditional headphones that some decide to stop at and not pursue further.) Hard to get apples to apples when it comes to source gear on an estat chain vs a traditional chain because of the energizer vs amp situation and how things tend to play out with the more limited and hyperfocused options of the energizer realm vs the more wide swath of traditional amps
TLDR: estats can be awesome, but you do have to build a separate chain for them for the most part, imo with estats go big or go home, but I don’t think they’re that different or unique from other traditional headphones and I don’t think they invalidate traditional headphones, and the estat community sucks with that mentality so be more skeptical when navigating the waters. Worth trying if you can demo or if you’ve got enough sitting around to fully invest yourself to try, otherwise if you’re happy with your current setup I wouldn’t worry about it
Personal side note, I ended up selling off my stats (007 mk2.9, he60, shangri la sr, es labs es1a, warwick aperio, and a woo 3es elite and mjolnir carbon cc as energizers), while they were great headphones even potentially technically bettering some of the other stuff I had, I never felt satisfied with them, and didn’t want to use them as often. Still have my koss esp950s tho lol
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omg this is a lot
So I have my variety of chains with normal headphones but with estats (because of budget and just trying out) just one system is your recommendation from above?
There are some cheap L30 but I dont know If that would satisfy someone at my level
That i can see as well but still raises my eye
Thats a strong stance
This is were they lose me a bit, im def gonna finish my regular system and collection before spending on estat just to experiment, I dont think there are demos here were I live
Also a friend is selling L504 which he claims are godlike but have like a lose pad and aesthethic oldness for 800 euros including a basic stax amp (dont remember the model)
while that sounds as a good place to start I dont think that 800 combo is going to change my perspective on headphones, I just feel FOMO a bit
and I know the low models with a random amp would be a waste because I look for keepers
Thanks for your answers
Sure, but like, that’s covering most of the decent estat amps out there lol. There’s probably literally thousands of traditional different headphone amps from hundreds of companies, but for estat amps I can only think of like 10-20 companies that make estat amps lol
Basically what I’d do is get one real nice energizer and 1-2 different stats for it that pair well and offer a different experience from each other. I personally wouldn’t start buying multiple energizers and multiple stats right off the bat unless you fully want to move in that direction. Then again making a single really strong chain focused around one to two headphones is really just common practice/ideal in the high end so this isn’t really specific to stats.
Personally I think the best entry point into electrostatics are koss esp950/95x, amazing for the money and I personally prefer them to the L300 or L500 systems from stax, grab a pair of vesper or yaxi pads for them too since that really helps. If you end up liking them, you can grab an adapter and use them on most other stat amps later on since they scale too
Is it? I’ve always just kinda felt that the stax/estat community was pretty cult-ish/extremist in comparison to most other areas of the headphone community
Sounds like a plan 
, worth checking out after but for now it’s probably more worthwhile to finish/complete what you’ve been working on figured out first if you’ve been happy with the direction it’s been going
Never heard of the 504 before, interesting. The most basic modern stax amp is called the srm-252 or something iirc
If you mean L500 + 252 yeah I don’t really think that’s going to make you want to toss everything aside lol. Although it would definitely be a unique sound in your collection and different from other cans you have
That’s kinda why I think with estats going pretty high up right off the bat is the way to go, simply because I don’t think the lower end offerings are really all that impressive in comparison, and with how you’re going to be locked into the ecosystem you might as well go for that next step right off the bat
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nice
I dont know I dont have the best faith in the esp950, dont doubt they are amazing for the price but the idea something to keep for a long time.
yup its this one
what are some examples of good value electrostatic heaphones around 1k and 1k for the amp if you know any, or do you think they are actually better to be had at the higher price points?
As dynamic driver is my favorite type of driver so im a bit worried about how the estat would deliver sound differently, ive seen some comparisons from wavetheory (one of the only youtuber reviewers I like) and he reviews basically only summit price estats and compares against the typical he1000v2 d8000 susvara utopia etc… and I dont really find a difference in the way he describes the sound of estats vs planar or dynamics, because at the end of the day they are just outstanding headphones (with a proper amp chain)
Only suggest it because the 95x with the energizer is literally like 300-400 bucks new in the us, even cheaper used, so it can sometimes make sense regardless. But yes get what you’re saying.
I’d probably go for a used 007 mk2.9 around that price for 1.3k used, aaaannnddd most other stats I’d want to suggest are more in the 2k+ range used lol. The 007 is really really good for that price, the problem is it’s also pretty demanding to drive to where I’d really suggest going more in the 2k range for an energizer for it (like finding a kgsshv build around that range), but I do think you could get by with one of the used stax energizers around 1k like a SRM717 (or 727II) or 007tII (although the 007tII will lean pretty warm and relaxed imo), but going higher for that headphone is just worth the cost. The 007 is also unlike most estats in tonality as it’s a warmer richer and almost a bit bassy leaning stat which is more uncommon compared to a lot of modern stats (even from stax themselves)
So that’s the thing, stats sound distinctly different, I would say they sound more like planar than dynamic but still different from both, but they still sound like a headphone and the experience doesn’t transcend anything the other types can’t provide (at least when it comes to comparing appropriate tier setups). Hard to really describe but stats are typically more ethereal, extremely quick and precise, lots of technicalities and resolution although lacking in some other aspects that might be dealbreakers for some, but all depends on the headphone. But yes they’re just another form of great headphones that just need a special amp to work, same thing for ribbon headphones
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You r a goddamn legend
Finally on another topic
From the bryston bha1, QSHA, v281, pass labs hpa1 which one do you think could be the most capable (maybe rank them) to run the ADX5000, most of my stuff is low impedance but adx is the focus, and maybe a future utopia
The pass labs is a bit more expensive so im less likely to buy it for this round
I currently run it with the soloist 3xp with supercharger and the comet dac
Heres my toughts and issues
- Needs 2 or 3 deegrees more low end quantity
- The macrodynamics are good, very nice punches
- needs more texture in general
- The sense of space could be a little more “big”
- Could use a bit of funk in the bass with microdynamics
- It sounds a little bit flat, Id like a bit more spice
- black background is not very good
Bonus question: Im currently using the toslink input on the exogal and I wonder if I should use the BNC instead, or get a ddc to use the AES
Pass is just on another tier/level in comparison to the rest, so it’s not very fair to compare lol
Hmmm for my personal preferences to run the 5k, I could actually see myself going for any of the rest depending on preference so hard choice
I personally think any of the aforementioned amps would address those issues with the 5k lol to be honest. I personally think the soloist kinda really shows it’s problems with higher impedance cans since it’s main party trick is to dump current into something and focus on control with a macro focus in everything but ends up being somewhat surface level and flat underneath
I’d say if you’re priority is overall space and background and microdynamics/nuance I would go with the quicksilver
If you’re priorities lie more in having more of a warmer and rich signature with a stronger micro focus I’d consider the 281
If you want to focus on texture and something that’s sort of in the middle between I’d consider the bha1
If you want something just a pretty big step better than all of them get the pass lol, since I think the signature difference wouldn’t outweigh the technical jump regardless of what it is
Personally if you can’t swing the pass, I would probably go for the bryston or quicksilver, quicksilver if you want space, dynamics, background blackness, and separation, or go for the bryston if you want to focus on texture, grip and control, resolution/detail, and speed. Both will be better than the soloist imo
Reason why I don’t suggest the 281 as much because I’m not sure if you’ll enjoy how it’s a bit smoothed over and also relaxed in the treble and also because it won’t play as well wirh your other lower impedance cans where the other amps will. Don’t get me wrong it’s a great pairing for leaning that headphone more on the warm and more relaxed side of things but you do lose some energy and liveliness with that pairing
Getting a ddc would be an upgrade in general regardless of input, I’d say if you can get a nice ddc and a nice aes cable it’s definitely worth doing for that dac
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Its going to be bryston vs QS then, if I can find one that ships to mexico or someone here can help me proxy like @Littledrummerboy the last time 
im forever thankful
The rest of the money would go to the ddc or maybe a cheap pass gets offered. Importing the pass is mandatory proxy harder to get
Also if I dont get the pass it would be easier to get the ddc, @M0N su2 is good enough? or I would need the su6 or denafrips ares or that one i forgot (matrix?)
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Valentine luke got the spidf 3.
He also posted something about it somewhere, I think it was in the DDC threath.
Personally, I have the Su2 Standard and it does a lot better via I2S.
It does a great job on the Gustard R26.
Personally, I think all DDCs are pretty similar and the changes in sound tend to be subitl or nuanced.
You definitely can’t go wrong with Matrix and Singxer.
However, I would rather go for what you need in terms of connections.
And then on the sound signature.
For example, the Su2 doesn’t have an optical connector, the Su6 does.
If you need one or have experience with one, the Su 6 might be worth it.
I’m not so keen on Denafrips, which do the job but go in strange directions.
But that is a difference of opinion.
Another DDC could be interesting, something from Gustard, personally I have not had it in my hands.
But you don’t necessarily read bad things in the R26 threath and is somehow a popular pairing.
The other thing I would add to the DDC is a good cable and fuse if they support it.
By the way, the Su 2 is available in Europe on Magnahifi in a slightly modified version.
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I agree the singxer su2 and 6 seem to be the most reliable option, I think wesley is selling but I have no money rn, im building my knowledge for when the times come
Su2 modified versions seem a bit too expensive for me, I do think the unmodifiee su2 will be a good enough upgrade, but if I can get a good price of the su6 its currently my best bet as I want more technicalities from the ddc
Thanks deeleh
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Yes, theoretically both have an I2S and Aes input, toslink is nice to have on the Su6.
There are strong differences of opinion regarding the Su2&6.
Others say the 6 is better than the 2 and vice versa.
I think it depends on what is in the rest of the chain.
It is true that the Su2 would actually be sufficient and can also drive larger things with it.
I use the standard version myself.
The Farad upgrade could be interesting in the future.
Provided Magna is willing to convert it.
And I’ll be honest, as long as it’s not broken I see no reason to change it.
The 6 version is certainly interesting if you don’t have one yet.
Maybe read some reviews and decide for yourself.
The Su2 has always been an upgrade for me personally when a Dac was added or tested.
Personally, it has always improved certain things in the mid-range and treble there was usually always more extension and sweeter were.
The black background was also noticeable and the bass range usually improved as well.
On my Singxer Dac, I used to have to listen to it a lot more, but since I switched to the Gustard, I listened to it a lot less.
Apart from that, the Spidf 3 might be worth a closer look until then.
It seems to be the most advanced on the market.
Certain Matrix Audio things are not bad.
But in general they are a bit cooler in sound and also more sterile I would say.
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Sold via USAM
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What would give me superior(if such case exists) SQ for L500/700? Z10e, Carbon CC, Carbon, Aristaeus, etc.
What are the differences between L500 & L700? (cross-post question from Stax thread)
Z10e seems fine, but I’m not sold on it for non-estat use. Almost don’t even care about dynamics and planars anymore 
What amps would run a MySphere 3 well?