Beyerdynamic vs Sennheiser vs Stax

[audioarcher]

i investigated headphones in Jan 2011 with top level perfromance in mind, and ended up buying some used headphones to dip my toe in, and then ordering the Headamp BHSE (Blue Hawaii Special Edition) electrostatic amplifier. later i ordered the new Stax 009 headphones.

this combo proved to be pretty amazing compared to any other headphone combo i tried....and if the $12k list price is not too steep then it's a no-brainer. it was the only headphone combination that i considered truely not veiled and favorably compared to my 2-channel system. none others got very close.

i did sell all my headphone gear to help pay for new amps and speakers.

I heard that combo at RMAF 2011. I had exactly the same thoughts. If I had to down size to just head phones that would be the rig I would get. I can't justify having both right now.

 

[Gregadd]

One of the all-time worst top 10 lists I've ever seen, in any category. Most of that stuff is pure crap.

P

:b

 

[Gregadd]

 

[Gregadd]

Mike -given your expereince with audio equiopment, I cannot fathom why you are not confered expert status on this forum. Sigh.
greg

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

View attachment 5751

Yep. That one probably sounds ok.

Tim

 

[hvbias]

I have the original Stax Omega (SR-Omega) and SR-007 (Omega 2). Both are amazing, the SR-Omega has a huge wide open sound stage even larger than the new SR-009; it's incredibly detailed as well. The SR-007 is more focused, smaller soundstage. I love Stax headphones, they are what caused me to seek out auditions of electrostatic speakers, which I really enjoy as well.

I do not miss those undergrad/med days of studying 8 hours a day in small apartments with only headphones and no speakers I've been meaning to sell some of the Stax... as much fun as headphone listening is they do not come close to good speakers.

 

[Gregadd]

Woo headphone amp/dac

http://www.hpsoundings.com/2013/03/woo-audio-wa7-fireflies-headphone-ampdac/

 

[dalethorn]

http://www.hpsoundings.com/2013/03/woo-audio-wa7-fireflies-headphone-ampdac/

I've read a lot about these valve amps, but never heard one. Do you suppose the bits can flow through those fiery terminals and come out perfectly intact, or maybe they're not supposed to?

 

[Gregadd]

i don't think you can amplify bits. Maybe our digitalphiles can chime in.

 

[dalethorn]

i don't think you can amplify bits. Maybe our digitalphiles can chime in.

You can actually - you just set the volume bit or bits to a higher value, then let the valve part of the amp perform the actual work.