pugs Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 just a f.y.i. re an auction being run by a friend. Best to ask any questions on the auction rather than here. Stax Signature System II SRS-4040. Consists of one pair SR-404 earspeakers and one SRM-006t hybrid tube amplifier/driver. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=222758045 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross F Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 I wonder how far the price is outside the "comfort zone" for us hifi freaks given the economic climate? The current price is $4300. They'd be a steal even at $2.5K given their history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross F Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Amazingly these failed to attract a bid and the guy is now got a fixed price offer lower than the opening bid - as of last night. Clearly the recession is biting more than we think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooksferry Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Ross F;94110 wrote: Amazingly these failed to attract a bid and the guy is now got a fixed price offer lower than the opening bid - as of last night. Clearly the recession is biting more than we think. Or people just aren't that interested in Stax phones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie1553552694 Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Meh, I think it's a case of a set of dynamic headphones (Senn, AKG, A-T, Grado etc) + headphone amp are an easier proposition. Stax require you to a*s around with your amp and speaker setup. Probably not a huge deal, but still a psychological barrier... And results are just as good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross F Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Ernie;94120 wrote: Meh, I think it's a case of a set of dynamic headphones (Senn, AKG, A-T, Grado etc) + headphone amp are an easier proposition. Stax require you to a*s around with your amp and speaker setup. Probably not a huge deal, but still a psychological barrier... And results are just as good too. Ernie, I suspect it also has something to do with what material you listen to. But without A-B side by side comparison is it possible to say "the results are just as good" ? I note that Grado's PS1000 is within $US50 of the Stax in question - but they aren't Stax' most expensive model. A "shoot-out" one day could be interesting - or have we been down that road already? What are the Grado selling for here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie1553552694 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 I know what you mean Ross F, two quite different styles of presentation, but not as different as chalk and cheese. I can't say I've heard a lot of Stax, although someone like Kaka who has owned (and is selling his) Stax and (not selling his) Grado phones, seems to be an indication of where things are at. I've heard the Senn and AKG electrostatic headphones, or ear speakers as the AKGs are more appropriately described and as impressive as they are, didn't engage me enough to want to own them. I think that the "results" comment of mine have to be balanced with the "what you can actually live with". But, it is a preference thing, just as one may say ribbon or beryllium tweeters have better resolution. the million dollar question arises: can ya live with them? Masochism exists in many forms... PS1000s: circa $3K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaka Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 One of my aussie mates uses Stax extensively on orchestral pieces - their speed and soundstaging are very good for that. And he uses AKG 701 on other material. My primary listening is blues, so I am after the dynamics of a small group of quality musos interacting with each other. Many of the recordings capture the force of the performance well, and in my opinion the mid-range Stax come up short of well amped good dynamic phones for that listening. The Stax are very pleasant though, and as ever the source is an important part of the mix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross F Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Ernie;94163 wrote: PS1000s: circa $3K. That's more than a grand less than the Stax headphones on today's new prices. Hard to imagine how Stax can compete given the reported quality of the PS1000s. Furthermore, based on the two recent TM sales, to see their values drop like a stone in a few years is a bit gut wrenching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie1553552694 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Bear in mind, a good headphone amp should be factored into the mix with any Grado. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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