Neutral is a difficult word, but the HD600 is pretty neutral. Also the K701 and DT880. Also the SRH-940.

Mike,

What other neutral headphones have  you used in that price range?

I really want something that is neutral.

Maybe the HD600.

Mike,

What is your favorite all-arounder dynamic for under $500?

Hi Shane,
The mids and the highs are of a different flavor. You’re right on the bass impact though.

Some people just like how the electrostatics sound. Personally I’ve reviewed most of the models in Stax’s line up and I still think that Dynamics is better. For instance you get better micro detail, frequency extension, and bass impact with Dynamics. Midrange body is also usually better with dynamics, especially Senns.

Are the HD 600 in the same league as the SR-207?

I know that electrostatics don’t have good bass impact, but is the mids/highs better on the Stax than on the HD 600?

Hi Harold,
You can try Audiocubes:
http://www.audiocubes2.com/brand/Stax.html?osCsid=fd3c17786d8e59740d1085eb922b452b

By the way they have updated the SR-202 to a SR-207: http://www.audiocubes2.com/brand/Stax/product/Stax_SR-207_Earspeaker.html
And the system (with the required transformer box so you can drive it with your Sony Receiver) is called the SRS-2170: http://www.audiocubes2.com/brand/Stax/product/Stax_SRS-2170_Electrostatic_Earspeaker_System.html

Ok cool, I will definitely check out HRT MS2 USB DAC, sounds like a good choice for me.
And I rather quickly find the SRS-2170 system when I searched the web for it..
I didn’t know that the SR-202 was updated, so thank you for your’e help… now I know what too look for.

Cheers!

Ok cool, I will definitely check out HRT MS2 USB DAC, sounds like a good choice for me.
And I rather quickly find the SRS-2170 system when I searched the web for it..
I didn’t know that the SR-202 was updated, so thank you for your’e help… now I know what too look for.

Cheers!

Hi Gaustav,
If you are interested to give the Stax a try, I think you should just start with a basic set. The SRS-2170 system I believe comes with the SR-207 headphones and a basic amplifier to power it (the SR-202 has been updated to the SR-207). That should make for a pretty good entry level system and to give you an idea of how things are.

I personally wouldn’t bother investing in an SRM1Mk2 until you are sure that you like the sound and that you want to invest more in a Stax set up. This review used the SRM1Mk2 because the unit came with that amplifier, and that there were no other amplifiers around at that time.
As for connecting it to a PC, all you need is a basic interconnect cable. Either RCA-RCA or mini-RCA depending on the output of your soundcard. My friend who owns a Stax system is really enjoying his SR-404 with the HRT MS2 USB DAC, and so that would be the one I recommend if you are thinking of getting a better soundcard. http://www.headfonia.com/the-hrt-music-streamer-ii-asynchronous-2496-for-149-95/
I am not so sure about the performance for gaming, since I don’t play computer games (I play simple games on the Ipad). But the Stax is always a nice set up and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with it.

And I really felt after reading it, like this is exactly what I’m been looking for in sound quality. My problem is what I need to buy with those headphones, what amps and so on.
My main purpose with these headphones will be for gaming on a PC.
So I thought I would ask here since I liked the article so much..
Do you perhaps know any good sound card to match with SR-202? I’ve been looking at ‘Creative Titanium HD’

And since I am a beginner on this sort of stuff, is there anything in particular that you think I should buy, for a gaming set up like this.?
Will this amp- SRS 3010- that comes with SR-202 do, or is it better in investing in: SRM-1Mk2

Also if I buy SR-202 with say the SRS-3010(for example), is there anything else missing for connecting it properly into the PC..?

So in short, if you have any tips for me, I would like to match the quality of the Stax sr-202 with a good amp, plus what else one might need for connecting it to a PC..

Sorry for the many questions here, but I have really tried too search on the internet on this, but I can’t find much on this since STAX headphones is not your’e typical gaming headphone..so I’m really trying to get all the info I can get here before I buy/invest in something like this…On a side note if it is important, I will use them for 3D-surround-audio with HRTF in games, and from what I’ve read about these cans, I think they will be perfect for this..I would be very grateful for your’e helpkind regards, Gustav

Hi, I seriously have a feeling you need a different headphone, not a different DAC. Anyway, if the Gamma2 is too neutral, then you need something like the Matrix Mini-i, since you've crossed the Pico DAC out of the list.

Hi Mike,

Maybe i want to improve in detail and musicality area. As long as the DAC is good to my ear and the price/performance is acceptable, i will goes for it. But yeah, i will not go to overly warm DAC. I have same opinion with you here.

I also have listening Gamma2 from brian, but it's too neutral for my taste.

I will not go to pico dac, because i also need coaxial input beside USB input.

For DAC magic, actually this is what on my mind for now.

Hi Rap,
The CEC CD5300 is a little warm, but not so much. It has good detail and soundstage and good musicality. I think for the price that it's selling for, you can probably get something used like the Sonic Frontier SFD-2 DACs which supposedly is even warmer sounding and should perform better than the CEC CD5300. How do you think your system sounds now? What areas do you want to improve on it? I think the SR-202's main strengths is in instruments, and so I would not go for an overly warm set up.

Please read my reviews on the AMB Gamma2 and Pico DAC, the Matrix Mini-i, and the DacMagic. Those are fairly easy to get, and well within your budget.

Can you share about the characteristic of CECCD5300 CDP?

I still on searching for good DAC to be paired with SR202.

To be honest, i still don't know what kind of DAC i should be looking for. The warm one, The neutral one, or else.

I think i need to find neutral tend to warm DAC, but i'm still not sure.

Synergi of stax with source is really important, so i don't want to make any mistake here 😀

Thanks

Hi Ashuaria,
Thanks for sharing your impressions on these rare Staxes. 🙂

I was talking to a friend who just bought an SR-404 and he too preffered the SR-202. I think more and more people are finding the SR-202 to be the hidden gem in the line up. 🙂

Original owner had many STAXs including SR-404 and SRM-007T & 717 and he liked SR-Lambda Nova Basic best. 😉