About The STAX SR-007 MK2 Reference Electrostatic Headphones
When STAX engineers in Japan set out to design the STAX SR-007MK2 Earspeaker the rationale was to provide deep powerful sound previously unobtainable in Earspeakers. STAX engineers developed a unique new electrode structure that is visible through the outer case. Gold plated on the outer edge, this new electrode has no holes unlike conventional STAX Earspeakers, and thus provides an increase in the diaphragm vibration area, allowing for rich and powerful sound yet retaining all the delicacy STAX is famous for.
The sound is the warmest, lushest sound of any STAX with an emphasis on the mid-to-lower frequencies without any loss of high end detail. It is a more relaxed sound signature compared to the more detail-forward SR-009 model.
Rigid Metal Housing: To maintain clear distortion free sound it is most important that nothing other than the diaphragm should vibrate. Within the STAX SR-007 MK2 the sound element is encased in a thick insulated resin case firmly fixed to the rigid body. The results are nothing short of spectacular.
Fully Adjustable Earpads: Utmost comfort for maximum enjoyment of your STAX SR-007 MK2 is provided with swivelling earpads that are fully adjustable to the shape of your head. They feature soft lambskin leather surfaces so your head is caressed by the Earspeakers and the smooth sound at the same time. Just as well there's no law against having such a soothing intimate time with your music.
Not Just Headphones – These Are Earspeakers: STAX Japan refers to its electrostatic headphone designs as "Earspeakers." The electrostatic transducer in a STAX Earspeaker consists of two "parallel-arranged fixed electrodes," between which is suspended a low-mass, high-polymer film that is less than 2µm thick. Simply put, it's a push-pull driver system. When the fluctuating voltage of the audio signal is applied to the electrodes, the diaphragm is pulled and pushed and beautiful clear sound emerges.
Deluxe Carrying Case: The SR-007's include a deluxe ATA Style Padded Flight Case with silver STAX faceplate. This rigid flight case provides the ultimate in protection for your 007's no matter what the environment!
Headphone Cable: An original cable developed with the aim of achieving an even higher level of reproduction is provided. The conductors makes use of high-purity PC-OCC. Outstandingly high sound quality is achieved because of the wide ribbon and low capacitance.
Why Electrostatic Headphones?
Electrostatic headphones operate on a different principle than conventional "dynamic" or "moving coil" designs. In a conventional headphones there is a coil of wire inside a magnet, generally glued to a stiff cone or dome that's held in place with a springy suspension. This makes in more difficult to re-create detail in playback due to mass. Or to put simply there are more heavy moving parts.
Pioneered by STAX in 1959 – an electrostatic design works by placing a static (non-moving) electric charge on a film that floats between two perforated metal plates. When audio voltages are applied across the plates, static cling and repulsion causes the entire film to move by itself. This film is so thin, it effectively weighs less than the air around it, and has no resonances or energy storage which leads to distortion inherent in moving coil speakers.
These factors are one of many reasons why STAX electrostatic Headphones sound so much better than conventional designs. During play back the listener is experiencing minimal interference from the headphone speaker itself, in turn bringing you that much closer to the original artist's performance.
Our Take
It's not often that we feel seduced by an audio component but the STAX SR-007 MK2 is one of those that, once you've tried it, just keeps lurking at the edge of your mind tugging on your senses and luring you back until finally you give in and buy it and live happily ever after.
Naturally we recommend pairing the SR-007 with a suitable STAX amplifier and a couple that we have had great success with are the SRM-D50, which has both analogue and digital connections and, for those after a more organic analogue experience, the SRM-500T with its glowing valves and smooth as silk sound is very hard to resist.
The STAX SR-007 MK2 transcends normal criticism and just makes you want to listen to more music. The highest recommendation possible.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Design: Push-Pull Open Back Round Electrostatic Earspeakers (Requires STAX PRO series amplifier to operate)
- Recommended Amplifiers: STAX SRM-500T Valve Amplifier, STAX SRM-D50 Amplifier/DAC
- Frequency Response: 6 - 41,000Hz
- Capacitance: 94pF (including cable)
- Impedance: 170k Ω (10kHz)
- Sensitivity: 100dB / 100V rms 1 kHz
- Bias Voltage: 580V DC
- Channel Identification
- Left: Solid line on cable
- Right: Dotted line on cable
- Ear Pads: Genuine Lambskin Leather (direct skin contact), high-quality synthetic leather (surrounding portion)
- Cable: 2.5m Low capacity wide format, PC-OCC (Pure Crystal Ohno Continuous Casting)
- Ambient Temperature & Humidity: 0 to 35ºC / 90% max. without condensation
- Weight: 365g (498g with cable)
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 1 Year
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.