Some of you know me, some of you don't. Those of you who are unfortunate enough to be in the former category know that I'm a headphone junkie, and that I've been after Tom's Stax for quite some time now. Every time I'd make him an offer, he'd counter with "Eh." or "Find me a preamp, I need a preamp." If there's a preamp in this area, Tom has had his hands on it. This Saturday, my luck changed drastically.
I jokingly said "Those headphones are going to be a graduation present, right?" Tom replied "YES!" and handed them to me. First, I don't graduate for 5 weeks. Second, I offered cash. He wasn't having it. I'm assuming Tom is acting upon the notion that some day I'll have a proper job like some of yinz, and that I'll return the generosity when I'm able. I really hope he's right.
What they are: In 1975, Stax released the SR-5 and the SRD-6 drive unit as a direct descendent of the legendary SR-1. The targeted audience consisted of educational institutions, audiophiles, and the broadcast industry. They are a 6-pin 230 volt normal bias system. The going rate in '75 was $750, and adjusted for inflation, they'd set you back $3057.39 in today's market.
I apologize for not taking before / after photos, but, they did require some serious TLC. The earpads tears and dings were repaired using super glue, toothpicks, and black shoe polish. The plastic was polished with Plastic X, and the metal was polished with Mothers. I also mink oiled the top leather cushions and used a wet rag with carpet cleaner on the cord.
Now, how do they sound? My initial impression left me both shocked and in pain. I put on my usual test material, The Yes Album, and sat down in my recliner. For a moment, I was almost certain that I was hearing Yours is no Disgrace for the very first time. Details that I never thought possible were not only present, but alive and kicking! In disbelief, I went for my 325is's. Surely enough, the Stax presented detail in a way that left me screaming for more. In fact, that first listening session went on for 5 hours. As it went on, I kept nudging up the volume knob. After a while, I realized just how loud I had made it!
The highs are crisp, effortless, and non-fatiguing. When a drumstick hits a cymbal, you hear it before you hear the "crash" itself. The mids are liquid, they just flow, holy hell are they fun. Percussion, strings, and woodwinds will melt you in the chair. One caveat, they are surely not for the "basshead." They start to roll off around 30hz on the low end, and they don't have that in your face low end punch that some modern cans provide. It's a compromise I'm more than willing to make. Every instrument in an ensemble is represented down to that 30hz mark. Sitting down with these things on is pretty intense. They immerse you. Multitasking while listening to these suckers is just not an option.
Here are a photo of them hanging up on my rack, and a photo of the driver unit.
Thanks again, Tom. I am in your debt.
