General Asylum: REVIEW: Stax SR-003 MK2 Headphones by kh6idf

Model:	SR-003 MK2
Category:	Headphones
Suggested Retail Price:	$350
Description:	Electrostatic canal-type In-The-Earspeaker
Manufacturer URL:	Stax
Model Picture:	View

Review by kh6idf on February 04, 2017 at 10:01:49
IP Address: 98.195.102.49 Add Your Review
for the SR-003 MK2

First, a correction: The manufacturer's USA website address has changed to https://www.staxusa.com/

These are the latest revision of the 'baby Stax' in-ear electrostatic 'earspeakers'. I already owned a pair of SR202 full size earspeakers (as Stax prefers to call them) along with the SRM-252II energizer unit, but was looking for a more compact travel solution that would hopefully give me much of the same Stax sound quality.

For those not owning a Stax energizer unit, the SR-003 MK2 also comes as part of a complete system in 2 variations. A portable setup consisting of the SR-003 phones and a AA battery powered portable energizer (not reviewed here), or a desktop setup with the same phones and a larger (but still small) AC wallwart powered energizer (the SRM-252) of which there have been several minor revisions. See the Stax website for complete details.

There is a 1 year US warranty if purchased from Stax USA or another authorized US dealer (elusive disc in Indiana is one) and the proper US voltage wallwart is included. Energizer units purchased in or imported from Japan require a stepdown transformer or US-standard wallwart and their warranty is only good in Japan.

Before I review the sound quality, I need to stress the importance of obtaining a proper fit with these in-canal phones. A proper fit is essential. Without that, you will not begin to hear what they are capable of.

Three silicone eartip sizes are provided, which stretch over the oval-shaped openings that are inserted into the ear canal. They do not extend very deep into the canal, as this is prevented by the flat 'pancake' body contacting the ear. A proper fit is obtained when (without using the headband) the fully-inserted earspeaker does not fall out, and a good air-tight seal is obtained. If it falls out, the silicone tip is too small. Try the next larger size. With a proper fit, if when fully inserted you push in and release (or otherwise work the tip a bit further in) a sound is often heard (with the energizer on) like 'zzzzzzzzzzzzZZZIP' lasting for up to several seconds. This may be the internal dust seals equalizing from the pressure change, or perhaps the diaphragm is momentarily displaced by the pressure against one of the stators and then recenters itself. At any rate, if you hear this sound you will know you have a proper fit.

As long as the ear canals are not bothered by the pressure of the silicone tip being inserted (mine weren't), the earspeakers are very comfortable to wear, being completely free from the ear sweating sometimes caused by the full sized phones (at least the ones with vinyl, not leather, earpads)

I found the included headband not very useful. With a good fit/seal it is not needed (at least while remaining seated) and although it can swivel/rotate and does work acceptably, is highly microphonic and can slightly interfere with getting the perfect fit. Use only if necessary!

Now onto the sound quality. With a proper fit as described above, the sound quality is, and I believe this is the correct word, glorius. Nearly all of the Stax 'magic' I hear with my SR202 full size earspeakers is present with the SR003. The overall sound is just a bit on the warmer side (compared to the SR202, and this is a good thing) , with deep and articulated bass. The beautifully transparent midrange and smooth, extended highs are all there. There is an ethereal 3-d quality where the music is just floating in the air (true of all electrostatics) yet the bass and lower midrange are surprisingly solid for an electrostatic.

I would rate the sound as 90% as good as the full size SR202, and the remaining 10% is due to a more effortless presentation from the full sized phones, perhaps due to their increased distance from the ear and larger surface area.

The SR-003 is kind of a specialty item, whether used for travel or perhaps a compact bedroom system. For those wondering if these 'baby Stax' can possibly sound as good as their full sized (and more expensive) models, I say yes, they (nearly) do!

Product Weakness:	relatively expensive (compared to non-Stax phones), requires a Stax energizer unit (amp). Somewhat fragile and delicate cord (not a problem with reasonable care).
Product Strengths:	Sound quality, very small and lightweight, relatively inexpensive (for Stax), freedom from ear sweating (ear is not covered).

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Stax SRM-252II
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Denon HEOS Link streaming player
Speakers: none
Cables/Interconnects: Blue Jeans Cable LC-1
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, acoustic, vocal
Room Size (LxWxH): n/a x n/a x n/a
Room Comments/Treatments: n/a
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): none
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Stax SRM-252II
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Denon HEOS Link streaming player
Speakers:	none
Cables/Interconnects:	Blue Jeans Cable LC-1
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, acoustic, vocal
Room Size (LxWxH):	n/a x n/a x n/a
Room Comments/Treatments:	n/a
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	none
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner