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In Reply to: Single-driver speakers posted by laznos on April 9, 2007 at 16:16:16:
Single-driver, full-range headphones are just that, truly full range. This is possible because the single driver is so close to your ears, something single-driver speakers simply can't do.Ditto for electrostat headphones like Sennheiser Orpheus or Stax Omega II. They can have amazing output, dynamics, and bass despite their electrostat nature because they are so close to the ears. The same cannot be said for electrostat speakers.
Follow Ups:
Some full ranges realy do have full range responce like fostex f200a
But the Omega II systems could not provide enough transients for me. Just like many other panel speakers.
I have to disagree on your comment about the transient response of the Omega IIs. It delivers the attack of the note with incredible speed. But, because there is no overhang in the note, there appears to be less "weight" to the note. The punch that most speakers and dynamic phones deliver actually is from the continued oscillation of the diaphragm. When I listen to the tics and pops on lps, I am amazed at how little they disturb me on the Omega IIs because they go by so much faster than with speakers or with my other phone (Grado RS-1).The Omega IIs have other sonic issues, but transient attack is not one of them. They can sound excessively bright and they lack midbass weight (which may, again, make them seem to lack punch), and they sound way too cold and analytic with almost any kind of solid state linestage in front of them (they sounded this way even with my Levinson Ref. No. 32 linestage which is on the dark and dull side for solid state). Coupled to an Audionote M-10 (not mine, alas, but a dealer's) and, to a lesser extent, my Emotive Audio Epifania, and they do some things that I have not heard with other phones or speakers.
It wasn't about a lack of over hung of note ( in fact, it was airlier than any of the 'fones I had on hand ). Yes, I expected the lack of weight but the music wasn't simply hanging together.I have to blame both the OII and the 007 amp since two other Stax fones I've listened together ( SR-X mk. III & even the SR 5 ) was much faster and coherent through out even they lacked in sophisitication of the Omega II.
I agree almost all Stax fones demanded a pretty good source, none of them were bright or analytical in a system they were in. ( CDS3/555PS/552/300 plus the Energiser )
I've tried number of cables said to work wtih the Omega system, too but to no avail.
I am sure many people would enjoy the Omega system. Even a US distributor told me that the older Omega had a stronger transient impact than the current model.
This is not to say they are *duds* of the fones, but they were ultimately not for me nor for everyone's taste and it was certainly lacking in a timing department from what I used to.
I actually am not a big fan of Omega II, either. Even via synergistic amps, it's always sounded a bit too round, bloomy, and dull. It's all relative, of course, and in this case I'm talking about OII compared to HE90 "Orpheus."Now, I'm sure you will love HE90 driven by something like Singlepower ES1, which IMO is more resolved and faster than HEV90 Orpheus amp. Life-like transients, extreme resolution combined with extreme naturalness, and just plain thrilling to listen to. God, wish I could afford the combo.
listen to the HE90/Single Power.A home demo of those exotic headphones systems are very hard, tho.
How does HE90 compare to the R10 ( which I still haven't heard to date )?
I have a pair of late-production R10s, and they're the real deal. Many electrostat diehards will still prefer 'stats, but the R10 is one of the few 'phones that has swayed some of them over to dynamics. I was always a headphone believer, but the R10 has cemented my faith in that type of reproduction. Too bad they cost a bloody fortune!
is a beautiful-sounding 'phone, and if one wanted non-electrostat reference, it would be one of the few choices.However, at the stratospheric price R10 goes for these days, I personally would rather just buy something like Senn HE60 "baby Orpheus," and pair it with a great amp.
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I owned the original Omegas--which, IMO, were clearly better than the IIs--and I couldn't warm up to them. For the type of music I listen to, dynamic cans are the only way to go.I recently got a chance to hear HE90s with an ES1, and the combo was pretty amazing on certain types of music--though I found it lacking on rock. The ES1 is, without a doubt, superior to the HE90 amp. Mikhail does great work.
Maybe it will work in his room, I don't know.Paraphrasing John Lennon, "There ain't no guru who can hear through your ears."
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