Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic System Discussions | Drop

Sep 14, 2018

TheBlueDuckIf you want a system from STAX with comparable performance, you're looking at the SRS-5100 system, https://staxaudio.com/system/stax-srs-5100
We have samples of several STAX systems at the office and A/B'd them through the course of developing this collaboration. Even at the SRS-5100 level, we found the low-end response less engaging than the ESP/95X. YMMV etc, but IMO, this is the best overall headphone system you can buy for $500 all in.
I'd take this over a 6XX + CTH personally.

tragedyfoundus

Sep 14, 2018

WillHm, I see. Thanks for the response Will. I'm going to do some research, these are very tempting though haha.

slappy

Sep 14, 2018

WillI've been really contemplating a set of Audeze LCD-2 fazor, used... Never heard e-stats, how would you compare these two??

Kdog248

Sep 14, 2018

WillJust when I thought I was at endgame.... The only thing that I told myself I needed was an electrostatic for a good deal. Also, is this because I joined and then left the ksc75X drop twice because I was trying to be good and wait for a ksc75 wireless? Well played.

Sep 14, 2018

slappyIf you're going to get an Audeze, go for the LCD-2C. It was our collaboration project with Audeze that we spec'd and designed based on the same feedback process we use for all of our collaborations. They decided to take the design and sell it themselves (an unfortunate choice, but theirs to make), but it's the best combination of all the LCD-2 itterations. You don't want a fazor pair... most credible reviewers agree that exasperated the "planar wall" (a traditional resonance issue in planar designs).
Far as this system vs an LCD2 Fazor goes... this system is going to be better on every dimension sound-wise (only caveat being the "planar slam" bass characteristic, that's a preference call) and way more comfortable. People tend to miss the weight spec on planars but the LCD2 Fazor comes in around 500g (they don't list the weight on the page... wonder why...) vs the 95X which weighs ~270g (both of these are measured without the cable).
I find it pretty impossible to wear Audeze headphones for a long period of time.
It's also important to understand your ampliciation for the LCD2. I don't know what the community fav amps are for that these days, but I'd be surprised if the recommended amps start under $500.
Were I in your shoes, I would take the 95X, especially considering the lifetime warranty vs ~2 years with Audeze.

Kdog248

Sep 14, 2018

WillWow, that's interesting about the collaboration...

Sep 14, 2018

Kdog248Yea it's one of the risks of our process. The only recourse is legal action, and overall I'd prefer to focus on making the best products for our community, even if that means making some of the best products for other brands accidentally.
Gotta say though... they could have changed the pattern of perforations on the headband. We designed it to match our Amp/DAC cases but I didn't see anybody pick up on that so /shrug.

Sep 15, 2018

WillApologies for the total ignoramus question, but could the Sennheiser HDVD-800 work as the DAC part or else what would be your recommendation? I have the money, not necessarily the brains :^)

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Sep 15, 2018

inventifHah always a struggle. It would work, but you'd have to buy an adapter and if you're buying it just for the DAC portions there are better ways the spend your money. Are you looking for a DAC just for this or are you fitting something into a broader system?

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Sep 15, 2018

WillPrimarily for this, but I also wouldn't mind something more flexible, though I don't have a plan for a system. Source would be from a Windows PC.

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Frogmeat

562

Sep 15, 2018

inventifThe Topping D50 would be a good choice and affordable, and you can find it on Massdrop for the best price when available.

Sep 15, 2018

inventifYou've got a lot of options at the ~$1500 price point (based on the HDVD800), but you don't need to spend that much to get the best price to performance combination with the ESP95X.
These days the community is focused on discrete R2R DACs.
This is our R2R DAC, it'll be available again soon (hit the request button to get notified)
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-airist-audio-r-2r-dac
And here's another option that's well regarded by the community:
http://www.audio-gd.com/R2R/R2R11/R2R11EN.htm
Both are around $350, so plenty of room in your budget for a great dynamic/planar oriented amp and headphone.

Sythrix

302

Sep 15, 2018

WillWow.
Can't say I'm happy to hear that an Audeze was within the grasp of the community here, only to be snatched back.
I really don't like waiting around for collaborative products honestly, but there are some things that are worth the wait. I'm really disappointed that Audeze decided to remain lofty to the Massdrop community.

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Sep 15, 2018

SythrixWell I mean, the product is available for purchase exactly as we designed it (new headband, headband dot design, OG connector sockets, and no fazor) :
https://www.audeze.com/products/lcd-collection/lcd2-classic
Granted, they're selling it for $100 more than we had planed to, but you can still buy it if you want to know what the Massdrop x Audeze LCD-2 would have sounded like.

Sythrix

302

Sep 15, 2018

WillWell I had no doubt they would be selling it for more, regardless of the actual price, but what I meant was... they decided to abstain from interacting with us here or being a part of the community and instead took the product and sold it as their own.
I think that really says something about them as a company, especially after going through the process of designing it with you guys... I'm driving at more than just where you can obtain the headphones.
Regardless, thanks for trying to make it happen.

Sep 15, 2018

WillGreat, thanks, Will.

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Sep 15, 2018

FrogmeatThanks, appreciate the pointer.

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Deadite

Sep 15, 2018

Willlooks more like Stax SRS-3100, Stax SRS-5100 look a tier better with better amp.

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Stvnar

Sep 15, 2018

WillWow, just thinking of buying the lcd-2c. But I think I’m quite dissapointed of how they treat you as collaborator. I think it reflects who Audeze is as a company, because a company is its people, and people is the company. Really planning to buy the isine20 next month, but I guess I‘d rather choose this as I also do really want to try some e-stats. But the thing is, the tax (customs) will be so expensive here in Indonesia if the product is more than 100 USD, about 30-50 percent of the product price, it’s crazy. unless the value of this product can be under-declared, it would really hard to get this cost wise.

Sep 15, 2018

DeaditeI'm unfamiliar with popular opinion around the 5100 vs 3100, but I find the difference in the lower end STAX systems (sub 007 and 009) to be more preference based or linear. For me it's like HD6XX vs HD58X vs HD600 than obvious superiority. That's on the headphone side at least. The STAX amplifiers have a stronger progression IMO, and I feel estats in general react strongly to different amplifiers and sources.

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Sep 15, 2018

StvnarSalamat pagi, I dont think our experience with the LCD2C project should impact how you choose to experience the hobby. If you feel strongly about that, you could focus on buying a pair via the secondary market. IMO this supports the community and the product more than it does the company, and you could avoid import tax by buying from someone domestically.
What part of Indonesia are you from? I lived in Yogyakarta for a couple years as a kid.

Kdog248

Sep 15, 2018

WillOn that note, I thought CeeTee mentioned potentially offering a Stax converter to use with their energizers. Any more info on that?

Sep 15, 2018

Kdog248Nothing new to report, hopefully we have an update before launch.

Stvnar

Sep 16, 2018

WillAlright, maybe I can try to find a secondsry market for the lcd2c. But what I meant about my concern of the tax is when I buy the esp95x from massdrop, or anything above 100 usd from massdrop. The customs here is so expensive of you can not under declare the value of the product, it’s such a pity because I do really want to join a lot of drops. I asked the community once whether it is possible to under declare and the answer I got is that it can not be done because it is illegal. Anw, I live in Jakarta, but was living in Purbalingga, Central Java since I was born until high school, then move to jakarta.Really? Didn’t expect you to have ever lived in Indonesia before?! Hahaha. Why’d you live in Indo when you were a kid?

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Sep 16, 2018

StvnarHah yep, lived in indo for ~4 years while growing up. My parents work took us there, specifically my mom was writing some academic work on the difference between how Indo approaches Islam and how most of the middle east approaches Islam. It was a crazy time to live there (we moved in at the start of 1998, just after the collapse) but I'm always glad for the experience of living in such a beautiful country and diverse culture. We used to go to Pacitan for family vacations, and I'm hoping to visit again soon.
Far as declaring, yes, we cannot declare something below the value we sell it for. Many of our overseas members work with freight forwarders in the US to reduce the costs associated with shopping internationally.

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Stvnar

Sep 19, 2018

WillHmmm quite an interesting work you mom had. Wow really?!?! In 1998?!?! It was a really crazy and frightening time for people on that year, especially the May riot. Thankfully you're still fine until now and here you are, creating the most awesome community ever. Without you, maybe Massdrop will never be created. Btw, just curious regarding audio, what do you think is the best tube amp under 800 USD? Because right now, I'm really considering to buy tube amps.

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