Electrostatic vs electromagnetic headphones

[Tony]

Hi experts,

I am looking for a pair of electrostatic headphones (as opposed to
electromagnetic ones). Do you know where I could buy one? Good guys? Amazon?

How do I recognize them by the way?

Thanks a lot,
Tony

[Dave Platt]

>Hi experts,
>
>I am looking for a pair of electrostatic headphones (as opposed to
>electromagnetic ones). Do you know where I could buy one? Good guys? Amazon?

Unlikely you'd find 'em via either, I think.

>How do I recognize them by the way?

There are very few brands of true electrostatic headphones on the
market. The best-known brand (and in fact the only brand I'm aware
of) is Stax. Do a Google search on "Stax headphones" and you'll find
links to the manufacturer site and to various dealers.

They tend to be fairly large (Stax calls many of their models
"Earspeakers"). They require specialized driver-amps which provide
the necessary high voltages. They're expensive (figure $200-$300 for
the low-end Stax electrostatic 'phones, plus $200-$250 for the driver
unit).

--
Dave Platt <dpl...@radagast.org> AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

[rm -rf Linux]

Also check on http://www.ebay.com they show up now and then. Search for
Stax.

"Tony" <bruguiea__no_@_spam__esiee.fr> wrote in message
news:brdb3f$9uf$1...@naig.caltech.edu...

[Ian]

"Dave Platt" <dpl...@radagast.org> wrote in message
news:vtke48k...@corp.supernews.com...

> >Hi experts,
> >
> >I am looking for a pair of electrostatic headphones (as opposed to
> >electromagnetic ones). Do you know where I could buy one? Good guys?
Amazon?
>
> Unlikely you'd find 'em via either, I think.
>
> >How do I recognize them by the way?
>
> There are very few brands of true electrostatic headphones on the
> market. The best-known brand (and in fact the only brand I'm aware
> of) is Stax. Do a Google search on "Stax headphones" and you'll find
> links to the manufacturer site and to various dealers.
>
> They tend to be fairly large (Stax calls many of their models
> "Earspeakers"). They require specialized driver-amps which provide
> the necessary high voltages. They're expensive (figure $200-$300 for
> the low-end Stax electrostatic 'phones, plus $200-$250 for the driver
> unit).
>

I have a pair of AKG340's, which are electrostatic (electret), and also
has a dynamic driver for LF.

Regards
Ian

[Per Stromgren]

On Fri, 12 Dec 2003 21:52:08 -0000, dpl...@radagast.org (Dave Platt)
wrote:

>
>There are very few brands of true electrostatic headphones on the
>market. The best-known brand (and in fact the only brand I'm aware
>of) is Stax.

Stax may perhaps be the best known but there are others. Koss has made
some models over the years, of which the latest was sold at a very
reduced price if I'm not mistaken. Sennheiser has a model as well, but
the price is silly; you can get a decent used car for the same money.

The Staxes are good, I own a pair myself, but there are a lot of
people out there who say the better dynamic models are as good, if not
better. Upper range Sennheiser (580/600), Grado, Beyer and AKG should
be investigated if you are shopping for good earphones.

And as always: listen, listen and listen. Plus, when it comes to
earphones, try them on for an hour, if you have the possibility,
before you buy.

Per.

[Friedrich Stockhammer]

Hi,

>I am looking for a pair of electrostatic headphones (as opposed to
>electromagnetic ones). Do you know where I could buy one? Good guys? Amazon?

the best of the hifi world is (and expensive too):
Sennheiser HEV 90 "Orpheus"
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm.nsf/root/produkte_kopfhoerer_zuhause_stereoanlage_03074

--
freundliche Gruesse - friendly greetings
Friedrich Stockhammer
http://www.stockhammer.at/