[alexs2]

I know a few people on the HeadFi site have recommended these as a good set of portable phones,so after a good deal of looking for alternatives,I decided to try a blind purchase as an early Xmas present.

For those that havent seen them before,it's a set of lightweight,not quite in ear electrostatic phones,with a portable energiser,and whilst lightweight in construction,the build quality seems up to what you would expect from Stax.

Sound-wise,although these are pretty much straight out of the box,bass is well extended,although not as weighty as that from my Earmax/HD600,but the midrange is if anything faster,and more detailed,whilst the treble is moderately rolled off in comparison,but still detailed and clear(this is well described in other reviews,so it wasnt unexpected to find my own results being the same).

In short,an excellent replacement for the old earbuds,and a much better match for an iPod than the Etymotics I'd used on and off before,if a bit on the pricey side.

The only complaint is the vice-like grip of the headband(!) which will have to be bent slightly,to stop it drilling the earpieces into place.

PS...the service from both the distributor and dealer(SimplyStax) was superb.

http://www.stax.co.jp/ENG/in-the-ear.html

[extremelydodgy]

The energiser (as big as the ipod) got to me after a while with it's bulk and short battery life, as well as the total lack of isolation and any changes in ambient air pressure bringing around the 'running across a field of crisp packets' sound. Great sound though if isolation is not a requirement. The band is of course bent easily for fit. I did on occasion even manage to wear it earbud-only without them dropping off.

[alexs2]

Hi...I think I may have discussed these with you before....

Isolation wasnt really a worry,as you've said,they dont really have any,but I quite like open phones anyway.
The band I've just sorted out,so my head doesnt hurt now!

Battery life...yes...that is a potential problem,and thanks for reminding me of that,as the things ate the cheapy batteries supplied with it in under 2hours,which I thought quite greedy....I've since stuck in a set of 1.3A/hr Ni/MH batteries which are coping much better,but that would be an expensive little upgrade if I hadnt already got them.

[extremelydodgy]

I'd suggest the quick-charge ~2000mah batteries. Rather more expensive, but some variants can charge in as little as 15 minutes which gets rid of that "****! Dead batteries this morning, forgot to charge yesterday" blues.

[alexs2]

Yes...just done some e-shopping for that and found a few decent possibilities,so my thanks again.