By Svein Erik Bakken
LAMBDA – PART TWO
Here comes part two of Stax’s SR-Lambda series, featuring the more modern models. Although some might argue that the SR-507 should have been included in part one, I believe the SR-507 represents a model that leans more towards the modern ones, even though it shares the same driver as the SR-407 Signature, it is tuned somewhat differently. This marks the shift from the sound signature of the older models towards what could possibly be called a “V” signature.
Stax SR-507
Released in 2010, the SR-507 came with genuine leather ear pads, an improved cable (the same as the SR-009), and a steel headband. It has a diaphragm thickness of 1.35 µm, the same driver as the SR-407 Signature. In terms of sound, it offers increased resolution, more dynamics compared to previous models, and a bit more depth in the bass, leaning slightly towards a “V” sound signature.
Stax SR-L500
Don’t worry; I haven’t forgotten the SR-L300, but the SR-L500 and SR-L700 were released before the SR-L300. Now that it’s been mentioned, the SR-L500 came out in 2015 and was a completely new development. Stax didn’t provide a diaphragm thickness for these, and the driver was angled slightly towards the listener, similar to the SR-Sigma but not as extreme. It featured new faux leather ear pads and a new type of HIFC cable. The headband was made of plastic. The SR-L500 and
Stax SR-L700
Also released in 2015, it used a driver crafted in the same way as the SR-009 (MLER) and had genuine leather ear pads in direct contact with the skin, with the rest in faux leather and a different cable. The driver here was also slightly angled towards the listener. Like the SR-L500, it featured a plastic headband and was also released in Germany as the “PRO” version with a metal headband. Sound-wise, it delivered excellent treble, a large soundstage, and deep, good bass, with a neutral and good midrange.
SR-L700 models sold in Germany were labeled as “PRO” and came with the same type of metal headband as the SR-507. While sound-wise, it offered excellent airy treble, a spacious soundstage, and good bass reproduction without any emphasis.
Stax SR-L300
Released in 2016, this is the entry-level model for Stax. The driver here is also slightly angled towards the listener, with faux leather ear pads and an evolved version of the headband from the SR-207 model, made of plastic. A small additional detail is that the cable is marked in blue. In terms of sound, it has good treble and a somewhat more neutral way of reproducing music compared to the SR-L500 and SR-L700, possibly leaning a bit more towards the “Old School” Stax sound.
Stax SR-L300 Limited
Released in 2018 as a Jubilee model to celebrate Stax’s 80th anniversary, it was produced in only 800 units. It can be seen as a modded SR-L300, with drivers from the SR-L700, ear pads from the SR-L500, the cable from the SR-L300 (again with blue markings), and a headband with improved suspension. The housings also sport a gold-colored “STAX” logo. Sound-wise, it offers excellent and airy treble, tuning similar to the SR-L700 but with slightly less bass.
Stax SR-L500MK2
Released in 2019 as an improved version of the SR-L500, the SR-L500MK2 features a better metal headband, a detachable cable, and faux leather ear pads. Sound-wise, it’s similar to the first version but with a slightly less airy top end, offering a very good and slightly more neutral way of reproducing music.
Stax SR-L700MK2
Also released in 2019 as an improved version of the SR-L700, it features a metal headband, a detachable cable (the same as on the SR-009S), and genuine leather ear pads in contact with the skin, with the rest in faux leather. Like its predecessor, the driver is slightly angled towards the listener. Sound-wise, it’s similar to the first version but with a slightly less airy top end.
These are the more modern models in the Stax SR-Lambda series, each with its own unique characteristics and sound profiles.
Stay tuned for more Stax history in part 7!
Check out the complete STAX history here:
- STAX History Part 1
- STAX History Part 2
- STAX History Part 3
- STAX History Part 4
- STAX History Part 5
- STAX History Part 6
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