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Stax - International SR-L500 MK2 Earspeaker | Advanced-Lambda series
SR-L500MK2 With Detachable Cable
The first SR-Lambda series was introduced 36 years ago and it has further developed into a new-generation SR-Lambda with its newly designed enclosure - the new SR-L500 advanced Lambda series Earspeaker.
TOP QUALITY SOUND ELEMENT
Hand selected thin-film diaphragm as well as tough stainless fixed electrodes has been employed for the SR-L500. Thus, rich deep bass response, delicate high frequency and soothing mid-range has been achieved in a balanced manner.
10-CLICK TYPE HEADBAND ASSEMBLY
The headband (ARC) assembly of the SR-L500 is equipped with 10-click slider mechanism for head pad height adjustment adopted from SR-009 and SR-507. Once adjusted, the slider always maintains its optimal position to make readjustment unnecessary. This enables you to enjoy hours of pleasant music listening with utmost comfort.
NEW LOW CAPACITANCE HiFC WIDE CABLE
High performance pure copper HiFC™ developed by Hitachi employs the core wires. HiFC has various advantages, including similar sonic characteristics as used in SR-009 and SR-L500 6N high purity 99.99999% copper wires. The entire cable are then arranged in a flat, wide format configuration to lower the capacitance between each wires and finished with the most suitable structure to drive the earspeaker.
NEW HIGH QUALITY SYNTHETIC LEATHER EARPADS
New earpad design is carefully hand crafted with high quality synthetic leather for utmost comfort for hours of music enjoyment as well as sound performance.
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Professional Reviews 89/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
92/100
Comfort Fit
92/100
Build Quality
82/100
Features Usability
80/100
Value for Money
85/100
The SR-L500 MK2 delivers electrostatic transparency with mesmerizing micro-detail, lightning-fast transients and a deeply layered, three-dimensional stage. HomeTheaterHifi found its neutral, non-fatiguing presentation equally adept at intimate vocals, complex mixes and surprisingly lively bass. Lightweight comfort and distortion-free composure make this a compelling specialist headphone for immersive, attentive listening.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptional micro-detail, airy transparency and neutral, accurate timbre.
Wide, deep soundstage with precise three-dimensional instrument and vocal placement.
Fast, effortless dynamics remain clean and free of audible distortion at higher volumes.
Lightweight design, soft pads and a non-fatiguing balance support long listening sessions.
&
Cons
Headband adjustment may not accommodate smaller heads without modification.
Requires a proprietary compatible electrostatic energizer, increasing system cost and setup complexity.
Open-back construction provides no isolation for the listener or people nearby.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
The SR-L500 MK2 is described as airy, spacious, highly detailed and notably free of fatigue. Its strongest reported qualities are its exceptional micro-detail, precise spatial layering and quick, effortless handling of complex music, while tonal balance is called neutral and accurate.
Bass
90/100
Bass is described as detailed, lively and more substantial than expected from an electrostatic headphone. The reviewer found it punchy and present, rather than lightweight or vague.
Midrange
89/100
The review calls the overall timbre neutral and accurate, and describes vocal nuances as clear and intimate. There is little direct discussion of midrange tonal color or vocal forwardness beyond those observations.
Treble
90/100
The presentation is described as airy and transparent without becoming fatiguing during extended listening. Fine changes in a quiet vocal performance remain audible, suggesting a refined and articulate top end.
Resolution Detail
96/100
Resolution is one of the headphone's clearest strengths. The reviewer calls it astonishing and describes the level of micro-detail as mesmerizing, with a remarkably clear, delicate presentation.
Soundstage Imaging
93/100
Instrument and vocal placement is reported as three-dimensional and precise, with impressive depth and layering. One comparison notes that ultimate width is not enormous, but the overall stage is still described as wide, deep and exceptionally well layered.
Dynamics
93/100
Fast transients, responsiveness and an absence of perceived lag are recurring strengths in the review. Complex material is said to play effortlessly, retaining composure as volume rises without audible distortion.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Comfort Fit
92/100
The SR-L500 MK2 is described as lightweight and effortlessly comfortable, with a fit said to suit most heads. Its large synthetic-leather pads are praised as soft and appropriately firm, supporting long listening sessions.
Build Quality
82/100
The supplied review offers little assessment of the frame, cable durability or long-term structural reliability. It does positively describe the large synthetic-leather pads as soft and high quality, but broader construction commentary is limited.
Features Usability
80/100
This is a focused wired audiophile headphone, with no product-specific control or handling problems raised in the review. The supplied coverage says little about cable management, replaceable parts, included accessories or other day-to-day ownership details.
Value for Money
85/100
At approximately $830, the SR-L500 MK2 sits in a specialist high-end headphone segment. The review is enthusiastic about its sound but does not directly compare its price or performance with competing models, so its value relative to peers is not clearly addressed.
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- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
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- Ambiance Concert — in-store — Angers, Pays de la Loire, France (website)
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