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Stax - International SR-L700 MKII Earspeaker | Advanced-Lambda series
SR-L700MKII 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-L700 advanced-Lambda series Earspeaker.
TOP QUALITY SOUND ELEMENT
The SR-009 hand selected thin-film diaphragm as well as fixed electrodes machined through three-layer stainless etching using heat diffusion has been employed for the SR-L700 sound element. Thus, rich deep bass response, delicate high frequency and soothing mid-range has been achieved in a balanced sound.
10-CLICK TYPE HEADBAND ASSEMBLY
The headband (ARC) assembly of the SR-L700 is equipped with 10-click slider mechanism for head pad height adjustment adopted from SR-009. 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.
LOW CAPACITANCE WIDE HYBRID CABLE
6NCu high purity 99.99999% copper wires are employed for the core wires plated in silver coating. The whole cable uses the conventional wide format parallel structure to lower the capacitance between each wire and finished with the most suitable structure to drive the Earspeaker.
NEW GENUINE LAMB LEATHER EARPADS
New earpad design is carefully hand crafted with genuine lamb leather for utmost comfort for hours of music enjoyment as well as sound performance.
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Professional Reviews 88/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Comfort Fit
92/100
Build Quality
72/100
Features Usability
78/100
Value for Money
91/100
The Stax SR-L700 MKII marries electrostatic transparency with breathtaking transient speed, yielding lifelike vocals, finely textured instruments, and an expansive, air-filled stage. ecoustics found it fluid, musical, and exceptionally resolving, while AUDIOKEY REVIEWS praised its holographic imaging and refined treble. It is a captivating specialist headphone for acoustic realism and long listening sessions.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally transparent, resolving presentation with fast transients and finely layered detail.
Very wide, spacious soundstage with strong separation, layering, depth, and height.
Natural, detailed vocals and strings, plus extended treble that remains engaging rather than fatiguing for most listening.
Lightweight, adjustable design is comfortable for extended sessions.
&
Cons
Sub-bass extension and hard-hitting slam are restrained versus strong dynamic-driver alternatives.
Midrange emphasis and elevated upper-treble energy may not suit listeners seeking a strictly neutral or relaxed balance.
Requires a dedicated electrostatic energizer, adding cost and reducing system flexibility.
Plastic-heavy construction feels less premium than similarly priced competitors.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The SR-L700 MKII is widely praised for its exceptionally transparent, quick and spacious electrostatic presentation. Its most meaningful tonal compromises are limited sub-bass weight, a midrange-forward balance for some listeners, and treble that can lean bright despite its refinement.
Bass
84/100
Reviewers praise the bass for its definition, texture, natural decay and clarity, with ecoustics finding it more articulate than leading dynamic-driver rivals. Sub-bass is repeatedly identified as restrained, however, while metal571 also hears a roll-off around 50Hz, a hump higher up, and less slam than dynamic alternatives.
Midrange
87/100
The midrange is highly transparent and expressive, with especially convincing vocals, strings, body and tonal texture according to ecoustics and AUDIOKEY REVIEWS. Its emphasis is not universally neutral: ecoustics notes that the midrange can dominate the presentation, while metal571 reports an audible shout around 1 to 1.2kHz.
Treble
91/100
Treble is a major strength, described by AUDIOKEY REVIEWS as exceptionally extended, clear and resolving, with very few peers at the price. Ecoustics likewise finds strong percussion definition without fatigue, though the overall voicing is somewhat relaxed; metal571 hears elevated energy above 10kHz and a distinct peak in that region.
Resolution Detail
96/100
Resolution receives emphatic praise across the reviews. Ecoustics calls the presentation insanely resolving while remaining fluid and musical, AUDIOKEY REVIEWS finds it extraordinarily revealing and three-dimensional, and metal571 rates its upper-frequency detail alongside very accomplished reference headphones.
Soundstage Imaging
93/100
Reviewers describe a very wide, open and enveloping soundfield with convincing depth, height, air and strong instrumental separation. Ecoustics particularly praises layering and orchestral placement, although metal571 finds the HD 800 stronger for ultimate width and pinpoint image specificity.
Dynamics
88/100
AUDIOKEY REVIEWS highlights blistering transient response, while the clean decay and microdynamic positional cues are also praised in its bass performance. Macro-dynamic slam is less assured: metal571 specifically finds it less forceful than dynamic-driver alternatives.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Comfort Fit
92/100
Comfort is consistently strong, with ecoustics calling it easy to wear through long listening sessions and AUDIOKEY REVIEWS saying it can be worn for hours without discomfort. Metal571 also praises its light weight, large pads and accommodating headband adjustment.
Build Quality
72/100
Direct commentary on construction is limited, and metal571 is notably critical, characterizing the build as inexpensive for the product's class. The other reviews focus on sound and comfort rather than long-term durability, structural quality or serviceability.
Features Usability
78/100
The light fit and generous adjustment support straightforward home listening, but this is a specialist electrostatic design that requires a compatible energizer. Reviewers say little about cable practicality, replaceable parts, accessories or other ownership conveniences.
Value for Money
91/100
At its $1,649 asking price, ecoustics finds the SR-L700 MKII highly compelling even after factoring in an energizer, placing its detail and speed within reach of far more expensive flagships. Metal571 also considers it good value on the used market below $1,000, despite criticizing its build quality.
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Authorized dealers for Stax - International SR-L700 MKII Earspeaker | Advanced-Lambda series
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Ambiance Concert — in-store — Angers, Pays de la Loire, France (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Arctic Audio — in-store — Fargo, North Dakota, United States (website)
- ATR - Audio Trade — in-store — Eltville am Rhein, Hessen, Germany (website)
- AUDIO 2000 — in-store — Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany (website)
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Audio Evolution — online and in-store — Volla, Campania, Italy (website)
- AUDIO EXCLUSIVE — in-store — Wels, Oberösterreich, Austria (website)
and 85 more verified dealers