Used headphones
Time to split up the special’s page into two so one for headphones and another one for electronics. Here I’ll list my used electrostatic headphones, either they were a part of my personal collection or were a part of some lot I bought and refurbished before listing. Feel free to contact me at spritzer@mjolnir-audio.com if you are interested in any item here. I will reply to every mail so if you haven’t received a reply within 24 hours then feel free to send me another email. Email gets lost all the time or is flagged as spam. All prices in US dollars (USD).
Just a quick note about the used headphones. With all electrostatic phones it is possible that they have developed squealing as debris enters the drivers with age. This is something I actively look for and will put in the description (which most sellers would never do) but I might miss some as it can be so subtle. Most of the time this is a minor issue and only comes into play when nothing is playing or on very quiet passages but it’s something I mention if I come across is. Most of the Stax drivers are glued shut so they can’t be cleaned once this has come up. Also the headphone stands the phones sit on are not included.
Stax SR-007Mk1 SZ1 version. These were the last of the Mk1’s and not as warm sounding as the earlier versions so a bit more neutral. They also hold up really well as the arc, headpad and earpads were made of better materials than the earlier units.
This set is in very good condition and has had the cable replaced by Stax in Japan. There are no more brown cables available so it is black. I refurbished the earpads on these by using the foam from a new set of Mk2 pads so these feel close to new. They come with the original box and the flight case.
Price: 2450$ plus shipping
Now its time for something exceedingly rare, Fontek Research A-4 and C4 energizer. Fontek was run by an ex-Stax employee into the early 2000’s (AFAIK) when he passed away. The company folded then but these are rather unique as they use two electret drivers per channel, stacked inside the earcups. The energizer is so big as it contains 4 transformers. Utterly bonkers design but so very, very rare. I’ve been following the market in Japan for decades now and only a handful of these units have come up for sale in that time.
When I got this set, the energizer was missing the unique speaker connector these use and just had loose wires running from the back of it. I removed that and fitted some regular speaker binding posts as the stock plugs are impossible to find at this point. The earphones had the stock earpads still on them but they had completely broken down. I removed them and fitted my regular SR-X leather earpads.
In terms of sound, these are rather unique as the dual drivers per side don’t always play well together. Somethings it does well but feed it something complex and it can trip them up.
Price: 875$ plus shipping
Here is a like new Stax SR-007Mk2.9 set which I’ve performed the port mod on. Everything here feels like new so these are probably a couple years old at this point. These are the modern version of the 007Mk1 and a bit better than the current Mk2.95 that Stax sell plus I’ve performed the port mod which allows them to reach their full potential. The flight case is included and so is the outer box.
Price: 2050$ plus shipping
I bought this set of SR-009’s to do some experiments but they are just way too nice to butcher them so up for sale they go. They are some of the last ever made so in pretty much perfect condition. The outer box has had a couple of knocks as can be seen in the picture and that has damaged the wooden box below but nothing major. In terms of sound, these are more like the 009BK’s than the older 009’s but still rather forward sounding at higher volume levels.
Price: 1900$ plus shipping
Here is a second Stax SR-007Mk2.9 set which I’ve performed the port mod on. These are the modern version of the 007Mk1 and a bit better than the current Mk2.95 that Stax sell plus I’ve performed the port mod which allows them to reach their full potential. The headphones are like new but the case has seen better days. The bright work has tarnished a bit plus the internal foam was gone when I got it. The case might be much older than the headphones as it’s not the first time I’ve seen that.
Price: 1900$ plus shipping
Stax SR-404 Limited in close to new condition. This was the anniversary edition to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the SR-Lambda back in 2009 and introduced a number of new things for Stax, the silver plated gold stripe cable and the Lambda leather earpads with cloth inserts. In terms of sound quality these are on par with the Airbow SR-SC1 so one of the best ever made. Very balanced sound and just lovely headphones. These have become rather sought after and valuable in good condition due to their rarity. They come with the original box as pictured.
Price: 1100$ plus shipping
This is set of SR-007A’s, Mk2.9 version in excellent condition. I’ve performed the port mod on these so they sound the same as a 007Mk1. These didn’t come with either the flight case nor the external box, hence the lower price.
Price: 1750$ plus shipping
This 009S is a couple of years old and came from Japan. It is in mint and comes with everything they shipped with, box and outer box. These were always stored in a dust free display cabinet but I really don’t need to have two of these.
Price: 2800$ plus shipping
Here is a Stax SR-007Mk2, Mk2.9 version. These are in perfect condition but they came with a blown driver. I did have a spare set of Mk2.9 drivers in stock so the drivers have been replaced with a new pair. I also performed the port mod so they perform to their fullest extent.
Price: 2150$ plus shipping
Here is a Stax SR-404 in mint condition. Initially got these to make some more SR-Sigma 404’s but they are just too nice to break apart.
Price: 650$ plus shipping
Now here is something ultra rare, a real Stax SR-X Mk3 Pro set. These are the rarest of all Stax headphones making the 4070 and SR-Omega seem common by comparison. Numbers are hard to come by but probably only 150 of these were ever made as they so rarely come up for sale. Since they are also one of the best sounding Stax headphones, I’ve made probably 20 clones over the years where I take new old stock drivers and a normal bias housing to make them. These are the real deal though with the correct markings and sound just lovely. They were designed to be studio monitors but when released in 1985, they were a bit old fashioned. The stock earpads have not been available for decades so now I use thicker leather pads to increase the comfort level.
Price: 1900$ plus shipping
Here is a Stax SR-Sigma Pro in rather nice condition and all original. With the release of the Lambda Signature in 1987 the Sigma’s were finally updated to Pro bias so these have the PC-OCC cable, 1um drivers and brown headpad of the Lambda Signature plus the main housing shares the same dark brown color of the Signature. In terms of sound the Sigma’s have always been unique but the normal bias units lacked power, which the Sigma Pro’s delivered. A true speaker-like sound signature and while being rather big, light and comfortable on the head.
These sound just perfect off a powerful amplifier and only small cosmetic issues with them. The foam inside the earpads is long gone as with all of the Sigma’s and the cable has two splits (where the two channels are separating from each other) but the splits don’t seem to be increasing in size.
Price: 1500$ plus shipping
This set of SR-Alpha Pro’s was just nice to harvest them for parts plus this are rising sharply in price now. They offer a very unique Stax sound with the driver just about sitting on the ears. Not the most extension out there in the top and bottom ends but lively and fun sounding with a huge soundstage.
They come with the original box and the earpads are in nice condition for the age. The headpad on these was lined with foam on the top which always crumbles away but here it is mostly intact.
Price: 450$ plus shipping
Here is a Stax SR-Sigma 404 I just built using a very late production SR-404 as a donor for the drivers and cable. When this set of SR-Sigma’s arrived here it was a mess so they were completely disassembled, they were cleaned (including the damping wool) and then a nice set of 404’s was sacrificed to build them up again. I then topped it all off with a new SR-700Mk2 headpad and thick sheepskin leather earpads as there are no more Sigma units available anywhere. These were designed for the L700Mk2 and they work perfectly here.
In terms of sound this is the ultimate Sigma, large, bold sound with the extension into the bass and treble they always needed. There is no original box for these but they are all falling apart at this point anyway. 🙂
Price: 1600$ plus shipping
Here is a SR-X MK3 which I’ve converted to Pro bias using new old stock drivers and a PC-OCC cable. The SR-X Mk3 Pro are the rarest of all Stax models, rarer than even the 4070 or SR-Omega. In terms of sound, they are what any Grado would hope to be, very neutral yet extended sound with far more bass and control than the normal bias units. Truly one of the best headphones ever made and these sound better than the stock Stax units due to the better cable. They are also fitted with thicker leather earpads to enhance the comfort since the SR-X Mk3’s sure to clamp a bit.
Price: 1350$ plus shipping.
These were also bought when the X9000 came out so I could try the cable on the X9000’s. I ended up really liking these though so they got some use but then something new showed up and they have been in storage ever since. They are completely mint, like new and come with everything a new set ships with.
Price: 675$ plus shipping
Here is a second set of Stax SR-Sigma 404’s. Again a late production SR-404 was used as a donor for the drivers and cable. The Sigma was very nice when it arrived so all taken apart, cleaned and then fitted with the new drivers and cable. Stock headpad and earpads as they were in nice condition. In terms of sound this is the ultimate Sigma, large, bold sound with the extension into the bass and treble they always needed.
Price: 1500$ plus shipping
This is a Stax SR-XMk3 that I’ve completely rebuilt with new old stock SR-XMk3 Pro bias driver and a new PC-OCC cable. This turns them into the much vaunted SR-X Mk3 Pro’s, the rarest of all Stax models. World class monitoring headphones which are as transparent as they come without the overly forward nature of something like the current SR-X9000.
Price: 1300$ plus shipping
Here is a mint set of SR-L300’s for sale. I got these by mistake really as I wanted to add the L300 to my collection and accidentally bought two of them. 🙂 These come with the original box and they look good as new.
Price: 350$ plus shipping
Here is one of my all time favorites, the Stax SR-Lambda Normal bias. It was released in 1979 and pretty much just the SR-Sigma in a different housing but it sounds so good. Very balanced sound which does very little wrong.
This set is in very nice condition for its age, stock earpads so the foam is all gone inside the earpads but the foam inside the earcups is all there.
Price: 600$ plus shipping
This is a set of SR-Lambda Pro’s which arrived in a rather sorry state. The sound was excellent though, balanced and extended so they had to be saved. Earpads and the entire arc were trash so the whole thing was cleaned on the outside (it’s not a good idea to disturb the earcups on these as it changes how they should sound), the cable cleaned and treated, new earpads fitted and a used arc from a SR-202 fitted. Very nice sounding set of headphones which can now go on to play for another 40 years or so.
Price: 450$ plus shipping
Here is a nice Stax Lambda Nova Signature for sale. One of the best headphones Stax ever made and getting rarer and rarer as some of the materials used in these don’t age well. Warm but extended sound, similar in many ways to the SR-Omega as it hails from the same generation. I completely stripped them apart, re-glued the drivers to the baffle, fitted some used but good SR-407 earpads (as there are no more brown pads to be had from Stax) and cleaned up the rest of the set. The headpad has some cracks on the brown surface but again, no more spare parts to be had for these, but it is perfectly serviceable. Sound is perfectly balanced and they come up instantly when plugged in so they will likely last for decades to come.
Price: 600$ plus shipping
Here is a set of SR-404’s I assembled from parts I had in stock. They are stock 404’s except the cable is from the Lambda Signature. Otherwise they sound just like the 404’s and quite lovely at that.
Price: 375$ plus shipping
A Stax SR-L700 Mk1 with upgraded Mk2 forks in very good condition. The Mk2 forks are a welcome update for these and many prefer the Mk1 to the newer Mk2. No original box with this one but they will be very well packaged.
Price: 900$ plus shipping
Ahh the oddball Lambda, the SR-507. When Stax decided to take the SR-009 headband and cable plus the 404LTD leather earpads, and cram it all on a Lambda shell. They sound pretty different from the 407’s, brighter so a bit more like the old Lambda Signature in some ways. Still an improvement over the modern L700’s. These are pretty sought after now and increasing in price as not many were sold back in the day.
Overall condition is good and they have the same issue as all of these have, the base of the earpads is a bit smaller than it should be so some of the adhesive holding them can be seen. This has no effect on the performance though and they sound just fine.
Price: 750$ plus shipping
Here is a set of the Stax SR-Lambda Pro’s, the first Pro bias set Stax ever made, in very good condition. These were the follow up to the original SR-Lambda and they were in production for well over a decade. Not quite as neutral as the normal bias units but excellent none the less. All original parts on this one so the foam inside the earcups is long gone but otherwise excellent condition for a 40 year old set.
Price: 550$ plus shipping
A Stax SR-407, which was the last of the true Lambdas. These took the sound of the SR-404’s and cleaned it up a bit to make them more neutral. The sound also has better extension in the bass and treble and improved sound stage stability. No doubt this is due to the driver cradle all of the x07 units use. This set is in very nice condition but no original box is included.
Price: 550$ plus shipping
Here is a Lambda Nova Basic which arrived in a sorry state. The arc was in pieces and somebody had reattached the drivers to the baffles but done it badly. The drivers sounded just fine though so I fixed it and cleaned up the set in general. They were then fitted with a new SR-L300 arc so they look and feel close to new. As for the sound, these are very much of the Lambda Nova generation so warmer than other Lambdas but not overly so. They just sound lovely and are forgiving, especially in the top end.
Price: 320$ plus shipping
A set of SR-303’s in nice condition and all original. This is the later production version with silver protection screens for the drivers. Stock earpads and headpad in place though the foam inside the earpads has disintegrated as they all do at this point. Very nice set of headphones that would have been a shame to break up to upgrade some Sigma’s.
Price: 375$ plus shipping
This is a set of SR-Lambda Spirit, also called the Pro Classic in other markets. It was the first of the budget Lambdas and have a the headpad and how it is attached to the arc from the Gamma/Alpha series. This set has been fitted with new earpads at some point but the headpad shows the usual issues these all have, the foam on top has broken down showing the cloth backing. In terms of sound these are in the same vein as the SR-202 and 207, neutral and slightly raw compared to the more expensive units.
Price: 240$ plus shipping
Here is a rather nice set of Stax SR-Lambda Professional’s, all original and even the foam inside the earcups is mostly intact. These are warmer sounding than the normal Stax Lambda units and pair really well with the SRM-1 Mk2 amps.
Price: 500$ plus shipping
This is a Stax SR-X Mk2 fitted with nice leather earpads. The Mk2 was a short lived version of the SR-X before the Mk3 took over and has a nicer, warmer sound to them. This set takes a couple of minutes to charge up before they are fully balanced and they are balanced from then out. It’s not uncommon for older Stax to behave like this.
Price: 160$ plus shipping
This is a mint set of SR-L300’s but I’ve been modifying these to try and clean up the sound a bit. Small mods but yeah, these are improved over the stock units and something I’m going to look into further. They come with the original box.
Price: 350$ plus shipping
Here is something I bought recently but was not quite as it seems. It is marked a PMB500 Electrostatic but as the cable would point to, they are in fact dynamics. These are so rare that I just had to take that chance and pounce on them so with them not being electrostatic, I just want to move them on. For those who don’t know, these were made by PMB and are really the evolution of the Jecklin Float design. Now with full earpads and proper fit these are quite lovely.
I have no idea why these are marked like this with a dynamic driver but it is what it is. I just want to get what I paid for them.
Price: 450$ plus shipping
Here is a second set of SR-507’s, as I called them: “When Stax decided to take the SR-009 headband and cable plus the 404LTD leather earpads, and cram it all on a Lambda shell. ” They sound pretty different from the 407’s, brighter so a bit more like the old Lambda Signature in some ways. Still an improvement over the modern L700’s. These are pretty sought after now and increasing in price as not many were sold back in the day.
This set is in nice condition but suffering from the same issue as all of these, the base of the leather earpads is a bit too small so some of the adhesive holding the earpads can be seen. This has no effect on the sound quality.
Price: 700$ plus shipping
Here is a Stax L-500Mk1 in very nice condition and look like new. Only thing non-stock about these are the earpads. I’m not sure where these come from but they might be Vesper units, just not sure. As for the sound, this is one of the better new models Stax sell, a bit on the bright side but far from the 009/X9000 levels. No box with these though.
Price: 475$ plus shipping
Here is a Stax SR-X Mk3 normal bias unit in rather nice condition. These are some of the nicest I’ve seen in years and even have the stock earpads on them. They have started to flake but they are so easy to replace later on that I just left them on. One of the best headphones Stax ever made, very honest sounding as they were designed for monitor use. This set has balanced drivers which come up to song quickly.
Price: 280$ plus shipping
This is a late production SR-404, all original with the box as well. The foam inside the earpads has deteriorated so I just cleaned it all out as it does nothing anyway. Not sure what else can be said about the 404’s, they were very misunderstood back in the day but have gained a solid classic status at this point. A good set with a powerful amp can show what the Lambda was capable off well into the 2000’s.
Price: 550$ plus shipping
This an original normal bias SR-Lambda in lovely condition. The earpads have been replaced with the EP-234BL units and they are in excellent condition. The foam and mineral wool inside the earcups is in good condition too and so is the cable. One of the best headphones Stax have ever made and criminally overlooked just because they are normal bias and not Pro.
Price: 600$ plus shipping
Here is something very, very rare. In my 20 years of collecting Stax, I’ve only ever seen five of these come up for sale and I’ve bought 4 of them. What we have here is a Stax SR-Lambda Pro with no Stax badges at all, marked Head-Acoustics instead. In fact the only Stax logo at all was on the box as these shipped in a standard Stax Lambda box, completely unmarked except for the unique “HA” serial number. Just the Stax embossed into the Styrofoam. I have no idea how many of these were made, this is the highest serial number of my collection, HA 543 so at least that many.
As can be seen, these don’t have a regular Stax plug but a 5 pin Lemo unit instead. They will come with a custom adapter though so you can use them on any standard Stax amps. In terms of sound, this is a standard Lambda Pro, but it just looks so weird without the Stax markings. No box with these.
Price: 600$ plus shipping
This is a clean and tidy set of SR-303’s. The foam inside the earcups and covering the drivers had degraded so I cleaned it out but otherwise they look great and sound even better. Comes with the original box as well
Price: 430$ plus shipping
Here is a rather nice SR-307 which comes with the original box. I replaced the earpads with new unit so it really is as good as new. Truly one of the last great Stax units with a very nice and balanced sound.
Price: 500$ plus shipping
This is a SR-X Mk3’s in pretty good condition. The drivers are perfectly balanced and charge quickly and I’ve fitted them with some deep real leather earpads to make them more comfortable. One of the best normal bias Stax units ever made.
Price: 260$ plus shipping
Here is a mint Stax SRS-002 system, with the box. These are excellent little portable units and I’d take them over the Shure KSE systems.
Price: 375$ plus shipping
Here is a lovely set of SR-307’s, close to mint, a great sounding set of headphones. No original box with these.
Price: 400$ plus shipping
Here is a Stax SR-207 for sale. Looks to be completely original with minimal wear on them. I use the 207’s as test headphones but I just have too many around that are surplus to requirements. The reason I use these compared to the L300’s for instance, they are far more honest headphones with better frequency response and a more even tone. It’s easy to spot any issues with these and I know of some people who use them for mastering professionally. These come with the original box.
Price: 350$ plus shipping
Here is another set of Stax SR-L300’s which I’ve modified with my new mod (which helps clear up the imaging of these) plus they have been fitted with thicker, aftermarket, leather earpads. This helps improve the sound further from the stock unit.
The set came here with the original box but the Styrofoam insert was missing.
Price: 425$ plus shipping
Stax SR-50 electret unit which is pretty rare and only one of two closed electrostatics that actually work ok. This set sounds great and look good for something made in the late 70’s.
Price: 220$ plus shipping
Stax SR-80 Pro electrets. These were called the mini Lambdas back in the day and do sound really nice. This set is in pretty good condition and they make for great test sets since you don’t need a bias supply for them.
Price: 175$ plus shipping
Here is a super rare one, the Stax SR-X mk1 aka. the first Stax to ever have a mesh driver. This one was only out for a couple of years 1970-1972 when it was replaced with the Mk2. That was also short lived as the Mk3 took over in 1975. This one is up there with the SR-1 in terms of rarity but I’m trying to cut down my collection so it must go. Comes with new SR-X earpads and is in very good condition for a set that’s this old.
Price: 300$ plus shipping
SR-3 in perfect condition. This was the first of the “common” Stax headphones so these are relatively easy to find though not in this condition. Great sounding headphones with excellent midrange but the top and bottom end extension is pretty limited compared to more modern units. Still must have been quite special back in 1968
Price: 350$ plus shipping
SR-3New (aka the SR-4) in excellent condition. They look like new and just look at that cable… they never look like that these days.
Price: 300$ plus shipping
Stax SR-30 in fair condition. It is fully balanced in terms of sound but the headband won’t always stick in position and the cable has some splits in it. Neither of those factors have any effect on the performance though and they sound lovely. Earpads are in nice shape too so perfectly serviceable and can be driven by anything with a Pro or normal bias output.
Price: 160$ plus shipping
Some further house clearing, here is a Stax SR-003Mk1. These are very unique headphones and they sound great, especially on better amps as they truly allow them to shine. They are in many ways mini SR-007’s and sound rather different from the Mk2 version.
Price: 230$ plus shipping
A Stax SR-Lambda Normal bias, one of the best sets Stax ever made. This set has some wear on the earpads but it is otherwise in nice condition. The cable is a bit stiff but nothing major and they sound glorious. These have become very thin on the ground and are shooting up in price. As with all classic Lambdas, the foam inside the earpads are long gone but the foam and damping inside the earcups is in nice condition.
Price: 450$ plus shipping
SR-303’s with the original box and in 100% original condition. The foam covering the drivers inside the earpads has perished as they all do, the earpads have cracks forming all over but they are still perfectly serviceable and the headpad is also perished a little bit but they are all perfectly serviceable. Same sound as the SR-404 for less money so great headphones for a first system.
Price: 350$ plus shipping
Here we have a Stax SR-3New that is fully original except the cable has been replaced with the far superior ribbon cable. The set works perfectly and comes up on song in second or less.
Price: 225$ plus shipping
Here is a SR-X Mk3 normal bias set with one missing name plate, but otherwise in good condition. The earpads have been changed to my usual thick leather units and these are balanced and come up to volume quickly.
Price: 125$ plus shipping
Here is a set of Stax SR-3New in ok condition. They sound great and come up to balance within a minute or so (quite normal for these old sets) but it is missing the nameplate on the left hand side. The earpads are just some I found in my stash but they work well.
Price: 110$ plus shipping
Updated 14.09.2023